TRIP DETAILS (POSTER/SIGN-UP SHEET)
What and Where: Whitewater Kayaking – New River Gorge, West Virginia
Description: Join us for an incredible whitewater adventure down the Upper New River in West Virginia. We’ll paddle in whitewater kayaks while a large gear boat with oars (loaned from the Summit Bechtel Reserve) carries our group supplies. Along the way, we’ll camp at multiple river-access sites provided by the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
When: October 18–23
How Many: 1:10 ratio (1 leader per 10 participants)
Cost/Venmo: $113 per person (+ personal road meals)
Contact Person/More Info: Josh Van Berkel – 616-856-5635 / [Email or text]
How to Sign Up: Email Josh directly to register.
Rations Purchasing/Packing: Monday & Wednesday (week of trip)
Trip Group Outfitting (Group Time/Who): Tuesday the week of at 4 PM
🚗 Personal Vehicle
🚐 Cargo Van
Item
Equation
Total
Per Person
Food/Groceries
$4 × #meals × #people
$350
$35
Gas
(Total miles ÷ 15 mpg × $3.20/gal) × 3.5 vehicles
$600
$60
Van Rental
$80–$120 per 24 hr
N/A
—
Sites/Permits
$15–$50 range
N/A
—
Firewood
Flat rate
$20
$2
Emergency Buffer (×1.15)
$1100
$113/person
Friday
Breakfast: Bagels & Fruit
Blueberry bagels, Everything bagels, Cream cheese, Oranges
Car Lunch #1: (also used for Trail Lunch #1)
Sandwiches: Ham, Chicken, Cheddar, Provolone, Mustard, Mayo, Avocado, Peanut butter, Nutella, Pineapple
Dinner: Road meal – students purchase individually
Saturday
Breakfast #2: Oatmeal, walnuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, dehydrated milk, coffee/tea
Lunch #2: Classic Lunch
Tortillas, Peanut butter, Jelly, Nutella, Trail mix, Cheese sticks, Freeze-dried fruit
Dinner #1: Pizzadillas
Tortillas, Pizza sauce, Shredded mozzarella, Pepperoni
Sunday
Breakfast #3: Oatmeal with walnuts, freeze-dried blueberries, chocolate chips, milk powder, dried apricots
Lunch #3: PB & J Wraps
Peanut butter, Jelly, Honey, Jerky, Dried fruit, Cheese sticks, Tortillas
Dinner #2: Burritos
Quick-cook beans, Chicken, Cheese sticks, Tortillas
Monday
Breakfast #4: Oatmeal with walnuts, blueberries, chocolate chips, apricots
Lunch #4: Cheese & Salami Crackers
Summer sausage, Cheddar cheese, Pita crackers, Hummus, Trail mix
Dinner #3: Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken, Pesto, Pasta, Parmesan
Tuesday
Breakfast #5: Oatmeal with walnuts, blueberries, chocolate chips, apricots
Lunch #5: PB & J Wraps
Peanut butter, Jelly, Honey, Jerky, Dried fruit, Cheese sticks, Tortillas
Dinner #4: Thai Noodles
Ramen noodles, Chicken, Thai seasoning packets, Cashews
Wednesday
Breakfast #6: Oatmeal with walnuts, blueberries, chocolate chips, apricots
Lunch #6: Road lunch – students pay
Dinner #6: Road dinner – students pay
SNACKS/DESSERTS
2 Fruit snacks
2 Rice Krispies treats
2 Trail mix packs
2 Granola bars
8 Drink flavor packets
2 Fruit bars
Hot chocolate packets
DRINKS
Coffee
Tea
Hot chocolate
SPICES/OIL/OTHER
Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Onion, Italian, Red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Hot sauce
Mileage Summary:
Calvin → Meadow Creek: 580 miles (×2)
Meadow → Endless Wall and back: 85 miles
Shuttle to Cunard (leave van): 45 miles (×2)
Shuttle to retrieve Tate vehicle: 45 miles (×2)
Drive both vehicles back to Calvin: 560 miles
Friday
7:00 AM – Depart Calvin for Summit Bechtel Reserve
6:30 PM – Arrive, meet Bill Lehrer, receive gear boat and supplies
9:00 PM – Arrive at Meadow Creek Campground, set up camp, unload boats
(Camp here for two nights)
Saturday
7:00 AM – Wake up and eat breakfast
8:30 AM – Head to Endless Wall Trail for climbing and hiking
Afternoon – Optional visit to Bridge Day at New River Gorge Bridge
5:00 PM – Depart for camp
6:00 PM – Dinner and fellowship
Run shuttles to Cunard (endpoint of river trip) while dinner cooks
Sunday
7:30 AM – Breakfast and camp teardown
9:30 AM – Begin paddling downriver
Lunch at Glade Creek (practice final paddle skills)
4:00 PM – Arrive at Terry Beach campsite
Dinner and evening group reflection
Monday
8:00 AM – Breakfast and teardown
10:00 AM – On the river
Lunch at Thayer Pool
4:00 PM – Arrive at Stone Cliff campsite
Dinner and fellowship
Tuesday
8:00 AM – Breakfast and teardown
10:00 AM – Begin paddling
Lunch at Buzzards Bend
2:30 PM – Arrive at Cunard
Load boats, drive to River Run campground
4:00 PM – Set up camp and relax
Run shuttles back to Meadow Creek to retrieve vehicles
Wednesday
6:00 AM – Wake up and pack
7:00 AM – Depart for Grand Rapids
6:00 PM – Arrive back at Calvin
All paddlers must have prior whitewater experience or have completed a river safety orientation.
Helmets, PFDs, and appropriate river gear are required at all times.
One gear raft and one lead safety kayak accompany the group.
Emergency communication via cell and inReach device.
Daily weather, water level, and hazard briefings conducted each morning.
Nearest Hospital:
Raleigh General Hospital
📍 1710 Harper Rd, Beckley, WV 25801
🕐 ~30 minutes from Cunard
Nearest Urgent Care:
MedExpress Urgent Care – Beckley
📍 1018 N Eisenhower Dr, Beckley, WV 25801
🕐 ~35 minutes