Archive for July, 2010

“What can students expect for the fall semester?”

Monday, July 19th, 2010

This document is designed to answer your last minute questions regarding the commencement of school on the Ottawa River.

Calendar Page- This is where you can find a consistent list of dates and events. Use this as your source for booking reservations.

Arrivals: Below you have several options for your arrivals:
A. Fly to Charleston, WV
8/27 Charleston, WV Airport Arrivals- 8/27 between 4:00 to 6:00 pm
B. Drive or carpool to Fayetteville, WV
8/ 27 Fayetteville, WV Base Arrivals- 8/27 between 4:00 to 6:00 pm
C. Meet school en route from WV to Ottawa. Contact David Hughes to arrange meeting point. Route is: I-79 N to I-90E; I-90E to I-81N; 416 N to Ottawa; 417 W to 17 W to Wilderness Tours.
D. Fly to Ottawa City. If you are flying from the west to Ottawa make certain your return home flight is from Charleston, WV 10/10 between 8:00 to 10:00 am.
8/28 Ottawa City, Canada Arrivals- 8/28 between 10:00 to 12:00 am
E. Drive to Wilderness Tours
8/28 Ottawa River Arrival- You may be at Wilderness Tours or Keenerville base anytime prior to 1:00 pm.

What do I bring? See attached packing list. Packing list is also being published on David Hughes’ blog.
A. Do I bring a laptop? If you have a video or photo class then yes you will need it.
B. Which boat do I bring? You will only need your play boat. This fall quarter is dedicated to safety, river running, and freestyle development. We will discuss Chile boats at later date.
C. Which camera should I bring? If you are in video class contact Tino Specht via- mcspecht@yahoo.com
Photo students may direct camera concerns to David Hughes- hugeh2o@yahoo.com.

What can we expect? Those arriving from the south will spend no time in WV. You will arrive, pack, and be on the road to Canada. Once on the Ottawa everyone will contact home to inform families of your base and road tired condition. We will begin with a safety and team building activity to wash away some of the road travel.
The first few days of school will focus on school orientation, team and confidence building, and utilizing a shortened school schedule. Oh yea… kayaking. You will be based right on the Ottawa River just a three minute paddle from fantastic waves.
You will be part of a mentor team planning a mentor team activity and a weekly meal.

What about school? Just like any great academic program once you show up you can expect exciting and intriguing lessons to be offered. Students will be taken on a department store run for those last minute school supplies. Teachers will discuss class expectations and give a list of class needs like, “uhhm you’re going to need a 3 ring binder, a compass, and a good attitude.”

What if we don’t have our passport yet? Here is a link providing more passport info. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html

Do we need travel insurance? You will want to contact your insurance provider regarding international insurance options. New River Academy utilizes a traveler’s insurance plan for our staff once in Chile. The great thing about travel insurance plans is that they often cover broken, stolen, or lost equipment. We use www.WorldNomads.com.

Posted in Academics, Intructional, Kayak School | Comments Off

Ten Reasons to Consider Applying to Gap Year

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

By now you have heard about gap year and you have to admit you are intrigued. But is taking a gap year just before you goto college the right choice for you? Here are a few reasons.

Spend a week at the Seven Teacups Waterfall Camp. There are more than 70 clean waterfalls in the area. Your parents are going to love your photos and videos. Wahoo!!!

10. Taking a break may make you more productive? It’s not actually a break but it is a change from the “school system.” Research has shown that gap students are more likely to graduate college. The semester off kind of gets the lazy bug out of your system as you mature.
9. Learn Spanish. How cool is it to learn Spanish by speaking with your host family, negotiating your river shuttle, and speaking with Chileans your age.

Click here to learn more about “Chile Gap Year.”

8. Earn College Credit. New River Academy is an affiliate of the Seattle Central Community College. Through this program you have a pay/credit option for your Spanish course.
7. Discover your academic niche. So you don’t know what your career direction is. Well that is a big deal and that alone makes it hard for you to be motivated. The gap year addresses career options as you gain new perspectives.
6. Are you ready for college? Do you know how to study, schedule your time, wake yourself, budget, and cook. The gap year places you in an environment where you begin to work with peers planning group budget, meals, and learning how to live on your own.
5. You love to kayak. The Andes mountains are the second largest mountain range in the world. Melting snow flows west a couple of hundred kilometers to the Pacific. Hmmm, melting snow + gradient + short distance = OMG! I love to kayak Chile!
4. You’ve always wanted to learn photo or video. This is the time and the place. Video and photo courses prepare you within a new professional skill to earn money. That’s right many of our students immediately begin working for commercial companies making $$$.
3. You realize you need to mature. OK so you don’t care about making money, school, or career stuff. Trust us… that will come later. For now, let’s have a few discussions about what are your career and school options.
2. Gain a new perspective. The point is that you will gain more from your gap year than in any single year of university. Many students only begin to realize how much they learned and experienced during the university and career years after the gap experience.
1. Fun, fun, fun. A Georgia high school athlete survey asked, “What is the number one reason you participate in high school sports? The answer was not to win or to be a champion. The number one answer was, “to have fun.” Chile’s Patagonia is simply fantastico. You will make Chilean friends that will last a lifetime and explore in ways beyond your imagination.

It’s “Easy to Apply.”

Posted in Culture, Intructional, Kayak Gap Year Abroad, Kayak School, Kayaking, chile whitewater rivers | Comments Off

New River Academy
Rt. 2 Box 245
Fayetteville, WV 25484
(304)- 574-0403
Fax: (304) 513-2247
New River Academy

Huge Kayaking