Info Page


This page will include different pieces of information that might be of interest/use to club members.

Home About Us Join MCC Links Members Photo Page Schedule Interesting Things to Read!! Marketplace Contact Us!

MCC Application/Renewal Form   MCC Release and Indemnity Form   Trip Request Form   Board Members   Paddling Partners/Pickup Trips   List - Canoe/Kayak Camping Gear   Trip Leader Responsibilities   All Trip Participants Responsibilities Paddle Illinois with the Illinois Paddling Council MCC Board Members - Elected November 21, 2009 President - Tim White Vice President - Amy Funk Treasurer/Membership Chairperson - Frank Black Secretary - Gayle Hart Newsletter Editor - Amy Funk Directors - Glen Peddy    Lenore Sobota   Rob Alexander Website Chair - Lorrie Prothero Return to the Top Letter from Marilyn B. Mackinaw Canoe Club 2009 Trip Schedule January – April and a bit beyond Friends and Paddlers, Although I am not keeping the secretary duties, I thought I would try to keep the schedule for the Club. That means I will host 2 planning meetings and send a list of the scheduled trips out to everyone in the Club. The newsletter and website will still be your main sources of information but this listing may help you plan and track trips a bit more. That said I have this message. The MCC officers really appreciate all trip and event leaders; those members that lead many trips and those that lead one; those that lead out of state trips and those that paddle the creeks an hour away. We hope if you led a trip previously, you will lead again this year. For 2009 would some of you that haven’t led any trips PLEASE consider leading a trip or submitting a trip. We really need people to take on more trips. If you want to submit a trip but not lead, we will try to find a leader for you. Gene Grider suggested 2-3 leaders for a trip and then if one can’t make it the trip would not be cancelled. The officers of the Mackinaw Canoe Club would thank you and we would very much appreciate it. These trips we schedule really are a lot of fun. Good food, good fellowship with great people, getting out in the fresh air and on the river, away from computers, TVs, and the hectic everyday grind. If you have questions about leading a trip, please call any officer for answers and encouragement. I would like to see our usual Big Bureau Creek, Sangamon River, Mazon River, North Fork, Clinton Lake, Big Pine, and Mackinaw trips show up on the schedule. We will make all leading and reporting as easy as possible for you. Thank you for your leadership—MCC Officers. Trip Planning for 2009 – Fill out the form at http://rivers-end.org/mcc/triprequestform.html with information about your planned trip and submit via email at blusgrdn@mchsi.com or send to Marilyn Black, 1 Tarter Ct., Clinton, IL 61727. Don’t wait to get your trip on the calendar. Contact Marilyn now. She has the calendar ready to add your trip dates. SYOTR, Marilyn Return to the Top Paddling Partners and Pickup Trips Marilyn Black 217-935-8603 Sharon and Doug Welch (309) 452-3824 Gene Grider (309) 359-8684. Marty Seigel (309) 829-2283 Float and/or Lorrie Prothero (217) 935-4451 Return to the Top Trip Leader Responsibilities 1. Prior to the trip, the trip leader should obtain permission from private landowners in the put in or take out access will be on/near/across private property. This is a very important responsibility and may affect river access for all other paddlers. It should be considered common courtesy to ask for permission before trespassing on any private property. This includes vehicle parking, as well as actually, getting our boats to the water. 2. Prior to the trip, take phone calls from paddlers who intend to go or who wish to ask questions about the trip. For trips involving whitewater, advise beginning paddlers that their first ventures should be on flat-water trips. 3. Cancel the trip, postpone it, or move it to another river or stream if conditions appear to warrant doing so (ie - dangerously high water, extremely low water, electrical storm, lack of interest). 4. Arrive at the put in well in advance of the announced shuttle time. 5. All members and guests who go on a trip sign a waiver on every trip. A guardian or adult must sign for a minor. The trip leader should send the signed waivers collected to the Secretary/Treasurer Marilyn Black at RR 2 Box 5, Clinton, IL 61727. 6. Organize the shuttle, select return vehicle(s), etc. The trip leader's vehicle is not necessarily the shuttle vehicle. 7. Designate experienced paddlers to serve as the first boat "point" an the last boat "sweep" on the trip. Each should have a throw rope. 8. Emphasize to the group that everyone should keep other members of the party in sight at all times. If the group is very large, consider breaking it into two smaller groups and plan a meeting place for lunch. 9. Stress safety, including warnings about potential dangers. 10. Select a place for the shore lunch. 11. After the trip, complete a trip report and send it to: Lorrie Prothero via email at lorrieprothero@hotmail.com and also to Marilyn Black, RR 2 Box 5, Clinton, IL 61727 or email to Marilyn Black at blusgrdn@mchsi.com. 11. HAVE FUN!!!! Return to the Top All Trip Participants Responsibilities 1. No later than a day or two prior to the trip, call the trip leader on the telephone or contact the trip leader via email. Trips may be cancelled, postponed, moved to another river or put in, the shuttle time may be changed, or any number of other details may change. If you do not contact your trip leader you will not know of these changes. 2. Use good judgment, and take responsibility for your own safety. It's better to portage a rapid or decline to paddle at all, than to endanger yourself and those who paddle with you. 3. Arrive at the put in point in advance of the announced shuttle time. 4. Be willing to shuttle other paddlers and their boats. If you cannot transport more than one boat at a time with your vehicle, be prepared to volunteer as the shuttle return vehicle. 5. Observe the point and sweep boats for the trip, and stay between them. If you do know which is the point or sweep boat, ask your trip leader. 6. Try to keep the boat ahead of you and the boat behind you in sight at all times. 7. Think safety. Be responsible for your own safety, and be willing to help other paddlers who may need assistance. 8. Be cooperative. Club trips are a group activity and require everyone's cooperation to make the day enjoyable. 9. After the trip, thank your trip leader for a great trip. Help your fellow paddlers load their boats, and make sure that whoever served as shuttle return has a ride back to the put in where their vehicle is parked. 10. HAVE FUN!!!! Please try to remember that these are guidelines, not absolute rules. Everyone needs to have a cooperative, helpful, and safe attitude. The trip leader is responsible for organizing the trip. The trip leader is not an enforcer and cannot be held responsible for the actions of others. Each trip participant is responsible for their own safety and must use their own good judgment in every situation. Return to the Top Paddle Illinois with the Illinois Paddling Council Join us in making Illinois a Paddler Friendly State! The Illinois Paddling Council is the voice for paddlers throughout the state of Illinois. Check out their website for more information at www.illinoispaddling.org. Return to the Top