7-Day Upper San Juan River Expedition
Prepared for Creekside Learning Center
Proposed Dates, first week in May; 16 Participants and 2 Adults
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_color=”#4c859b” scene_position=”center” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” top_padding=”25″ bottom_padding=”25″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Dear Stacey,
Thank you for contacting me about arranging a custom-designed program to support your class at this important point in their journey. Deer Hill Expeditions has over 30 years of experience guiding young people on wilderness expeditions and service projects in the Southwest, our home and backyard.
While this proposal differs quite a bit from the programs we initially discussed, when I consider the aspects you want to see included in your program, this concept is probably the most likely to deliver them. An expedition of the Upper San Juan River offers rafting, hiking, archaeology, conservation service and opportunities to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the region.
Please review this proposal for descriptions of the program components, for dates and costs, and for details specific to Deer Hill. This proposal serves to provide an outline for further refinement in the development of a contract between your school and Deer Hill. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Gabriel Bernier
Outreach Director[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_image=”7163″ bg_position=”center bottom” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”300″ bottom_padding=”300″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
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Upper San Juan River Expeditions
The Upper San Juan River is a 27-mile stretch of river that begins at Sand Island, just outside of Bluff, Utah. This section begins in a relatively open stretch of floodplain marked by cottonwood groves and riverbank brush against a backdrop of sandstone eroded smooth by centuries of wind and water. Toward the end of this section, the canyon narrows into high, banded walls where bighorn sheep often graze. Along the way, boaters have the opportunity to stop and explore. Two major highlights are the River House Ruin and Comb Ridge. River House Ruin is an archaeological site dating over 1000 years old. It features a cliff dwelling, granary, rock art and small artifacts left behind by Ancestral Puebloans. There are additional archaeological sites including an expansive petroglyph panel and “moki steps” carved into a canyon wall to allow foot traffic on what was an ancient pedestrian highway. Comb Ridge is a long rocky uplift that runs north-south through southeastern Utah and gives hikers a breathtaking view of the landscape, especially rich in spring with vibrant green leaves contrasting with the red sandstone earth.
Deer Hill uses both paddle rafts and oar-mounted rafts, and when appropriate, inflatable kayaks. The variety of crafts allows for a lot of options to accommodate environmental factors such as river flows, as well as human and group factors, such as comfort, experience, age, goals and group size.
This stretch of river includes class 1-2+ rapids, which tends to be an excellent level of excitement and challenge for first-time rafters.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_style” images=”7088,7087,7083,7084,7082,7081,7080,7079,7078,7077,7076,7075,7074,7073,7072,7018,6988,6921,6922,6920,6918,6917,6916,6915,6914,6912,6909,6810,6809,6766,6764,6756,6214,6154,6152,6153″ onclick=”link_image” img_size=”600×400″][vc_column_text]
Click picture to enlarge.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_color=”#1f414e” scene_position=”center” text_color=”light” text_align=”center” top_padding=”30″ bottom_padding=”15″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Itinerary
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_color=”#4c859b” scene_position=”center” text_color=”light” text_align=”center” top_padding=”30″ bottom_padding=”15″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Day 1
Times to be determined: Fly into Durango, CO airport. Deer Hill program leaders will pick you up and bring you to Basecamp in Mancos, CO. You’ll have dinner and prepare for your river expedition.
Day 2
Morning: After breakfast, you’ll head out to the launch site near Bluff, Utah.
Afternoon/Evening: When you arrive at the launch site, your leaders will conduct a safety talk, outlining expedition behavior and essential risk management. When the boats are packed, and everyone is prepped, you’ll set out on the water. As evening approaches, and as opportunities present, you’ll decide where to make camp. There are plenty of sandy beaches at which groups can camp. You’ll have a kitchen area to set up, with tables and propane burners, and participants sleep in 3-4 person tents. Participants are involved in all aspects of setting up and taking down camp, under the guidance, instruction and oversight of the leader team. After dinner, the group will hold Circle to debrief the day, and set expectations for the next day.
Days 3-5
On the River: The group will start the day early, with breakfast and a review of the day’s plan. Some days, you’ll break camp after breakfast and cover some miles in the boats. Sometimes, a group will take a layover day–maintaining camp in the same place, and enjoying hikes, exploration and play. There is a lovely campsite very close to River House Ruin and Comb Ridge which makes for an excellent camp with a layover day.
Day 6
Morning: After breakfast, you’ll break camp and finish the final few miles of the Upper San Juan. Deer Hill interns will meet you at the take-out site to help de-rig boats. The whole group will help unload the rafts; when all the gear is on shore, some participants and staff will likely set up a kitchen area to make lunch, while the others help load the gear onto our trucks, and pack up the rafts.
Afternoon/Evening: Return to Basecamp in Mancos for showers and a hot, home-cooked meal. You’ll hold Circle after dinner and sleep in rustic cabins.
Day 7
Morning: After breakfast, we hold a closing ceremony to conclude your program and help students transfer the experience to their everyday lives.
Afternoon: Your leaders drive you to the Durango airport in time for your return flight.
Financial Information
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_color=”#4c859b” scene_position=”center” text_color=”light” text_align=”center” top_padding=”45″ bottom_padding=”15″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Estimated Price: $1175 (per participant)
Quotes are conditional on final group numbers, activities and travel arrangements. We require a minimum of 10 paying participants to run the program. Final pricing will be confirmed in a contract. However, final price is subject to change based on adjustments to program, travel arrangements, arrival and departure times. A 25% deposit is due to reserve your group.
Program price includes:
- The teacher/trip organizer will attend free of charge with the group. Additional adults will be charged the participant rate
- All meals, snacks and drinks from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on the final day (depending on arrival and departure times),
- All guiding activities, service materials, and group equipment (rafting gear, cooking gear, tents, service tools, etc.)
- Permits, fees and insurance
- Personal gear (sleeping bags, pads, etc.) and clothing items (e.g. rain gear and fleece) is not included. These items may be rented from the Deer Hill outfitting store at a very reasonable cost. We will provide you with the price list for rental items along with detailed information after contracting. We require a per-student cash deposit, or credit card, to cover participant rental gear.
Food and Accommodations
On the River, you will be camping in 3-4 person, single-gender shelters. At Basecamp, groups stay, divided by gender, in rustic cabins furnished with bunk beds. Deer Hill provides healthy and balanced meals and can accommodate a wide variety of dietary needs and preferences.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_color=”#1f414e” scene_position=”center” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” top_padding=”15″ bottom_padding=”50″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Additional Information
- It may be possible to do this program in 6 days, rather than 7, if time or budget is a barrier.
- With travel times yet to be determined, I have structured the first and last days based on what we have found works best for groups: arrival around midday on Day 1, and departure in the afternoon of the last day. This, of course, is somewhat flexible, but times can impact the itinerary.
- This is the second completed proposal or three concepts currently in discussion. The first proposal is for a service project, and the third (forthcoming) will be for a shorter program to be paired with one provided by another organization.
Click the edit button to add your testimonial.
[/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1475266977537-0-6″ name=”Lisa Archer, Teacher, Tucson Waldorf School” quote=”Thank you again for a memorable trip. As I’ve told everyone, a class trip with Deer Hill is so much more than just rafting or camping with a tour group. You make the trip meaningful with marvelous guides who facilitate nightly ‘Circles’, solo time, and closing ceremonies that make the trip so much better. Deer Hill is more than a trip, you are creating connections with people.” tab_id=”1479243711815-8″] [/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” id=”1475267043440-0-7″ name=”Jeff Jackson, Cedar Springs Waldorf School” quote=”Thank you so much for organizing this wonderful trip for us. Your leaders were incredible. The trip REALLY met all our needs and effected a genuine transformation in my students.” tab_id=”1479243711832-9″] [/testimonial][/testimonial_slider][/vc_column][/vc_row][full_width_section background_color=”#c2b59b” text_color=”custom” custom_text_color=”#352300″ top_padding=”60″ bottom_padding=”50″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][gravityform id=”47″ title=”false” description=”false” ajax=”false”][/vc_column][/full_width_section][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_color=”#1f414e” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” bottom_padding=”25″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Service at Deer Hill
Most of Deer Hill’s service projects get you working alongside Hopi, Navajo and Zuni families on projects that they have proposed. Oftentimes, host families will share cultural knowledge, stories, and arts with participants. Other service projects are conservation oriented, and arranged with the US Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. Service projects in summer expeditions will earn you between 20 and 56 service credit hours.
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Wilderness Adventure
Deer Hill’s programs offer young people a chance to connect with nature in some of the world’s most remarkable landscapes. They also push individuals to overcome challenges and learn new skills to stay safe when enjoying the backcountry. Deer Hill’s wilderness adventures typically include a combination of white water rafting and canoeing, canyoneering, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and backpacking.
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]About Deer Hill
Deer Hill Expeditions was founded in 1984 by Doug and Beverly Capelin, who still own and operate the Mancos, Colorado-based company. Since 2005 Deer Hill has designed custom programs for school and community groups to provide fun, meaningful, and memorable culminating experiences, retreats, and educational expeditions. Deer Hill is accredited by the Association of Experiential Education, and maintains an impeccable safety record.
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