paddling

Celebrate nature in the city and the environment of the Columbia Slough! This bilingual family environmental festival offers activities in Spanish and English for all ages. Explorando is free, and includes guided canoe trips, live music, folk dancing, storytelling, arts & crafts, workshops, and more! The first 300 visitors receive a free Explorando t-shirt.

Interested in Volunteering?

We need your help! Visit our Volunteer Registration page to learn more or contact Volunteer Coordinator Hanna Davis at hanna.davis@columbiaslough.org or (503) 281-1132.

Interested in Sponsoring Explorando?

We invite you to promote a vibrant watershed community by sponsoring Explorando. For more information contact Executive Director Corrina Chase at corrina.chase@columbiaslough.org or (503) 281-1132.

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!Ven a celebrar con la naturaleza sin salir de la ciudad en el Columbia Slough!  Te invitamos a ti y a tu familia al festival bilingue !Explorando!. Ofrecemos actividades en espanol e ingles para todas las edades. Explorando es un evento completamente libre de costo en el cual podras participar en actividades como: 
Viajes guiados en canoa, musica en vivo, bailes folkloricos, cuentos e historias bilingues, arte, manualidades y artesania, talleres y mucho mas! Te invitamos a que vengas temprano ya que las primeras 300 personas recibiran una camiseta alusiva al evento, totalmente gratis.

Te Interesa Participar Como Voluntario(a)?
Necesitamos tu Ayuda! Visita nuestra Pagina de Registracion de Voluntarios o contacta a Hanna Davis: hanna.davis@columbiaslough.org o (503) 281-1132.

Te Interesa Patrocinar Este Evento?
Ayudanos a promover un ecosistema saludable y una comunidad vibrante mediante el patrocinio de este evento especial. Para mas informacion contacta a Karen Carrillo: karen.carrillo@columbiaslough.org o (503) 281-1132.

No es necesario registrarse. 
No registration necessary.

Join a Metro naturalist to learn about the wildlife and natural history of one of the country's largest urban wetlands. Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe will provide boats, paddles, floatation devices and instruction. Two adults in a canoe can add one or two young children. Detailed information about what to bring will be provided to registered participants.

Ages: 5 and older

Each year the Columbia Slough Watershed Council hosts dozens of educational paddling events that expose adults and children to the wonders of the Columbia Slough. We're seeking novice to advanced paddlers who would like to volunteer to assist with our Twilight Paddles, Slough School kids' paddles and our summer festivals.

Time commitment:  Scheduling is flexible. Volunteers are expected to commit to 1-2 programs per month over the paddle season (May through August) with the option to continue with Fall programming. Before serving, volunteers attend a two orientation sessions. Before orientation, volunteers complete a short, informal interview with the Council's Volunteer Coordinator.

Orientation Session 1: Thursday, April 7th, 2016, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Orientation Session 2: Saturday, April 16th, 2016, 9:00am - 1:00pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* Assist staff members with canoe and kayak-based educational and recreational activities

* Monitor and lead volunteers in the paddling area at events

* Facilitate safe, inclusive on-water activities with kids and adults

* Perform routine maintenance on boats and paddling equipment

Minimum Qualifications

* Novice to advanced canoeing and kayaking skills

* Strong communication, teamwork and leadership skills

* Able to work in variable outdoor conditions, sometimes cold and/or rainy and dark

* Able to take direction and initiative, provide leadership when needed

* Able to lift 30 pounds overhead

Preferred Qualifications

* Interest in local flora, fauna and water quality issues

* Affinity for sharing natural history of the Slough and the watershed

* Familiarity with N and NE Portland waterways

* First aid and CPR certified

Location and Transportation:  Most events take place at Whitaker Ponds Natural Area (7040 NE 47th Ave. Portland OR).  Programming also takes place at a variety of other locations across the watershed. Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the event site. Sites are generally accessible by car, bus, and bike.

Interested? Send a brief letter of intent (1-2 paragraphs) about why you're interested in this position to Volunteer Coordinator Hanna Davis at hanna.davis@columbiaslough.org or send your letter to 7040 NE 47th Ave, Portland, OR 97218. Include your name, address, email address and phone number.

The day begins in the Big Tent at 9:00 AM at the Port of Ridgefield with a Chinook Drumming and Blessing ceremony. Activities for the whole family continue with a two hour canoe, kayak or paddleboard adventure on Lake River; vendors and festivities at Paddler's Village during and after the paddle; an obstacle course; a Totally Awesome Scavenger Challenge around the Port and historic downtown Ridgefield; hot food choices; live music; a beer garden and a 5th annual anniversary celebration.

Help us clean up this summertime recreational mecca in the lower Sandy Watershed! As the Troutdale section of our Timberline to Troutdale Cleanup, the Lower Sandy Floating Cleanup is focused on reducing trash with a watershed-wide impact. Coordinated by the Sandy River Basin Watershed Council, in partnership with Stout Creek Outfitters, Oregon State Parks, and others. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, just bring your own boat and PFD, appropriate clothing to get wet and walk along rocky beaches, and water to drink. We will meet at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, and leave cars to shuttle to our launch point at Dabney State Park. Bring your own boat and PFD if you'd like to participate in the floating clean-up, otherwise you can help clean up the banks of the Sandy River near Lewis and Clark!

Register to volunteer online at: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/lower-sandy-floating-cleanup