Floating       Floating Fee         Float Departure         Float Return
     Float Gear             3rd Pers. in Canoe               Sun Protection
     Hemmed-In-Hollow               Tumping                 Equipment Stowing
   On-The-Rocks       Pinned Canoe         Troop Float Discipline                     Rising Water & High Bluffs                 Boating, Water Skiing, & Tubing

Floating:Usually, the Troop 55 spring canoe trip takes place on the Buffalo National river.  There was a plan to float the Spring river, but with the influx of new Webelos, it was decided to float the Buffalo, an easier float.  The following letter  from the Scoutmaster, is typical year to year.

“It looks like we are going to have another good group this year to float the upper Buffalo. If you have not paid your $20 to Troop Treasurer, please do so quickly, to reserve your space.  April is chosen because the water is best on the upper Buffalo. As the weather is somewhat chilly, you should pack a lightweight jacket.”

“There are a few reminders I want to cover with everyone about the float trip.  We will be putting in at Steele Creek, near Ponca, Arkansas and float to Kyle’s Landing, that is west of the highway 65 bridge, a float of about 10 miles. We plan to leave from the upper parking lot of First Baptist Church at 6:30 am Saturday morning, 5 April. We must depart on time, so don’t be late.”

“We will travel west on I-40, then north on highway 7 from Russellville to Jasper, Arkansas. We will meet at Gordon’s Motel which is providing our canoes.  They will shuttle us by bus to Steele Creek landing, and pick us up at Kyle’s landing, Saturday afternoon. All vehicles will be left at Gordon’s Motel in Jasper. It is approximately a  2 1/2 hour drive to Jasper, and we plan to be on the river by 10 am and off by 3:30 pm.”

“We estimate our time of departure from Jasper at 4:30 pm, and project our return to Little Rock at around 7:30 pm. As everyone will be hungary, we will make a quick stop at a fast food place in Russellville. A Scout, who is not bringing their parent on the float trip, should bring $5. for food. Everyone will be responsible for packing a sack lunch for Saturday. You may have enough room for a small ice chest in the middle of the canoe. You are welcome to bring snacks for the float. You will have to pack out all trash, so bring a small trash bag for your canoe.”

 “The following is a list of things you don’t want to forget.

• Water bottle, sack lunch, sunscreen, swim suit or shorts, cap, and optional light weight jacket and good Scout spirit.
   
• A change of clothes for after the float, extra “T” shirt in a zip-lock bag, dry shoes for the return home, and an old pare of tennis shoes to wear on the river.  This is necessary to protect your feet on the rocky bottom.  In addition, I have had good success wearing strap on waterproof sandles. They come with little suction cups over the entire sole. I wear them with thinsolate socks. I’ve never been uncomfortable, and so far I have never even stubbed my toe.
   
• A garbage bag or dry bag in your canoe to keep your belongings dry, in the event you tump over.

“If you are planning to travel with a small person in the middle of the canoe, bring along a Coast Guard approved type II or type III PDF (Personal Floatation Device) from home.  Also, you will need a boat cussion for them to sit on.  The outfitter will provide paddles and life jackets for everyone else. I would like to ask that all Scouts and  Troop leaders wear their Troop “T” shirts for the float, to help us identify everyone. while on the river.”

“ I want to remind everyone again about bringing sunscreen and showing respect for the sun! You are going to be in the sun for about 5 hours. You are further asked to stay off  high river embankments. There have been other floaters in the past who have slipped and fell to their death.  No one from our troop has fallen and we don’t want that to happen.”

“On our float, we hope to take a short hike to Hemmed-in-Hollow,    the highest waterfall in mid-America.  If you have any questions,      ask your Scoutmaster.”

Tumping, turning over in the canoe, is always a favorite topic of discussion on a float trip, on the river, after the float, and when everyone has returned home.  To avoid tumping each Scout is    instructed in the use of various strokes usually the “J” stroke,     which is best for paddling straight down stream.  

However, there is more to know to avoid tumping, for the stream  does not always move in a straight direction.  The Scout in the front  of the canoe, usually the person with the least experience, must   know the left and right draw stroke. The Scout in the rear of the canoe, usually the person with the greater experience, must know how to sweep and therefore lend assitance to the person exercising the draw stroke in the front of the canoe.

Working together as a small team or patrol, with these strokes, they can manuever the canoe around aproaching objects, avoid danger and tumping. The person in the rear of the canoe must always be alert to approaching rapids, select the “V” where the canoe is to enter the rapids,  guide the canoe toward the “V” with the assistance of the Scout in the bow of the canoe, and tell him what he wants him to do--draw right or left to help manuever the canoe in the  desired direction when approaching rapids, and then ”J” stroke   ahead in calm water.

Sometimes, even with the best effort, a two man canoe will end           up going down stream backwards.  Usually nothing can be              done directly to immediately correct the canoe direction.  It is important at these times to remain center-lined and low in the canoe as possible, keeping the center of gravity as low as possible.  It is at times like these that the canoe will turn over. A slight lean by either or both Scouts will in a moment like this end up tumping the canoe. Always remember the force of the water is stronger than you, and you must always work to make the water work to your advantage--in a sense it is the third person in the canoe.

Equipment should always be tied so as to remain in the center-line    of the canoe.  It is best not to sit on the seat,  especially when  entering rapids. It is best to be on your knees, with the knees spread to the side walls of the canoe, so you can bend, twist, turn,    and crouch as the situation dictates, especially when entering and during the time you are in the rapids.

If you get up on a rock, remain calm, and with both Scouts working together, try to disengage the rock without leaving the canoe. It is possible, by remaining low and center-lined, and by shifting the combined Scouts’ weight repeatedly forward, together in unison, to get off of the rock.

If you get entangled in rushing water on the side of a rock or tree growth, remember two Scouts are not strong enough to extricate     the canoe while staying in the water.  You must get to the bank,       and by using a rope and other Scouts, pull the canoe out of the entanglement.  However, It may be necessary to turn canoe bottom up stream. This is done by grasping the side of the canoe with as many Scouts as you can muster, and lifting the upstream side of the canoe up so the bottom is exposed and the top side of the canoe is facing down stream, and then with a rope or  the help of other Scouts pull the canoe to the stream bank. Reload your gear, collect your paddles, and continue your float trip.

It is for predicaments such as these that Scouts must stay   reasonably together as a Troop while on the float. One canoe is selected to lead the Troop downstream. No other canoe in theTroop is allowed to pass this canoe. This canoe selects the lunch takeouts and scenic stops along the way. Another canoe is assigned to take up the rear of the float. This is the last canoe and is responsible to make sure that all Troop canoes are not left behind.  While all canoes should have the individual first aid kit to treat minor cuts and scratches,  the lead and last canoe should be equipped with a Troop first aid kit.

If you note that the river is rapidly rising,,perhaps it has been raining upstream, and it is best to get to the nearest bank and get to high ground.  Wait for help to come.  Mostly, it is necessary to stay off the high bluffs. On occasion individuals have fallen from the bluffs and been badly hurt or killed. 

To avoid tumping or trouble, it is necessary to stay alert, low and centerlined, and respond safely to the changing river conditions.

Boating, Water Sking, & Tubing: In August the troop camps at Lake Ouachita for the weekend.  On that campout the boys are provided opportunities for boating, tubing, swimming, and water  sking. Being alert, having an assigned buddy, and following safe boating practices is important and necessary to avoid accidents  or drowning.  If an area of water is designated for swimming, always follow the instructions of the person acting as life guard. When he blows the whistle, find your assigned buddy.  If he directs you away from horseplay, stop immediately. If he tells you to get out of the water, do so at once.

  Under no circumstances dive through the hole of an inner tube or any shallow or unfamiliar water.  It may seam harmless, but it has caused broken necks before and resulting quadraplegic condition. It will not only ruin your day, but the rest of your life. If you are unsure or have any questions, ask your Scoutmaster.

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