Expedition Paddling 5th – 6th Grade in Colorado

Our expedition camp on Colorado’s Arkansas River is built for 5th – 6th graders with paddling experience* who can’t wait to spend a week on the water. They’ll set up camp in the shadow of the majestic Collegiate Peaks, spending every night sleeping under the stars and every day kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and whitewater rafting along one of the country’s most beautiful rivers.

The group of up to 13 campers and two expert instructors will partner with the top-notch team at Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center, who will lend support throughout the week with specialized gear, private river access and decades of experience navigating the Arkansas. Together they’ll perfect basic paddling techniques and practice rescues, river reading, rapid scouting, moving water navigation and more. Back on dry land, campers will pitch tents and cook their own meals in our professional expedition kitchen complete with our Iron Chef 2 burner stoves as they hone their camping skills.

After a week spent paddling along and camping alongside the river, expedition campers come away steeped in confidence, equipped with a host of solid skills and full of newfound appreciation for authentic outdoor adventure.

* While beginning paddlers are welcome, participants should have some previous experience paddling in standing or moving water, be comfortable being fully submerged in water for short periods of time and feel excited to spend five full days on watercraft.