Planning a Safe River Trip

Canoeing or kayaking the Smith River through Henry County can be a safe and fun outing for the entire family. The key is planning your trip properly to ensure safety. Most of the time, the river provides a gentle float appropriate for beginner paddlers. Because the Smith is a tailrace river below Philpott Dam, the depth and speed of water can change drastically when power is being generated. When planning a river trip your first task should be to call and find out when water will be released. By calling 276-629-2432, you can listen to an automated message explaining the week's generation schedule.

This past Friday I paddled the Smith River from Philpott Dam to North Bassett with my husband and several members of the Franklin County Creek Freeks Club. The photo above looks as though we were paddling in the winter, but prior to getting on the river it was a searing 95 degrees outside! Once we arrived at the base of Philpott the air was cooler and an erie fog stood over the water. The lower Smith River comes out of the bottom of Philpott Lake; therefore, it is about 55 degrees year round. When the Dam is generating, this temperature can drop to 45 degrees. Even though it was a very hot day, paddlers should be prepared for the cold water temperatures. If you notice the four men in the photo above, they are dressed in layers of synthetic clothing. The layers of synthetic fabric dry quickly and hold in air that insulates the body. Some of them are also wearing splash jackets, a water replellant outercovering that will keep them completely dry. The most important item is the PDF or lifejacket. Even experienced swimmers need one.
We had a great time, surfed some rapids, and as the sun set over the Smith River we loaded up our boats and headed home. To plan a safe outing for your family, follow these simple tips:

• Call before you paddle! Dial 276-629-2432 to hear the generation schedule.
• Never paddle alone!
• Never paddle in weather or water conditions that you are not capable of handling. (If you have never paddled a particular stretch of river, it is recommended that you go with a guide or someone who is experienced with that area.)
• Create a float plan. Tell family or friends where you are paddling and what time you should be off the river.
  
• Be prepared for cold water and dress accordingly. Cotton will only make you colder!
  
• Wear your PFD (Personal floatation device)!

To learn more about the sport of canoeing and kayaking contact the following groups:

Dan River Basin Association
Smith River Valley Canoe Club
Franklin County Creek Freaks
Three Rivers Outfitters
American Canoe Association

Article and photos by Jennifer Doss

Did You Know...

Not only does Team DRBA love getting outdoors for the fun of it, but it's great excercise too! According to Activate Martinsville-Henry County, in just 60 minutes you can burn...

220 Calories walking (2 mph)

315 Calories biking for leisure

357 Calories canoeing (2mph)

399 Calories kayaking

472 Calories hiking

672 Calories mountain biking

672 Calories running (5 mph)

or you could just burn 178 Calories washing dishes- now which is more fun?

Local Youth Enjoy Outdoor Adventure

Throughout the month of July nearly 75 youth from Martinsville and Henry County had an opportunity to get out and experience the great outdoors! Staff from the Martinsville-Henry County after 3 program, an initiative sponsored by the Harvest Foundation, lined up a series of trips in partnership with the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) so that youth participating in the program could experience hiking and canoeing.

Youth from each of seven summer program sites throughout the county and city first took a trip to the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve in Ridgeway. While at the preserve, the groups enjoyed guided hikes of Jones Cliff Trail led by Jennifer Doss of DRBA and Jeannie Frisco of Activate Martinsville-Henry County. The groups especially enjoyed visiting the Burgess Family cemetery, “I think it’s neat to be able to look back into the past” said Patsy Quinnan of the Collinsville YMCA. At the end of each hike, the groups gathered in the preserve’s outdoor classroom facility to enjoy a healthy snack and learn about the importance of proper nutrition from Jerelle Carter, Activities Coordinator for the MHC Coalition for Health and Wellness.

DRBA, with assistance from Smith River Junction Outfitters and the Smith River Valley Canoe Club (SRVCC), also coordinated a series of river trip for the groups. Volunteers from DRBA and SRVCC gave lessons on water safety to the youth and assisted them with basic paddling techniques. They learned about pollution and the importance of protecting local rivers while on the five mile trip and some even assisted in picking up litter as they paddled.

The youth had a great time; one participant mentioned “I can’t believe how much fun I had! I never knew how much fun canoeing could be.” Jerelle Carter of the coalition felt “that all of the kids are getting a great experience. It shows the kids that there are other fun physical activities that they can do right here in our community, other than basketball, football, baseball, etc., which you can find anywhere. One of the best aspects of these activities is that the kids can continue to enjoy them with their families for FREE, as long as they have the equipment.”

For more information on paddling the Smith, as well as other area rivers, visit http://www.danriver.org/ or call 276-634-2545.

Local Students Win Bikes

Before school let out for the summer, Activate Martinsville-Henry County staff attended the award ceremonies for Albert Harris and Patrick Henry Elementary, and the carnival at Martinsville Middle School to present bicycles to students that were entered into a drawing for a bike give-away. The bicycles were an incentive for parents to complete the Safe Routes to School Parent Survey. These surveys are used to collect data on the thoughts and opinion of children’s parents on walking and biking to school. This data will not only be used nationally by the National Center for Safe Routes to School but also by Activate staff as they prepare to submit a Safe Routes to School grant application through SAFETEA-LU. Below are the proud bike winners.

More information on biking in Martinsville & Henry County can be found at http://www.activatemhc.org/.

Letters from Students

Throughout the year DRBA team members and Dr. David Jones, local Trout-in-the-Classroom (TIC) sponsor, frequently recieve letters from students in the TIC program. The program has just completed its third year in Martinsville and Henry County and served over 2,000 youth! The following are some letters and art work from students at Carver Elementary that we would like to share.



Dear Dr. Jones,

Thank you so much for what you have done, including getting the fish and equipment. It has been such an honor to be part of the Smith River Fish Release. I have learned so much about the Smith River and how you all see if the river is unhealthy or healthy. Thanks for this experience.

Sincerely,
Bonnie Swinney
Dear Dr. Jones,

Thank you for letting the fifth grade have fish to take care of. I really like the fish. They were also the best part of fifth grade.

Sincerely,
Harley Grice

Dear Dr. Jones,


I would like to thank you for teaching me many things about river life. My favorite part was picking up the crawdads. Some were easy to handle while others were a little wild. I thank you for everything you taught me and I will do my best to keep our rivers clean.

Sincerely,
Kaylee Crawford

Happy Hikers

It's the 2nd week of the Martinsville-Henry County After 3 Summer Camp and another group of 30 middle school aged youth got the opportunity to explore the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve in Ridgeway. Jennifer Doss of the Dan River Basin Association and Jeannie Frisco of Activate Martinsville-Henry County led tours for the group that included information about the historical and natural wonders found on the preserve's 75-acres.

Here's what this week's participants thought:

"I loved the cemetery. I thought that it was very interesting and fun. Thanks!"

-Ali W.

"The trip was interesting with all the fascinating history. Also I was really interested with the graves. I would love to learn more about them."

"I thought the hike was so awesome. It was a good workout. My feet hurt, but I feel very good. I feel fresh. It was educational. I can't wait to come back!"

-Kristen

"I liked the cemetery. I think it's neat to be able to look back into the past."

- Patsy Q.

"The trail was awesome the cemetery was really cool. I thought the coolest thing was the vortex spider web. I really liked today!"

"Trail was so awesome. I liked the log cabin and we saw a huge mushroom. The history was so neat and fascinating. The graveyard was probably the coolest!"

"The trip was fun and very interesting, we got to see some really cool things such as the tobacco house and the spider."

For Women Only!

Visit your friends from Activate Martinsville-Henry County, Dan River Basin Association, and the Martinsville-Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness at this great event for women!

A FREE event that’s just for you!
Saturday, July 19, 2008 8:30am - Noon
For all women ages 16 and up.
All participants must register at 8:30am.
Free continental breakfast. Lots of prizes!
Location: Martinsville Middle School

Get all your questions answered in a relaxed, informal setting
Dozens of local, women experts will be at the event to share their knowledge and expertise ONE-ON-ONE with you. Ask them about financial advice, tips on starting a career, education and scholarships, health and wellness information, parenting, homemaking, nutrition, beauty, emotional issues and a lot more. You’ll get answers that are personal and relevant to you.

And there will be Special Sessions
Take a career aptitude test, learn about menopause, discover how to boost your self-esteem, hear about child support enforcement, get tips on personal safety, find out about all the local recreational activities, discover how to keep your kids off drugs and learn how you can receive special financial education certification and more!

Keynote Speaker
As seen on the Today Show, nationally known expert and motivational speaker Reeta Wolfsohn, CMSW, founder of the Financial Social Work discipline and the "Money-Wise University" will help you discover how you can play the leading role in taking control of your money and gaining control of your life.

Download a PDF of the poster and post at your location. Or send the PDF to everyone you know!
Visit http://www.unitedwayofhcm.org/article.cfm?ID=4