2010 CANOE: FLORIDA

FLORIDA
Boys & Girls Ages 12-17
5:1 Ratio
Week 4: 6/26-7/2
Sat-Fri
Cost: $1095+airfare

About Canoeing CLS: Have you ever camped on a "chickee"? Or do you know what a "chickee" is? If you
are paddling through the Florida Everglades 10,000 Island area you will know both of these answers. Join Calleva on a six day canoe trip through the United States largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi. We will start in Everglade City where we will fill our canoes with enough provisions to last us a week out on the water. This trip will be similar to a backpacking trip in that we will be completely self-sufficient. Each day will be spent paddling through some of the most pristine and beautiful landscape around. At night we will be camping on chickees (plateforms that are elevated above the water) or beach campsites. While traveling around we will expect to see manatees, alligators, crocodiles, and many different types of bird. Each day there will be swimming opportunities for us to cool off and play in the water. We look forward to sharing a wide sandy beach and some brilliant sunsets with you down in the Florida Everglaes.

2010 FLORIDA ITINERARY: 

  • Saturday: Fly into Ft. Myers Florida
  • Sunday: Set out from the National Park Ranger Station in Everglades City FL.  Paddle through the majestic mangroves of the Lopez River and camp at the Sunday Bay chickee.  Daily Skills: canoeing, tide charts, navigation, chart reading, packing for backcountry canoe.
  • Monday: Continue our journey deeper into the Everglades.  Paddle across the vast Oyster and Huston Bay and set up camp at the Sweetwater chickee.  Keep an eye out for alligators.  Daily Skills: Open water canoe crossing, fishing, backcountry cooking.
  • Tuesday: Paddle out to the Gulf of Mexico via the Chattam River and camp on the sandy beaches of Mormon Key.  Daily Skills: wildlife identification, Everglade History.
  • Wednesday: Return to Sunday Bay chickee via the Huston River.  Keep our eyes out for manatees and dolphins.  Daily Skills: Nautical Navigation
  • Thursday: Return to Everglade City via the Turner River.  The Turner River is where many tropical birds call home or a rest stop on their journeys.  Our last evening we will talk and debrief the week.  Daily Skills: "Living the Dream" -Swish
  • Friday: Fly out of Ft. Myers, Florida home to MD.

    • *This is a rough itinerary, actual locations are subject to change depending on weather conditions, skill levels, and group dynamics. Final itinerary is updated in office.