Canoe Outings

Canoe Outing Requirements:

• You are permitted to take Cub Scouts boating as a pack or den. (Previously you could only go boating with your Cub Scouts at district or council events.)

• At least one leader with Safety Afloat training taken within the previous two years. You can take Safety Afloat training online at my.scouting.org. (Click My Dashboard, then Training.)

• At least one adult leader must be trained in first aid and CPR as well.

• Ratio of trained adults, staff members or guides to participants must be at least one to five. (For Boy Scouts, it’s one to 10.)

• Cub Scouts must know how to swim to try paddle sports.

  • For activity afloat, those not classified as a swimmer are limited to multiperson craft during outings or float trips on calm water with little likelihood of capsizing or falling overboard.

  • Nonswimmers may operate a fixed-seat rowboat or pedal boat accompanied by a buddy who is a swimmer.

  • Nonswimmers may paddle or ride in a canoe or other paddle craft with an adult swimmer skilled in that craft as a buddy.

• All participants must wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

• Any swimming done in conjunction with the activity afloat should operate using Safe Swim Defense.

• It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently trained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety to assist in the planning and conduct of all activities afloat.

• Safety Afloat standards apply to the use of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, floating tubes, sailboats, motorboats (including waterskiing) and other small craft but do not apply to transportation on large commercial vessels such as ferries and cruise ships

Canoe Locations

• Green Lake - Rentals available
  47.681486, -122.328790 Boathouse

• UW - fantastic Canoeing in Lilly Pad area.  Rentals available first come, first serve
  47.648452, -122.299928
  
  Lily Heaven - depart from the boat launch/rental area and head north.  This area if filled with lilies, ducks and freshwater birds.  If you are adventurous, you can head East through the lilies and then northeast and north to a nice little figure of eight area.
  
  Amazon - The Amazon is located south of the UW boat launch on the other side of 520.  During construction, entrance under the the March Island bridges are closed to canoes.  You can still enter the Amazon to the east of Foster Island.  This is a fantastic waterway, surrounded by trees and lilies.  Keep an eye out for hungry ducks who are anything but shy and low hanging bridges which you need to duck to clear a canoe under it.  This makes for just about a perfect canoe trip.  The only point of concern is that you need to cross east of the Montlake Cut.  On any nice day, there will be a line of boats heading east and west through the Cut.  In a canoe, you will need to cross going north and south near the UW rental launch.  This crossing is bumpy but fine if you cross north-south.  Watch out for the boats and know that this trip is well worth this crossing.
  Lily Heaven and the Amazon - looking for a full day of canoeing!  This can be done, but you may need to drop off tried siblings and parents at the UW launch at the end of the Lily Heaven on your way to the Amazon.  Use Lily Heaven as an intro to canoeing and to get your scouts and their parents ready for the Mountlake Cut crossing.  Also pack big hats and sunscreen since you will get hit hard by the sun from above and from off the water the entire time you are out on the water.  Pack drinks, food and maybe a loaf of bread for those hungry ducks.

• Mercer Slough Nature Park
  
  

Boats can be rented at Enatai Beach Rental Boathouse and then paddled into Mercer Slough Nature Park

3 Hour Tours Available - Ranger led.  Intended for families with two who can paddle and keep up pre boat.  Extra adult volunteers are sometimes available to join a canoe and paddle.  4 miles and NO bathroom breaks.

47.582093, -122.186185 Boat Launch in Slough
47.579050, -122.197410 Rentals at Enatai Beach

• Whats Sup - Rentals and Tours
  The Park at Bothell Landing
  9919 NE 180th St,
  Bothell, WA 98011
  47.758232, -122.207332

• Martha Lake
  47.849967, -122.244899

• Lake Ballinger Park
  47.785070, -122.325993

• Stickney Lake
  47.875865, -122.254800

• Lake Serene
  47.871474, -122.290092

• Echo Lake
  green2.kingcounty.gov SiteID=10
  47.773020, -122.341429

• Bitter Lake
  47.724784, -122.349686

• Haller Lake
  47.719566, -122.335892

• Silver Lake
  47.889209, -122.207672
  47.893367, -122.213469

Canoe, Kayak and other offshore Fishing Outings:

Paddle Boats are fantastic and there are many places to enjoy them locally.  For Cub Scouts, paddle sports should be performed in "flat water" environments.  You will also need a trained Safety Afloat Leader and follow the BSA Safety Guidelines. 

Note: Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), also called life jackets and life vests, are not just for wearing in boats. You should wear a PFD anytime you’re around water, even if you are fishing on a dock.

Those not classified as a swimmer are limited to multiperson craft during outings or float trips on calm water with little likelihood of capsizing or falling overboard. They may operate a fixed-seat rowboat or pedal boat accompanied by a buddy who is a swimmer. They may paddle or ride in a canoe or other paddle craft with an adult swimmer skilled in that craft as a buddy. They may ride as part of a group on a motorboat or sailboat operated by a skilled adult.

Nice to have Gear:

• Life Vest with Pockets

• Ziplock bag for cell phone and anything you want to keep dry

• Dry Bag - keeps gear clean and dry and can be used as a flotation device

• Hat and glasses for sun protection

• Throw line

• Tow rope

• Extra paddles

• Waterproof first aid kit

• Bag of bread for the ducks

• Emergency Whistle

• Emergency Strobe

• Hi Intensity Flashlight - waterproof

• Bailing cup - cut open milk jug

• Space blanket