Fall Deschutes Overnighter

General Details

Ríos to Rivers is offering a kayak and leadership course on the Deschutes River near Maupin, Oregon, October 9 - 12, 2026.

This course is a multi-day river trip down the Deschutes Rivers outside of Maupin, OR. The group will be moving downstream and camping in different locations along the way.

Please read the pre-course packet and details below for more information.

This course is open to students 18 and younger who have participated in a Paddle Tribal Waters Course.

Course Sign - Up

Pick-Up and Drop-Off

Drop-off:

Pick-up:

* Please reach out to ptw@riostorivers.org if you are looking to connect with other families to carpool to this course or have other transportation questions.

2. COMPLETE FORMS

Liability + Media Release

Link HERE

Student Conduct Policy

Link HERE

Medical Background

Link HERE

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

  • Each day will start with 7:30 am with a group breakfast and packr lunch. After breakfast, the group will pack up camp, load the raft, and get ready to get on the water. Most of the day will be spent kayaking until we arrive at our next camp around 3:00 pm. The rest of the day is spent setting up camp, cooking meals, leadership lessons, and free time

  • 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. There is no cell service while on the river. Students are often surprised by how much they enjoy being “unplugged” and connecting.  The group will have satellite communication devices for emergencies while on the river.

  • Ríos to Rivers provides a contact that you can reach out to at any time with questions or emergencies and that contact can be in touch with staff and the base contact. 

  • Youths age 13 - 18 who have participated in a past cohort program are eligible to participate in the program.

  • This program is free. Thanks to the support of foundations, companies, and individuals, all expenses, including lodging, food, kayak equipment, and program transportation, are covered.

Packing List

General:

● 1 large duffle bag

● 2 water bottles 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:

● Mess kit (plate, bowl, spoon, fork, mug)

● Sleeping Bag

● 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

● 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)

Clothes:

● 3 T-shirts or tanks

● 1 Long-sleeve quick-dry thermal shirts

● 1 quick-dry thermal pants

● 1 Pairs of long pants (Jeans or similar)

● 1 Swimming suits

● Bandana

● 3-4 Pairs of underwear

● 2-3 Pairs of socks

Heat and Cold:

● Rain Jacket

● Warm Jacket (Fleece or sweatshirt)

● Hat/beanie

● 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)