Rafting

Last minute reminders

• Eat dinner Friday night, prior to arriving at OGUMC

• Bring money for Sunday lunch

• Must have closed-toed shoes with a heel strap (to ensure the shoes stay on your feet!) to raft. No shoes . . . . no raft

• Have a towel for riding back in cars after rafting 

• No cotton clothing on the river. Wear quick drying clothing.

• Sign your waiver! (Hiwassee Outfitter has changed. See below)

Campout Description

Rafting the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers will be an epic way to wrap up summer and kick off the new year of Troop campouts! 

• The Ocoee River is almost a continuous whitewater experience of Class II, III, and IV rapids. We will go through 33 rapids, including the Olympic whitewater section. Participants must be 12 years old to raft the Ocoee. Time on the water will be 5-6 hours, including lunch. 

• The Hiwassee River is primarily Class I (moving water with small waves, few obstructions) and Class II (easy rapids with wide, clear channels; some maneuvering required). Any age can boat this section of the Hiwassee, but age requirements will determine boat options for each participant. Time on the water will be about 5-6 hours, including lunch. The current plan is to boat the Upper Hiwassee with rafts provided by Hiwassee Outfitters, have lunch, and then paddle kayaks to our campsite, learning some skills along the way. 

Please Note: ALL SCOUTS BOATING WITH THE TROOP MUST BE “SWIMMERS” and have passed the BSA swim test (within past 12 mos.) Swim tests can be arranged for those who have not passed the BSA swim test. 

Non-swimmers are not eligible for this trip.

Review all our campout guidelines here to ensure you know about expectations regarding medical forms, adult training, cancellations, refunds, and the requirement that Scouts participate fully in the campout, unless approved by the Scoutmaster. 

Medical Forms and Adult training (YPT and Haz Weather) are due when registration closes. Work on them now! 

Cost

All participants

• Assemble by 6:30 p.m. Friday, August 11 for roll call. 

• Bring money for lunch on Sunday afternoon.

• Driving to and from the campout - During our Friday night departure, Scouts will determine whose vehicle they are riding in. 

• Waivers: All participants must sign the waiver for their river selection. No waiver? . . . . No Go!

Ocoee River with Big Frog Outfitters     <---- Click on this link

• For Ocoee waivers complete online for each person. Click on one of the "Sign Waiver" buttons and complete. 

Hiwassee Outfitters  <---- Click on this link

• For Hiwassee waivers complete online for each person. Ensure you finalize each waiver by clicking on each email you receive (multiple participants means multiple emails).  

Prescription Medication?

If your scout will be taking medications during the weekend, please have your Scout turn it over to the leader of their sub-group (e.g. Basecamp, backpacking crew) 

• • • Complete this Medication Administration Form:

    • NO prescription, over the counter medicine, vitamins or herbal supplements are permitted in a scout’s gear.

    • The Scout’s medication, along with the completed form should be placed in a Ziplock bag.

    • Medications MUST BE in their ORIGINAL containers.  We will be unable to accept anything without the original container. 

    • Please label the Ziplock bag with your Scout’s name.

    • Emergency medications such as Epi-pen and albuterol inhalers should be kept with the Scout at all times!!!!!

Meals

• Everyone should eat dinner on Friday night prior to arriving at OGUMC

• Adults will be planning and providing meals on Saturday and Sunday morning. All participants should bring money for Sunday lunch. 

Camping

• Temperature: 70–90

• Water: Yes

• Toilets: Yes

• Ice: Yes, at nearby stores 

• Showers: Yes

• Changing rooms: Yes

• Shelter: No

• Tables: Yes

• Fire ring: Yes

• Cellular: Spotty (Verison and ATT are best, but still not great)

• Wifi: No, but is available at office

• Trash: At outhouses and dumpsters in the main camp

Packing lIst

• See the Gear webpage for the printable, standard packing list. For this campout, add . .  . 

  • Water shoes - heel strap, closed toe, old tennis shoes work very well. If you have flip flops, open toed, or shoes that don't have a heel strap to keep the shoes on your feet you will not be participating. 

  • No cotton on the river. Wear quick drying clothing. 

• For rafting the Ocoee, nothing will be allowed in the boats. 

• For the Hiwassee, we can strap in water bottles

When to wear class A uniform

Scouts and adult leaders will wear Class A shirts at the following times:

• Friday night, enroute to Hiwassee /Ocoee State Park (we always travel in uniform)

• For Scouts Own Service

• Sunday, enroute back to OGUMC 

Inclement weather

• The trip will happen rain or shine. Thunder and lightning could change or cancel the river portion of the campout. 

Weekend Weather

Here is the area forecast

Tenting

• T77 Scouts are to coordinate tenting with other Scout(s) on their own which includes who they are tenting with and who is bringing the tent. They do not need to communicate their arrangements to the Scoutmaster. Check out the Tenting Guidelines here. 

Payment, Cancellation, and refunds

• See information on the Troop campout page regarding cancellations and refunds. 

• Invoices will be sent as by July 27.

Addresses

Camping

Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park 

404 Spring Creek Road 

Delano, TN 37325

We are in Group Campsites #4 and #5

423-263-0050

Ocoee Rafting (arrive by 9:30 a.m. Saturday) (lunch is included)

Big Frog Expeditions

1278 Welcome Valley Rd, Benton, TN 37307

423-244-0345

Hiwassee Rafting (arrive by 10:15 a.m. Saturday) (will need to bring lunches)

Webb Brothers

3708 Highway 30

Reliance, TN, 37369

423-338-2373

Sunday Return to OGUMC

Scouts plan to depart Hiwassee Ocoee State Park around 10:00 a.m. After stopping for lunch, the estimated time to arrive at OGUMC is 12:30-1:00 p.m. All Scouts will need to be present for roll call and to help unload the trailer before being dismissed. 

A note will be placed on top of this webpage around noon on Sunday with a more accurate ETA. 

Hospital info - Closest Er

Tennova Healthcare 

2305 Chambliss Ave NW

Cleveland, TN 37311

Open 24 hours

23 miles / 35 minute drive from campground