The Club's equipment is intended primarily for use by members and guests on regularly scheduled Club trips usually for a rental fee. If a boat is lost or damaged on a sched uled trip, the renter's maximum liability is $50. per person, tandem, or $100.00 per boat, solo.
Members renting Club boats are charged boat rentals when the trip leader assigns them to a private boat. Private boat paddlers assigned by the leader to paddle a Club boat are NOT charged rental fees nor held liable for damage to the Club boat.
Private rental of Club equipment to members, for use under their control, is permitted subject to the availability of equipment and at the discretion of the Canoe & Kayak Committee Chair. In the event of loss or damage to a privately rented boat, the renter's liability is the full cost of repairs or replacement.
For private rentals, no transportation reimbursement fees will be paid by the Club.
Some illustrative reasons for refusal of private rental are:
All persons on a trip, including leaders, are expected to share equally the costs of the trip including food, camping and leader's expenses, and to pay the appropriate boat rentals and Committee fees. Boat rentals and/or Committee Fees are waived as defined below:
The Club accepts no liability for damage to private boats paddled by private paddlers on Club trips. The Club encourages exchanging partners, trying out new boats, and the lending of boats between private or Club paddlers; but it is done solely at the discretion of, and with the permission of, the private boat owners, and any damage that may result is the owner's responsibility.
However, if a trip leader, for safety or other Club reasons, assigns a paddler renting a Club boat as a tandem paddler in a private boat and the owner of the private boat agrees, the Club will accept some liability, depending on the options that were available to the private boat owner. If the private boat is lost or damaged, the Club will accept liability for the private boat as follows:
Trip leaders should have been on a significant number of the Club's trips prior to leading a trip of their own. The Chapter advises new leaders to co-lead with a more experienced leader for one or two trips before going it alone. Trip leaders are not required to have a river rating (Classification) equal to the river rating to lead a trip on that river. However, if the trip leader's rating is less than that of the river, they are responsible for designating a river leader who does have a rating equal to (or greater than) the river's rating to assume all leadership responsibilities while the group is on the river. The designated river leader has the authority to prohibit paddlers from actually paddling who may have been accepted by the leader for the trip.
The river leader also has the authority to require Club equipment to be portaged or lined around specific drops that, in his or her opinion, are too difficult for certain paddlers because of water levels and/or the paddler's skill.
The Canoe & Kayak Committee will make every effort to find qualified leaders and to train them in the safe running of canoe and kayak trips. However, each individual paddler bears the ultimate responsibility for their own safety.
The number and the responsibilities of Canoe & Kayak Committee members is at the discretion of the Canoe & Kayak Committee Chair. The usual term of membership is two years, unless extended by the Chair. Each year approximately ½ of the Committee should be replaced with new members. To encourage maximum representation on the Canoe & Kayak Committee, spouses (or persons living together in the same household) are discouraged from serving on the Committee at the same time except for the position of Co-Chair.
The person(s) who serves as the Canoe & Kayak Committee Chair is nominated by the previous Canoe & Kayak Committee Chair and is approved by the Executive Committee of the New York - North Jersey Chapter. Candidates do not have to be current Canoe & Kayak Committee members to be nominated; however, they should have had experience working on the Canoe & Kayak Committee. The term of office is for two years, and they may not succeed themselves.
By our mere presence on the river we contribute to pressures on fragile ecosystems exacerbated by the growing popularity of outdoor recreation. Rivers are especially vulnerable because impact is concentrated along the banks. Our rivers will remain unspoiled only if cared for by all who use them. The AMC is an ecologically friendly organization and trip participants are expected to abide by accepted outdoor practices and to strive to leave behind no signs of our presence.
The following general guidelines are intended to minimize our impact so that we can enjoy these environments without destroying them.
When available, camp only in designated sites. Do not re-arrange the landscape. Find a level spot with natural run-off: do not dig trenches. In remote areas, locate site at least 200' from bodies of water and avoid fragile vegetation. Many of our trips use public or private campgrounds and if we always try to leave these in good condition, we are likely to be welcomed again.
Wash (yourself, dishes, etc.) at least 200' from any water source, even if temporarily dry. Use biodegradable, phosphate-free soaps, and use them sparingly. Pour waste water into absorbent ground.
Reduce, re-use, and recycle. On canoe and kayak trips, we use washable dishes, and paper products are used sparingly. Dishes are air-dried or dried with cloth towels. Solid wastes are disposed of in appropriate receptacles, when available. If not, pack out what you pack in, including organic garbage.
Use existing latrines, but not for trash. If unavailable, find a spot at least 200' from water and bury feces 4" to 6" deep. Do not dig below top soil. Pack out all paper.
Do not approach or feed animals or leave food lying around. Be aware that disturbing vegetation -- dead or alive -- alters the habitat of animals and in fragile areas can be destructive for years to come. Frequent disturbances may cause animals to alter feeding locations or times to those which they are ill-suited to compete.
Fires are generally appropriate in campgrounds with fire rings. In remote areas, fires are often prohibited, especially in dry season and are best avoided. Build fires only where dead wood is abundant or purchase wood when possible. Use a spot where past fires have been built and drown the ashes by sprinkling with water and stirring until cool to touch.
When hiking, scouting, portaging, etc., always use established trails. Shortcuts destroy vegetation and cause erosion. Try not to trespass.
Last updated: January, 2000