Junior Guides is a three-day "day camp" for kids ages 6-16 run on the South Fork, American River in Coloma, California.
Junior Guides is a California 501c3 non-profit in operation since 2010, FEIN #36-4758003. This is our 16th year! (More about Junior Guides)
Our 3-day river rafting programs include highly qualified guides, kid-sized boats and gear, shuttles to and from put-in and take-out, two substantial daily snacks, a lunch buffet, evening activities, a private link to photos, and a camp gift. Programs typically run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM each day. This may vary depending on the camper's age and group.
Parents and kids typically rendezvous to formally start camp on Sunday or Monday morning, dependent on the annual rain fall. Though the formal, on-river program is about 8 hours, most campers and their families choose to add-on lodgning and meal packages at our idyllic base camp, Earthtrek. Overnight camping is optional. This makes the whole experience a 'family camp' and not just something solely for the kids. While kids spend days on the river learning and playing, parents - who are often ex-professional whitewater guides themselves - arrange special outings of their own. It's all part of the river family experience.
Junior Guides is a California 501c3 non-profit in operation since 2010, FEIN #36-4758003. This is our 16th year! (More about Junior Guides)
Our 3-day river rafting programs include highly qualified guides, kid-sized boats and gear, shuttles to and from put-in and take-out, two substantial daily snacks, a lunch buffet, evening activities, a private link to photos, and a camp gift. Programs typically run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM each day. This may vary depending on the camper's age and group.
Parents and kids typically rendezvous to formally start camp on Sunday or Monday morning, dependent on the annual rain fall. Though the formal, on-river program is about 8 hours, most campers and their families choose to add-on lodgning and meal packages at our idyllic base camp, Earthtrek. Overnight camping is optional. This makes the whole experience a 'family camp' and not just something solely for the kids. While kids spend days on the river learning and playing, parents - who are often ex-professional whitewater guides themselves - arrange special outings of their own. It's all part of the river family experience.
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Ages 6-9
This program is for our youngest campers - typically ages 6-9. Each camp session has limited spaces, to give individual attention to our youngest members of the flock. Campers learn about the dynamics of moving water, play games, learn about the environment and conservation, and sing songs while practicing teamwork to get their raft downstream. Campers in this group drift and navigate the "class II" mellow stretches of the South Fork American, commonly known as the "Tom Sawyer Float". They'll certainly come home with Huck Finn-like stories of their own! Ducks are accompanied by specially selected Senior River Guides and Camp Counselors.
2025 Pricing: $525 per child |
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Typically ages 10-16
Older and more experienced campers step up in the level of challenge. These kids, typically ages 10-16, learn to negotiate class III rapids as they steer the raft, verbally direct their peers, and navigate the upper and lower South Fork American River. It's a perfect beginner's run offering just the right challenge!
Campers each take turns guiding the boat, learning a variety of strokes and paddle commands. Coaching and feedback - both giving and receiving - is a big part of Junior Guides. Our theme has been "Use Your Voice!" It's important as a river guide, and as a leader all through life. Our philosophy is 'challenge by choice' when encountering river features; campers may choose to swim rapids or surf holes, or to take a more conservative approach if that suits them. We encourage healthy respect for nature, but enjoying all it has to offer. 2025 Pricing: $525 |
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Our ultimate Junior Guides program is in its third year. This is an advanced course for more experienced young paddlers. We typically run multiple class III and IV rivers in this program, and the camp is limited to just 20 or fewer attendees.
In 2023, Ospreys ran the South Fork American, and the class IV runs on the North Stanislaus and Merced. In 2024, we could run these or other rivers including the Tuolumne, Kaweah, Kern, Klamath, Rogue or other. (We won't know until early June when flows are more readable.) In 2025, Osprey campers rafted 4 days on the Kern river, and 2 days on the Tuolumne. (This camp is not a qualifier for commercial guides, but prepares young folks to graduate to an adult guide school in the future.) Here's a highlights video from our unforgettable 2023 adventure! This was our 2023 Itinerary: Saturday, July 8 evening: Arrive at rendezvous camp in Coloma, CA for a briefing. Sunday, July 9 - Monday, July 10: South Fork American guiding instruction and coaching with River Runners Tuesday, July 11: North Fork of the Stanislaus -- Class IV whitewater at 4,500 feet in elevation. A spectacular river in an alpine setting. Wednesday, July 12 - Friday, July 14: Rafting on the fluffy Merced River just outside of Yosemite National Park -- with a visit to Yosemite park on Thursday evening! What a time! Expected pricing: $1,500 This includes all camping, food, and transportation costs for the week for the participant. A partial scholarship may be available based on need. To register or discuss this special camp, call or email us. Find the compulsory new camper application here, when registration opens. |
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Camp Counselors
New in 2025, we added Camp Counselors: Super Kid friendly Teens who accompanied the Ducks on river. Camp Counselors earn 39 hours of community service per session, and help immensely adding fun and another pair of eyes on our littlest campers! Selection by Application only, and their is a small fee to be a Camp Counselor. |
It's the little things.
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