Cohort 4 Junior Counselor Information

Information IncludeD

  • General Details and Itinerary

  • Waivers

  • Roles and Responsibilities

  • Packing List

  • Frequently asked questions

Overview & Itinerary

Ríos to Rivers Paddle Tribal Waters (PTW) Junior Counselors (JCs) are responsible for ensuring a positive and supportive environment, Cohort 3 student mentorship, and support for designated course tasks and lessons. PTW JCs lead by example, take initiative, are active learners, ready for any task, and support ensuring course structures and goals are achieved.

Drop-off:

Pick-up:

  • Date: July 3rd

  • Time: 12:00 am PST

  • Location: Stanshaw

Waivers

Please fill out the following by May 1st, you will not be able to attend Paddle Tribal Waters Cohort 4 without submitting these. Please reach out to PTW@riostorivers.org if you have any questions or concerns:

  • Medical Form

  • Liability Release

  • Media Information and Release

  • Student Code of Conduct

Waivers link HERE

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Mentorship of PTW Cohort 3 students

  • Support in rallying students to be ready for lessons, kayaking, and on-time for meals

  • Designated tasks such as support w/ camp, clean-up, and chores

  • Attend regular meetings with designated Junior Counselor mentor to review your goals and assigned tasks and how it's going

  • Teach lessons per your focus/as outlined by kayak instructor and leadership instructors

  • Support gear management

  • Coordinate and attend one meeting with your Junior Counselor mentor prior to the start of Cohort Three to discuss specific tasks for your Junior Counselor position

  • You will maintain the utmost respect for all PTW students, staff, and partners

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

  • At Paddle Tribal Waters, we cultivate an environment of connecting with nature and the people around us. To support this, we ask that students either leave their phones at home or check them in with staff at the end of our optional phone time, which is offered for approximately an hour every couple of days while at Otter Bar. There is no cell service at Otter Bar, but wifi is available. For the multi-day river trip, there is no cell service and students are asked not to bring their phones. Students are often surprised by how much they enjoy being “unplugged” and connecting.  

  • Item description

  • Item description

Packing List

General:

● 1 large duffle bag or backpack

● 1 day-pack backpack

● 1 water bottle with your name on it

● 1 watch with an alarm (you will be responsible for getting yourself up in the morning to be on time for breakfast and should not count on a cell phone for an alarm)

Camping:

● Sleeping Bag (rated to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and packable)

● Pillow

● Sleeping Pad (able to be compressed down to a small size and packed for our multi-day river trip)

● Tent

● Headlamp and extra batteries

● Camp towel

● Toothbrush + essential toiletries

● Medications

● Soap

● Shampoo - Conditioner

● Bug Spray

Footwear:

● Sandals or flip-flops (sports-mode strap preferred)

● Closed-toe water shoes that don’t fall off in the water (these can be old running shoes, crocs to NOT count)

● Hiking shoes: these must be sturdy closed-toe shoes, they can be running shoes if you are more comfortable hiking in them.

Clothes:

● 3 T-shirts or tanks

● 1 Long-sleeve sun shirt

● 2 Long-sleeve quick-dry thermal shirts

● 2 Pairs of long pants (Jeans or similar)

● 2 Swimming suits

● Bandana

● 4-6 Pairs of underwear

● 1-2 Pairs of wool socks

● 5-6 Pairs of cotton socks

Heat and Cold:

● Rain Jacket

● Warm Jacket (Fleece or sweatshirt)

● Sun hat

● Sunglasses (program will provide sunglass strings so glasses do not fall in the water)

● Chapstick and sunscreen

Optional:

● Camera

● Book

● Games/cards

● Small personal first-aid kit (with sliver removal and blister supplies)

● Shade hoody (Light shirt ideally with a hood that helps protect you from the sun.)

Meet the Team

  • wefewf

    Weston Boyles

    Founder and Executive Director

  • John Acuna

    Mentor, Course Leader, and Kayak Instructor

  • Amada Lang

    Amada Lang

    Director of Outdoor Adventure, Cultural Education, and Kayak Instructor

  • Kira Tenney

    Director of Programs and Kayak Instructor

  • Cole Moore

    Logistics Director and Kayak Instructor

  • Ben Morton

    Lead Kayak Instructor

  • Shannon Finch

    Kayak Instructor