2026 Challenge Application

2026 Challenge Application
Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge! This unforgettable wilderness–rivertown expedition will take place from May 10 to June 1, 2026. Participants are welcome to apply for one or more of the journey’s three legs.

Due to high demand, we are currently on a waitlist. Applications are still welcome however, we cannot guarantee a spot at this time.

If you haven’t already, please review the 2026 Challenge Full Information Guide, which includes details about our new peer-to-peer fundraising framework, internship opportunities, descriptions of each leg, a detailed timeline, and much more.

This application form has three main components:
1. General Application — Helps us build a diverse cohort of participants with interdisciplinary backgrounds and a shared passion for the Ohio River and its river towns.
2. Internship & Journalist Applications — Only required for those applying for those specialized positions.
3. Deposit — $50 required per leg. This is non-refundable if we accept your application. Please note that the deposit fee is waived for Internship and Journalist Applications.
Priority Application Period: November 20, 2025 – February 15, 2026
- Rolling review for paddlers and interns on a "first-come, first-served" basis
- After applications are accepted: sign required waivers and information forms, create fundraising page, join first cohort call
Final Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
- April 1–7: Final decisions sent if space remains.
After submission, we will review your application before sending you next steps. Please note that space is limited for each leg, and early applications have the best chance of securing a spot.
All application photos by John Nation

Personal Information

Please provide the following personal information for our records.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Date of birth*

MonthDayYear
Applicants must be age 18 or older by the time they would be joining the expedition.
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Challenge Leg(s)

Please indicate which leg(s) of the Challenge you are applying for. You are required to review the 2026 Challenge Full Information Guide before selecting your preferred leg(s). If you are applying for an internship position, you are expected to participate in the full Challenge (all three legs). If there is an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from completing the full Challenge an as intern, please email challenge@ohioriverway.org for a special consideration.
LEG 1 from Huntington to Cincinnati: May 10 - May 17LEG 2 from Cincinnati to Louisville: May 17 - May 23LEG 3 from Louisville to Evansville: May 24 - June 1
Student InternJournalist/MediaPre-Approved Canoe CaptainNone of the above

Understanding the Challenge
A multi-day Voyageur canoe expedition requires patience, humor, a sense of adventure, and a spirit of camaraderie. The weather is unpredictable, river and wind conditions are not always in our favor, muscles (and rear-ends!) get sore, and there is always a chance of capsizing. At the same time, there is the quiet beauty of the river at dawn and the unforgettable experiences that come with traveling this waterway together. With that in mind, please respond to each question thoughtfully.
Have you read the 2026 Challenge Full Information Guide?*
Are you happy to sit in a canoe—exposed to varied weather—for hours each day?*
Are you comfortable with camping in the wilderness?*
Are you willing to use the bathroom in the wilderness?*
Are you willing to travel with very limited access to showers?*
Will you bring and pack all of your belongings in two dry bags—one large dry bag for overnight gear and one smaller dry bag for for the day when we're on the water?*
Can you bring all of your own gear including for camping? If needed, we can provide you with a life jacket and paddle (though many paddlers bring their own).*
Are you willing to wake up by roughly 5am every morning to be ready to paddle by 6am?*
Are you able to arrange your own transportation to and from the beginning and end of the leg(s) you're joining?*
Are you physically able to complete this trip? It is a "challenge." In addition to extended paddling each day, we will occasionally have to traverse steep, muddy, rocky, sandy, and/or brush-filled terrain while carrying gear.*
Are you willing to later sign the required liability waivers and a photo release?*
If you answered "No" to any of these—or have any concerns regarding your ability to join—please explain here.
Please describe any prior paddling experience or experience with other wilderness expeditions. (250 word max)*

Application for Paddlers

This section is for all paddlers. If you're interested in an internship or joining as a journalist, please go back and update your earlier selection.
Why do you want to join the Challenge? (250 word max)*
What is your connection to the Ohio River? What do you plan to contribute as part of our team of paddlers? (250 word max)*
All participants in the Challenge will be volunteer ambassadors for the Ohio River Way. As part of this, we'll create peer-to-peer fundraising pages for each paddler to help support our mission. Our suggested fundraising goal is $750 per leg of the trip. What goal can you set for yourself? What's your fundraising plan? (250 word max)*
Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Staff, Board Members, and Volunteer Captains

Please let us know your preference for a fundraiser page.
While we do NOT expect this of staff, board members, or volunteer captains, we are asking other paddlers to raise funds to support the Ohio River Way's mission through peer-to-peer fundraising pages. We're suggesting they raise $750 per leg they join. If you'd like a fundraising page and have a specific goal in mind, let us know below.

Required Application Deposit

Almost finished!

Deposit Payment

2026 ORW Challenge Deposit

This deposit will only be refunded if your application is declined to participate in the Challenge. Please select the number of legs you're applying for. Each leg adds $50.

$ Free

Total

$0.00

Credit Card Details
First Name	Last Name
Credit Card Number	Security Code
Card Expiration

Application Review & Submission

Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge! If you have any questions or concerns about your application, please email challenge@ohioriverway.org.
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2026 Challenge Application

Personal Information

Challenge Leg(s)

Understanding the Challenge

Application for Paddlers

Staff, Board Members, and Volunteer Captains

Internship Application

Journalist/Writer/Influencer Application

Required Application Deposit

Application Review & Submission