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. This is our tenth year! (More about Junior Guides)

Our 3-day, class II or class III 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 of camp, 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 families often participate together in evening activities. Most families stay overnight together. 

Parents and kids typically rendezvous to formally start camp on a Monday morning in July. Though the formal, on-river program is about 8 hours, many families also choose to stay with their kids on the river at our idyllic base camp, Earthtrek. Overnight camping is optional (See links for Camping & Food). This makes the whole experience more a family camp than something solely for the kids. While kids spend days on the river learning and playing, mentored by professional river guides, the rest of the family can get involved in mornings and evenings, too!

(During the day, parents - who are often ex-professional whitewater guides themselves - arrange special outings of their own. It's all part of the river family experience.)  

Ducks

Entering grades 1-4 Fall 2023; typically ages 6-9

This program, taught by specially selected and certified guides, is for our youngest campers - typically ages 6-9. Each camp session has just 12 spaces in this group. 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! 
2023 Pricing: $499 first child, $449 additional siblings

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Otters

​Entering Grades 5-11 Fall 2023; typically ages 9-16

Older and more experienced campers step up in the level of challenge. These kids, typically ages 9-16, 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. 
​2023 Pricing: $499 first child, $449 additional siblings

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New! Ospreys​

Advanced Junior Guides
Junior Guides veterans / experienced junior rafters
Entering grades 9-12 Fall 2023; ages 15-18

To extend the Junior Guides program and by popular demand, ​we are offering an advanced course in 2023 for more experienced young paddlers. This camp will be limited to just 20 attendees. An application is required for acceptance into the camp.
Ospreys Camp will be six days in length total; five days on multiple rivers. The program will be far deeper than our standard Otters program, and kids will gain significant skill during this fun-filled, intensive week. (This is not a qualifier for commercial guides, but prepares young folks for an adult guide school in the future.) Here is the tentative schedule: 

Sample Agenda Subject to Change:
Saturday, July 8 evening: Arrive at rendezvous camp in Coloma, CA for a briefing.
Sunday, July 9: South Fork American guiding instruction and coaching with River Runners 
Monday, July 10: South Fork American guiding instruction and coaching with River Runners 
Tuesday, July 11: South Fork or Middle Fork American guiding instruction and coaching with River Runners
Wednesday, July 12: Travel day from Coloma to Groveland, CA - very near Yosemite.
Lessons on trip planning and logistics: Shopping, packing, rigging at ARTA, Groveland, CA.
Camping at Meral's Pool put-in.
Camp cooking for dinner and the following morning's breakfast. 
Thursday, July 13: Tuolumne put-in with ARTA River Trips.
Kids guide all the rapids they're capable of with coaching and instruction from experienced ARTA and Junior Guides instructors.
Camp at The Clavey River or similar.
Friday, July 14: Tuolumne day 2, take-out, travel home/rendezvous with parents

2023 Expected pricing to be confirmed: $1,100-1,300 with a discount for additional siblings
A partial scholarship may be available based on need. 
To register or discuss this camp, call or email us.

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It's the little things.

• Junior Guides Raft Camp is very popular! We hosted more than 200 kids in three sessions last year, and camps do sell out. Please book early!
• ​Many families return year-after-year. Some tell us it's their favorite family vacation!
• Each session has 40-60 campers ages 6-16 split into groups, then usually grouped again in boats by ages.
• "Ducks" are our littlest campers (age 6-9) who float the class II section of Coloma to Greenwood. Enrollment for Ducks is limited to 12 participants in each calendar session. 
• Occasionally younger, more experienced child paddlers (typically 3-4th graders) may prefer to paddle with the Otters. These kids are considered on a case-by-case basis depending on maturity, athletic ability, and rafting experience.  Safety is our A-1 top priority. 
• "Otters" may include up to 42 campers in as many as 8 boats. These more experienced paddlers typically age from 8-16.(Most campers seem to fall in the 9-14 range.)
• This year, we're considering Ospreys! These will be experienced rafting kids aged 15-18.
  
• We typically have 5 or 6 campers in each raft, and there is always one adult professional guide. Sometimes an additional "Senior Junior Guide" volunteer paddles along.
• The happiest campers are active, athletic kids. But camp is also an opportunity for kids to break out of a shell! 
• Camp includes 3 days of rafting, all required gear and rafting protection equipment, and specifically trained and certified river guides who each have years of experience.
• Each camp day includes a hearty buffet lunch as well as a hearty morning snack and an afternoon snack, most dietary restrictions can be accommodated (gluten free, carb free, peanut free). Camp fees also include awards (carabiner+) and a professional photo CD of all the campers on the river. Camp fees also include three evening programs/workshops, and what parents say they LOVE: opportunities to socialize and connect with other like-minded river tribe families!  
• On the river, campers are sorted by ability level, and adults work to build camper confidence as well as safe river running skills. Adults Guides rotate through groups, and campers can rotate through rafts as well. We will try to keep 'friends' in the same boat, as long as safety is considered foremost.
• Local day campers are welcome and encouraged to attend. We love our Coloma Valley neighbors. 
• Most campers attend and camp overnight with families. It's one of the aspects of Junior Guides we love most. 
• Overnight campers must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or approved adult family friend. 
• Cost is $450 per camper. (There is a $50 discount for second/subsequent siblings; $400.) 
• Please note: Unaffiliated, non-board member parents and paddlers are never allowed to accompany the camp on river for many reasons including permits, insurance, and other. Inquire if you have questions or concerns. 
• ​If you're unsure if your child is ready for this adventure, let's talk; call or email to find out if Raft Camp is right for your child and your family.​​