Whitewater Raft Camp for Kids 6–16
New! on Oregon's North Umpqua This Summer
Three days on the river. Real rapids, real skills, real confidence. Your kid comes home taller than they left.
July 6–8 or July 14–16 · Ages 6–9 (Ducks) & 10–16 (Otters) · $550 per camper · Near Glide, 30 minutes from Roseburg
July 6–8 or July 14–16 · Ages 6–9 (Ducks) & 10–16 (Otters) · $550 per camper · Near Glide, 30 minutes from Roseburg
What Your Kid Will Actually Do
Ducks (Ages 6–9) paddle gentle Class II water in small crews led by our senior river guides and teen counselors. They learn how current works, how to paddle as a team, and how to be brave in a place that rewards it. The emphasis is joyful skill-building — and the quiet pride of doing something new.
Otters (Ages 10–16) Otters take on Class III rapids — and take turns in the guide seat, calling paddle commands and choosing the line through the rapid with a professional guide coaching beside them. Our philosophy is "choose your adventure": campers can swim a rapid, surf a wave, or take the conservative route. By Tuesday, they're not just better paddlers. They're better leaders.
Is It Safe?
It's our paramount concern, and Junior Guides has had an outstanding safety record since its founding 16 years ago.
With a camper/instructor ratio of 6:1, kids are always monitored and cared for.
Ducks paddle only gentle Class II stretches.
Otters run Class III -- perfect for learning and growing as young adventurers.
Every camper wears a properly fitted life jacket and helmet, and we recommend wetsuits for every child -- regardless of weather conditions.
Every session begins with safety training, and routes are chosen daily based on water conditions.
Junior Guides has safely introduced thousands of kids to whitewater over 16 years as a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit. On the North Umpqua, we run every trip with our trusted partner, Oregon Whitewater Adventures — see below.
How It Works
All overnight campers must be accompanied by an adult. Families often all camp together at Junior Guides.
The daily rhythm:
Campers raft from roughly 9 to 5 each day, three days in a row, on carefully selected sections of the North Umpqua near Glide.
Evenings: Families camp together each night at our reserved Forest Service group campsite beneath the trees. "Skit Night" and fun activities included.
Family Camping: Campsite and group food, costs, and what to bring: Details available soon.
What's included: Three days of guided rafting, all river gear (raft, paddle, life jacket, helmet, wetsuit if needed), and instruction from professional guides and trained counselors.
What to bring: See our Packing List.
Getting here: Our base is east of Roseburg, near Glide. 30 minutes from Roseburg · 2 hours from Eugene · 2.5 hours from Bend · 3.5 hours from Portland
Our trusted partners and guides: Oregon Whitewater Adventures
After 16 years in California and thousands of happy paddlers served, Junior Guides is expanding beyond the Golden State! In 2026, we will run our Ducks and Otters programs on the clear, emerald waters of the North Umpqua River. We’re thrilled with a new partnership with Oregon Whitewater Adventures. For more than three decades, Oregon Whitewater Adventures has built a reputation as one of the region’s most respected rafting outfitters, known for experienced guides, thoughtful safety systems, high-quality equipment, and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Their philosophy emphasizes professionalism without ego, fun without chaos, and adventure grounded in preparation and respect for the river — values that align perfectly with Junior Guides. This new partnership allows us to combine our youth leadership curriculum with one of Oregon’s premier river operations. Our board member and past executive director, Barry Kruse, will manage our expansion program.
Location:
Our base on the North Umpqua is east of Roseburg, Oregon very near the town of Glide. It's approximately...
30 minutes from Roseberg
2 hours from Eugene
2.5 hours from Bend
3.5 hours from Portland
6.5 hours from Sacramento
Who's behind all this?
Junior Guides is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has run whitewater summer camps in California since 2010 — thousands of happy paddlers and sixteen summers of kids finding their voice on the river. In 2026 we're bringing our two most popular programs to Oregon. Board member and past executive director Barry Kruse leads the Umpqua program personally.
Make It a Family Trip
The North Umpqua sits on Oregon's "Highway of Waterfalls." While your kid is on the river, you're minutes from the 120-foot cascade at Toketee Falls, the mineral pools of Umpqua Hot Springs, world-class fly fishing, an 80-mile riverside trail, and a day trip to Crater Lake National Park. Camp for the kids. Playground for the parents.
Questions?
Email or call Barry Kruse: 916.616.2317 [email protected]
Ducks (Ages 6–9) paddle gentle Class II water in small crews led by our senior river guides and teen counselors. They learn how current works, how to paddle as a team, and how to be brave in a place that rewards it. The emphasis is joyful skill-building — and the quiet pride of doing something new.
Otters (Ages 10–16) Otters take on Class III rapids — and take turns in the guide seat, calling paddle commands and choosing the line through the rapid with a professional guide coaching beside them. Our philosophy is "choose your adventure": campers can swim a rapid, surf a wave, or take the conservative route. By Tuesday, they're not just better paddlers. They're better leaders.
Is It Safe?
It's our paramount concern, and Junior Guides has had an outstanding safety record since its founding 16 years ago.
With a camper/instructor ratio of 6:1, kids are always monitored and cared for.
Ducks paddle only gentle Class II stretches.
Otters run Class III -- perfect for learning and growing as young adventurers.
Every camper wears a properly fitted life jacket and helmet, and we recommend wetsuits for every child -- regardless of weather conditions.
Every session begins with safety training, and routes are chosen daily based on water conditions.
Junior Guides has safely introduced thousands of kids to whitewater over 16 years as a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit. On the North Umpqua, we run every trip with our trusted partner, Oregon Whitewater Adventures — see below.
How It Works
All overnight campers must be accompanied by an adult. Families often all camp together at Junior Guides.
The daily rhythm:
Campers raft from roughly 9 to 5 each day, three days in a row, on carefully selected sections of the North Umpqua near Glide.
Evenings: Families camp together each night at our reserved Forest Service group campsite beneath the trees. "Skit Night" and fun activities included.
Family Camping: Campsite and group food, costs, and what to bring: Details available soon.
What's included: Three days of guided rafting, all river gear (raft, paddle, life jacket, helmet, wetsuit if needed), and instruction from professional guides and trained counselors.
What to bring: See our Packing List.
Getting here: Our base is east of Roseburg, near Glide. 30 minutes from Roseburg · 2 hours from Eugene · 2.5 hours from Bend · 3.5 hours from Portland
Our trusted partners and guides: Oregon Whitewater Adventures
After 16 years in California and thousands of happy paddlers served, Junior Guides is expanding beyond the Golden State! In 2026, we will run our Ducks and Otters programs on the clear, emerald waters of the North Umpqua River. We’re thrilled with a new partnership with Oregon Whitewater Adventures. For more than three decades, Oregon Whitewater Adventures has built a reputation as one of the region’s most respected rafting outfitters, known for experienced guides, thoughtful safety systems, high-quality equipment, and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Their philosophy emphasizes professionalism without ego, fun without chaos, and adventure grounded in preparation and respect for the river — values that align perfectly with Junior Guides. This new partnership allows us to combine our youth leadership curriculum with one of Oregon’s premier river operations. Our board member and past executive director, Barry Kruse, will manage our expansion program.
Location:
Our base on the North Umpqua is east of Roseburg, Oregon very near the town of Glide. It's approximately...
30 minutes from Roseberg
2 hours from Eugene
2.5 hours from Bend
3.5 hours from Portland
6.5 hours from Sacramento
Who's behind all this?
Junior Guides is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has run whitewater summer camps in California since 2010 — thousands of happy paddlers and sixteen summers of kids finding their voice on the river. In 2026 we're bringing our two most popular programs to Oregon. Board member and past executive director Barry Kruse leads the Umpqua program personally.
Make It a Family Trip
The North Umpqua sits on Oregon's "Highway of Waterfalls." While your kid is on the river, you're minutes from the 120-foot cascade at Toketee Falls, the mineral pools of Umpqua Hot Springs, world-class fly fishing, an 80-mile riverside trail, and a day trip to Crater Lake National Park. Camp for the kids. Playground for the parents.
Questions?
Email or call Barry Kruse: 916.616.2317 [email protected]
