Scholarships and WorkTrade
DONATE Each year, Junior Guides provides scholarships to help youth attend Raft Camp. In 2026, we awarded more than $5,000 in scholarships to deserving participants. Scholarship funding is made possible through the generosity of businesses, private donors, Parent Education Days, and current camp families. We warmly invite you to contribute—any amount makes a difference. To donate, please use the “Donations” tab in our menu. If you would like your contribution directed toward a specific purpose, please indicate this in the comments section when making your donation. In 2025, a Memorial Scholarship was set up in honor of Jake Spies, learn more here.
SCHOLARSHIPS In 2026, JG awarded 90% of applicants received financial aid!!! A generous Memorial Fund enabled us to offer additional scholarships this year for Otters (ages 10-16), Ospreys (ages 15-18) as well as Ducks this year (ages 6-9)! The Scholarship application closed on March 1st. Any scholarship monies remaining will be awarded on a rolling basis, until funds are depleted. For participants who are extremely eager to select a specific session date that may sell out, we recommend registering when opens on February 18, even though no scholarship decisions have been made. If your camper is awarded a scholarship, we will retroactively refund the scholarship amount. For questions regarding scholarships, email Lolo [email protected]. Scholarships are awarded as a $400 credit, lowering the price of each child's participation to $150 for 3 days of rafting the American River, build lasting friendships, and learn water safety.
WORK TRADE- Earthtrek and JG are working together to make the overnight meals and tent camping package affordable. Overnight camping is optional and not included in the scholarship program. That said, most families love adding camping and meals at our beautiful riverside base camp, Earthtrek. This option turns Raft Camp into a true family experience—not just something for the kids. While campers spend their days on the river, parents can enjoy their own adventures or downtime, then reconnect with their child each morning and evening back at camp. Earthtrek overnight camping fees haven’t been finalized yet, but typically run around $150 per adult, per session, which includes all breakfasts, dinners, and tent camping. To help keep this option accessible, Earthtrek and Junior Guides are teaming up to offer 3 Parent Work-trade spots per session. These Earthtrek Assistants will pitch in for 12 hours during the session, helping with meal service and cleanup (yes—dishes!), general camp tidying, trash hauling, and bathroom care, in exchange for two nights of tent camping PLUS the meal package for one adult AND one child. Reach out by email to [email protected] to inquire.
SCHOLARSHIPS In 2026, JG awarded 90% of applicants received financial aid!!! A generous Memorial Fund enabled us to offer additional scholarships this year for Otters (ages 10-16), Ospreys (ages 15-18) as well as Ducks this year (ages 6-9)! The Scholarship application closed on March 1st. Any scholarship monies remaining will be awarded on a rolling basis, until funds are depleted. For participants who are extremely eager to select a specific session date that may sell out, we recommend registering when opens on February 18, even though no scholarship decisions have been made. If your camper is awarded a scholarship, we will retroactively refund the scholarship amount. For questions regarding scholarships, email Lolo [email protected]. Scholarships are awarded as a $400 credit, lowering the price of each child's participation to $150 for 3 days of rafting the American River, build lasting friendships, and learn water safety.
WORK TRADE- Earthtrek and JG are working together to make the overnight meals and tent camping package affordable. Overnight camping is optional and not included in the scholarship program. That said, most families love adding camping and meals at our beautiful riverside base camp, Earthtrek. This option turns Raft Camp into a true family experience—not just something for the kids. While campers spend their days on the river, parents can enjoy their own adventures or downtime, then reconnect with their child each morning and evening back at camp. Earthtrek overnight camping fees haven’t been finalized yet, but typically run around $150 per adult, per session, which includes all breakfasts, dinners, and tent camping. To help keep this option accessible, Earthtrek and Junior Guides are teaming up to offer 3 Parent Work-trade spots per session. These Earthtrek Assistants will pitch in for 12 hours during the session, helping with meal service and cleanup (yes—dishes!), general camp tidying, trash hauling, and bathroom care, in exchange for two nights of tent camping PLUS the meal package for one adult AND one child. Reach out by email to [email protected] to inquire.
