River School
Since River School began in 2006, thousands of Hoosiers have had their first experience paddling on the White River. River School’s goal is to provide safe, fun, and engaging on-the-water educational experiences that enhance personal connections to the White River and the natural world.
River School
Our River School program turns an urban corridor of White River into an environmental classroom for students, civic leaders and selected partner programs. Enroute, our guides discuss history, shoreline and aquatic wildlife, riparian flora, environmental science and water quality, all while engaging people in a first-hand look at Central Indiana’s most valuable natural resource.
River School Details
Friends of the White River will make a good faith effort to accommodate individuals with specific needs. However, we cannot make changes that would undermine safe operation of River School, or would cause a direct threat to the health or safety of other participants, volunteers, or staff.
All participants must wear a Life Jacket at all times when on or near the water, and follow the safety instructions of FOWR Guides and the Trip Leader.
FOWR provides lifejackets, and participants are welcome to wear their own if in good working order and less than 7 years old.
River School rates are per raft, which can accommodate up to 4 people in normal water conditions, and up to three people in low-water conditions (common in late summer).
Rates begin at $365 per raft for weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) and $395 for Saturdays.
There is a significant discount for booking two or more rafts. See ticket purchasing system for details.
FOWR Members in good standing are also eligible for a discount as well. Email us for details.
Custom trips may be available depending on your schedule. Email us for details.
All participants should bring: appropriate footwear that will get wet (No Crocs or Flip Flops), comfortable outdoor clothing (it will get wet and dirty), a Filled Reusable Water Bottle (no Glass please); and sun protection (non-aerosol sunblock, hat, sunglasses).
FOWR provides life jackets, paddles, and dry bags.
While usually calm and serene, White River experiences high water conditions unsafe for paddling around 25 times a year. FOWR makes the final call on all safety decisions, including “Go/No-Go” decisions based on water levels and weather forecast, consistent with our Emergency Action Plan. Should river safety conditions prevent going on the Primary date, we will reschedule your trip for a future date.
Friends of the White River relies on the revenue from River School to pay our staff and cover operational expenses, and we are unable to provide a full refund within 7 days of a trip. Partial refunds are available within 7 days of your program date upon request, minus a cancellation fee of $225 for weekday trips and $350 for Saturday Trips
Our primary River School route is from Hazel Landing Park in Carmel to Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve in Indianapolis. Participants will usually meet at Oliver’s Woods and carpool for a 5-minute drive to Hazel Landing at the beginning of the trip. Other routes are possible upon request, depending on the time of year, water levels, and available access.
Schools, Summer Camps, Scouts, and other groups made primarily of youth ages 10-17 must provide one adult leader per ten youth.
Current River Levels
River School Route
Our primary River School route is from Hazel Landing Park in Carmel to Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve in Indianapolis. Participants will usually meet at Oliver’s Woods and carpool for a 5-minute drive to Hazel Landing at the beginning of the trip. Other routes are possible upon request, depending on the time of year, water levels, and available access.
Eddie Gill IV
Born in Ogden, Utah, Eddie now resides in Carmel, Indiana where he has lived for the past 19 years. Eddie, 23, recently graduated from Grace College in Warsaw, Indiana where he received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and master’s degree in Non-Profit Management. During his time at Grace he also played basketball, going to the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight in his final two years. He is a lifelong fisherman, adventurer and outdoor enthusiast. Since the time he could walk, all Eddie has ever wanted to do was be outside exploring all of the wonders nature has to offer.
Several years ago, Eddie vowed to make a difference. He wanted to create a more inclusive and diverse space in the outdoor world. With this in mind, he came up with Journey for a Cause. Journey for a Cause was an initiative to raise awareness in diverse communities of the opportunities and benefits experienced with fishing and boating. Inspired by Eddie’s dream to promote diversity and inclusion within the boating, fishing and outdoor adventure community, he took a ten-day journey by boat that began in Evansville, Ind. on June 1, 2021. His journey included visits at nine marinas and waterside venues, ending with a final stop at Navarre Beach, Fla. on June 10. During the voyage, Eddie promoted the mental health and physical health benefits of fishing and boating, and drove awareness of the accessibility of fishing and boating, and demonstrated that the outdoor community is welcoming to all, including those from minority and underserved communities.