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Paddle for a Purpose
Outside Perspectives' Paddle for a Purpose offers an opportunity for our community to experience an OP-style expedition while raising awareness and critical funding for our mission.
When you embark on this adventure of a lifetime you’ll join a community of Venturists on a transformative journey through the serene and spectacular Adirondacks when Autumn turns the mountains into a landscape of vibrant hues.
A Venturist is someone with the courage to try a new adventurous activity for the first time at the risk of stepping too far out of their comfort zone.
You’ll get to spend 5 days paddling the wooded banks of the Raquette River between Long Lake and Tupper Lake (keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way!), and 4 nights camping under the stars in the Northeast’s last great wilderness.
As a Venturist on our Paddle for a Purpose Expedition, you're not just paddling through breathtaking landscapes; you're opening a world of possibilities for ALL kids.
How it works
Sign up for Paddle for a Purpose and raise money for Outside Perspectives (OP). OP provides a fundraising toolkit and your own fundraising website/page to share with friends and family. OP covers the cost of your expedition*, and you are responsible for raising a certain amount of money to participate in the expedition.
*Participants are responsible for paying a non-refundable $500 deposit upon registering. This counts toward the amount the participant commits to fundraising.
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO REGISTER NOW
about The expedition
This is a 5-day, 4-night excursion during peak foliage in the beautiful Adirondack mountains. We depart on October 10th and return on October 14th, 2024.
You will join up to nine other Venturists and be guided by two of OP's finest instructors! (Our Director Team will be running this trip!)
You will paddle from Long Lake to the Raquette River and then to Tupper Lake. The Raquette River snakes through the outskirts of the western High Peaks, flowing calmly on an unobstructed, gentle current. You will camp alongside the river, with the reds and oranges of the maples and the golden hues of the birches as your backdrop. Prepare for some of the Northeast's darkest skies and prime stargazing opportunities!
BASIC ITINERARY
Itinerary is flexible and can be adapted to the crew's needs on course.
Day 1: The paddling expedition begins with a night of camping and getting to know one another at Lake Eaton Campground. Nights will consist of setting up camp, cooking dinner together, and enjoying a campfire and downtime!
Day 2: The next morning, the crew will review basic paddling and trip information before getting into our canoes and paddling Long Lake to the north end, where we'll pull off into our site for night two.
Day 3: Paddle from the north end to our one and ONLY portage! We will pull our boats ashore and carry our gear the 1.3 miles, past the beautiful Raquette Falls, and then put in to paddle to our next campsite. (NOTE: we will have lightweight Kevlar boats and potentially help from our logistics team.)
Day 4: Paddle the wooded banks of the Raquette River, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way! NOTE: This trip follows a part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which follows a historic Adirondack canoe route frequently used by early guides and Natives alike!
Day 5: FINAL DAY of paddling! Paddle from camp onto Tupper Lake to Moody Launch, where we celebrate the completion of our adventure!
PREP
Prior to your expedition, Outside Perspectives will hold a pre-trip briefing for all participants. OP Staff will review the detailed itinerary, what to expect, how to pack, and answer any questions! All participants will have the option to sign up for a free canoe skill-building day. Participants will learn paddle skills, strokes, rescues, entries and exits, boat packing, etc.
GEAR
Outside Perspectives will provide all the necessary gear, including tents, sleeping bags, cook sets, canoes, paddles, PFDs, headlamps, backpacks, and duffles to pack gear into the canoes. Participants are welcome to bring your own gear as well. A gear check will be a part of the pre-trip briefing, and your OP guides can assist with any necessary changes or accommodations to ensure a positive experience.
LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE
This is a beginner-friendly expedition! You don't need to be an experienced paddler, camper, or outdoors person. This trip is for ALL skill levels, and ALL participants will be instructed on paddling techniques and safety before getting on the water.
CAMPING
The first night will be spent at Lake Eaton Campground, with amenities including flush toilets, hot showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campsites along the lake and river will be primitive and have pit toilets (some are open-air, a.k.a no walls) and fire rings. Your OP instructors will guide and support you through it all!
FOOD/DRINK
All meals, drinks, and snacks will be provided by Outside Perspectives during the expedition. While being in the backcountry limits our food choices regarding durability, refrigeration, and packability, OP will upgrade our typical menu. Accommodations for allergies and diet restrictions can be made upon request. Beer and wine will also be included when possible, as this trip will be for adults 21+.
THE 'OP EXPERIENCE'
As a participant on this trip, you will have the opportunity to fully experience the culture of an Outside Perspectives Expedition, as our young Venturists are brave enough to!
OP Instructors will guide and support you every step of the way. You will learn (or review!) camp craft, setting up tents, cooking while on expedition, Leave No Trace ethics, planning and navigating an itinerary, packing and paddling a canoe, and more! You will also experience the impact of spending time immersed in the wilderness, functioning as a crew, and engaging in meaningful, guided, and organic conversations with your fellow Venturists!
We challenge you to commit to the FULL OP experience and go tech-free*! All young people who join our expeditions are expected to do the same. OP believes that disconnecting fully is how you have the most impactful experience.
*We are happy to talk about your feelings on this and to make accommodations where necessary.
SUMMARY
WHEN: Thursday, October 10 - Monday, October 14, 2024
WHAT: A 5-day, 4-night expedition leaving Thursday morning and returning Monday night. You will canoe from Long Lake onto Raquette River to Tupper Lake.
AGE: 21+
SKILL-LEVEL REQUIRED: NONE. This trip is for ALL skill levels! Before getting on the water, you will be instructed on paddling techniques and safety.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Plan to be on the water for up to 8 hours a day (some of this paddling, other times floating, eating, and hanging out!). Be prepared to portage your boat and gear up to 4 miles on mild terrain. (We will have Kevlar boats, so they're super light!) This is a doable challenge for most healthy adults, even without physical training.
registration & cost
A $500 non-refundable registration fee is required to hold your space. This $500 counts toward your fundraising goal.
The registration fee of $500, signed "Participant Agreement," and Outside Perspectives “Participant Waiver” are due at the time of registration for this fundraising expedition. The first 10 people to meet these requirements will be part of the “Crew.”
Each registrant to meet these requirements after the first 10 will be placed on a waitlist in order of signup.
Fundraising
Each participant agrees to fundraise (or be personally responsible for) a fundraising total of $4,500 for Outside Perspectives. This is in addition to the $500 deposit (paid here through the registration process).
The Midpoint Fundraising Deadline is on July 31, 2024. Each participant must raise HALF of the total amount by this date. $2,250 is due to Outside Perspectives by July 31st.
The Final Fundraising Deadline is on September 30, 2024. Each participant is responsible for raising the remaining amount by this date. The remaining $2,250 is due to Outside Perspectives by September 30th.
Outside Perspectives Development Director Lauren Humphrey will provide you with a Fundraising Page, Fundraising Toolkit, and one-on-one coaching and support as needed throughout! You will NOT be out there on your own!
All funds raised will go to Outside Perspectives and provide critical funding needed to build lasting community partnerships and provide FREE, fully outfitted, professionally led immersive wilderness experiences for youth!
MORE INFO IN THE PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT BELOW!