River Rafting
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Whitewater rafting camp for teens
May 2014
My 16-year-old son would love to go to a sleep away camp that focuses on whitewater rafting. Can't seem to find one online. Anyone know of such an animal? Kid who wants to get wet
Please look into ARTA (http://www.arta.org/). They are a nonprofit rafting company that has week-long junior training trips in CA and UT for teens. My son did the UT trip 4 years ago when he was 15. He absolutely loved it. He went rafting with the company the following year in Idaho and then took the real guide training course with them last year when he was 18. He may be guiding this summer. As a parent, I couldn't be more comfortable with the company.Tell them I recommended them. Linda B
YMCA Camp Jones Gulch has a teen adventure/travel camp that may be just what you're looking for! I just found out about this camp yesterday and signed my 14 year old adventure seeking boy up for 2 weeks. Camp is based near Big Sur and transportation to and from the Bay Area is $40 if you need it.
Here's the White Water rafting camp description: ''White Water Rafting Adventure (Session 3; $695.00 July 6-11) Entering grades 7-12 . In a high adrenaline adventure, thrill seeking teens rally inflatable rafts down the Middle Fork of the American River. Experience impressive rapids down miles of crystal clear water. Between rafting we will explore areas around James Marshall Park, go mountain biking, and enjoy access to a beautiful swimming pool and natural river swimming hole. Swimming proficiency is recommended but not mandatory.'' www.ymcasf.org/campjonesgulch/what_we_offer/youth_and_teens/teen_adventure_camp Each week has a different theme. They all look great and I see good reviews online. Best of all it's pretty cheap for sleepaway camp and everything is included. tjda
River rafting with our teenager
March 2004
We middle-aging parents and our teenager would like to spend a couple of days in August within a half-day's drive of the East Bay where we could do a couple of half-day or three-quarter-day semi-challenging guided rafting trips, plus maybe some trail riding or other kind of fun, active land activity. Would like specific recommendations for locations, guide companies, etc. -- also places to stay nearby and restaurants. Thanks! Shar
Friends of ours, Mel and Scott, own and run River and Rock Adventures (http://www.riverandrockadventures.com/) near Coloma on the South Fork of the American River. They offer a number of rafting options from 1/2 day trips to 2 day trips geared towards families (and have 2 small boys of their own). We went rafting with them two summers ago and had a great time. They have camping available but can probably recommend nearby motels if you would prefer that. Check out their website for more information. Happy rafting! Cindy
Shar, I have done a bunch of rafting trips up on the American, near Lotus, CA. The Middle Fork is the best for beginners. I have also done the North Fork twice which is for more advanced rafters. There are about 30 companies up there. I would recommend Whitewater Voyages owned by Bill McGinnis. Very experienced. Very nice job. www.whitewatervoyages.com, I think. klevenson
Hello: I feel compelled to correct an earlier statement: the Middle Fork is NOT best for beginners, the South Fork IS. The Middle Fork is rated Class IV, out of V, while the South Fork is a Class III. In addition, the Middle Fork has a rapid that is so difficult that all rafters must walk around the rapid (called a ''portage''). Class III is fun, but not dangerous, and is plenty exciting and great for kids. The North Fork, also mentioned by a previous poster, is rated Class V, and should definitely NOT be a choice for kids, or those without some previous rafting experience. Do have fun and enjoy, there is nothing quite like rafting to make your spirits soar!!! River Guide Mommy
River rafting with 8 - 10 year olds
August 2003
Wondering if anyone in the digest community has positive experiences to recommend regarding river rafting with kids in the 8 - 10 year old range. Would especially appreciate the name of a reliable, experienced river rafting company with trips within reasonably close driving range to the Bay Area (such as the American River) and one that has experience with trips for kids would, of course, be best. Thanks so much. Future River Rafters
My wife and I took our nearly 8-year-old daughter on a half-day rafting trip on the American River this summer. The company was Gold Rush River Rafting. We got drenched; we had a blast. The guides let her ''paddle'' for part of the trip. Remember to wear a bathing suit, T-shirt and tight-fitting hat, and bring a change of clothes. Allen
Turtle River Rafting Company is great with small children (age 4 and up). http:/ /www.turtleriver.com/ My family started with them when my children were little and then graduated to ARTA.
Trip in the Sierra with 7 year old April 2003
Hope you have a great trip! Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.
Sign me: can't wait to get back on the river! kelly
If you teens are more adventure-seeking, you could try river rafting or cave exploring. There are beginning trips for an afternoon on the South Fork of the American River that are more like floating. My thrill-seeker recently went on the daylong raft trip on the Middle Fork of the American and he rated it an 8 out of 10! Another outdoor adventure activity he likes is cave exploring at Moaning Caverns or California Caverns. Both activities are with a few hours of the Bay Area.