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Grand River Expedition 2010 Participant Information

Please Thank our Partners!   Many Thanks to these people and organizations, such as our Camp Hosts, Donors, Volunteers, Towns and Townships, State Agencies, Conservation Districts, and all the others who've made this adventure possible!  We could not have done this without you. 

Day Paddlers, please come join us and bring the whole family!    Please see July 21 Map Update!

Although meals and camping are provided only if you pre-registered by June 15, we'd still like you to pack a lunch and come join us for a day.  We'll have activities for all ages!    Day Paddlers must arrive by 6:00AM to the launch site -- Click here for the *  CORRECTED * GRE2010 Daily Schedule &  Lower Grand River Itinerary.  You must allow time to register and sign our waiver, before you listen to the mandatory Morning Briefing / River Orientation by the Rivermaster, all before we launch for the day.  Day Paddler Registration cost is $10 (covers your insurance for the paddle, and a commemorative water bottle (with free fill ups) plus information for that day's paddle.   Note that each launch site is different - there may be very limited parking available.  The Expedition will have large support vehicles on site which will require large setup and maneuvering space, adding to congestion.  Please be aware we must prioritize space to pre-registered participants.  

July 21 UPDATE: 

Please download this CORRECTED LOWER GRAND RIVER EXPEDITION ITINERARY -- this version contains updated enlarged much more clear maps for Jenison (Sat. July 24 overnight camping location) and Nunica (Sunday July 25 overnight camping location)!  We apologize for any confusion. 

• Everyone:  See materials below  that you'll want to read before you arrive.   
• Be sure to download the Lower Grand Itinerary that has the campsite corrections, linked above!  You'll see that this PDF document contains links to Google maps of each camping and launch site, if you download and read it before you print it on paper! Plus - 2 extra pages of up-close maps and aerial images of the Jenison and Nunica campsite locations.
• Non paddlers, Families and Friends are invited to visit us at camp between 6 and 8pm while we're in your area!  Help Celebrate our Grand River at each evening's River Fest, to be held from 6 - 8pm most evenings.  We'll have displays, talks and presentations, music, stories, and history.  Kids are especially welcome! 

Here are the GRE 2010 participant materials and information to make our trip safe, interesting, and fun!

Emergency contact phone number:  Paddlers may give this cell phone number to loved ones at home, for their use to contact you ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY!  The Rivermaster crew will locate you to inform you of the call.  517-575-3199.   Note we won't always have good cell phone reception.

1)  Welcome Paddler Safety Brochure, from the U.S. Canoe Association:  Please download and read the Welcome Paddler Safety Brochure from the U.S. Canoe Association.  These are primarily safety reminders for your benefit, and really good guidance for new paddlers on how to handle some potentially dangerous situations.  We ask that you be prepared at all times for dealing with these situations, for your own safety as well as everyone else around you on the river.  Rough-housing that endangers anyone won't be tolerated.  If you refuse to operate your canoe or kayak in a safe manner, you may be asked to leave the Expedition.

2)  Frequently Asked Questions about Grand River Expedition 2010.  If your question is not on this list, please contact:  Rita Chapman  at 517-484-2372

3)  Liability Waiver (rev.2), every activity has one, you must sign this one to participate.  Minors must have the waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian.  If you are signing on as a Day Paddler, please print and sign this and bring it with you to save time. 

4)  Photo Release:  We need your permission to use any photos we take of you for publications or on our website, for our Grand River Expedition 2010 Report.  Also see our Photographers' Instructions if you want your photos used to help document the Grand River Expedition 2010.

5)  Rules of the River to keep us all safe, prepared by the Rivermaster crew.  Please read and heed!

6)  List of What to Bring and What Not to Bring, prepared by experienced Expedition members.  We contracted with Trailspotters of Michigan, Inc, to haul camping gear so pre-registered paddlers do not have to carry their gear in their water craft.  You are limited to only 2 large duffle bags!  This list will help you pare down what you'll bring so that we have room for everyone's gear.  Thanks for your understanding. 

7)  Keep out Zebra Mussels and Stop Spread of Fish Diseases!  PLEASE scrub down your canoe or kayak, waders, shoes, paddles - anything that has come into contact with any other water body.  The larvae of many invasive species are impossible to see.  Be sure to remove all bilge plugs and to empty live wells onto land when leaving a water.  Take special care to clean fishing and boating equipment when you are done fishing or boating in known locations of the fish diseases.  A light bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons of water) is an excellent disinfectant for cleaning your boat, bilges, live wells, and most hard plastic, rubber or metal equipment.  Use a scrub brush to remove any invisible potential hitch-hikers!   After cleaning allow boats, trailers, and other equipment to fully dry for 4 to 6 hours in the sun.  Thank you for protecting the Grand River's headwaters!  Thank you to the Michigan DNRE for good easy-to-follow advice!

8)  Help to promote the Grand River Expedition 2010!  Grand River Expedition 2010 brochure; 8 1/2 x 11" poster.   Plus, you can still order commemorative Grand River Expedition 2010 items using this form (rev. 2). Send your order to the address on the form.  Thanks!

9)   Car spotting:  You are responsible for making your own carspotting arrangements. (Note - if you still need to set up Car Spotting, that service is available through Trailspotters of Michigan, Inc.) (Car spotting means someone bringing you back to your parked vehicle at the end of your trip.)

10)  Liveries for canoes or kayaks, if you need to rent a boat.  We do NOT have prior arrangement for any discounts with any livery, sorry.