Youth Adventure Programs

• Add Rafting to your Outdoor Education Program

Rafting

For a truly inspiring educational experience, consider adding a whitewater-rafting trip to your outdoor education program! Exploring the river canyon by raft, students will encounter the geology, hydrology, flora and fauna of the river in unparalleled ways. Gliding effortlessly through steep granite canyon walls sculpted by the river, witnessing a Blue Heron taking flight, spying a reclusive river otter; these are experiences that make river rafting unique beyond the fun and excitement of whitewater rapids.

Consider also the advantage of Mother Lode's unique approach to river running. As a company whose purpose is river education, we view each river trip as an opportunity to share our love of rivers with you. Guides view their crews as participants, not mere passengers. Students take a hands-on role in preparing the rafts for the river and are encouraged to learn the art of guiding a raft. Above all, we emphasize the skills and knowledge necessary to enjoy a safe boating experience.

We offer a variety of rafting options to meet your level of experience, desired challenge and the age range of your students. These programs vary from easy floats, which avoid serious whitewater rapids altogether (Class II), to rollicking Class III adventures suitable for older children and adults.

Rafting can be combined with half-day, full day or multi-day Outdoor Education Programs. For example, you may add a half-day of Rafting to any half-day outdoor education program. River Study and river rafting make one of many great combinations. Multi-day programs that combine Rafting with Outdoor Education and Ropes Challenge Course Programs are particularly popular.

• Class II on the South Fork of the American (minimum age 9 years or 4th Grade): an easy float on a four-mile stretch of river.
• Class III on the South Fork of the American (minimum age 11, Grades 7 and up): The Gorge This is a bit more challenging of a section than the Class II, but is still safe and very exciting. This ten-mile adventure starts off at our camp with milder rapids and builds to almost continuous Class III whitewater through the Gorge. The slower start is a bit easier for novice rafters to get comfortable with before entering the Gorge Canyon. You'll see why the South Fork is the most popular river in the country with rapids like "Fowler's Rock", "The Haystack Canyons", and "Hospital Bar". There are well over a dozen "big" rapids that will soak and thrill you. The Gorge has a remote feeling with very little development along the river. This is typically an afternoon run.
• For more information about our rafting offerings visit our Rafting Homepage

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Stay Tuned for Summer Day Camps: Ages 6-17

Dates: To be announced

Cost: To be announced. We will have several day camp sessions this summer. Each session will have a different learning theme with a one-night camp over option towards the end of the week. Check back here or call our office 1-800-427-2387 for more information.

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