Water Connection Camps

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.

A four-day week of Water Connection Camp is $425 per student.

A refund of up to $400 can be issued upon request though the February if cancellation is necessary. FOWR will try to accommodate requests for transferring a student to a different week of camp as a preferred alternative. A student’s “spot” in a week of camp can also be transferred to another student after the refund period closes. FOWR will not give refunds or credits for sick days or those that are voluntarily missed (e.g., vacation, missed class).

7:50am: Drop Off begins at Camp HQ

8:15am: Drop off period ends, students are transported to launch site

8:30am: Students arrive via launch site

10:00am: Rafts leave launch site

Lunch

1:30pm: Rafts arrive back at Camp HQ

2:15pm: Afternoon Lesson in small groups

2:45pm Student Presentations (Thursday Only)*

3:15pm: Wrap up in small groups

3:50pm-4:15pm: Student Pick Up 

*Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are invited to attend the student presentations on Thursday of each camp week from 2:45pm to 3:45pm.

In cases where a student’s behavior significantly compromises the safety of themselves or others, the Camp Director may deem it necessary and appropriate to disenroll a student from the program. A refund of $100 per remaining day will be issued within one week for any days the student is disenrolled from, up to a maximum refund of $300.

Student Drop off is from 7:50am until 8:15 am. Early Drop off is not permitted as staff are still preparing for the day. If there is a need to drop off later than 8:15am, or my student will be absent from camp, I will need to call or text the Camp Director to make other arrangements.

Student Pick-Up is from 3:50pm to 4:15pm. Early pick-up may or may not be possible depending on the day. While we know traffic and other unforeseen obstacles may impact pick up arrival times, we appreciate our parents/caregivers respecting the scheduled end time of Camp.f

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 floating on the White River on a particular day, camp will not be canceled. FOWR has prepared alternative land-based lesson plans for these circumstances.

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.

FOWR has applied for several grants to help students and families in need of financial assistance afford a week of Water Connection Camp. We anticipate funding decisions to be made by Mid February, at which point we will reach out to any parents who request a scholarship.

The maximum scholarship per student is $400.

All participants should bring: appropriate footwear that will get wet (and 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.

Smart phones, smart watches, and other screen devices are best left at home or with parent(s)/guardian(s). A cell phone locker will be made available to students who require their screen devices to be available at the end of the camp day to coordinate Pick Up, however these devices will not be accessible to the students while on the river.

The Evolution of River School: From One-Day Adventures to Multi-Day Camps

Since 2006, Friends of the White River has been inspiring Hoosiers to connect with the White River through our River School program. Over the years, thousands have experienced the joy of paddling on the river for the first time, all while learning about its ecosystem and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

The goal of River School has always been simple yet profound: to provide safe, fun, and engaging on-the-water educational experiences that help participants build personal connections to the White River and the environment.

Traditionally, River School offered one-day excursions for youth and adult groups (ages 10+), often held on weekends. These outings were made possible through the dedication of FOWR volunteers trained as expert raft guides. Many one-day River School programs are still conducted each year, in partnership with municipal school districts, local parks departments, mission-aligned non-profit organizations, and select corporate sponsors.

In 2023, with the generous support of the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, Friends of the White River expanded our vision with the launch of the Water Connection Camp pilot program.

This multi-day camp builds on the River School model by offering four consecutive days on the water with the same group of students. This immersive approach strengthens connections to nature, enhances educational outcomes, and fosters leadership development. Plus, let’s face it—spending four days on the river is simply more fun than just one!

The Water Connection Camp represents the next chapter in our commitment to inspiring and empowering the next generation of river advocates and environmental stewards. Join us as we continue to grow this transformative program!