Getting kids outside with our
River Education Program
Floating through red-rock Canyons, sleeping under the stars, and Creating lasting connections - our river program does it all. Led by our expert river Educators, students experience the river in an authentic and powerful way, leaving them with memories to last a lifetime.
Youth Programs
Since its inception in 2017, CCA’s river program has been offering unique, place-based education to kids from all over the western slope. Students get to leave their desk behind for a day (or several) and float through red-rock canyons, turning the river and its surroundings into their classroom. Keeping a holistic experience in mind, our river guides not only focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education and state standards-based curriculum, but expand teachable moments to develop important life skills such as team building, self-confidence, and leadership abilities. Along with belly laughs, splash battles, and the occasional slip-n-slide, it’s safe to say the students have a lot of fun, too!
In 2019, the program expanded by 183%, reaching 585 students. Although adapting to challenges of the pandemic has been difficult, the river team was able to get 555 students safely on the river in 2021. This would not be possible without help from partner organizations including the BLM, the Nature Connection, and more! Working closely with other community organizations has helped us expand our programming to reach a diverse array of students from different backgrounds that may not otherwise be able to access public lands.
Help us get more kids on the river!
“This was my first time going rafting and first time to see a river, actually, because I am from Jordan. I appreciate what you have done for this trip; it was so nice and unforgettable for sure. Thank you so much.”
The Catalpa Camp
Catalpa, a private inholding located within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) along the Ruby-Horsethief section of the river, has been generously leased to CCA for the purpose of expanding outdoor education opportunities in our community. After years of hard work and generous donations from the community, Catalpa has become a fully functioning outdoor education camp for our river program. The programs are designed to bring largely under-served high school youth to the camp for leadership development and STEAM-based outdoor education programs both during the school year and the summer break. Following a long day of paddling, students unload at the Catalpa Camp and setup home base for the evening. The space then transforms into an outdoor classroom, gourmet kitchen, shelter from the rain, and more.
“THE CHRIS AND CONNIE JOUFLAS FAMILY IS VERY HAPPY TO BE A FOUNDING SPONSOR OF COLORADO CANYONS ASSOCIATION’S CATALPA PROJECT. THE CATALPA PROPERTY WAS A PART OF OUR WINTER RANGE PROVIDING A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE FOR OUR SHEEP AS WELL AS A TEACHING GROUND FOR THE APPRECIATION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY AND THE FOUNDATION OF A SOLID WORK ETHIC FOR MY SIBLINGS AND MYSELF. WE ARE VERY EXCITED THAT THIS PROPERTY WILL CONTINUE TO BE A LEARNING INSTRUMENT FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.”