Intro to Canoeing - Bishops Falls

Soldier On in collaboration with Exploits Paddling Adventures will be hosting an intro to Canoeing as skill development and safety session for Soldier On members. The group will then paddle from Grand Falls to Bishop Falls in Newfoundland. This will take place late afternoon of August the 6th 2022. The group will then be shuttled back.

This activity will bring together both serving and retired ill/injured CAF members, allowing participants to connect through peer support and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
 
Participants will learn basic Canoe safety and paddle skills and be guided on a day of paddling down to Bishop Falls.

Ill/injured members will participate in ground training and instruction as well as the practical application of Canoeing from Grand Falls-Windsor to Bishops Falls.
 
All equipment required will be provided at the event.
 
Assistance throughout the event will be provided courtesy of Exploits Paddling adventures https://www.paddlingnl.ca/

The number of Soldier On participants is limited to 6.
 
Minimum eligibility criteria:
Any serving member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) within 1.5 hour drive from the event location who acquired a permanent physical or mental health illness or injury while enrolled as a member of the CAF; whether attributable or not to service.
 
Serving Members:
Medical clearance may be required by your chain of command.
 
Mental & Physical Requirements
Participants must be able to tolerate up to 3-4 hours of moderate paced activities. Due to the nature of this activity, applicants must have a limited requirement for rest throughout the day. Participants will be joined with other ill/injured members and civilians, and therefore should be able to function in a social environment. Participants will be required to wear a life jacket at all times while around and on the water.
 
Transport and Meals
Participants are advised that meals and transportation will not be provided by Soldier On with the exception of light snack during the event. Participants will be required to arrange their own travel to and from the event location, travel and meals are not eligible for reimbursement for this event.  Participants also acknowledge that there will be no alcohol consumption allowed during the conduct of this event.
  Soldier On events are planned in accordance with municipal, provincial, territorial and federal public health measures (PHM) and regulations as well as the Canadian Armed Forces health policy and guidelines. The health and safety of Soldier On participants and staff, PSP staff, and CAF TG personnel are paramount.

While specific safety precautions for each event will depend on the scope, scale and location of the event, the utmost care will be undertaken to ensure the risk associated with the spread of COVID-19 is very low. Specific precautions, rules, regulations and observances will be communicated to selected participants for this specific camp in due course, but all applicants must be prepared to:
 

• Be familiar with, and adhere to current PHM regulations and guidance;
• Complete the respective provincial / territorial or federal government COVID-19 self-assessment tool before attending the event;
• Refrain from participating in a Soldier On event if they have tested positive for COVID-19, have come in contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19 and/or are experiencing symptoms of the virus;
• Practice physical distancing during activity, including the use of non-medical mask when appropriate;
• Follow all safety precautions provided by Soldier On and its sport service providers;
• Adhere to a stringent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and perform rigorous hand hygiene;
• Inform Soldier On immediately if you are not feeling well.

 
Soldier on, during the conduct of this activity, shall:
 

• Ensure that the event is conducted following the current PHM regulations and guidelines of the location in question;
• Ensure that all staff and participants are using PPE properly and following necessary protocols;
• Soldier On will cease the event if participants do not respect any of the health and safety protocols that are in place;
• Ensure PPE, hand sanitizer and disinfectant supplies are available and are being used;
• Continue to monitor the further provincial lifting of or changes in restrictions which may affect their operations;
• Track physical interactions (time/date/attendees/location) on physical activity log.