Welcome to the University of Wisconsin – Madison!
We’re excited that you’re going Canoe Camping on the Wisconsin River with Wisconsin Basecamp as part of your orientation to the University. Basecamp provides an opportunity for you to meet your fellow classmates and find out from junior and senior student leaders what classes are like, campus resources that are available for you, and what challenges lay ahead while experiencing a great wilderness experience.
Thank you for your deposit/payment for your Basecamp trip, the complete trip fee and all forms sent in one month prior to trip departure. You can call the Outdoor UW/WI Basecamp Office at 608-262-1630 with credit card information to pay the full deposit.
Please fill out the following forms will include:
1. Wisconsin Basecamp Participant Information
2. Wisconsin Basecamp Behavior Agreement
3. Basecamp Risk, Indemnification, Consent for Emergency Treatment
4. Medical Form
5. Academic record/progress-which includes you in a study of this program’s effectiveness.
6. Assumption of risk and waiver for Outfitter
If you have any questions or concerns prior to the trip, don’t hesitate to contact us. Enjoy your summer and see you soon!
Julie Brown
Wisconsin Basecamp Manager
Check us out:
http://www.union.wisc.edu/basecamp.htm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinBasecamp/ Friend us on Facebook!!
Return forms by mail or scan/email Julie Brown
Wisconsin Basecamp
800 Langdon St
Madison, WI 53706
Refunds
Deposit is non-refundable. And there are no refunds one month prior to the start date of your trip. We have a minimum of 5 participants per trip, if your trip does not fill then we will offer to move you to another trip. If you cannot attend then we will reimburse you for the trip.
Can I rent gear for the canoeing trip?
We have limited supplies of rental items. Group gear such as clothing, tents, group cooking supplies are included in the cost. If you need something, please call in advance to reserve and pay for the items. To reserve call 608.262.1630 between noon and 7 pm. Let them know you are a Basecamp Participant.
· Waterproof Float Bag-$13
· Sleeping Bag-$13
· Sleeping pad-$7
Food Allergies and dietary restrictions?
We will do our best to accommodate for special needs. Please be sure to call ahead if you have a specific needs and any specific life threatening allergy. While we will try our best, we cannot promise that there will be no exposure to certain allergies. The earlier we know about restraints the better we can try to accommodate. With certain restraints the student might need to bring supplemental foods.
Traveling far to come on the trip?
Many students from out-of-state choose to schedule a Basecamp trip that starts the day after their SOAR orientation ends. If you choose to combine SOAR and Basecamp, we recommend that you do SOAR first so you can possibly stay in campus housing the night before your trip goes out. We cannot have participants end SOAR and start Basecamp on the same day. Some choose to do SOAR and Basecamp separately, which is totally acceptable.
Don’t know your roommate yet?
A lot of students have signed up for the same trip with their new roommate. This allows for you to get to know each other in a fun, dynamic environment. You can then start the year together with mutual friends and experiences.
Please remind family and friends that you will be unavailable during your Basecamp experience.
We will be focused on connecting to new friends and experiences while on Basecamp, which equates to being unplugged from email, phones, texting, etc. In case of a true emergency (family death or serious incident, event) Basecamp will do our best to reach the affected participants’ group, however this might take at least a day or more. Please only contact Basecamp emergency numbers if its is a true emergency (family/friend death, serious incident, event).
Typically upon departure and return we like to post group pictures on Facebook.
Tell your family and friends to check it out Facebook/WisconsinBasecamp. If you are curious about our leaders go to union.wisc.edu/WisconsinBasecamp and check out our Leader Profiles.
Emergency contacts during the trip- PLEASE ONLY CALL for true EMERGENCY otherwise call- office or Julie Brown desk phone
1. Basecamp (Outdoor UW) Office – 608.262.1630
2. Julie Brown, Basecamp & Outdoor UW Manager- 608.262.8452 or 970.443.8944 cell
3. Emily Schaefer, Basecamp Assistant Manager/Intern- 414.380.2795 cell
4. Amos Mayberry- Basecamp Assistant Manager/Intern-715.514.7297 cell
5. Jacob Hahn, Outdoor UW Director- 608.262.2214 or 608.358.7381 personal cell
6. Joe Webb, Outdoor UW Manager- 920.377.0064
7. Susan Dibbell, Asst. Director – Social Education- 608.263.4009 office and 608.219.0295 cell
8. Ric Gibbs, Director of Risk Management- 608.262.8925 office and 262.278.2313 cell
Gear Questions?
Feel Free to contact us with any questions you have regarding gear. We encourage you to look at thrift stores, online, and/or borrow gear. Any questions regarding Medications and/or Toiletries feel free to ask Julie.
Times and Directions
8:15 AM - Participant drop off
4:00PM - Participant pickup
Participants will be gathering at Memorial Union at the beginning (and end) of the trip.
Meet at the Park St. turnaround, where N. Park St. meets Lake Mendota. Look for our Basecamp sign!
Taxi companies:
Badger Cab - 608-256-5566
Union Cab - 608-242-2000
Madison Taxi - 608-255-8294
Bus:
Van Galder Bus - 608-257-5593
http://www.coachusa.com/vangalder
(bus stops 2 blocks from Memorial Union
from Milwaukee and Chicago)
Airport:
Dane County Regional Airport
608-246-3380
http://www.msnairport.com
By car:
From the Madison beltline, take
exit 261B North (Park St., Hwy 151),
follow Park St. north to campus.
Parking car on campus during trip is not
Recommended. Helen C White is next to
the Union, but is expensive ~$14/ per day.
QUESTIONS?
Call 608-262-1630 or
Email:
Itinerary Canoe Camping WI River
Day 1
8:15 AM – Participants meet at Memorial Union. Welcome and overview of trip with Trip Leaders. (Please eat a good breakfast before arriving).
9:30 AM – Depart for Boscobell/ Shuttle to Sauk.
12:30 AM –Sack lunch will be provided. Wisconsin River Launch and paddle and camp on the River
Day 2 & 3
On the Wisconsin River, paddling, floating, overnight camping on sandbars, and fun…with campfires and activities at night. Be prepared for a lot of sand camping.
Day 4
Approx. 12 Noon – Off the river. Drive to Devil’s Lake State Park for overnight camping and enjoying this special and scenic park.
Tuesday Lunch = special celebratory cookout at Devil’s Lake.
4:00PM – Participants back in Madison, available for pickup/departure. Trip concludes.
Wisconsin Basecamp Canoe Trip Gear List
EQUIPMENT / Quantity / PRIORITY / COMMENTS / Required / Suggested / Rental
Pack/
Bedding / Duffle/ float bag/Backpack / 1 -3 / X / $13/trip / all gear must be in bag(s)
Pack Liner/Plastic Bags / 6 / X / Lining all bag(s)-waterproofing
Sleeping Bag / 1 / X / $13/trip / 3-season; synthetic fill
Sleeping Pad / 1 / X / $7/trip / example: Therm-A-Rest
Travel Pillow/sheet or tarp / 1 / X / No full size pillows/ sheet or tarp helps keep things out of sand
Headwear/
Upper Body / Hat / 1 / X / example: baseball cap
Light Weight Jacket / 1 / X / or sweater; suggest fleece
Long-Sleeve T-Shirt / 1 / X
Short-Sleeve T-shirts / 2 / X
Rain Jacket / 1 / X
Sunglasses / 1 / X / UV protective
Footwear/
Lower Body / Sneakers / 1 pair / X
Socks / 2-3 pair / X
Long pants / 1 / X / no jeans
Shorts / 2 / X
Swimsuit / 1-2 / X
Underwear / as needed / X
Wool Socks / 1 pair / X
Flip Flops/ athletic sandals / 1 pair / X / alt: water shoes or sandals
Rain Pants / 1 / optional
Toiletries / Insect Repellant / 1 / X
Sunscreen/ lip balm / 1/1 / X / minimum SPF 15
Toothbrush/toothpaste / 1/1 / X
Towel / 1 / X / camp or backpacking towel
Camp Soap / 1 / X / biodegradable
Hand Sanitizer / 1 / X / minimum SPF 15
Feminine Supplies / 1 / X
Medications / -- / if needed
Miscellaneous Items / Bowl, mug, 2 Waterbottles / 1 / X / Unbreakable, 32oz waterbottles
Fork, Spoon, or Spork / 1 / X / Metal or lexan
Flashlight/Headlamp / 1 / X / bring spare batteries
Cash / $20-$40 / X
Health Insurance Card / 1 / X / or photocopy; must be current
Journal or Notebook / 1 / X / optional
Pen or Pencil / 1 / X
Book / 1 / X / spare time activity
Camera / 1 / X / pack in waterproof bag
Camp Chair / 1 / Optional -example: Crazy Creek
Glasses or Contacts / 1 / If needed
1. Please DO NOT bring makeup or electronic devices on the trip (Trip Leaders will have cell phones in case of emergency).
2. “Required” items are those which our experience has shown to be the most important to have.
3. Depending on the weather conditions we encounter, you may not need all of the gear listed above. You will be camping in sand.
4. Where possible, we urge you to use equipment you already own or can borrow from others.
5. Weight is factor in packing. Heavy bags lead to heavy boats and harder paddling. NO rigid suitcases, please.
6. Where specific brands are listed, these are NOT recommendations. They are listed only as examples.
7. Zip lock bags work well to protect small items from the water.
- We will do a final gear check prior to leaving campus to ensure that we are prepared for our journey.
9. Females please bring a small stuff sack, 4 small plastic zip locks, and extra menstruation supplies no matter what your cycle is.
10. Don’t stress! Take your time, and enjoy preparing for your trip.
Participant Information (form 1)
Which trip would you like to go on? (circle one)
Canoeing: July 20-24 July 27-31 Aug 4-8 Aug 17-21 Aug 18-22 Aug 24-28
Name ______Birth date ____ / ____ / ____ M ___ F ___
Street Address ______
City/State/Zip Code ______E mail ______
Home Phone ______Cell Phone ______
Did you apply for a Basecamp Scholarship? YES NO
Emergency Contact (1) ______Relationship ______
Phone: Home ______Work ______Cell ______
Emergency Contact (2) ______Relationship ______
Phone: Home ______Work ______Cell ______
Physician’s Name ______Phone ______
Note: Participants are responsible for any medical expenses incurred. Please bring a copy of your health insurance card with you on the trip.
Please list any special dietary needs you have (e.g., allergies, vegetarian, etc.):
______
Please list any medical information about you that Basecamp leaders should know (i.e., conditions which might affect your participation, medications, allergies, etc.):
______
By signing below, I certify that the information I have provided above is accurate and complete. I agree to abide by the trip rules as outlined in this packet and as may be amended by Wisconsin Basecamp leadership. I grant Wisconsin Basecamp permission to use photos or video of me for publicity purposes and reprint quotes, essays or other written or spoken materials I produce.
Signature ______Date ______
Signature of Parent or Guardian (required if participant is under 18)
Signature ______Date ______
Wisconsin Basecamp Behavioral Standards Agreement (form 2)
To help us ensure a positive environment for all our Basecamp participants we ask that you read below and agree to the below expectations of Basecamp trips:
- I understand and agree to be committed to providing a safe, friendly, and inclusive environment for all participants. I am expected to act in a respectful, and responsible manner at all times while participating in Basecamp activities. Any verbal or physical conduct that demeans or threatens others is absolutely unacceptable.
- I understand and agree to not participate in any inappropriate or unwanted comments, misconduct, touching, or bullying. If I witness any inappropriate behaviors I will report it to Basecamp Trip Leader and/or Manager.
- I understand and agree to an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free trip. Alcohol/ illegal drugs are not allowed in University vehicles at any time.
- I understand and agree to no guns, knives, or other weapons are allowed on trips (multi-tool/Swiss Army-type knives are acceptable, but not necessary).
5. No personal electronic devices allowed on the trip. This includes cell phones, tablets, video games, and any other non-medical electronics. (Trip Leaders will have cell phones in case of emergencies.)
Any individual violating the above standards will be required to meet Basecamp Leader and Managers to determine disciplinary outcomes from the incident/activity in question. Outcomes may include suspension or expulsion from Basecamp trips without refund. Basecamp Leaders and Managers retain the authority to immediately dismiss any participant in violation of this agreement or any University policies from a trip at the participant’s expense.
Strict Adherence is expected and required to ensure a safe, quality Basecamp experience for all participants. If you have any questions about these rules please contact us in advance. Thank you for your cooperation.
I understand and agree to the above standards
Full Name Signature Date
______
Which trip are you participating on?