Canoe Trip Details and Swim Test Reminder

Good morning Parents and Leaders of Troop 45,
Nathan Crouch here with 2 important updates:
– Reminder that Swim Test Make-Up Day is tonight at 6:00pm at the Oxford Swim Club. All Scouts going on the Canoe trip need to have a swim test completed.
*Canoe Trip Details*
*Drop Off Time & Location:*
– 7:00am Saturday at the *VFW, 125 Veterans Drive Rd, Oxford, MS* – *Please have your Scout eat breakfast prior to arriving. Only lunch will be provided. If you Scout was assigned quarter master, please work with them on the selection and purchase of food for their patrol. For this event, these should be items that do not require cooking (sandwiches, trail food, etc.)*
*Pick Up Time & Location:*
– ~7:30pm Saturday evening at *VFW, 125 Veterans Drive Rd, Oxford, MS* – *Please watch your email late Saturday for any updates. As this is our first trip, we are making our best estimates of Canoeing times, but if there are any unforeseen delays, we will alert you via email.*
*Canoeing location:*
– Wolf River- Ghost River Section Le Grange, TN (1:20 Minutes from Oxford) – www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Enid-Lake/ <www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/natural-areas-west-region/west-region/ghost-river.html>
*Plan and details for the Weekend:*
– We will have ~32 Scouts and 8 leaders attend the canoe trip, traveling in a mix of the First Presbyterian Church bus and leader vehicles. – The 2 Scout Masters taking lead for this event are: – Nathan Crouch- 601-934-5628 – Ben Stepp- 662-816-9557

*What to Wear and Items to bring:*
o Swimsuits/quick dry clothing- they will definitely be getting wet and possibly swimming some.
o Water shoes/Closed toed shoes; Keen’s style shoes would be the best as they will have to walk through muddy sections at times but old tennis shoes could be an alternative as well. Sandals/Flip Flops would not be safe.
o Sunscreen
o Bug spray
o Full Water Bottle
o Small Towel
o Hat and Sunglasses
o Change of clothes in a separate bag that will stay on the bus for the ride home. Small trash bag for wet clothes
o Life Jacket if you have one. If your Scout has a personal life jacket that fits them well, please bring it. If not, we will have many available.
o Please avoid bringing unnecessary electronics or valuables. Expect that anything brought on the river could potentially get wet

Thank you again for encouraging your Scout to participate. The weather looks great and we’re all looking forward to a great trip down the Ghost River.
Warm regards,
Nathan Crouch
601-934-5628 Troop 45