Expedition Kayaking Skills Workshop
Ready to hone your kayaking skills on one of the most interesting sections of the Susquehanna River? Game for a three-day Pennsylvania paddling getaway?
I have two groups of people in mind for our Expedition Kayaking Skills Workshops:
Recreational paddlers ranging from “mid-level beginner” to “advanced intermediate” who are ready to develop some finesse in their skills on moving water. Do you feel like you’d benefit from stronger water reading, ferrying, and eddy-maneuvering skills?
Adventurers interested in joining one of our longer multi-day expedition, perhaps our most popular trip, Utah Kayaking and Arches Hiking. Do you love the idea of a giant self-supported paddling expedition, but feel like a “stepping-stone” experience to learn more about what’s involved would help you prepare?
Over three days, we kayak about 25-miles through a labyrinth of islands in Central Pennsylvania. The paddling is great, but we’re here on a mission to become better paddlers! Our workshop is structured around a series of on-land instructional sessions and on-water practice sessions.
We’ll cover “reading” water features, attaining, using eddies, ferrying, self-defense from on-river hazards, and preparing for a self-supported paddling expedition.
The camping is, well… phenomenal. We spend both nights of the workshop at the same campsite on a mid-river island.
You can bring your own gear to give it a shake-down, or use the boats and tents we provide.
I grew up guiding trips on this section of river and I’m always thrilled to return. Join me this June to level-up your paddling skills. Register today!
Is this for me?
We keep it to no more than 10 adventurers, plus 2 Bad Adventures guides.
We camp both nights of the workshop on a mid-river island. Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided.
Most of our meals are cooked together at camp. Our staff has prepared scrumptious recipes, will provision the trip, and lead meal preparations. Cooking gear is provided. This is gonna be yummy!
Some previous kayaking experience is recommended. While it is OK to show up as a beginner, you’ll get the most out of the workshop if you already have strong turning strokes and good basic paddling technique.
Traveling solo?
This workshop is great for couples, friends, and solo adventurers. The trips we plan seem to attract like-minded people. Odds are, you'll enjoy the company of your fellow paddlers!
There’s no singles supplement fee!
Here’s the plan…
Let's Go! Day 1
We meet in Riverfront Park in Millersburg, PA at 8:30 AM for a discussion of packing for multi-day paddling. We pass out dry bags and set about moving our personal gear into them.
After a delicious lunch we don face masks for a van ride to our put-in. If the Millersburg Ferry is open, our shuttle includes crossing the river on a historic ferry boat!
We pack our boats, then put-in near the the confluence of Penn’s Creek for an 8-mile paddle to our mid-river island campsite.
We cook a carefully provisioned dinner together at camp and set up our tents and camping mattresses (included).
Islands and Ledges Day 2
After a breakfast that can’t be beat, we discuss ferrying, attaining (paddling upstream), using eddies, and “reading” water. We leave camp set up, and head out with unencumbered boats to hone our skills! Over the course of the day, we paddle two laps through islands surrounding McKees Half Falls, a pair of ledges that provide great opportunities for practicing intermediate kayaking skills on moving water.
The day winds down with a relaxed evening back at camp. Good food. Good friends. This is the life!
Paddle Out Day 3
All good things must come to an end! We awaken to river sounds, enjoy a big breakfast, pack up camp and point our bows downstream. It’s a 10-mile paddle to our take-out in Millersburg.
How intense is this?
Overall, this is a moderate to moderately challenging course.
Paddle to Camp
We do not encounter any significant water features in this stretch of the river. The potential presence of a headwind can make this paddle slightly more challenging.
Easy to Mild
Distance
8 miles
McKees Half Falls Paddle
We begin the paddle by attaining 3.5 miles up-river. While paddling upstream, we encounter a few challenging sections that will feel like paddling on a treadmill. The last half of our paddle is downstream, passing through McKees Half Falls, a class 2 water feature.
Moderate to Moderately Challenging
Distance
7 miles
Paddle to Takeout
We do not encounter any significant water features in this stretch of river. The potential presence of a headwind can make this paddle slightly more challenging.
Mild to Moderate
Distance
10 miles
What’s included?
3-Day, 2-Night Kayak Expedition
The Susquehanna River is a beautiful venue for our program.
2 Nights of Island Tent Camping
Awake to gentle river sounds and morning bird calls. Tents and camping mattresses are included.
Kayak & Paddling Gear
We'll bring a single-person 16-foot sit-on-top touring kayak, paddle, lifejacket, and dry bags for you to use.
Instruction & Practice on Moving Water
Polish up those eddy turns and water-reading skills!
Expedition Planning Workshop
Learn how to approach multi-day wilderness paddling trips.
Services of our Expert Guides
Friendly, accommodating, fully credentialed, and always professional.
2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 2 Dinners
We’re talking about meticulously planned yummy provisions!
Road Transportation in Pennsylvania
Ride in style in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van.
Group Gear
We’ve got the medical kit, navigation, and rescue equipment covered.
Not Included: Transportation to and from the workshop, accommodations the night before and the night after, your personal clothing and gear on the packing list, and guide gratuity.
What should I pack?
We put together a recommended packing list with all the clothing and gear you need for the course.
Where do we meet?
Take-Out
- Riverfront Park in Millersburg, PA
We meet at Riverfront Park in Millersburg, PA at 8:30 AM. We recommend parking on the east side of River Street.
Harrisburg Hotels
- Comfort Inn and Suites Harrisburg Airport
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Harrisburg International Airport
Flying in for the workshop? These are our recommended Harrisburg International Airport-area hotels:
Where does the course end?
The trip ends between 12:00 and 2:00 PM at our takeout, the Riverfront Park in Millersburg, PA.
FAQs
We’ll spend several hours practicing skills at a pair of ledges called McKees Half Falls. It’s a class II to II+ feature in most water levels.
It’s A-OK to arrive as a beginner. However, you’ll get the most out of the workshop if you already have strong turning strokes and good basic paddling technique.
The workshop is designed for “mid-level beginner” through “advanced-intermediate” paddlers.
Expect daytime highs in the 60’s to 80’s and nighttime lows in the 40’s. The workshop will take place rain or shine.
You may! Please start by contacting us with a description of your boat. Large touring kayaks and tripping canoes are appropriate for the workshop. Recreational kayaks lack the carrying capacity required for our two nights of backcountry camping.
We tent camp on an island for both nights of the workshop. Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided. (You may also bring your own).
I suggest packing 30-degree sleeping bag. See the packing list for complete details.
Nah. That’s pretty unlikely. The workshop is solo-adventurer-friendly!
You can reserve your spot today by paying a $149 deposit. The balance is due 60 days before the course. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
There's no cancellation fee if you decide to cancel 90 days or more before the course and we'll even refund your deposit! However, if you cancel fewer than 90-days before the course, your deposit is nonrefundable. Additionally, there are significant cancellation fees if you decide to cancel your registration 59 days or less before the course. Be sure to read the complete Trip and Course Policies.
We only advertise trips and courses we plan to operate. Since our founding in 2013, Bad Adventures has never canceled a multi-day trip or course. However, we must reserve the right to do so. Be sure to review our Trip and Course Policies.
Yes. However, it’s broken up throughout the day, with lots of opportunity for rest. The unique geometry of our campsite, the ledges of McKees Half Falls, and the surrounding islands let us paddle upstream, hopping between eddies. There are only a few times we have to paddle on a “treadmill.”
Our total distance of upstream paddling is about 3.5 miles. We never paddle more than 1 mile upstream at a time.
Bad Adventure guides will be there to help! However, if you decide to take it easy, you can forgo the second half of day 2 and hang out at camp while the rest of the group returns to the water.
At our island camp, we use river groovers (portable toilets) to minimize the environmental impact of our stay. They’re pleasant to use.