Three days of river fun for kids aged 6-16.
River Runners’ RIVER KIDS Youth Guide School is a day camp built specifically for kids.
River Kids combines river time, games, and hands-on instruction with expert guides for an unforgettable education-forward experience.
Kids are grouped in rafts by age and comfort level, so they’re with peers who feel similar on the water. Guides are trained to meet each child where they are, helping beginners build confidence while giving more experienced kids new skills and challenges—always in a fun, supportive environment backed by 50+ years of River Runners’ family and kids’ trip experience.
Quick Facts
-
- 3-day sessions offer the most river time.
- Location: Camp Lotus, CA South Fork American River
- Schedule:
- June 28 - 30, 2026
- July 5 - July 7, 2026
- July 12 - 14, 2026
- July 19 - 21, 2026
- July 26 - 28, 2026
- Duration: 3 days
- Minimum age: 6
- Max age: 16
- Cost: $400 per person
Includes
- On and off-river activities
- All safety gear
- Lunch and snacks each day of instruction
- Government taxes and fees
- Day use fees at Camp Lotus
- Children may attend without adult supervision
- Camping and extra meals available for purchase separately
Age Groups
Explorers
Ages 6-9
Young students will spend their days exploring a gentle but still exciting class II section of the South Fork American River.
Explorers are placed in rafts with an expert instructor who will introduce them to concepts such as:
- How to swim in the river
- Directing a paddle crew
- Identifying river features
- Scouting rapids
- Managing fear and stress in whitewater
- Environmental awareness and river etiquette
- Leave No Trace principles
- Building confidence
- Decision-making on the river
- And much more!
Voyagers
Ages 10-16
These kids are voyaging into the class III world. Participants spend their days on the class II-III Gorge and Chili Bar sections of the South Fork of the American River.
With the guidance of our instructors, Voygers practice and hone skills such as:
- Safety gear preparation
- Raft rigging
- Paddle strokes
- Directing a paddle crew
- Identifying and navigating whitewater features
- Rescue fundamentals
- Surfing standing waves,
- Swimming in current
- And much more!
2026 Sessions Open for Registration Now
Skills RIVER KIDS will have the opportunity to practice:
- Safety gear setup
- Equipment preparation
- How to check and fit personal gear
- Basic paddle strokes
- How to paddle as a team
- Directing a paddle crew
- Spotting and navigating river features
- Swimming in current
- Scouting rapids
- Basics of self-rescue
- Guiding class I, II, and/or III rapids as appropriate
- Surfing
- Courage
- Resilience & Perserverance
- Decision-making
- Independence
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Emotional regulation
- Humility & coachability
- Situational awareness
- Respect for nature
- Empathy
- Integrity
- Accountability
Like What You See?
Book online today, Sessions fill up fast!