When: August 14-16, 2026, Friday - Sunday
Friday departure - Meet at OGUMC by 6:30, having had dinner prior to arrival
Sunday return - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Chattooga River, 2.5 hours away, 130 miles
Cost: $225/245 per Scout $145/165 for Adult who is rafting. No cost for an adult if not rafting.
Register by: Friday July 31, 2026
REQUIRED FOR ALL PADDLERS AND PARENTS: SIGN THIS ELECTRONIC WAIVER
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!
Rafting the Chattooga will be an epic way to wrap up summer and kick off the new year of Troop campouts! Many scout rafted the Ocoee and Hiwassee at summer camp this year so we will be hitting a particularly great rafting section on the Chattooga. An amazing river with great rapids. Participants have the opportunity to raft one of two sections each taking 4-5 hours:
Section III is required for scouts under the age of 12 and is a good option for participants who aren't looking for the white knuckle experience of Class IV rapids and 8 foot dops. It's still got great scenery and very exciting Class II rapids so no one will be disappointed.
Section IV is widely celebrated as the pinnacle of whitewater rafting and kayaking in the Southeastern United States. Dropping 75 feet in a very short distance, this federally protected "Wild and Scenic" river serves as the steep, dramatic border between Georgia and South Carolina. It offers an intense, technical pool-drop run.
Lunch will be provided on both sections
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!
Assemble by 6:30 p.m. Friday, August 1 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!
Southeastern Waiver <---- 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).
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!!!!!
Everyone should eat dinner on Friday night prior to arriving at OGUMC
Patrols will meal plan the Tuesday before the trip. Lunch should be easy to pack and eat (sandwiches, etc) - we will bring these on the river in dry bags. All participants should bring money for Sunday lunch.
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 (Verizon and ATT are best, but still not great)
Wifi: No, but is available at office
Trash: At outhouses and dumpsters in the main camp
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
Scouts and adult leaders will wear Class A shirts at the following times:
Friday night, enroute to Camp Rainey Mountain (we always travel in uniform)
For Scouts Own Service
Sunday, enroute back to OGUMC
The trip will happen rain or shine. Thunder and lightning could change or cancel the river portion of the campout.
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.
See information on the Troop campout page regarding cancellations and refunds.
Invoices will be sent by July 27.
Camping
Camp Rainey Mountain
1494 Rainey Mountain Road,
Clayton, GA 30525
We are in the Monroe Campsite
706-782-3733
Southeastern Outfitters(arrive by 9:15 a.m. Saturday)
7350 Hwy 76 E, Clayton, GA 30525
800-868-7238
Information for contacting adults on the trip will be provided closer to the trip. Key contacts are:
Mike Henry - Trip Leader 678-823-2700
Eric Klein - Trip Planner 504-256-6373
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.
Tennova Healthcare
2305 Chambliss Ave NW
Cleveland, TN 37311
Open 24 hours
23 miles / 35 minute drive from campground