Church Youth Group Trips

Church Youth Group River Rafting Trips

These programs include kayaking and rafting surrounded by some of God’s most beautiful creations: California’s wild canyons and rivers. WWE’s luxury riverside camp on the South Fork of the American River is the ideal setting for Church group fellowship, relaxing and having fun in such a stunning natural environment. I want to take this opportunity to give thanks to the Lord and to all who have been instrumental to our success – our guests and our employees. It’s been nothing less than a pleasure to see those same smiling faces each year out to capture God’s grace and power in a single experience with us. The relationships that we have gained and developed with our staff and guests have been a motivating force, and with the Lord’s help, we will continue with this energy to be propelled into the future.

Whitewater Excitement is one of the original California rafting vacation companies dedicated to serving all Church Groups, Church Youth Groups and Men’s & Women’s Retreats.

Check Availability for your Youth Group Now!

Special Pricing for Youth and Church Groups

All of our prices for Church Adventure trips are reduced rates from our standard retail prices. Our California youth rafting trips are 20% lower than our retail price. Our Youth program has been designed to make our adventures affordable and to give youth the opportunity to explore our natural world.

We can help you to organize around the individual needs of your group, give us a call. We look forward to sharing a California whitewater adventure with you this year. 1-800-750-2386

South Fork of the American River – Class 3

Join us for an exhilarating white water river rafting adventure on one of California premier rivers. This 21-mile stretch of river has more than 50 rapids, and is perfect for both first timers and veteran rafters. We offer two 1-day trips, the 14 mile, 5 hour “GORGE” trip, and our “ WHOLE RIVER” trip that takes in the entire 21 miles of the South Fork. Both trips include lunch. If you’re looking for a longer trip that includes camping along the river, our “TWO DAY” trips might be just what you’re looking for.

On the first day of the two day trip we raft the “GORGE” section, and tackle the “CHILI BAR” section on day two. Our riverside camp is by far one of the finest private camp facilities on the river. It is fully equipped with new bathroom facilities (hot showers, flush toilets, mirrors and sinks,) horseshoes and volleyball. The South Fork of the American is great for groups ranging from Middle School all the way up to church Seniors.

California whitewater rafting – FUN FOR ALL

The Middle Fork of the American River

Oxbow Dam to Greenwood
From May to September
Difficulty: Class III-IV

For those of you slightly more on the adventurous side, the Middle Fork of the American is a step up in difficulty from the South Fork. In just the first few miles of this trip, you’ll be met with the “Tunnel Chute”. Blasted out by Miners in the 1800s, the river bottlenecks into a 12 foot chute that stretches out for 100 feet, coming to a splash at the bottom. Finally you find yourself floating through a raftable tunnel. You won’t find another rapid like this anywhere else!

Wilderness 2 Day Middle Fork Trips – A relaxing way to get away from the crowds and see and experience a real wilderness trip. We take all the equipment down the river with us, pick one of the many awesome sandy beaches and set up camp right there. We also explore a few of the side creek canyons that come into the Middle Fork. This trip covers the same 18 miles that our 1 Day trip covers, but gives time to explore the river a bit slower. A great option for Youth Pastors who want a trip that is away from the main population. Call us for more details.

The Middle Fork of the American is suitable for ages 14 years and older who are fair to good swimmers, in good physical shape and slightly on the adventurous side. This is not a trip for the timid!

Our one day rafting trip covers 18 miles and has an early morning meeting time at 7am. This trip includes lunch and has camping available the night before for $10 off River Camping and $14 for on River Camping per person per night. Our 2 Day trip includes 2 nights of camping (one in our basecamp and the other in the Wilderness Canyon of the Middle Fork) and 5 meals.

Dueling rivers

South / Middle 2 Day Combo – California White Water Rafting Trip

Enjoy with us 2 amazing days on the river. Your first day will be spent rafting the South Fork “Gorge Run”. Day two will challenge you with the Class IV rapids of the Middle Fork. This trip includes rapids like of “Kanaka Falls,” “Tunnel Chute,” “Chunder,” and the Class VI un-runnable “Ruck-a- Chucky Falls” (the guides will line the rafts over this 25’ waterfall while our guests walk around). This rafting trip includes 2 nights camping, 5 meals, and 2 days rafting.

South Fork/Middle Fork of the American River Rafting Two Day Combo Church & Youth Group Rates

Dueling Rivers Plus South/Middle 3 Day AdventureDoes your group want a third day of Rafting? Our 3 day South and Middle Fork adventure is what you’re looking for.  Day one and two are spent on the South Fork, while Day three is spent on the Middle Fork with an extra night of camping and 3 additional meals to complete your 3 day adventure. This trip is only available during the week. Youth Weekdays $359.

The Merced River

Red Bud to McCabe – California River Rafting Paradise
From April to July
Difficulty: Class IV (+)

This snow-fed river is intense and swift and offers up with some huge water rapids. Just on the outskirts of Yosemite National Park, the Merced roars during the high water Spring season. Rapids come almost one after another and require non-stop paddling from experienced crews or very adventurous first timers.

During the Summer season, as the snow melt diminishes and the water level stabilizes, the Merced lets up slightly and becomes a fantastic rafting trip for Junior and Senior High youth groups. Min age 14.

One day trips along the Merced move for 18 miles and include lunch. Our two day Merced trips are 36 miles and include 2 night camping, 2 days rafting, and 4 meals. Make this your group adventure!

Merced River Rafting Church & Youth Group Rates

Dear Norm and WWE Staff:

“We have just finished our first American river rafting trip with WWE and are blessed to have found your company. From the moment we called the office and talked to Debbie on the phone, to talking with staff on the river, we had an excellent time with you. Our youth group of junior high first-time rafters and your staff made us feel safe and comfortable. Our expectations of rough camping were exceeded by your well kept facilities and clean environment. Even though there were other groups at camp, we felt our camp area was large enough to give us our own space to run our own program. If there is anything I can do to help spread the good word about Whitewater Excitement please let me know. We look forward to coming back again next year.”

Thanks again and God Bless,
Tami Ottenad, Bethany Church

References For Youth & Church Groups White Water Rafting In California

Naomi Smith
7th Day Adventist
Orange, CA

Eric Van Patten
Sonrise Christian
Auburn, CA

Rudy Roberts
Visalia United Methodist
Visalia, CA

Cheri Selander
Christ Luthern
Garden Grove, CA

Stann Pesis
St. Pauls’ Lutheran Family
Carson City, NV

Daniel Hahn/Mark Strecker
Mission Hills Church
Mission Viejo, CA

General Information / Reservations for California River Rafting Trips

Reservations: Call early to hold your spot!! The first step in organizing your California rafting adventure is deciding on the dates that work for your group. Call our office, or go to our Make a Reservation page and see what dates are still available. Then call us to let us know which California river rafting trip you are interested in and how many people are in your group. We will invoice you and send a trip information sheet. In order for your group to hold your space, you will have 10 days to pay 50% of your total trip price. Upon WWE’s receipt of your group’s deposit, we will then send you a confirmation package. The remainder of your group’s payment is due 30 days before your trip. Last minute reservations are welcome but trips can be limited, please call for current availability.

Group Discounts: We also offer discounts for groups of 6+, 12+, and 24+.

Cancellations / Refunds: If you must cancel your reservation with us, all but a $25.00 per person cancellation fee will be refunded to you, provided that we receive written notice of your cancellation in our office at least 31 days prior to your trip date. For cancellations made 30 days or less, the entire trip fees are non-refundable, in which case we encourage you to find substitutes for the cancelled space(s). NO trip date changes may be made within 31 days of your booked trip.

Please understand that when we make a reservation for you for a specific date and trip, we are holding spaces for you and turning others away because of space limitations imposed on us by various governmental agencies. Those spaces are very difficult to fill at the last minute.

We reserve the right to cancel or modify a trip due to weather, water conditions, insufficient reservations or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases we are only responsible for the trip fees paid to us. Guides and other on-river staff employed by Whitewater Excitement are not authorized to make or promise trip refunds or credits. Such determinations can only be made by the WWE Office Staff. Trip Travel Insurance is strongly suggested and will cover such cancellations. Trips depart rain or shine.

Your group will be required to read, fill out, and sign an Assumption of Risk Form prior to participating in any of our rafting adventures.

Responsibility / Trip Insurance: Whitewater rafting, like any adventure activity involving the forces of nature, does involve some risk. Whitewater Excitement, Inc. therefore assumes no responsibility for the personal injury of trip members, the loss or destruction of personal gear, or for any related time and expenses incurred. We, therefore, require that each member sign an ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE FORM, prior to the trip. Minors who are under age 18, must have a parent sign the form prior to the trip. Additional accident and cancellation insurance is available and protects you against medical emergency aid or evacuation. Please call for more information. FAQs.

White water rafting California vacations with Whitewater Excitement 1-800-750-2386 email us at [email protected].

We want to thank you for your continued support and hope that you visit with us again and in the years to come.

We are accepting reservations for the 2024 rafting season and we cant wait!Learn More