Whitewater Rafting

One of the most exciting activities in Scouting are those that involve Whitewater Rafting. 

Disclaimer

There are significant dangers associated with both Open Water and Moving Water canoe outings.  Units undertaking a Scouting Adventure on either a large body of water or moving water need more than just the basic skills and knowledge required by the BSA to conduct such a trip.

Our Troop has several adults with extensive experience and professional training in watercraft use, sailing and whitewater.  If you are planning a Canoe trip and do not have an experienced adult leader able to assess flow rates, wind and "read water", you should reconsider a water outing until you have the proproper resources and people to make your trip safe. 

Rafting Trips

Whitewater Outing Requirements

Troop 60 follows all BSA requirements for Whitewater Rafting

Requirements

• Operation of any boat on a float trip is limited to youth and adults who have completed the BSA swimmer classification test.

• Participants must wear a properly fitted PFD.

• Everyone in an activity afloat must have sufficient knowledge and skill to participate safely. 

• Passengers should know how their movement affects boat stability and have a basic understanding of selfrescue. 

• Boat operators must meet government requirements, be able to maintain control of their craft, know how changes in the environment influence that control, and undertake activities only that are within their personal and group capabilities.

• Class II

  • Properly designed and fitted helmets must be worn when running rapids rated Class II and above.

• Class III 

  • Self-guided unit trips on Class III whitewater may only be done after all participants have received American Canoe Association or equivalent training for the class of water and type of craft involved.

• Class IV 

  • Unit trips on whitewater sections of rivers rated Class IV are only allowed in rafts with a professionally trained guide in each raft.

• Class V&VI 

  • Trips above Class IV are not allowed.