General Info

Our Mission

The Outfitter provides high quality adventure education that connects you with the northern Michigan landscape. Our emphasis is on skills, safety, stewardship and fun.

Payment Policy

Full payment is due upon registration unless otherwise noted for a particular course.

All courses are filled on a first-come basis.

Cancelation Policy

Full refunds or Outfitter Outdoors credit will be given for cancellations made 10 or more days before the course start date;

50% refund or Outfitter Outdoors credit will be given for cancellations made 3-9 days before the course start date;

NO refunds or Outfitter Outdoors credit will be given for cancellations made within 48 hours of course start date;

NO refunds or Outfitter Outdoors credit will be given in the following situations:

If, for safety or disciplinary reasons, a participant is asked to leave a course;

If a participant registers for a course but does not attend or chooses to leave early.

A full refund will be given if The Outfitter cancels a program for any reason.

A make-up class may or may not be offered. The Outfitter reserves the right to reschedule, relocate or refund money due to unforeseen weather and/or river/lake conditions.

Substance Policy

Participants in Outfitter Outdoors courses may not bring or consume alcoholic beverages, nonprescription drugs or tobacco at any time during the course. Possession or use of these will result in immediate dismissal from the course and forfeiture of course fee.

Safety Gear Policy

Participants in Outfitter Outdoors courses must comply at all times with instructions regarding the use and/or wearing of safety equipment (e.g., Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are to be worn at all times while in boats on the water). Failure to comply may result in immediate dismissal from the course and forfeiture of course fee.

Equipment

Prices include standard equipment necessary for participation, including: kayak, paddle, spray skirt and PFD (personal floatation device).
The Outfitter will provide all necessary group equipment, such as pumps, sponges and paddle floats.

Participant Gear List

For your personal comfort and safety, you are responsible for bringing the following:

Water bottle (extra water provided) Swimsuit

Snack/Energy Bar T-shirt (non cotton)

Packed lunch Jacket/Top (insulating, e.g., fleece)

Sunscreen Windbreaker

Hat with visor Sandals (no flip flops)

Sunglasses (w/ retention strap) or Tennis shoes that can get wet
Towel Personal medications (if needed)

Note: there may be slight alterations to the participant gear list depending on the course type.

Course Size

The majority of our on-water courses consist of a 1:6 student-instructor ratio. This ratio may differ for advanced instructional courses. Our off-water courses have a higher student-instructor ratio.
Each course requires a minimum number of participants to run. If the minimum is not met by five business days prior to the course date, the course may be cancelled.

At the time of cancellation notice, you may transfer credit to another adventure course or receive a full refund.

Age Requirements

Standard courses require that students be 16 years old if unaccompanied by an adult. Requirements for youth offerings are listed under Youth Adventures. Our experienced instructors have created developmentally appropriate curricula for all youth programming.

Individual Needs

It is the responsibility of each participant to communicate any special needs in advance of the course. We will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate special needs and requests; however, some needs and requests may not be manageable.