Leadership Kayaking & Expedition Planning April 29-May 2, 2013
Deposit FAQ
First, a quick note on ferries: We'll aim to get you on the 9:35pm ferry from Tsawwassen>Salt Spring Island on April 28th -- the night BEFORE our trip. This way we can make full use of our time with the kayaks.
To reserve your spot, please call Island Escapades at (250) 537-2553 or toll-free at 1-888-KAYAK-67 with a credit card number. The deposit is $115, is non-refundable (see FAQ below), and is deducted from the balance of your trip fees (so when you get to Saltspring, you'll only owe me $130) -- plus a donation to our Eager Beavers Campership Fund (please support them however much you can; SO much volunteer work goes into this trip!).
This money covers all of your Saltspring transportation, kayak and technical gear rental, 4 nights campsite fees, all group/kitchen/emergency gear, boat trailering fees and other miscellaneous costs. Additional expenses for you may include: renting or buying a wetsuit (required for April rescues practice!), your ferry round-trip (about $28), food (food will be shared as part of the Leadership component, so you'll be in charge of a couple of meals to pack and prepare for the group), and donation.
Once you officially reserve your spot, I'll send you a med form & waiver to fill out.
FAQ #1: Why a deposit?
A: Because this is an extremely discounted, non-profit expedition, I invest a good amount of my personal money in the trip before it actually happens, and I depend on folks actually showing up to pay me back. Last-minute dropouts (it’s happened more than once) majorly screw over the trip budget, and in that case I end up losing my own money. This is just not fair or sustainable for me as a volunteer organizer, and so now deposits are mandatory and non-refundable.
(That being said, if a legitimate medical emergency takes you away from the trip (particularly if you can find a replacement for your spot), I will do my best to get you back as much of your deposit as possible).
FAQ #2: What about the rest of the money?
A: The balance payable for the trip, including donations to the Eager Beavers Fund, can be given to me in cash or cheque on the first day of the trip. All money goes to cover trip expenses and none of the organizers earns any money off these trips. Trust me, we wish we did!
FAQ #3: Are you going to try and put slower paddlers in doubles or everyone in singles?
A: I'm not going to try to "put" anyone anywhere :) ... Depending on the size of the group (5+) we'll take a double or (8+) two and all take turns paddling them. Some people prefer it (I'll certainly take a turn if conditions allow) and it's good to fit larger gear in like water jugs as well as being great safety gear if someone's not feeling well. Also, it's easy to think of doubles as being for weaker paddlers, even though we know that doubles are also helpful for stronger paddlers to make good use of their energy in a way that's harmonious with group dynamics and the need to stick together on the water.
To reserve your spot, please call Island Escapades at (250) 537-2553 or toll-free at 1-888-KAYAK-67 with a credit card number. The deposit is $115, is non-refundable (see FAQ below), and is deducted from the balance of your trip fees (so when you get to Saltspring, you'll only owe me $130) -- plus a donation to our Eager Beavers Campership Fund (please support them however much you can; SO much volunteer work goes into this trip!).
This money covers all of your Saltspring transportation, kayak and technical gear rental, 4 nights campsite fees, all group/kitchen/emergency gear, boat trailering fees and other miscellaneous costs. Additional expenses for you may include: renting or buying a wetsuit (required for April rescues practice!), your ferry round-trip (about $28), food (food will be shared as part of the Leadership component, so you'll be in charge of a couple of meals to pack and prepare for the group), and donation.
Once you officially reserve your spot, I'll send you a med form & waiver to fill out.
FAQ #1: Why a deposit?
A: Because this is an extremely discounted, non-profit expedition, I invest a good amount of my personal money in the trip before it actually happens, and I depend on folks actually showing up to pay me back. Last-minute dropouts (it’s happened more than once) majorly screw over the trip budget, and in that case I end up losing my own money. This is just not fair or sustainable for me as a volunteer organizer, and so now deposits are mandatory and non-refundable.
(That being said, if a legitimate medical emergency takes you away from the trip (particularly if you can find a replacement for your spot), I will do my best to get you back as much of your deposit as possible).
FAQ #2: What about the rest of the money?
A: The balance payable for the trip, including donations to the Eager Beavers Fund, can be given to me in cash or cheque on the first day of the trip. All money goes to cover trip expenses and none of the organizers earns any money off these trips. Trust me, we wish we did!
FAQ #3: Are you going to try and put slower paddlers in doubles or everyone in singles?
A: I'm not going to try to "put" anyone anywhere :) ... Depending on the size of the group (5+) we'll take a double or (8+) two and all take turns paddling them. Some people prefer it (I'll certainly take a turn if conditions allow) and it's good to fit larger gear in like water jugs as well as being great safety gear if someone's not feeling well. Also, it's easy to think of doubles as being for weaker paddlers, even though we know that doubles are also helpful for stronger paddlers to make good use of their energy in a way that's harmonious with group dynamics and the need to stick together on the water.