Boy & Girl Scouts of America Whitewater Rafting Adventure

BSA Whitewater Merit Badge Trips

Since 1980 American Whitewater Expeditions has been providing Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops with First Class affordable rafting trips at special discounted prices. Our trips have the option to include the Boy Scout Whitewater Merit Badge covering the Kayaking requirements!

If your troop does not need the Merit Badge you can always join us for a one or two-day fun-filled paddle rafting adventure that is educational and fun for all! Scouts have the option of a South Fork rafting adventure where the minimum age is 6 or the wilderness Middle Fork rafting adventure for those 12 and older.

We include the following on each trip at no additional cost:

• FREE camping the night prior to your trip. Extra night’s camping at discounted prices.
• FREE use of 4-person rental tents, set up before you arrive.
• FREE use of foam sleeping pads.

Only American Whitewater Expeditions can provide you with the following amenities at our privately owned campsite:

• Grass-covered campsites with fire pits, picnic tables, split rail fencing and parking close by. No long walks! No dust bowl campsites!
• A 1-minute walk from your campsite to an in-ground swimming pool.
• A fishing pond stocked with bass and trout. No fishing license needed.
• Sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits.
• Super clean indoor restroom & shower facilities used only by AWE rafters and close to all campsites. Impulse heaters insure plenty of hot water while showering!

American Whitewater Expeditions, due to our campsite location, can provide your Boy Scouts with access to the following:

Trouble Maker Rapid, a solid Class III rapid that YOU will paddle through if you do the South Fork Upper or South Fork Whole River, is just a few minutes walk from camp. It’s a great place to observe rafts and kayaks coming through if you are there mid-day. There is plenty of trout in the river too. A fishing license is required.

James Marshall Gold Discovery State Park where gold was discovered in 1848 is only a 5-minute walk from the campground. It’s well worth a visit and fun for the Scouts to tour before or after their raft trip. There is a hiking trail through the park, a swimming area (adult supervision required), gold panning and big open areas ideal for Frisbee.

Longer hikes are possible at Cronan Ranch, a 10-minute drive from the AWE campsite. Many short hikes are available or you can hike all the way to Salmon Falls, your rafting takeout for South Fork Lower and South Fork Whole River trips.

All of our river guides on Scout trips are carefully selected by Arnie, AWE’s Operations Manager and Owner. All of the staff are CPR and First Aid certified and many are Wilderness First Responders, Paramedics or EMT’s. All are versed in the Boy Scout Whitewater Merit Badge requirements and are good instructors and fun to be with on and off the river.

We are the only outfitter with a professional cook who prepares exceptional meals for which we are renowned. Even freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for you to enjoy at lunch along the river!
Special dietary needs are no problem. We cater to vegetarian, kosher, and those with food allergies.

Our AWE River Store is stocked with everything from last-minute items such as sunscreen, caps, visors, eye glass retainers, sun glasses, water, snacks to Boy Scout T-shirts, souvenir t-shirts, waterproof cameras, wood, s’mores fixings and much more.

For a custom tailored trip that fits your needs, budget, and time requirements please call us and we will take very good care of you! All prices are discounted for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  We can customize your trip from a one-day to a three-day trip with or without camping and meals. Lunch is included for all one-day trips.
Get ready to have a fun-filled paddle rafting adventure you will long remember!

Call Us Now 800-825-3205

AWE Rafting Brochure
AWE Waiver
How-to-Organize-Raft-Trip
Group Raft Trip Signup Sheet
Directions & Equipment List

BSA Whitewater Merit Badge Requirements

In addition to a full understanding of moving water during the rafting portion of the trip, our Instructors strive to make sure that ALL Scouts are able to complete the kayaking requirements below.

1. Before fulfilling the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA Swimmer test and have your First Aid & CPR Card.

2. Do the following:
   1. Describe various types of kayaks and how they differ in design, materials, and purpose.
   2. Name the parts of the kayak you are using for this exercise.
   3. Demonstrate how to choose an appropriately sized kayak paddle and how to position your hands.

3. Do the following:
   1. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.
   2. Demonstrate how to select and properly fit a PFD.
   3. Explain the importance of safety equipment such as PFDs, air bags, grab loops, and helmets.

4. Demonstrate your ability to aid yourself and others in the event of a capsize:
   1. Capsize your kayak in water at least seven feet deep, perform a wet exit if necessary, and swim the boat to shore.
   2. With assistance, if needed, ready the capsized craft for use.
   3. Show how to approach a capsized paddler in your kayak and tow him to shore.
   4. While upright in your kayak, right a capsized kayak, empty it of water, and assist the paddler aboard without returning to shore.

5. As a solo paddler, demonstrate the following:
   1. Entering and launching a kayak from shore or dock.
   2. Landing or docking and exiting a kayak.
   3. Forward stroke
   4. Sweep stroke
   5. Reverse sweep
   6. Draw stroke
   7. Rudder stroke
   8. Back stroke

6. As a solo paddler, do the following:
   1. Paddle forward in a reasonably straight line.
   2. Move the kayak sideways to the right and to the left.
   3. Pivot 360 degrees to the right and left.
   4. Stop the kayak.