Roaring Canyons Semester has Begun! Building Community and The First Paddling Expedition

2026 Roaring Canyons Semester Blog #1

No matter who they are, where they’re from, or what language they speak, humans have one thing in common: a love of stories. There are many important currents that make a story flow, and today I will begin with the setting:

Sunlight filters through the forest canopy, shifting over the faces of twelve teenagers. If we were listening, we would notice the cacophony of birds surrounding us, but we aren’t. Not yet, anyway. It is our first day of Roaring Canyons Semester at Kroka, and on this forest meander, we have been tasked with difficult chore of “ice breakers”. Some of us chatter nervously about siblings, pets, or hometowns. Others walk in silence, listening with varying concentration to their new companions. Through stumbling feet and words, we are slowly familiarizing ourselves with our new home and each other. This is the beginning–a brand new foundation for all the laughter, hardship and growth to come. 

The next day, we are sitting in a misshapen semi-circle of collapsable chairs spanning across the Boat House. Heavy silence fills the lofty space to the brim as we wait for our first Wilderness First Aid class to begin. Waiting for Dave to arrive, no one knows quite what to say. “So, uh, what’s everyone’s shoe size?” someone asks. This is met with muffled giggles and incredulous faces, but all too quickly the silence returns, awkward and aware that socializing on semester is a marathon and not a sprint. 

Soon, the class begins, along with the first week’s routine. We have already begun to know the early mornings, sit spots, farm chores, and strenuous exercise. Now, we are about to learn the skills that will help keep us safe and healthy in the months to come. The application of information learned in the classroom to the real world has never been more relevant than at Kroka. 

Group cohesion forms quickly, and clumsy small talk is replaced by near constant laughter. It is day five of semester, and while officially we are certified “WFAs”, unofficially we are becoming a team. As we return to camp after our final class, shared trials and triumphs bring friendships that are already incredibly close. We are ready to face what’s next, and as we are about to find out, that’s the whitewater. 

The very next day, twelve becomes two groups of six: one of which is heading off to paddle their very first rapids together. Frenzied shouts ring out across the Deerfield River as we –bedraggled but happy–practice eddying out without flipping our banged up Prospecteur 16s. On paper it is simple: hold the angle, lean downriver, and paddle; but in reality it takes practice. Luckily, practice is in plentiful supply. By the end of the day, most of us have swum, especially when we reached our first class III: Zoar Gap. Enter right, hard left, around the hole, avoid the giant boulder, and make it safely to the bottom with shouts of joy and a dry canoe. In theory, anyway. Throughout the flips, swamps, and near misses, we are learning the ways of the river. It is a slow process, but one most everyone enjoys. 

While the paddlers are busy trying not to fall into the frigid waters of the Deerfield, the other half of us are sewing brightly colored fanny packs designed by our teacher, Caleb. The following day, we switch activities. According to skill level, each person carefully cuts and sews (then rips out faulty stitches, and resews) the different pieces in an assembly line style to be finished by the paddlers the next day. Once they have been completed, the fanny packs are handed out in a small ceremony of appreciation for one another, and quickly become a key piece of Kroka student attire.

For when evening
Comes and the sun
Descends and the
Golden finch has
Taken to bed
When the stars
And the moon
Start their heavenly dance
Then my eyes will take their rest​​
To sleep I will go
To the stars I will drift
To the heavens I reach
From the earth I will go
~by Diana

Before we move on to the thrilling tale of our expedition, I must first introduce another integral current in the river of our story: the characters. It took a week to form a whole, and now that you know the many, it’s time to meet each one:

Diana, from Hudson, NY, is a curious soul always questioning what people believe and why. She is thoughtful and passionate about all she cares about. Normally, she can be found writing brilliant poetry or reading a book of monstrous size. Most recently it has been a copy of Emily Dickinson that by my estimation is at least three inches thick. Why? No one knows. Impressive? Absolutely.

Next we have Abigail, from Groton, MA. She is confident and outgoing, and her enthusiasm for anything, regardless of mundanity, is contagious. No matter how hard the work is, Abigail is usually first to volunteer, setting a strong work ethic for the team and keeping everyone on task.

Noah, from Cape Cod, MA,  is observant and kind, and always ready to face a challenge with a smile on his face. Excellent at small details, he’s there when you need him, whether it’s to scrub ridiculously dirty dishes, or navigate by paper map for the day.

From Elmore, VT, we have Finn. Have a question regarding outdoor skills? Just ask and he will probably have an answer. Anything from spoon making to tree identification falls well within his sphere of expertise. He’s chill and easy going, and brings plenty of laughter along with his wisdom to the group.

Adarsh, from Lexington, MA, brings the “vibes” (in his own words). He may be an awesome paddler out on the water, but he’s probably even better known for inventing most of the group’s slang. “Thank you” has now been rather forcibly replaced with, “Presh,” to which the appropriate response must be “’Course.”

Next we have Antonio, coming all the way from Mulauco, Ecuador. His humor is immaculate, and he will throw himself into any challenge with a wide grin and perhaps a pirate song or two invented on the spot. The best stories always come from him (apparently he once twisted his ankle trying to fly, and he also ate his boot), and he’s known for being a bit of a jack of all trades. He’s a self taught blacksmith, though he’s yet to structurally rearrange our rusty Opinel knives (yet).

Lucas, from Brattleboro, VT, is easy going and always ready to learn something new. He’s very capable. Certain individuals strongly suggested I describe him as, and I quote, “Greek god- like.” Which god? I have no idea, but take it as a compliment, I suppose.

Justin, from Wolcott, VT: He is kind and compassionate, and often carries a whimsical air about him. Sometimes he may be observed skipping across various fields for no apparent reason or capsizing his canoe supposedly by accident. He loves surfing rapids like waves and is always down to learn something new.

Next up: Caleb from Bowden, ME. He’s imaginative and energetic, and nearly always has something amusing to add to any conversation. He loves making things with his hands, most notably the famous wooden spork, made with nothing but a rusting Opinel knife.

Juna, from Gill, MA, is our resident Whitewater Wizard and frisbee enthusiast. She’s fun, incredibly strong, and willing to paddle anything with a hint of danger involved. If you need a hand, she’s always happy to help, and you can bet she’ll do it well.

Ana, from Northampton, MA, is adventurous and persistent with all that she does. She has a way of truly listening to people when they speak, bringing a special level of positivity to the group.

Lastly, we have Zoe (you guessed it, that’s me) from Bethel, ME. She’s strong-willed and perseverant, despite her sunburned nose that has earned her the nickname, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” (Yes, the group told me to put that in here.) She’s been described as funny and supportive, and enjoys any adventure that comes her way. 

One of the most important parts of semester are Big Jobs. A Big Job is essentially a task that needs to be done to keep everything running smoothly. Each student takes on a special role within the expedition and performs it dutifully until the end of semester. 

Food: This one belongs to Adarsh and Diana, who pack and plan everything we eat on expedition. 

Kitchen: Antonio’s job–he keeps the kitchen neat and organized, and makes sure we have all of our cooking supplies. 

Hygiene and Medic: That’s Justin. You cut your finger carving towards yourself when you weren’t supposed to? Ask Justin. Need the toothpaste? Also ask Justin. 

Shelter: It’s Finn. He makes sure we have somewhere to sleep at night and a tarp that keeps us dry. 

Camp: If you left your jacket hanging off of a random tree, Abigail will make sure you hear about it. She’s the expedition equivalent of a drill sergeant, keeping everything in place and everyone on time. 

Logistics and Finance: Noah makes sure we know where we’re going, when we’re going, and that we have the means to do so. He pretty much always knows what’s going on.

Energy and Firewood: Lucas orchestrates the breaking hopefully dry firewood found in the woods into ridiculously small chunks for the solo stove to digest. Also, if your headlamp’s dead he’ll charge it. 

Van, Trailer, and Water: Ana makes sure we have fresh water to drink, and keeps the running and loading process of the van and trailer moving smoothly. 

Scribe: Zoe, to put it simply, does her very best to tell the story of Roaring Canyons 2026 for the world ( and the grandparents) to see. 

Returning to our story: Finally it is the first day of expedition. Seven bright red canoes make their way down the Connecticut River in wobbly lines. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and absolutely no one is listening to the beauty surrounding them. Instead, we laugh, chatter, and paddle-smack water every which way. Still, we have not yet learned to yearn for the silence. Someone complains about the famous carrot bucket the food managers were “asked” to bring. Others shout in exhilaration or make small talk with the boat partner they must learn to work with and not against. This is still the beginning. The next day, we reach Sumner Falls.

Cooking, whitewater safety, and setting up/breaking camp are all skills quickly acquired. In our free time we begin carving spoons from red cedar, burning hollows in the center with coals and slowly shaping them from misshapen blobs to actual eating utensils. Now, finally, we begin to appreciate the quiet. Sit spot has transitioned from a chore to get through to a hot commodity where peace and quiet and stillness can be briefly grasped. Finally, we are learning to listen and beginning to ponder what we hear. 

On the fourth day of expedition, we arrive at the Path of Life campsite, where there are dozens of brilliant sculptures to explore. After spending a wonderful afternoon getting the know the place and the art, the clouds grow heavy and the air fills with the gushing sound of heavy rain. All fifteen of us huddle under one sagging tarp. Boredom and laughter intermingle as we realize we are truly stuck with each other, regardless of how the weather is feeling–within the group or the sky. Here on expedition, an individual is nothing without the whole. 

In the morning, camp is swiftly broken, and after a short paddle to the takeout, we return to civilization. During the next two days, we camp out on the lawn at Bee Well Homestead, enjoying the wonderful hospitality of Jamal, while also canoeing and rafting the West River release. After we return to Kroka, we spent the weekend unpacking, recharging, and blissfully showering.

Next we turn to face the week ahead, the long work of preparing for the trip west, a few more classes, a few more hours of fitness blocks, and saying goodbye to our new home in New Hampshire.

Within the currents of a story you have probably come to expect a resolution, but here I shall refrain. You see, a resolution belongs at the end, and right now we are merely beginning. 

All my best, your dutiful scribe,

Zoe