Kayak Leader Training Trip
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Upcoming Events
Trips to be scheduled.
This trip is for students involved with College Outdoors leadership who want to learn the skills needed to lead kayak trips for College Outdoors. Kayaking or other paddling experience is required. If you don’t have paddling experience but are interested, stop by the office to chat with us.
We’ll depart campus Friday night, spend Saturday developing kayak skills in flat water on the coast, and practice more techniques in a side channel of the Columbia River on Sunday before returning to campus in time for dinner. We’ll learn kayak strokes, maneuvers, rescues, safety, and trip logistics.
This trip is an invite-only leader training for current Student Coordinators, Assistant Leaders, or Trip Leaders. Contact the office if you are interested in attending!
It is helpful if you have some experience paddling kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, or other paddle-craft. We’ll teach you all the skills needed to participate, but kayaking can be physically demanding. The distance paddled and time on the water will be tailored to the group and weather conditions.
Rigor level:
- Moderate
No experience necessary! All of our trips are designed to teach you all the necessary skills required for this activity.
- Mellow: Outings designed for anyone who wants to get outdoors in a leisurely manner. Terrain or activity will be gentle and the energy will be more calm.
- Moderate: Trips with more physical effort and opportunities for “challenge by choice.” Build your confidence in the outdoors, pushing yourself in a supportive environment.
- Rigorous: High-energy trips, exploring varied landscapes through adventurous activities. While rigor level is high, still no experience is required!
Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
This guide outlines the minimum physical and emotional requirements that must be met by each participant on College Outdoors trips. While we aim to accommodate all students, if the Essential Eligibility Criteria are not met, your safety and overall success may be compromised. Find out more (PDF). For any questions about accommodations, please contact us at outdoors@lclark.edu.
- ☑ Sleeping indoors
- ☐ Sleeping outdoors
- ☑ Electricity
- ☑ Wifi
- ☑ Cell phone service
- ☑ Heating
- ☑ Beds
- ☑ Bathrooms
- ☑ Gender-inclusive bathrooms
- ☑ Showers
- ☐ Wheelchair accessible
- ☑ Food for any Dietary Restrictions
College Outdoors trips have a Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM) prior to the trip to help you prepare, which takes place at the Sequoia warehouse on the Graduate Campus.
At this meeting you’ll meet the trip leaders and other participants, learn more about the trip activity, location, and schedule, and be given a packing list of everything you need for your trip. The trip leaders and Sequoia staff will then help you find and borrow anything on the packing list that you’d like to borrow. We have high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment, and it’s all free to use for your trip!
If you miss a Pre-Trip Meeting, check your email for important info you missed.
Sequoia is the College Outdoors warehouse, located on the Graduate Campus. Everything you’ll need is available for free when you come on a College Outdoors Trip. At Sequoia you will find:
- Clothing needed for your trip, including any relevant outerwear and specialty items needed for the activity. Sizes range from XS - XXL and come in gendered an non-gendered designs.
- Gear needed for your trip, such as sleeping bags, backpacks, water bottles, and much much more.
- Equipment such as tents, cookware, first-aid kits, and boats, which trip leaders will pack for each trip as needed.
- Gender-neutral bathrooms, which can also be used as changing rooms.
- Staff available to answer your questions.
All trip participants and leaders are expected to follow CO policies, which you can see here. This document includes info on healthy practices, water/swimming policies, environmental safety, community standards, and leader responsibilities.
College Outdoors is located in room 239 of Fowler Student Center on the Undergraduate Campus.
email outdoors@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7116
Director Kori Campbell
College Outdoors
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219