Boy Scout Troop 87 Etowah River Overnighter

July 18 & 19, 2009 - twenty Scouts and Scouters from Troop 87 sponsored by Roswell Presbyterian Church enjoyed a fun, sometimes challenging, but leisurely paddle through the Dawson Forest section of the Etowah River.



7:15 AM at the Hwy. 9 Put-in as I start untying and unloading the canoes and gear.

For many, this was the first opportunity to paddle moving water and, for a handfull, the first time to paddle period.



Fun on the Etowah River





The course downriver had been blazed for us by Doc Stevens on Thursday as he wielded a saw, removing limbs and tree trunks from dangerous strainers which had been created or relocated by the past week's storms.


With a little help from my friends - everyone got under this riverwide fallen tree.

We quickly made camp upon our arrival at the waterfall which allowed plenty of time for the boys to discuss the Canoeing Merit Badge requirements, learn the various strokes, and put their new knowledge into action. Scoutmaster Stewart only half-jokingly commented that this was the first time he could remember setting up his tent in daylight.


We made camp beside this waterfall and slept to the gentle sounds of the stream.

Cooling off in the river right below our campsite.

Attentive students!

More attentive learners!

Even the adults sat and listened carefully!

Practicing canoe-over-canoe rescues

Learning to re-enter without capsizing the canoes

Trading places & learning balance

Everyone agreed that the weather was absolutely wonderful for paddling, although several thought the night got a little cold fro sleeping comfortably. I guess that was just another reminder from our heavenly scout"Master" that we should "Be Prepared." We stopped for a brief Sunday worship led by Jack, the Troop 87 Chaplain, on the river just upstream from Radioactive Rapid with a closing thought shared by everyone that with every thorn there is also a rose. Most of us found the roses too numerous on this trip to even consider the thorns.

We arrived at the designated take-out point literally minutes before some of the parents arrived to meet the boys. Like the Colonel on the A-Team - "I just love it when a plan comes together!" All in all a great time and we all talked about doing another trip together soon. I know that I'm looking forward to it!

Teamwork + Common Goals => Success!

Father-Son Experience on Alabama's Choctawhatchee River

Unlike the other trip reports, where I compose all the comments, on this one I have just copied an email from one of the participants. I hope you enjoy reading his take on this adventure which took place July 10 - 14, 2009 and included snakes, alligators, egrets, herons, lightning bugs and, on one night, low flying night-vision equipped helicopters buzzing our campsite.

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A great time of father & son bonding!

Dear Ben:

I want to thank you for the absolutely splendid trip we had on the Choctawhatchee River with me and 12 year old Matthew.

You distinguished yourself before we ever got on the river by making a number of accommodations to my unpredictable and constantly mutating schedule – with changes in the number of days, time of departure, all of which caused you to change the trip planning, food planning, etc.

Your accommodations and flexibility were superb.

Happy campers? You bet!

Of course, one of the goals of this trip was to give Matthew a great outdoor experience, to introduce him to canoeing, to build his self confidence and to enhance the father-son bond. You succeeded admirably! On each one of these goals, we realized what we wanted – culminating in Matthew’s solo paddle all day on the last day, including following your expert instructions through the strainers. And amazingly – he listened, something that he may not have done had his father been the instructor.

Matthew's first day solo paddling - in the Bluehole Sunburst.

Ready to take a well deserved break at the confluence of the Little Choctawhatchee and the Choctawhatchee River.

In our time together, I certainly sensed what I take to be the results of 30 years of your experience in the outdoors with such a variety of venues and kids, as you explained your background to me. Your ease at camp, your ease on the water, your beautiful balance between forthright instruction and gentle encouragement with Matthew (and me!) all have been honed, I think, through your years doing this work. I think you are indeed a treasure.

One of the many creatures that shared the Choctawhatchee with us 7/10 - 7/14/09.

In fact, I think you might be hiding your light under a bushel. I know how diligently you are working on OWLS with the inner city kids – what a marvelous ministry. But I think your talents are so broad and deep that you would do well to serve other communities. I’m thinking of church groups, community-based groups, outfitter stores that offer outings like the one we were on. Your special touch with adolescents is quite rare – as most people will avoid that age group because the kids are so (appropriately) difficult. I think there are an increasing number of schools – especially private schools – that offer “real life,” practical experiences for their students. They should hire you!

The soapstone walls of the riverbank continually flowed with water, creating these "fernfalls" rather than ordinary waterfalls.

And by the way, I appreciate you providing such superb equipment and food – it certainly made our life easy to just follow your “what to bring” instructions – and then enjoy ourselves.


Making camp as the sun drops below the horizon.

It was particularly fun to do an exploratory trip with you, as I understand this was your first trip down the Choctawhatchee – a most beautiful and remote area. I was able after the first day to disconnect completely from the onslaught of work and things at home, and get a true mental rest and physical workout.

Yes, dads can still enjoy rope swings too!

Thanks again.

Cordially,
George