SCOUT RIVER RAFTING TRIPS – ADVENTURE AND ACHIEVEMENT
Wilderness Aware Rafting has been guiding Boy and Girl Scout whitewater trips since 1976. We take our responsibility very seriously and know that you also have a responsibility as a leader to the parents of your scouts to provide an experience that is exciting, yet within the bounds of reasonable risk. We hope the following information makes your decision to join on a rafting adventure an easy one.
We offer discounts for Scout groups.
Check out our GROUP RATES!
Whitewater Merit Badge Option:
With a group of 10 or more Scouts we can offer the Whitewater Merit Badge
Earning this badge is best accomplished on a 2, 3 or 5 day raft trip. This gives time for the Scouts to practice skills learned and gain a measure of proficiency. If you are on a budget or have time constraints, speak to us about the possibility of an abbreviated course in a full day trip, or combine a day trip and a half day trip.
Merit Badge trips are best conducted on the Arkansas River in Colorado or the Salt River in Arizona.
Our guides enjoy working with Scouts and will make earning the requirements fun as well as educational. To assure requirement compliance, we have developed a complete syllabus and itinerary, whitewater trip planner and a fun post trip test.
We normally use rafts to complete the requirements of the badge. If you would like to earn the “Kayaking BSA Award” and gain proficiency in an inflatable kayak, you will need to allow at least 3 days on the water.
Check out the whitewater rafting brochure put together by BSA in 2018 – featuring photos of our company!
Video
Reviews
Overall rating:
★★★★★
based on 10 reviews
Troop 95
★★★★★
Thank you for making our camping trip to Buena Vista a real adventure for our scout troop. In addition to hiking, backpacking, fishing and working on merit badges, our scouts and scouters had the opportunity to experience whitewater rafting. We appreciate your helpful assistance in planning our camping trip and willingness to assist us in bringing the Scouting program to the young men that will someday be the leaders of our community.”
– Robert C.
Lots of Learning
★★★★★
Great Merit Badge was outstanding, clearly and thoroughly covered all of the requirements. The guides gave plenty of time for Scouts to practice leading/guiding. They made an effort to include the Scouts in camp setup/takedown, keeping them engaged.”
– William B.
This was the trip of a lifetime!
★★★★☆
The leadership, passion, and knowledge the guides brought was indescribable. Guides were personable, approachable, and had plenty of character and really identified with the boys. Don’t put mushrooms in the stroganoff however- put them on the side.”
– Gary M.
Troop 778
★★★★★
I just wanted to say that our trip was spectacular and everyone from the office to the bus drivers were great but he guides were simply the best, especially Ben. All three of the guides really connected with the scouts and were great teachers. They went above and beyond to make sure each scout has the opportunity to lead, learn and practice. Please tell the guides that while Troop 778 didn’t get to climb a 14er, they did climb to over 12,000 feet on the continental divide the day after rafting. Thanks again for a great experience. I also left a review on Trip Advisor and will be telling everyone about your scout friendly company.”
– Dennis B.
Scouts had a ball
★★★★★
I would like to take a few moments to let you know again just how great the trip we took really was. It was beyond my wildest dreams, or any hope that I ever have had. We had no idea to contact to run a adventure as this, one of the parents went online and found your site and your scouting specialty. The fact that we wanted to raft the Royal Gorge weeded out a lot of companies. But I guess that there was still a few that we had a choice from. After we had talked with Mark about how happy we were with the set up of the trip, we asked if all the companies did it the same way. He informed us that none of them did a self-contained 5-day on the Arkansas River. I can truthfully say that after the first day it would not have mattered if at all of them did it the same way, for we had found the best already. Mark Kane and Aeron, I can really but into words what runs through my head when I think of these 3. I know that I have not meet three fine river rats (I should say men), however I called then that all week. These 3 have a gift in dealing with clients, they made each of us feel at ease when the going seemed to be beyond our talents. The knowledge of the river and the ability to get one to go to a point that is fearful and yet fun, yet with the utmost safety, is a rare gift indeed. I must admit that at first I was some what tentative, as I had wanted to do this for 25 years. My mother had a deathly fear of water and so as a young person, rafting was out of the picture all together. So when we first set out, all of her old fears came rushing back to haunt me. Mark was the guide that first day, his calm guidance and instruction began to turn fears into calm and fun. By the 5th day when orders were needed, each was crisp and clear and there was no second thoughts as to what to do. Your equipment was fantastic. I could not believe all that was taken on the river! Lunch in the 1st day was somewhat of a shock to have deli type sandwiches. Then came the supper and the hors d’oeuvres. We were told we went with a more cost effective meal plan. The meals, as to what we were used to, we instead fit for a king! As I said at the start, after the first day we knew that we had the best guides and outfitter in Colorado. Once again, thanks for a great week!”
– Kent D.
Superb Trip
★★★★☆
We had the pleasure of rafting with your company. I had a group of 13 Boy Scouts and family members. Your professionalism, high spirtits and superior training was very rewarding. I particularly appreciated that your guides did NOT ask for tips. So, from my troop and myself, I would like to thank you for a Supurb time. Please let our guides, Barb and Travis know that we had a blast.”
– Paul P.
Troop 470 Thanks
★★★★★
Our Boy Scout Troop just came back from a weeklong trip down the Arkansas River with your firm. Please let me just say thank you from them for a great trip. I don’t know who had more fun; the boys or the adults.!! They have nothing but great things to about your guys who went with them. Aaron and Cane were two of the guides who went down with them. I know there was one more but I can’t remember his name. All the guys loved these people. Please tell them “Thank You” from one thankful parent. One of the boys said it best when asked how the trip went and he just looked at them and said “two words EXPERIENCE IT!!!!””
– David S.
Scout Trip
★★★★★
Thank you so much for your kind attention to our scout troop last week! Your staff made our trip thoroughly enjoyable and a positive experience for every participant. We certainly appreciated your professional and caring involvement in our arrangement s and travel. I was especially thankful for your special accommodation of a vegetarian. Please convey to your guides our thanks for their courtesy and expert labors at providing us a wonderful trip.”
– Juanita R.
The guides treated scouts nicely!
★★★★★
A great group of guides who made the off-water experience great fun. Zack did a great pre-rafting briefing. The guides obviously love their job but are very professional.”
– Shawna V.
We will recommend you
★★★★★
We recently spent 3 great days with 4 of your excellent guides and just wanted to pass along our thanks for a VERY enjoyable time! We were very impressed by the professional manner of your organization, the wonderful food, and the fact that eh guides went out of their way to take care of our Scouts. Special thanks to Julie, Travis, Aaron and Mark for a job well done. You can be sure that we will recommend you to our council and look forward to traveling with you again.”
– Dick D.
Documents
Trip Planning & Resources:
- BSA Safety Afloat: This needs to be covered prior to arrival at Wilderness Aware.
- American Whitewater Safety Code: This needs to be covered prior to arrival at Wilderness Aware.
- Whitewater Merit Badge Syllabus (Full Day) OR Whitewater Merit Badge Syllabus (Multi-Day):
This syllabus will be used by our trip leader. - Whitewater Trip Planner: We will use this to complete requirement #13. Each Scout will be required to fill this out with our leader’s assistance.
- Post Trip Test: A fun way to finish the trip on the bus ride back to our office.
About Us
Meet Wilderness Aware’s previous owner Joe Greiner
- Eagle Scout – Troop 20, Stillwater, OK
- Scoutmaster – Troop 67, Buena Vista 2009-2013
- Proud father – 2 Eagle Scouts-Ben and Ethan
- Member – Order of the Arrow
- Attended – Philmont Scout Ranch
- Participated – 1973 National Scout Jamboree
Why Wilderness Aware?
- Why Choose Us Page – who we are!
- Excellent Safety Record
- Highly Rated on Trip Advisor
- Colorado Company of the Year – Twice!
- Won BBB Excellence in Customer Service Award
- Renewable Energy Leader
