Elk River Canoe Trip
August 27-29, 2004

Though rain began to fall at 6:30 pm in Liberty and six inches of rain fell in K.C., the scouts were being looked after by Someone. We had no rain on our drive to southern Missouri and no rain during our 4.5 hour float on the Elk river, nor during the reast of the campout. The scouts and scouters who attended had a great time.

Upon arrival at the camp site, the scouts discovered Mr. Goertz, Mr. Peter and Coach Choice had arrived early and set up all of the scout's tents. Scouts were able to relax and hit the sack at a reasonable hour. The scouters stayed up a little later until the thermometer dropped to a little more comfortable sleeping temperature.

Mr. Goertz was up making sausage and gravy by 4:45 am and Mr. Fish joined him at 5 am to make the dutch oven biscuits and breakfast pizza. The rest of the leadership cheerfully crawled out of bed after a couple of hours sleep.

The boys were up and fed in record time. The entire troop was ready to leave for the put-in point on the river by 7:30 am. We got our equipment and canoes and started paddling at 8:30 am. We floated for 4.5 hours with several long swim and food stops and arrived at our campsite 7.2 miles down river at about 1 pm.

Mr. Yameen and other leaders stayed to lifeguard while many of the scouts spent another hour-plus swimming and having water fights in the river.

There were many water fights and tipped canoes but no injuries. The other paddlers on the river were fairly tame in comparison to previous years. The scouts had no eye opening experiences and the police were not required in the campsite this year.

A few of the memorable happenings:

Mr. Stasiak, local law enforcement office, locked his keys in his car.

Stephen was overhead making the comment to his canoe partner while they were trying to flip over their submerged canoe, "I could do it myself if you were just a little stronger."

Spencer and Brian were dressed as pirates for their paddling. (Very mature life scouts)

John and his canoe pardner recorded a troop first: when their canoe was submerged and they lifted it from the water there was a nice little trout in the bottom of the boat. Refer to the trip photos for proof. They are planning to patent the idea of fishing WITH canoes, rather than FROM canoes.

Thanks to all the scouts and scouters for braving a rather grim forecast to attend this campout. It turned out to be the perfect conditions for paddling and swimming.

Cody prepares to leap into the river	Lyndall helps scouts with a canoe full of water		Scouts shoot low flying planes with their super soakers
Jeremy and Anthony practiced the stealthy serpentine approach to canoeing...	Mr. Dunfee is attacked in his kayak		Nick and Brian... paddlers or posers?
Because of the high esteem in which this photographer is held, the troop designated Lyndall Dodson to pull him down the river.	Jeff and Phillip were wise enough to beach their canoe well up-stream from each break station and thereby avoided submersion		Shane can't understand why the water seems so hard to paddle on this stretch of the river
Scouts lie in wait for unsuspecting kayakers		John caught a fish with his canoe
Joe and Spencer pose by their handywork... a submerged canoe of a leader	Anthony and Jeremy maintain a neat canoe		Alex fires
Mr. Goertz goes down	Mr. Stasiak bites the dust		Josh squirts the photographer.
Spencer taking his bucket into the fray	David and Connor take each other out		Paddlers raise their hands as the police canoe arrives
Hey where did that guy come from? Scout leaders are not allowed to have flat bellys. Get with it Mr. Stasiak... this troop has standard that must be upheld.	The only person who smiles more than Mr. Dunfee... Sean-man		Spencer and his pirate do-rag about to be shot from behind
Mr. Peter and Mr. Goertz provide the rear escort which left them perfect targets at every break station	Smiling because they'll have fish for dinner		Does this look like trouble ... or what?
Arriving back at the camp site	Mr. Goertz and Mr. Peter escape this time unscathed
Matt and Spencer take Matt's dad's canoe out for a spin. The police pulled them over for under age paddling. They will not be allowed their boating license until they are 18.	Nick teaches Evan to paddle downstream backwards. He says you can see the college girls better as they float towards you.		Mr. Dunfee doesn't like to leave his boat so he keeps a waste repository hanging from his canoe for use through the day.
The ever-smiling Mr. Dunfee	He continues smiling as he is tipped over by Stephen		Now you've put your foot in it, Mr. Kesner
Water fight breaks out... call 9-1-1	Paddlers righting their canoe		Leader abuse
Zach gives Ryan a push in an attempt to jump-start the canoe	Mr. Goertz tries to nail the photographer... and could that be the kind, mild mannered Bill Pepper loading his weapon?
Say it, don't spray it!	Local gang members jump into the river from shore		Anthony takes an unusual approach to riding his canoe with Jeremy
Guess at Mr. Goertz' emotional age?	Older scouts make plans to break away to the local college girl hangout		Long John Brian takes his sword to unsuspecting scouts
Photographer suggests Mr. Goertz looks too dry and this is the resulting fracas
Does that knife/toothpick fit B.S.A. standards Nick?	Life Pirates		Scouts put something disgusting into Mr. Goertz' sandwich

What to Bring
Your usual supplies for all weather
Plate, Cup, Drink Bottle, Eating Utensils, Sleeping bag, etc.
Swimsuit
T shirt
Towel
Water shoes, old tennis shoes or sandals
Poncho or rain suit
Wide brimmed hat for sun and/or rain protection
Sunscreen and Insect repellent in every canoe is recommended
Lip balm
Sunglasses
Wet bag if you like and whatever you need to tie things into your canoe
Water bottle (preferably one that may be tied into your canoe)
Super soaker (if you like) (the bigger, the better)
Sack lunch for Saturday
Small to medium sized cooler to hold your water and lunch. Bring bungee cords to tie it in you canoe.
Life jacket - if you have one that fits you well or one will be provided at the outfitter
Helmets are not required but you may bring one if you like.
Zip lock bags or dry bags for anything you don't want to get wet.
Extra cash, for drinks and snacks on the way down and lunch on the long ride home, is recommended.

Directions to Shady Beach Campground:
a.) Travel South on Hiway 291 and I-470 to Hiway 50 East. Travel on Hiway 50 East to 291 South. Travel on 291 to Harrisonville.
b.) Travel South on Hiway 71 to I-44 West to exit 11A and continue South on Hiway 71 for approximately 24 miles. 
Exit at Hiway 59 (Anderson) and turn right at the bottom of the ramp.
Travel about 5 miles to the stop light and turn right, continuing on Hiway 59 approximately 7 miles to the entrance on the left