Common Questions (& Answers)
Please Note
We will be adding questions (and answers) pertaining to the cycling portion of the Challenge in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience. Please check back later or call Kay at 651-222-2193 x19 with specific questions if you don’t find the answer below.
Ensuring a Safe Event
Do I need to bring a PFD (Personal Floatation Device, i.e. “lifejacket”)?
If you are bringing your own craft to the event, we expect that you will provide your own PFDs for everyone paddling or duffing in your craft. Our rental craft come with a full complement of adult-sized PFDs. If you are bringing a smaller child and plan to rent a boat, please consider bringing any child-sized PFDs you may have to the event. While the rental vendors provide a variety of PFD sizes and styles, there may be some diffculty in finding a perfect fit for younger children.
What else should we keep in mind about paddling safety for the event?
Here is a list of safety guidelines that will help ensure a safe event. PDF (724 KB)
What if I can only paddle a portion of the route? (due to physical endurance, schedules, or other extenuating circumstances)
We are offering a 1-day option to paddlers. You may join us for the Saturday portion of the paddle and leave your Sunday free for other pursuits. This option still covers the full 22-mile route for the day. Read more about this option at our Paddle it! page.
On both days of the event, there will be sufficient “sag support” for you to leave the route at any of the designated stopping points. If you know ahead of time that you will be sagging at a certain stop, please let us know so we can work with you to ensure a smooth transportation process.
The Paddling Route
How would you describe the level of difficulty of the route?
Well, first of all we’re paddling downstream. The Mississippi River is mostly easy moving water and paddling is relatively easy. In the first mile or two of the route, there is fast water past submerged or partially submerged rocks.
The route is about 22 miles per day, which should take intermediate level paddlers about 7 or 8 hours including breaks and wait time at the locks. If there are headwinds, that may add time and difficulty depending on wind strength and direction.
Overall, the paddling is easy, but the duration and distance will provide a challenge to many paddlers.
Who May Participate?
Can my children participate in the Mississippi River Challenge?
Families are encouraged to participate in the Mississippi River Challenge, but please remember it is a challenge. You know your child’s physical stamina best, and should decide accordingly. If paddling, consider rotating your child with an adult or a child of similar ability.
Children 12 and under will need to be registered and pay a $30 registration fee (child rate, $40 after July 1st), but they will not be required to raise pledges. Children too young to paddle or bike must ride with their parents or legal guardians.
We realize that the fundraising portion of this trip for a family paddling or cycling with children may be daunting. Therefore, for children aged under 16 years participating with a parent or guardian, the pledge minimum is $50 per child. Of course, this is a minimum. Every dollar raised contributes to a healthier Mississippi River. We encourage all participants to raise as much in pledged funds as they can.
If you are bringing a smaller child and plan to rent a boat, please consider bringing any child-sized PFDs you may have to the event. While the rental vendors provide a variety of PFD sizes and styles, there may be some difficulty in finding a perfect fit for younger children.
Can I bring my dog?
While we appreciate the fact that many people enjoy paddling or cycling with their pets, for this event your dog will have to spend the weekend on a canine retreat. Pets can not participate in the Mississippi River Challenge.
My Father and I plan on paddling or cycling; Can my wife and two children attend the evening festivities Fort Snelling?
Your family may certainly attend the festivities at the fort. The cost for non-participants is $20 per adult with meal (must pre-register), $10 per adult without a meal, or $10 per child. That covers admission to Fort Snelling, beverages and live music. Living history actors will stay with us into the evening. You and your family will have a blast.
While walk-up attendance for the festival at the fort is welcome for those who do not want a meal, we would appreciate it if those planning to attend the evening festivities took advantage of our pre-registration and payment option. You can visit our Night at the Fort page to find out how to sign up and pay in advance to join us at Fort Snelling. Advanced registration is required for those who would like a meal at the fort (so we can order the right amount of food.) Paddlers and cyclists, please note that your meal, admission to the fort, and all amenities are included in your registration fee — no need to pay extra for any of this.
Registration, Rental Fees & Sponsorships
I’m getting confused on the rental of a tandem canoe. Since two of us will be in the canoe, is the rental fee $30 or $60?
Thank you for your inquiry. The logic is one paddler per registration form. So the cost per person to rent a tandem is $30, splitting the total $60 weekend rental fee between partners.
If my wife and I are paddling together in a canoe, is the registration fee $50 for a couple, or $50 per person?
Thank you for your question. The $50 registration fee is per paddler. FMR members receive $5 off the registration fee, making it $45.
Registration rates will increase after July 1st. After that date, the registration fee will be $60, $55 for FMR members.
What if I have to cancel — What happens to my registration fee?
If you should have to cancel your registration, you may make your $50 registration fee a tax-deductible donation. If requested, we will refund your registration fee but will need to retain a $15 processing fee.
What if I’ve already begun fundraising and need to cancel my registration in the Challenge?
Since we know that one reason you are doing this event is to raise funds to protect our great river, if you have checks in hand or if pledges have already been turned in, Friends of the Mississippi River will gladly accept these donations and provide tax receipts for them. If requested in writing, we are able to refund the donations if the donor so chooses.
What would the company responsibility for sponsorship be? I want to get my registration fee waived.
Thank you for your inquiry. If you’re in a position to involve your company or employer as a sponsor of the Mississippi River Challenge, there are an unlimited number of $1000 and $500 sponsorships available, which will waive the entry fee for ten or six paddlers or cyclists respectively. We invite employers and individuals to take advantage of this opportunity to receive sponsor benefits and have the registration fees waived for employees, family, and friends. Please give Heather a call at 651/222-2193 x20, or contact her through the question form below, to explore your options.
Event Logistics
If I register by myself, will I be asked to partner with someone on a team, or is it acceptable to paddle solo?
Solo paddlers are welcome.
If you would like to paddle a tandem canoe but don’t have someone to join you, let us know and we’ll try to pair you with someone else.
I do not have access to a canoe; are there rentals available?
Yes. You can rent a tandem canoe, tandem kayak, or a solo kayak through Friends of the Mississippi River. The cost is $30 per paddler for the weekend. The cost is $60 per paddler for the weekend to rent a (solo) sea kayak. Check the appropriate box on your registration form and add the applicable rental fee to your registration payment.
Please note: There is a limited number of rental craft available which we would like to reserve for those who do not have access to a canoe or kayak. Please consider whether you might be able to borrow a boat from a friend or relative.
I do not have access to a bicycle; are there rentals available?
Sorry, we are not offering rental bicycles at this time.
The challenge looks like something I and my son (13 years old) would like to do but I have never canoed. Would this be a problem if we chose to participate? Do all the canoes only fit 2 people or could we have an expert in the canoe with us? Thanks.
You and your son can paddle as part of a group in the large voyageur canoes. These fur trade replica canoes are large, stable craft. You paddle with experienced voyageurs at the stern and bow to ensure your safe passage down the river. The rental fee will be the same $30 per person. Make a note on your mail-in registration form that you want to paddle in the voyageur canoe, or select the voyageur canoe option during on-line registration.
Where will I leave my car for the weekend?
Friends of the Mississippi River has made special arrangements for two-day paddlers to park your vehicles at the take-out on Grey Cloud Island for the weekend. One-day paddlers can park at Fort Snelling, even if you are spending the night. A shuttle bus will run Saturday morning from both locations to take you back to the put-in at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park.
Cyclists will park at Fort Snelling. You will start and end at this location.
Do you take my canoe and gear from Grey Cloud Island to Coon Rapids Dam early Saturday morning while I shuttle?
No. You will need to drop off your boat and camping gear at Coon Rapids Dam on Friday evening, July 25th, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. where you also check in and turn in your pledges. Boats and gear are watched and secured overnight.
Do I need to bring my own camping gear for the overnight?
Yes, you will need to provide your own camping gear, including a tent, sleeping pad/cot and bag.
What should I pack?
This gear checklist should provide just about everything you might need for the Challenge — gear_checklist.pdf (884 KB). If it is not on this list, you probably won’t need it.
Will I need to carry my camping gear with me in my kayak or is it transported for me?
Leave your camping gear with us at the Coon Rapids Dam check in and we’ll take care of transporting it to Ft. Snelling. A covered truck from one of our event sponsors, Hoigaards, will also transport your camping gear from Ft. Snelling to Grey Cloud Island on Sunday. So, no need to carry extra gear weight in your boat — just take water, hat, sunscreen, camera and other items you’ll want on the water in a daypack.
Where do people stay at Fort Snelling? Are there options?
You can pitch your tent anywhere on the two-acre parade grounds inside the fort walls or on the grass just outside the gates of the historic fort.
For paddlers or cyclists needing hotel accommodations during their stay (if perhaps camping at the fort is not for you), the Challenge has reserved a block of rooms nearby at the Fairfield Inn. Call 651/454-1978 (800/932-2198) before July 13th for the group rate of $85/room and mention that you are with the Mississippi River Challenge.
A shuttle will leave the Fort Snelling festivities at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26th to take you to the hotel and will return to the Fort at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th for those paddling the second day.
Transportation to and from the hotel to the put-in site at Coon Rapids Dam or the take-out site at Grey Cloud Island is the paddler’s responsibility.
Will there be vegetarian food at the cookout, or do we veg-heads fend for ourselves?
Vegetarians should check the “Vegetarian Meal” option on the registration form. We are committed to having energy-rich, substantial vegetarian options all along the route, including at the festival on Saturday night.
Pledges & Fundraising
Who should checks be made out to?
Please make your checks payable to “Friends of the Mississippi River” for your registration and applicable rental fees. Your sponsors should also make their checks payable to “Friends of the Mississippi River.”
Convenient, secure on-line registration and pledge acceptance capabilities will be available through our web site very soon.
Can I send in my donations after the Challenge?
At least $200 in donations and pledges ($50 if you are a paddler or cyclist under 16) need to be turned in before or on the first day of the Mississippi River Challenge (July 26th, 2008) in order to get on the water and be eligible for premiums. However, any pledges that come in after the event will be more than welcome, will still benefit the river, and will be recognized with a tax exempt receipt. If pledges turned in after the event make you eligible for premiums still available, you may still claim them after the event.
If someone makes a pledge for me online, how will I find out about it?
If you provided an e-mail address when you set up your individual fundraising page, you will be notified of each pledge you receive through the online system automatically. Your donor will receive a thank you and receipt for their contribution. You may also want to send a note of your own to thank them for their support.
Do I have to raise pledges if I volunteer?
We ask safety captains who will be with us the duration of the weekend to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges. Other volunteers don’t have to raise pledges — but you’re certainly welcome to do so! Many Challenge volunteers put in long hours and all of you work really hard — as hard if not harder than the paddlers and cyclists. So getting people to support your efforts on behalf of the Mississippi River makes a lot of sense. If you’re interested, you can set up a personal fundraising page today. For more info about volunteering for the event please check out our Volunteering page.
Please complete the information request form to request more about becoming a safety captain.
Where can I get receipts to give people who pledge for me?
People who make a pledge through your personal fundraising page will recieve a thank you and receipt for their gift automatically. Please record the names and addresses of people who give you pledges in cash or checks, along with the amount that they give, on the pledge forms that we can mail to you or that you can print from the website. Friends of the Mississippi River will send everyone who pledges for you a combined thank you and tax receipt once you have turned your pledges in to us.
I am canoeing tandem with a friend — I have registered and listed him as my partner. Are we both required to raise $200, or is it $200 between the two of us? Of course we would like to raise as much as possible to protect the river, but just in case I would like to know what I definitely need to go for.
The $200 pledge minimum is per participant. Keep in mind there are some cool premiums in place for exceeding the minimum pledge amount, including a chance to win a new canoe, kayak, or bicycle for every $500 in pledges raised (i.e. If you raise $1,000 in pledges, your name will be entered in the drawing twice).
If my husband and I sign up to paddle or pedal together, do we each have to raise the $200 or can we do it as a team?
It’s $200 per paddler or cyclist, a total of $400 whether you travel tandem or side-by-side in two solo craft. We’ll let the two of you sort out how you want to tag-team the relatives, coworkers and neighbors for pledges.
More Questions
What if my question isn’t answered on this page?
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about the Mississippi River Challenge. Just call Kay at 651/222-2193 x19 or fill out the form below with your question. We’ll get back to you and use your feedback to add to this page. Please complete all fields.