Scouting Trips & Youth Group Outings
Guided Rafting & Wilderness Adventures for Scouts, Schools and Youth Groups
If you’re looking for a rafting or wilderness adventure that will build character, skills and lifelong memories, we’ve got a number of trips that will suit your group, troop or school. Not only that, an adventure with OARS challenges Scouts and adventurers to turn off all the distractions around them and become immersed in the now—to explore outside, but also what’s inside. And most importantly, it’s the opportunity to instill a lifelong love of the outdoors in kids.
We know that heading into the backcountry with a group of young people can be challenging, so we’ve taken care of all the logistics necessary to get your crew ready for an unforgettable adventure. From shuttles and gear, to meals and skill-building activities, our guides have you covered. Organizing a Scout trip or youth outing has never been easier.
Youth group and scouting trips with OARS include:
- Professional guide service & instruction
- Comfortable catered camping
- Meals from lunch on day 1 through lunch on the last day (as outlined in the itinerary)
- All expedition equipment is provided or available to rent, including 2-person shared tent, sleeping bag with liner, sleeping pad, pillow with pillow case, ground cloth and waterproof bags to hold your gear
- High-quality inflatable rafts and kayaks and related river equipment including paddle, helmet and personal flotation device (PFD)
- Wetsuits and splash jackets for paddlers – weather dependent
- Transfers from the meeting place to the river and back
Schools, Scouts, youth groups and other non-profit organizations with 10 or more participants are eligible for 10-30% off selected adventures. Call 800-346-6277 for details. Some exclusions apply.
Request More Info & Start Planning Your Youth Outing Today
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RECOMMENDED 1-DAY ADVENTURES
Chili Bar Rafting on the South Fork American 1/2-Day
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Easier to Moderate
Minimum Age:
8 (10-12 during high water)
South Fork American River Rafting Gorge 1-Day
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Easier to Moderate
Minimum Age:
8 (10-12 during high water)
South Fork Whitewater Rafting 21-Miler 1-Day
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
12
Middle Fork American River Rafting
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
14
North Fork American River Rafting
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Challenging
Minimum Age:
14 (16 during high water)
Merced River Rafting Near Yosemite National Park
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
12 – 14 (9 at low water)
North Fork Stanislaus River Rafting
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Challenging
Minimum Age:
14 (16 during high water)
Flaming Gorge Green River Rafting 1-Day
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Easier
Minimum Age:
4 (7 during high water)
Utah Whitewater Rafting through Split Mountain Canyon
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Easier to Moderate
Minimum Age:
6 (11 during high water)
RECOMMENDED MULTI-DAY ADVENTURES
Two-Day South Fork American River Rafting
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Easier to Moderate
Minimum Age:
8 (10-12 during high water)
Two-Day Middle Fork American River Rafting
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
14
Middle Fork | South Fork American River Chili Bar Combo
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
14
South Fork | Middle Fork American River Rafting Combo
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
14
South Fork | North Fork American River Rafting Combo
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Challenging
Minimum Age:
14 (16 during high water)
Yampa River Rafting
Location:
Colorado & Utah
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
7 (10 – 12 during high water)
Green River Rafting through the Gates of Lodore
Location:
Utah & Colorado
Adventure Level:
Moderate
Minimum Age:
7 (10 – 12 during high water)
Flaming Gorge Rafting
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Easier
Minimum Age:
4 (7 during high water)
Green River Rafting through Desolation Canyon
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Moderate
Minimum Age:
7 (10 during high water; 12 for hiker)
Cataract Canyon Whitewater Rafting
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
9 (12 – 16 during high water)
Westwater Canyon Rafting
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Moderate
Minimum Age:
12 (16 during high water)
Lower San Juan River Trip: 5 Days
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Easier
Minimum Age:
6
Gorges of the Lower Salmon River Rafting
Location:
Idaho
Adventure Level:
Moderate
Minimum Age:
7 (12 during high water)
Main Salmon River Rafting on the River of No Return
Location:
Idaho
Adventure Level:
Moderate
Minimum Age:
7 (12 – 15 during high water)
What I try to do with my Scouts is expose them to multiple once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and whitewater trips always deliver that kind of adventure. The Split Mountain Section with O.A.R.S. is that. In the last Split Mountain trip I took, every single Scout was a first time rafter. They were predominantly hispanic Scouts who have almost no true wilderness experience. Their demographic doesn't typically get exposed to wilderness based adventure. I wanted a day trip that had enough rapids that it would be fun, but not death defying for 13 and 14 year olds. It was perfect: long enough length for a strong introduction to whitewater, but not so long they were going to get bored; there were lots of opportunities to jump in the water to play, plenty of rapids to keep it exciting. I've taken Scouts rafting before and had them get bored. The Split Mountain stretch is really the right fit for Scouts in length and adventure.
Randy Mansfield Boy Scout Troop 1334, Highland, UT
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