White River Rafting as a
Family Reunion Activity

by Bobbi Ann Johnson Holmes

White River Rafting

            Many of our family reunion vacations took place in regions which offer outdoor activities, such as white river rafting. While white river rafting is not suitable for all family members, it is definitely one with the potential to transform an obligatory reunion into a true adventure vacation.
            Before scheduling a rafting trip, consider the age and physical condition of each member who wants to participate. White rafting trips are potentially hazardous. I recall two different rafting trips; during each one, a family member found himself (and herself) trapped under the raft briefly after tumbling into the water during a vigorous rapid. Fortunately, all our rafting trips to date have happy endings, yet don’t dismiss the risks.
            Organizing a white river rafting adventure begins with a family member gathering information on local trips. The trip details are posted for the group (or passed out on a flyer), and interested family members sign up to participate. Sometimes we end up with one filled raft, maybe two. If there isn’t a large family group attending, there may be other, non-family members on the raft with the group.
            It isn’t just the age and physical condition of the family members to consider, investigate the current weather and water conditions. You may decide the current conditions are too hazardous to risk, and cancel the trip.

River Float Trips

            An option for those with a less adventurous spirit, consider a float trip. We went the float route one year. At the time, we felt our daughter was too young for white river rafting. Instead of traveling down the rapids, we took a leisurely float down the river. While it wasn’t exhilarating, it was relaxing. Our son was a teenager that year, and he didn’t join us on the floating trip; he went with the other family members, white river rafting.
            A rafting trip was arranged for our most recent reunion (July 2010), in Bend Oregon. Our immediate family decided to skip rafting. My daughter, now a mom herself, isn’t into wild water rides. We decided to spend the time relaxing. Had our granddaughter been older (she is only 3 months) we may have all taken a float trip.

Arrange for Babysitters

            It is often the young parents, who want to participate in white river rafting, yet their children are too young to go along. That’s why it is a good idea to arrange a child friendly activity for these youngsters, allowing parents the opportunity to go rafting, while other family members stay with the younger children.  I recall the first year we went rafting, we left our son and daughter behind. Elizabeth was 4 years old, and Scott was 7.  As I recall, Don’s aunt tied Scott to a tree while we were rafting.

(Don’t worry…no children were harmed in the tree tying incident,
good natured fun was had by all.)