White water rafting is a detour from the traditional vacation for an adventurous family. It provides the perfect opportunity to unplug from modern technology and have family time. Rafting may sound dangerous at first, but many companies welcome families with children, some even allow children as young as 4. The trick is finding the company that meets your family's needs and abilities.
Three Rivers White Water Rafting is located in central Maine off of Interstate 95 and offers two family-oriented white water packages, a one-day visit and a two-day trip that includes a night of primitive camping. Both packages are all-inclusive. All meals and equipment are provided.
2010 prices range from $79 to $169 per person, depending on the package you choose and the time of year.
This company enforces a minimum age requirement of 10 years old for rafting trips.
Three Rivers White Water Rafting
Medway Rd
Millinocket, ME 04462
877-846-7238
threeriverswhitewater.com
Equinox Wilderness Expeditions, based out of Alaska, is a better choice for a family seeking a longer and more strenuous rafting trip. Their rafting trip is 11 days long, and includes white water rafting, primitive camping and day hikes. The price of the trip, which in 2010 was about $6,000, includes all gear, national park fees, meals and a guide.
This company does not have a minimum age requirement, but as of 2010, their youngest participant was 7.
Equinox Wilderness Expeditions
2440 E. Tudor Road, #1102
Anchorage, AK 99507
206-462-5246
equinoxexpeditions.com
Arizona River Runners, based in Flagstaff, provides a range of rafting tours through the Grand Canyon. They have several packages ranging from three to 11 days long.
This company offers the choice of motorized or oar-driven boats for your rafting experience. This means that parents of younger rafters have a safer option with the motorized boats. The minimum age for the motorized boat tours is 8, and 12 for the oar-driven boats.
This company provides each participant with rafting and camping gear and all meals and snacks. Prices start at around $1,100 per person for the 3-day trip.
Arizona River Runners
PO Box 47788
Phoenix, AZ 85068
800-477-7238
raftarizona.com
The Blue Ridge Outing Company in North Carolina specializes in white water rafting trips for families with small children. While their trips are only day outings, they use gentler rivers and welcome children as young as 4 as long as they are comfortable on the water. They also offer inflatable kayaks to older children to allow for some added adventure.
All gear and appropriate food are provided by the company. Some trips are as short as a few hours, so only a snack is provided.
As of 2010, prices start at $25 per person.
Blue Ridge Outing Co.
5231 U.S. Hwy 74 W
Whittier, NC 28789
800-572-3510
raftwithkids.com
