Intro to Packrafting Adventure

Expedition Overview

Dates: June 13 - 18, 2022
Age: 14–16 years old
Group size: max 10 students/3 instructors
Length: 6 Days
Tuition: $1,440

6-day introduction to fundamental outdoor skills, river navigation and paddling skills. Great intro option for those wanting to learn whitewater skills!
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MWS Essential Eligibility Criteria 

Packing List 
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Expedition Highlights

Fundamental outdoor skills for traveling in remote environment
Packraft (inflatable kayak) skills
Learn swift water rescue techniques
River navigation skills
Adventurous backcountry paddling experiences on exciting whitewater
Wilderness decision-making and communication skills
Experience pristine ecosystems, huge river beaches, and natural hot springs

Expedition Description

The Introduction to Packrafting Adventure is an entry level, 6-day course for 14-16 year olds interested in learning the basics of packrafting and navigating swiftwater. Students will develop and practice skills in backcountry wilderness travel, paddling, cooking, and communication and decision-making as they learn the basics of group living on a remote and wild river. While on expedition, students will also learn and practice Leave No Trace® camping principles, learn about local ecology, and engage with place-based land history lessons and curriculum. This is a great option to build skills for more challenging whitewater travel in the future! For more information about MWS core curriculum and expedition progression see Expedition Life.

Expedition Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Teamwork and communication skills

Learn positive communication skills with diverse group members to create a healthy community, build trust, and make sound decisions in the backcountry together
Develop an expedition philosophy, apply it to the course, and understand how it can transfer back to the student’s home environment

Safety and wilderness based decision making

Backcountry hazard evaluation and risk reduction guidelines and tools
First aid awareness for backcountry settings: identification and treatment of common backcountry illness and injuries
Learn to collaboratively make decisions in remote environments that prioritizes individual and group safety

Conservation Ethic

Use basic observational and interpretive skills to demonstrate an understanding and respect for the natural environment
Discuss the history, facts and potential solutions to pertinent environmental and social issues affecting the wilderness in the expedition area
Reflect upon and discuss the conveyance of wilderness conservation ethics into personal life and build a capacity for commitment and stewardship to wild places

Backcountry camping and navigation skills

Use safe backcountry kitchen practices to cook nutritious meals on a camp stove or fire
Demonstrate an ability to select an appropriate campsite and set up a shelter while minimizing the impact on the ecosystem
Understand and demonstrate how to stay healthy, warm, and comfortable in the backcountry
Understand and demonstrate techniques for camping and traveling in bear habitat
Use various navigation and route-finding tools and methods for on and off trail travel
Travel efficiently in the alpine environment using map and compass skills

Technical Skills

Packrafting

Inflating, deflating, packing and securing equipment in an inflatable packraft
Reading water and understanding hydraulics in swift moving water
Swift water rescue skills
Packraft control and paddling skills in swift moving water and rapids

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Intro to Packrafting

adventure