The Fellowship of the Paddle

Grande Rhonde Expedition
Trip Summary
June 20-26

• Members: 24 Adults/ Youth
• Put In: Minam Stake Park, OR
• Take Out: Heller Bar, WA
• Leader: Byron Todd
• Cost: $230 incld food
• Water Level: 2100 cfs
• Members From: GA, HI, UT, OR
• Equipment: 16 ft fiberglass canoes
• Persons Per Team: 2
• Training: Canoeing Merit Badge Needed
• Saftey Measures: Life Jackets, Rescue Ropes, Robert Todd
• Sleeping Arrangements: Sleeping bag under stars
• Canoe Groups: 2 groups of 12

• Class I (Easy) Rapids: 5
• Class II (Normal) Rapids: 4
• Class III (Tricky) Rapids: 5
• Class IV (Hard) Rapids: 2
• Class V (Expert) Rapids: 0

The purpose of the Fellowship of the Paddle is to bring individuals together who share the love of the great outdoors and white water canoe camping. We want to develop bonds of friendship, trust, and a love of the Lord’s creation built upon gospel principles.

We share in the adventure of leaving the world behind (civilization) and exploring the wilderness rivers of the old west. We rely on our canoe skills, teamwork, and basic gospel values.

This high adventure program started over 35 years ago in Vancouver, WA as LDS Post 336. The goal was to help young men succeed in life by developing self confidence, self-esteem, and a better awareness of God’s plan for happiness.

The canoe was chosen for its swiftness, carrying capacity, and skill needed to navigate 90 - 120 miles of whitewater. The required skills are different from a raft or kayak.

The tandem canoe must rely completely on two people working in concert. Communication, listening to the experts, teamwork, patience, balance, proper technique, and the ability to understand the route you choose now will determine where you end up later. Adjustments can be made for small mistakes, but making wrong route choices can mean big trouble down river. Such is life.

There are few high adventure programs that offer an experience like this one. It will test your mind, body, and spirit.

It offers a rare glimpse into the discovery of the great Pacific Northwest. The explorer will be able to see what adventurers like Louis & Clark discovered almost 200 years ago.

Come join us for an adventure of a lifetime. Canoe the Great West with us!