50 Miler - Collins River Canoe Trip - June 14 - June 18

Our summer camp for 2010 was a 5 day - 50 mile canoe trip down the Collins River. We started at the Head of the Collins River at "Big Springs" in Grundy County. 5 days and 50.4 miles later, we ended our trip at Cotton's Marina, just past the Rock Island Dam at the Warren / White County line.

Attending for the entire trip was Bryce C, Andrew S, Blake S, Anthony H, Cole Mullins, Cole Millard, William H, Harrison H, Tyler T, Hayden P, Steven L, Jared K, Wesley H, and Alexander H. Leaders for the entire trip were Jake M, and Adrian H. Noah T, John T, and Garret W, each attending the first two days. Graham P attended the first two days and first two nights. Steve S (leader) attended the last night and last day.

Day 2 was the hardest in my estimation. The water was the slowest, the deer flies were the worst, the storm was the worst, (it stormed every day), and the campsites before and after were just so - so. Days 3 and 4 were the best in my opinion. Even though these days were longer, the water, even in the flats had a fairly good current, and allowed us to make decent time. Temperatures for the trip ranged between low 70s at night to mid 90's during the days.

Several of the boys completed a mile swim, Cole Millard, Andrew S, Blake S, Harrison H, Bryce C, Anthony H, and Steven L. All of the boys earned canoeing merit badge, except those who had previously earned it.

Some of the pictures included are from exercised involved in earning that badge. (Swamping and Correcting a canoe while in deep water, changing positions, entering and exit without swamping, different strokes, etc.)

The pictures are in a random order, mostly reverse order. Day 1 - 5.98 Miles Day 2 - 11.47 Miles Day 3 - 13.88 Miles Day 4 - 13.89 Miles Day 5 - 5.15 Miles +