Wondering how to grow the sport? Take the lead of Colorado’s Friends of the Yampa, whose burgeoning Youth River Camps help youth get out on the water and become river stewards of the future.
“They’re a great way to teach youth about rivers,” says FOY’s Kent Vertrees. “Many of these kids wouldn’t have the opportunity to get out on the Yampa otherwise, and this teaches them everything from how to run rivers to river ecology. And hopefully, they’ll learn to protect it in the future.””
From the Marketing Lingo
Discover your own backyard by embarking on a 4-day comprehensive river class on our stunning, wild and free, Yampa River!
REGISTRATION OPENS half at 8 a.m. (MST) and the other half at 6 p.m. (MST) on MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2023.
Camps are open to youth entering 7-9th grade next fall. No previous river experience is required to participate in this class. The main goal of this program is to empower youth to travel safely in whitewater river conditions while falling in love with one of the most important resources here in the Yampa Valley. New in 2023 is a 5-day class down Lodore Canyon in Dinosaur National Monument, open to high school students who are previous attendees of the Youth River Camps. Any open spots will be open to the public at the end of April. More to come soon!
Sessions are Monday to Thursday (we added a day!) 9 am to 4 pm each day.
June 5-8, Steamboat Springs, CO June 12-15, Steamboat Springs, CO June 19-22, Steamboat Springs, CO June 26-29, Craig, COThe camp is $325 per person for a 4-day class; we offer scholarships for 25% off, 50% off or the full cost of the class based on need. The scholarship application period is now open. Scholarship applications can be printed, filled out and then emailed or filled out online. Please email outreach@friendsoftheyampa.com or call 970-367-7044 for further questions.