Paddling Leader's Guide & Requirements
Scouts don't have to travel far to have a great canoeing experience. Our camps are located close to scenic waterways and pristine lakes. We provide canoes, personal flotation devices, and paddles to get you on the river.
Our Canoe trailers are stored at Camp Sol R. Crown in Trever, Wisconsin, and must be picked up and returned there.
Camp Crown: Camp Crown is located next to the Fox River and is a perfect ending point for a half-day or full-day canoe trek. If you begin upstream of Camp Crown, there is a take-out point within a mile of camp. Fox River Park also makes a good lunch stop.
Camp Oakarro: Camp Oakarro is about three minutes away from Van Patten Woods’ Sterling Lake, a perfect setting for learning how to canoe or kayak. Canoes must be picked up from and returned to Camp Crown.
Other Paddling Trips: You can design another trip that suits your unit. For example, the Des Plaines River, Nippersink Creek (near Camp Crown), or Center Lake (near Camp Crown). If your group needs some lake practice time before a river trip, you could practice in the morning on Center Lake and do a 3-mile trip on the Fox River in the afternoon.
Start your Canoe Reservation today!
Certifications & Requirements
The BSA has a comprehensive list of Aquatics Safety Guidelines in the Guide to Safe Scouting. To rent paddling equipment from NEIC, the following requirements must be met.
Youth Protection Training: 2 adult leaders minimum for any size group.
First Aid & CPR - at least 1 leader trained per every 10 scouts.
Safety Afloat - at least 1 leader trained per every 10 scouts.
Safe Swim Defense - if you plan on swimming as well, at least 1 leader must be trained per every 10 scouts.
Aquatics Supervision: Paddlecraft Safety - not required, but recommended.
| Group Size | Minimum # of Adults |
|---|---|
| 1-10 | 2 |
| 11-20 | 3 |
| 21-29 | 4 |
The NEIC will verify training records after the rental request has been received.