Thornapple Expedition 2012

Look here for updated information about the Expedition

Go directly to our Registration page by clicking here.  Registration will close July 1 or when we reach our capacity of 150.

Click here to download the Brochure

We are very excited about the Expedition and hope it will be a well attended event every community along the Thornapple can participate in and enjoy.  To make it easier for anyone to participate (we realize not everyone is up for 6 days of paddling) day trip AND 1/2 day trips will be options when registration is open.  Registration is anticipated to be live starting in April. 

Below is an outline of the proposed schedule, with the morning-lunch-overnight locations listed for each day.  In addition to paddling the river, enjoying great meals together and experiencing what our many wonderful communities have to offer, we hope to have educational information and demonstrations on various river related topics such as dams, fisheries, macroinvertebrates, mussels, birds, wildlife, and Native American culture at our lunch and dinner stops as well as while we paddle the river! 

Day 1 – Monday August 6th 

    Noon -Opening Ceremony, lunch and tour of Eaton County including wetland restoration site 

    5pm – Camp in Vermontville, Dinner and Community Riverfest along Thornapple River 

Day 2 – Tuesday August 7th  

    Morning (Vermontville)- Registration – orientation –  safety briefing – launch 

    Lunch – Nashville – educational info on Nashville Dam Removal 

    Dinner/Camp – Charlton Park – Community Riverfest (tentatively including Native American history related to the Thornapple River) 

Day 3 -Wednesday August 8th 

    Morning (Charlton Park)- Registration – orientation –  safety briefing – launch 

    Lunch – Hastings – educational info TBD 

    Dinner/Camp - Whispering Waters (Irving Rd) – Community Riverfest (TBD) 

Day 4 – Thursday August 9th 

    Morning (Whispering Waters)- Registration – orientation –  safety briefing – launch    

    Lunch – Middleville – educational info TBD    

    Dinner/Camp - Indian Valley (108th) – Community Riverfest (TBD) 

Day 5 – Friday August 10th 

    Morning (Indian Valley)- Registration – orientation –  safety briefing – launch 

    Lunch – Caledonia Area – educational info TBD 

    Dinner/Camp - Kent County Parks  (Alaska) Community Riverfest (TBD) 

Day 6 – Saturday August 11th 

    Morning (Alaska) - Registration – orientation –  safety briefing – launch 

    Lunch – Cascade – educational info TBD 

    Closing Ceremony – Ada 

Though the dates are set, we still have lots more planning to do!  Please look for future emails, Facebook posts (you can like the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) on Facebook), and press releases as planning progresses. 

Please share with anyone and everyone who might like to be part of the Thornapple River Expedition 2012!  Anyone wishing to be included future email updates should email trwc@thornappleriver.org. Also, we would love to hear from anyone wanting to help with the Expedition in any way (planning, pr, logistics, education, fund raising, donations/sponsorship, etc.)!  Any donations or sponsorship received will help keep costs down for participants. 

Thanks for your support! 

Click here for sponsor Opportunities

Thornapple Expedition Planning Team! 

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