WSB Session 2…the conclusion…

07/20/2008

The last three days the group spent canoeing on the Delaware river, they camped their first night on Namanock island after canoeing 4 miles. For dinner the group had pita pizzas and they loved it. Also the group enjoyed a funky fresh dance party, where they decided that Don’t Stop Believing by Journey was their theme song for this trip (don’t be surprised if you hear this song sung often over the next few days). The group also enjoyed building their own fire and roasting marshmallows before turning in for the night. The second mornings everyone was up early for some oatmeal and an early start on the river for they had a grueling 12 miles to paddle. They stopped at Dingmans access for lunch which consisted of rice cakes, fig newtons and tortillas filled with soybutter, honey and cereal. After a quick tasty lunch they set out again and as soon as they were on the river they came across a golden eagle followed by a bald eagle, it was quite the start to an exciting afternoon. After lunch it was about 6 more miles until the campsite. After a couple more hours of paddling a storm started to blow in from the northeast. Due to lightning and thunder the group was forced to pull off the river and wait out the storm in a small launch on the side of the river. After about 45 minutes of waiting our troop was back on the water and after about one more hour made it to their campsite for the night. Dinner this night would be mac and cheese and probably the group’s favorite meal. After dinner, while cleaning, Mike accidently threw one of the pots into a whole bunch of poison ivy. A rescue mission was mounted and the pot was returned safely to a quarantined bucket until it could be properly dealt with back at Frost Valley. No campers were exposed to poison ivy during the rescue mission, though they found it very exciting. Another good night sleep and everyone was up for a morning full of cooking. It was time for chocolate chip pancakes, another big hit with the group. Once the pancakes were devoured and the chocolate chips gone everyone hopped back into their canoes for the two mile trip to the pick up point. The group successfully made it to the pick up around 12:30pm where they loaded up canoes and gear and started back to Frost Valley. One the way home the group was treated to a lunch out at the Port Jervis Brick Oven Pizzeria. They stuffed themselves full. They arrived back at Frost Valley around 5pm, unpacked all their canoe gear and cleaned the van. Saturday morning rolled around and it brought with it time for cleaning all the group gear, gear maintenance and kitchen clean up. The group did an amazing cleaning job one of the best jobs any group has ever done after a trip and they earned themselves a trip to the ice cream shop after lunch. Once back at Frost Valley the group opted to play floor hockey and basketball instead of rock climbing before dinner. After dinner the group walked out to CIT point for their final campfire, where they shared memories both good and bad about their trip. When the campfire had died away it was time for bed and much anticipation for the morning when they will be picked up.

Remember that pick up starts at 11:00 am at Frost Valleys Geyer Hall

Kam Kobeissi
Assistant Adventure Director
kkobeissi@frostvalley.org

Kevin Terrell
Adventure Director
kterrell@frostvalley.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zach eigenbrodt

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Zach couldn't keep himself out of the woods when growing up. He started working at a Northern Wisconsin YMCA Camp as a wilderness trip leader while in college and fell in love with getting kids into nature. The smiles on kids faces after returning from a once in a life time wilderness experience is why he is here today. Zach brought his talents to Frost Valley YMCA, in 2014, when he started as the Trips Coordinator and soon was promoted to Adventure Director. Zach loves all forms of Wilderness exploration, though some would say his heart lies most with canoeing.