Field Trips are meant to be enjoyable experiences for everybody, however there are several things you may want to know before you sign up.

Canoeing is not a great activity if you like to stay dry. You're feet will defiantly get wet, and you're whole body may get wet if you tip. Tipping is unlikely if you listen to advice and take it slow, but you can never rule it out. For the most part, the only people that tip are those that want to tip. We will cancel a trip if it looks like it's going to be rainy for the entire day. We will go out into light or passing showers.

We may be out in the elements for up to 8 hours during a field trip. It can be very hot, sunny and buggy if the wind drops out. Canoeing for several hours in these conditions can be strenuous. We travel with three people to a canoe, so you can arrange to take turns resting in the 'king' or 'queen' seat if you are not in the best shape. Paddling occurs at the bow and stern, so the middle person gets to take a break. You can also call the field trip leaders and see if you can go in their boat. Trip leaders can only take 1 paddler, but they are used to paddling and paddling with them allows you to take it a bit easier.

Remember that we may be up to 2 hours from emergency medical help when deciding if you want to come out on a field trip. Trip leaders are trained in wilderness first aid, but you shouldn't be out there if you are worried about being that far from professional medical attention.

Last but not least, canoes do not have bathrooms and we do not bring a port-a-john, so alternatives will have to be used.

This information is not meant to discourage people from signing up for a CBNERRVA field trip. We are able to take out people from just about any age, physical ability or experience. This information is for you to know what we may experience on a field trip so you can decide if it is for you or not. While we happily travel at the pace of the slowest canoe, the whole group has to abort the field trip if a participant has to come back.

Please call the CBNERRVA education coordinator if you have any questions about the signing up for a field trip or what will occur during the trip.