Get up close and personal with amazing rock formations, search the shores for native wildlife, and learn natural and cultural history while traveling along the beautiful Wisconsin River. Students will receive instruction on land about paddling techniques, safely entering and exiting a canoe, and how to work as a team to steer before embarking on a wonderful journey of discovery. Youth and adults must wear PFD’s at all times. A ratio of 1 adult to 8 youth is required and these adults must canoe with group. An experienced adult may lead this class provided they attend an orientation given by Upham staff. Upham staff will serve as lifeguard unless group provides their own lifeguard. This class will be canceled if water flow reaches 12,000 cfs.
Length: 1.5 hour MINIMUM / 2 hours recommended
Maximum Participants: 28 (requires 4 adults); 3 people/canoe maximum, 2 minimum. Maximum 13 boats per class.
Accessibility notes: As canoes can hold 3 people, individuals that are unable to paddle can still be accommodated in the boat as riders. If individuals are concerned about sitting in the canoe, we can provide seats with backrests or individuals can sit on the floor of the canoe and be propped up with life jackets or other materials. Upham Staff can not assist with lifting individuals into the canoe, but they can assist with transfers in other ways such as holding the boat steady. We also have an accessible kayak available for use with a variety of seat supports and paddling adaptations.
Multiple sizes of type II and type III PFD’s are available to accommodate a variety of body types. Our smallest life jacket is for children for 30-50 lbs, so if participants are smaller than this, they will need to provide their own PFD.
