Do I have to pay to participate?

Depends. Clients and staff at our partner organizations are invited to participate for free. Community members are invited to make a personal donation of $250 or raise funds from their family, friends and colleagues to support LEAP programs. Please note that both Milo McIver State Park and Barton park charge for parking.

Can I use my own kayak or raft?

Yes! You are welcome to bring your own boat, provided that it is adequate for running whitewater rapids and you have the ability to load and unload it yourself.

Is there a minimum age to participate?

We do not enforce an age limit and have welcomed younger paddlers in the past. However, all participants that wish to use one of our inflatable kayaks must be physically able to paddle the entire stretch of the river (2.3 or 8 miles depending on which run you choose)

Where do I show up on the day of the Challenge?

Milo McIver State Park on the Clackamas River. See here for directions from Portland.

What time do I show up?

10am, 12 noon or 3pm depending on which run you are signed up for.

How far of a drive is Milo McIver State Park from Portland?

Travel time from Pioneer Courthouse Square to Milo McIver State Park is about a 50 minute drive on a Saturday morning.

What should I wear?

The average high temperature in Estacada, OR in June is 73 degrees, however, the water is usually in the 50s. We’ll be wearing swimwear, quick-drying shirts and shorts, and river-appropriate shoes. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen!

Is there anything else I should bring?

Suncreen, water bottle, sunglasses, and a hat. If you have them, we also recommend a carabiners, a small dry bag, and/or a waterproof case for belongings.

What gear is LEAP providing?

We’ll provide inflatable kayaks, paddles, helmets, and personal flotation devices (also known as PFDs or life jackets).

How far am I paddling?

This year, there are two distances to paddle: 2 shorter runs and 1 longer run at the end of the day. We will all put in at the upper boat ramp in Milo McIver State Park, but you may take out at the lower boat ramp at Milo McIver or Barton Park. The upper boat ramp to lower boat ramp streth is about 2.5 miles and will take about one hour; the longer stretch is about 8 miles and should take around 3.5 hours.

What’s the water like?

Your guide will lead you through a couple of class II rapids and one class II+ rapid! All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. The Clackamas River will likely be running at about 1,800 CFS (cubic feet per second). The water temperature is typically in the mid-50s.

Is this a race?

Nope! We’re all here to have fun and enjoy the river together. The “challenge” is the paddle, itself; it is not a competition.

Why do we form teams?

On the water, forming teams helps us stay organized as we prepare to run rapids. As we fundraise, each "pledge" or donation received by one of your team members counts towards your team's total - and there's a prize for the team that raises the most!

Do I need to sign a waiver?

Yes! That waiver will be sent to all participants.

I don't want to paddle, but can I volunteer?

If you would like to volunteer, please email seth@leapadventure.org.

Will LEAP feed me on the day of the Paddle Challenge?

We will provide lunch at 12:00pm! Please complete the participant survey or e-mail seth@leapadventure.org if you have dietary restrictions.

How do I set up a peer to peer donation page?

1. After registering, Seth will send you a link to your fundraising page. On that page, you will see a button underneath the fundraising amounts that reads “I want to fundraise for this”. Click it!

2. You’ll be redirected to a page where you need to enter some information.

   • Your name - please enter your full name
   • Email - whichever email you prefer
   • Password - this is a password for your Peer to Peer fundraising page. Please remember it!

3. Then you’ll have to enter some info specific to your personal Peer to Peer fundraising page.

   • Optional photo upload - Upload a photo of yourself! It will show up right above a line that says “A Fundraiser by [Your Name]”
   • Add a note - This will display on your donation page to tell people why you want to raise money for LEAP. You have total freedom over what you tell your friends and family, but here’s an example to get you started:
     • "I am paddling on the Clackamas River on June 24th to help raise money for LEAP! Join me in supporting LEAP’s mission to create empowering experiences for those facing adversity and trauma by providing wilderness programs."
   • Fundraising goal - It’s up to you how much you want to raise! We suggest $250, but feel free to exceed the goal! Your network’s donations will add up in a progress bar toward this goal.

4. You’re all set! You can edit your page by visiting it and clicking “edit this fundraiser” or clicking “log in to your fundraising page”, depending on whether you’re logged in to Give Lively.

5. Now just share your P2P page on your social media feeds, with your friends, family, and coworkers! There are buttons on your fundraising page to make this easy. Email seth@leapadventure.org if you have any questions.