Frequently Asked Questions

2020 Camping Info & COVID-19 Precautions

We are thrilled to share that we are open for the season including COVID-friendly camping at Paddler Co-op! Given the state of the pandemic and advisory from Public Health authorities, there are some changes we’ll be making to what camping at Paddler Co-op looks like, to make it safer for all of us and do our part to reduce the spread of germs. 

We will be accepting camping bookings by reservation only for individuals and groups who: 

• Have not shown any symptoms of respiratory illness for the last 14 days
• Have not been in contact with individuals who have shown symptoms of respiratory illness in the last 14 days
• Have not travelled internationally or interprovincially in the last 14 days
• Agree to adhere to our Campground Health Policy listed below
• Agree to keep the well-being of our local, paddling, and camping communities in mind during their visit

Paddler Co-op will continue to offer: 

• Individual, Group, and Family Camping rates
• Trailer camping 
• River access & waterfront use
• Equipment rentals and courses by appointment

Paddler Co-op will be indefinitely pausing: 

• Retail store and in-person office access
• Drop-in camping
• Communal Barbecues
• Communal indoor space in the Boathouse
• Use of the communal fridge in the Boathouse
• Communal fire pit use

Paddler Co-op is respecting and implementing public health guidelines and extra sanitary measures:

• 3 times daily sanitization schedule for public surfaces / spaces
• Additional hand sanitizer available throughout our site
• Employees and guests must provide a pre-screening health declaration and staff undergo daily screening procedures
• Additional staff training regarding hygiene, sanitization and health and safety

If you have any specific questions regarding your stay and what we’re doing to help reduce the spread, we welcome your inquiries! Please reach out by email to [email protected] or by phone 613-758-2772

Campground Health Policy

Ensuring that we all do our part to reduce the spread of germs and illness is one of our guiding principles as we navigate the current pandemic. We value the importance of having all members of our community understand the measures we can all take to protect ourselves and those around us, while enjoying the outdoors and benefits of recreating responsibly. 

Please take time to read, understand, and comply with the guidelines listed here to make your and all guests’ camping experience as enjoyable and safe as possible. 

Paddler Co-op campers agree to:

• Read and obey all signage posted on Paddler Co-op property
• Respect 2m physical distancing from members of different households at all times
• Bring 2 reusable, non-medical face coverings that cover your nose, mouth and chin, and practice proper PPE sanitization protocols when using face coverings
• Pack personal hand sanitizer and disinfectant, and use them frequently
• Practice proper hand and face hygiene (disinfect before and after: meals, using common spaces, and as often as you think of it)
• Avoid touching your face – we know it’s hard at first but it becomes more natural with practice!
• Practice proper respiratory etiquette (cough/sneeze into your arm)
• Please minimize the number of people using common areas (one per group at a time) and use face coverings when appropriate
• Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 10 people per booking (provincial regulation)
• As much as possible, stay in your designated camping area and maintain appropriate spacing
• Understand that failure to comply with this policy would result in campground booking forfeiture and removal from the property at the discretion of Paddler Co-op and its staff
• Paddler Co-op reserves the right to update this policy and provide reasonable changes throughout the season
  

To make your stay more enjoyable:

• Pack a cooler with ice (available for purchase locally) for your personal food
• Plan to store food securely in the evenings – to prevent any unwanted critter visits!
• Plan to bring your own cooking system and supplies (stove burner and fuel)
• Get in touch in advance of your visit to ensure we can accommodate you(r group)
• Plan to pay with credit or e-transfer

We appreciate your understanding, patience and respect of these guidelines. Thanks for doing your part to keep yourself, those around you, and our community safe! We hope you enjoy your stay at Paddler Co-op 🙂

Located at: 6535 Palmer Road, Palmer Rapids, Ontario K0J2E0

Office Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

From Palmer Rapids: via Hwy 514: Left onto Hwy 515, drive through town of Palmer Rapids.

• Approx. 2 km past town, cross over Madawaska River
• Stay on this highway for another 1 km and as the highway bends to the left, slow down
• Our site is on the left-hand side of the road. Civic address is 6535. You will notice the large green and blue buildings as well as the Paddler Co-op Boathouse sign.

From Combermere: via Hwy 62: Right onto Hwy 515 towards Palmer Rapids.

• Just after Dam Road, you will reach our site on the Right, before you come to the river.
• If you cross the river, you have gone too far.
• What you see from Palmer Road (Hwy 515):

A large boathouse with a kayak on the roof, seriously, a kayak. We have a U shaped gravel Driveway and a “house” that is our office!

Lost?! Call the office @ 613-758-2772

Instructors are the backbone of our programs.

They have:

• Wilderness First Aid (min. 40 hours) and Whitewater Rescue Certification (30 hours)
• Extensive experience guiding overnight trips
• Strong facilitation skills for a variety of courses & disciplines
• Practical experience with whitewater river safety & rescue
• ORCKA and or Paddle Canada Instructor Certifications

But above all… are both passionate teachers & paddlers!

Members make this organization possible… Thank you for your continued support!

Season Membership: $10

• Access to high quality, cost effective whitewater instructional programs
• Access to Community Night Paddle Sessions
• Access to rental equipment: Canoes, Kayaks, Solo Boats, Life Jackets, Paddles, Helmets, Skirts and Wetsuits
• Support insurance cost and maintenance of our equipment and facility
• Fund environmental initiatives, such as river maintenance and education

Paddler Co-op Organizational Membership for commercial operators: $100 (Annually)

• All access that members receive plus commercial use of the facility and river access
• Provides river access, parking access, liberty to instruct courses at our location
• Facilitate group instruction at Paddler Co-op
• Utilize Paddler Co-op indoor teaching classroom
• Support insurance cost and maintenance of our equipment and facility
• Fund environmental initiatives, such as river maintenance and education

We keep in touch with our members through our newsletter

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