Benefits of white water rafting

Here at Camp Carolina we aim to take all of our campers out of camp in the first week on an exciting all day rafting trip to either the Pigeon River or French Broad River. We have commercial permits on both of these rivers as well as a fleet of self inflating rafts to get the campers out on the rivers for some high adventure fun in the sun!

We conduct a 3 night/4 day white water rafting training course with several of our counselors to ensure they are trained to the highest standard and have plenty of experience setting up, guiding and packing down the raft trips so when the campers arrive the trip runs like clockwork. The training trip covers all aspects of water safety, preparation and focuses on ensuring that the campers have a fun and safe experience paddling down either  river.

This week we have had the Newts, Dogs, Manders and Huggers all out on a white water rafting trip. The trips leave CCB right after breakfast on the big yellow school bus for a 1-2 hour scenic drive. The campers arrive at the river and the counselors set up the rafts or get lunch ready before the big trip! The campers are generally on the river for 2 hours and work as a team to get down the river smoothly. The rapids range in grade from 2-4 depending on the river and give the campers periods of high adventure and excitement where everyone in the boat works as a team. Our guides ensure during the flat periods of the river that the campers get out for a swim, play the famous pirate raft wars and set up a raft slide on some rocks along the way. We then pack up the rafts, load up the bus and head back to camp-just in time for the vita-pups! That evening at dinner time we have the famous “Rocky” award. Parents-Ask your sons…

Campers are placed in rafts with their new cabin mates and so team work and cooperation are encouraged right from the start of the session. Friendships and bonds also develop and strengthen during the raft trips between the counselors and campers as a cabin group setting them up for an awesome session here at Camp Carolina.