About
We are bringing back a modified version of this popular Messiah tradition! Join us on the Yellow Breeches during Homecoming & Family Weekend for a morning of paddling fun, all while helping to support adventure programming at Messiah University!
Read on for more information:
When: Saturday, October 4th, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at approximately 1:00 p.m.
Where: Meet on the Starry Field side of the Yellow Breeches Creek by the covered bridge, next to “Yellow Breeches Creek sign”
What: Approximately 4 miles of guided paddling down the beautiful Yellow Breeches creek, ending at McCormick Road. Excursion will be led by Dr. Dave Tanis, CCO/ Owner of Yellow Breeches Adventures. Paddling instruction will be given before launch, and all equipment including life jackets are provided (parents of small children may be asked to bring life jackets for their child, as we have a limited number of child’s size life jackets available). Expect to spend about 2 hours on the water. Transportation back to campus will be provided.
The difficulty rating for this stretch of the Yellow Breeches is class one or less. Please note that this event will be held rain or shine.
Who: Anyone! No previous paddling experience necessary. Each canoe has seats for two paddlers. A third adult or two children can sit comfortably in the middle on the floor of the canoe. Single paddlers will be matched up with other single paddlers.
What to wear: Dress for the weather. If it is cool, take a sweatshirt or a jacket. Occasionally a canoe will flip, we cannot guarantee that you will stay dry. Be sure that all items you take with you can get wet. A limited amount of “dry bags” will be available for use, otherwise a garbage bag inside a backpack creates an effective dry bag to keep your items from getting soaked. Your shoes will get wet while entering and exiting the canoe. Closed toe footwear (old sneakers) will provide the best protection for your feet, otherwise sandals with a heel strap are acceptable.
Sponsor
Interested in having your name or company logo displayed during Canoe-a-thon 2.0? We are happy to advertise for you by putting your personal or business name on a “canoe flag”. For more information please email Abby Book at abook@messiah.edu
Give
SUPPORT ADVENTURE PROGRAMMING AT MESSIAH UNIVERSITY: Canoe-a-thon 2.0 is held in honor of outdoor enthusiast Michael Barbato ’91, whose passion for adventure education and training was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Partner with us to raise funds for the Michael P. Barbato Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides yearly support for outdoor adventure leadership training for Messiah University students. Click here to donate, and see below for more information about the fund and Michael’s incredible legacy:
The Michael P. Barbato Legacy Scholarship Fund, established in his memory, provides funding for attendance at adventure leadership training retreats, activities, conferences, or similar excursions that encourage spiritual formation.
Michael’s life was changed through adventure programing at Messiah in the early 1990’s. He went on to do campus ministry with a focus on wilderness education. Michael believed that purposeful time outdoors was a powerful way to draw students to God and each other – giving them glimpses of the lived gospel and their place in a bigger story. His dear friend Dave Guthrie sums Michael’s mission up beautifully: “Our goal is to teach and to model for students – in and out of classrooms, with regard to ideas and with regard to behaviors, in our personal relationships and in our structural processes- how they might enflesh Christian perspectives and Christian discernments of the times and, in so doing, serve as signposts to God’s kingdom for others. A glimpse of God’s kingdom, you say? This way please!” (Guthrie, 2020).
Partner with us as we help point Messiah students to life-changing outdoor experiences for years to come. Click here to donate!
Guthrie, D. (2020). Dreaming dreams for Christian higher education. Falls City Press.
Register
Cost: $50 per paddler or $100 per boat (each boat holds 2 paddlers, and 1 adult rider or 2 small children riders)
Registration deadline: sign up early as this event will fill up fast! There is space for 102 paddlers.