We typically canoe Mud Creek in May or early June.

Be Prepared to canoe through some Class II rapids that require shooting straight through the riffles and not standing up.

1.Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that co-occur while canoeing, including hypothermia, heat reactions, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, and blisters.

Do the following:
Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person.
Explain how such conditions are recognized.
Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test:
Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth.
Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.
After completing the swim, rest by floating.

Discuss the following:
The BSA Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to canoeing activities.
The most common weather and water-related hazards encountered while canoeing and how to deal safely with each one.

Do the following:
Name and point out the major parts of a canoe.
Describe how the length and shape of a canoe affect its performance.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials used to make canoes.
Name and point out the parts of a paddle. Explain the difference between a straight and bent-shaft paddle and when each is best used.
Demonstrate how to correctly size a paddle for a paddler in a sitting position and a kneeling position.
Name the different types of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and explain when each type should be used.
Show how to properly fit and test a PFD of correct size.
Discuss the general care and maintenance of canoeing equipment.
Discuss what personal and group equipment would be appropriate for a canoe camping trip. Describe how personal and group equipment can be packed and protected from water.
Demonstrate how to load and secure equipment in a canoe.
Using appropriate knots, demonstrate how to secure a canoe to a rack on land, a vehicle, or a canoe trailer.
With a companion, wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following:
Safely carry and launch the canoe from a dock or shore (both, if possible).
Safely land the canoe on a dock or shore (both, if possible) and return it to its proper storage location.

Demonstrate kneeling and sitting positions in a canoe and explain the proper use for each position.
Change places while afloat in the canoe.
In deep water, exit the canoe and get back in without capsizing.
Capsize the canoe and demonstrate how staying with a capsized canoe will support both paddlers.
Swim, tow, or push a swamped canoe 50 feet to shallow water.
In the shallow water, empty the swamped canoe and reenter it.
In deep water, rescue a swamped canoe and its paddlers by emptying the swamped canoe and helping the paddlers safely reenter their boat without capsizing.
With a companion, wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, demonstrate the following paddling strokes as both a bow and stern paddler:

Forward stroke
Backstroke
Draw
Pushaway
Forward sweep
Reverse or back sweep
For stern paddling only:
J-stroke

Using the strokes in requirement 7, demonstrate the following tandem maneuvers while paddling on opposite sides and without changing sides. Repeat after switching positions and paddling sides:
Pivot or spin the canoe in either direction.
Move the canoe sideways or abeam in either direction.
Stop the canoe.
Move the canoe in a straight line for 50 yards.
Wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, demonstrate solo canoe handling:
Launch from shore or a pier (both, if possible).
Using a single-blade paddle and paddling only on one side, demonstrate proper form and use of the forward stroke, backstroke, draw stroke, pushaway stroke, forward sweep, reverse or back sweep, and J-stroke. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
While paddling on one side only, paddle a 50-yard course making at least one turn underway and one reverse of direction Repeat while paddling on the other side.
Make a proper landing at a dock or shore (both, if possible).
Store canoe properly (with assistance, if needed).
In deep water, exit the canoe and then get back in without capsizing.

Discuss the following types of canoeing:
Olympic flatwater
Outrigger
Marathon
Freestyle
Whitewater
Canoe poling

Swifts Landing County Park
4100 Hogback Rd.(Rte. 223), Palmyra, NY 14522 - (315) 946-5836

Public Facility, Fresh Water, Restrooms, Picnic Area, Fishing, Hike/Bike Trail, Nature Trail Cartop Launch Ramp Only, Located on over 17 acres along Ganargua Creek, which flows into the Erie Canal.

Preview: Ganargua Creek’s flow was tapped to provide a water source for the Erie Canal. The headwaters are a spider’s web of small brooks in the Victor, Bloomfield and Farmington area. They merge and flow northeast to Palmyra where Ganargua Creek flows under the Palmyra Aqueduct and spills into the Erie Canal. This section is too shallow to paddle. The canal waters spill over their north bank to reform Ganargua Creek east of Palmyra. Then, fed by a multitude of small books and runs from the north, Ganargua Creek swells to a paddler’s paradise until it once again dumps into the Erie Canal west of Lyons. Locals call this Mud Creek. Today its muddiness or murkiness is due primarily to being mixed with canal waters. From Swift’s Landing Park in Palmyra to Norsen Bridge Park in Newark, Ganargua Creek is a flat-water paddle with a few small chutes and white water patches to make it interesting. It’s also a slalom course around downed trees, particularly after the 2003 ice storm. A channel has been cut through the foliage, but the strainers would be dangerous with fast water. It’s suitable for a summer or fall paddle by intermediate paddlers who have mastered the basics of controlling their craft. Their reward is a pleasant paddle through fields and woods with an ever-changing array of wildlife and an abundance of birds to observe. From Norsen Bridge Park in Newark to Abbey Park in Lyons, the creek is wide and deep and the current is slower, so you won’t find chutes or ripples.

Norsen Bridge Park, 6744 Pulver Road, Newark, NY 14513

MUD CREEK CAMP OUT MAY 30 - June 1

Equipment needed that each scout must have
1. Correct dress for conditions of the trip- if cold dress warm
2. Personal gear needed for a camp out
3. Rain coat
4. Dry change of cloths sealed in a plastic bag ( this is for the canoe trip)
5. Life jacket if scout has one or more available to him
6. Extra boots and or shoes

Equipment leaders will provide
1. Two 17 foot canoes ( up to four scouts per canoe) (Miles)
2. One 14 foot canoe (Kerr)
3.
4. Two 10 foot kayaks (one person each) (Miles)
5. Two 12 foot kayaks (one for Mr. Kerr other Mr. Miles)
6. Some life jackets as needed (Miles)
7. Assorted kayak and canoe paddles (Miles)
8. We will need more canoes depending on turnout (Parent Helpers)
9.

Options for Friday Night May 30
1. We have a permit to camp at Swifts Landing County Park and this will be our starting point on Saturday morning. So if anyone would like to camp there Friday night Mr. Miles would be glad to camp also. Saturday May 30

1. Scouts who did not camp Friday night should be at Swifts Landing Park at 07:00 so we can get everyone together and ready for the canoe trip.

2. NEED PARENT HELPERS to move cars , trailers, and camping gear to Norsen Bridge County Park ( located north of Newark on Pulver Road which is east of RT 88)

3. NEED PARENT HELPERS to have lunch ready and waiting for boaters at the Cooperative Extension grounds at the RT 88 Bridge. There is a large parking lot just off the Hydesville Road and RT 88 intersection. Lunch will be subs ,chips ,and hot / cold drinks.

4. Need a PARENT HELPER or HELPERS to be available to meet us at any of the many bridge crossings or where Mud creek nears a road in case we need help or need a scout to be picked up.

5. Mr. Miles and Mr. Kerr will each have cell phones possible others too who will be with the boys on the water.

6. MR Miles cell phone ......... home 315-524-5142

7. Mr. Kerr cell phone 585 200 1120 home 315 986 8321

8.

9. After lunch we will resume the trip and continue to Norsen Bridge Park where the scouts will set up camp for Saturday night.

SUNDAY MAY 20

1. Scouts will have breakfast
2. Scouts will pick up camp
3. Scouts will be delivered home by lunch time ( about 12:00)

AGAIN FOR THIS TRIP TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS WE NEED A LARGE NUMBER OF PARENT HELPERS. SO IF ANYONE CAN HELP WITH CANOES TO USE, GEAR TRANSPORT, LUNCH, PARENTS ON CANOE TRIP AS OVERSEERS AND OVERNIGHT CAMPERS PLEASE PITCH IN AND HELP. THANK YOU…..