When you are choosing an outfitter for your rafting vacation, there is one basic consideration to take into account: should the the outfitter be a large company or a small company? While this consideration is true of all outdoor vacations, today we will focus on the South Fork of the American River.

Both options offer benefits as well as drawbacks, so educating yourself on all of the options is important. We’ve compiled some suggestions to help you plan your next trip.

First off, rest assured – all professional rafting companies are equipped with trained, professional, and SAFE guides, regardless of their size.

Second, we should define what we mean by “large” and “small.” For the purposes of this article, we will say that large outfitters raft more than 1200 people a year down the river, while small outfitters are running 1199 or fewer participants.

Third, for the purpose of reference, 2008 saw some 60,000+ down the South Fork of the American River, which hosts no fewer than thirty-three rafting companies. The largest of these outfitters rafted close to 6,000 people (nearing 10% of the total volume), while the smallest outfitter sent around 200 individuals.

Trip availability – or rather, HOW trips fill up – is one of the biggest differences between large and small companies. A large company can generally accommodate a smaller booking, because there is almost always a trip already going at the time that the group requests. A small outfitter may not necessarily be able to take a party of one, two, or even four, because the costs are prohibitive if there is not already a trip going at that time. On the flip side, large companies run out of space and permits much faster, which is something that smaller companies simply do not encounter.

Small companies can customize your trips more easily and are more apt to make special accommodations. Large outfitters send multiple trips a weekend, so your party may only comprise a small percentage of their participants that day. Thus, they must adhere to strict schedules and routines, allowing them far less flexibility for each individual party.

Another factor to observe is equipment. Much like the rafting guides, all professional outfitters have a safe, commercial-grade fleet of equipment. While this is true, larger companies tend to use their equipment more frequently, so the, err, freshness may vary. Additionally, larger companies often host larger parties and may run multiple rivers, and therefore will purchase equipment that is designed to handle all of their rivers. Generally, this means larger rafts. Smaller companies may only run specific river and will thereby have equipment designed for that particular river. While this is a minor detail, it can make a significant difference in your rafting experience. Here is an analogy: if you have the option to drive over a dirt road in an SUV or a dirtbike, which one will give you a more exciting ride? The same holds true for rafts operating in rivers.

Fees are another factor to take into consideration. On the South Fork of the American River, the volume of rafting companies is huge, so all outfitters must be price-competitive. However, there are times where a large company can absorb more costs and run cheaper trips. A situation from 2008 comes to mind. A group asked for pricing from their normal rafting outfitter, a smaller company. The pricing was for two days of rafting, two lunches, dinner, breakfast and camping. The small companies bid was $250 per person. They shopped their provider and found a larger company willing to give the trip for $199 per person, so they chose the larger company. While there are great differences between the two companies in customer service, guide attitude, and equipment, the group opted for the lesser price. You must decide what your priorities are and then make your calls.

Simple flexibility in your trip itinerary can be the difference between a large and small company choice. A large company deals with a greater volume of customers and may not be able to meet all of your scheduling/timing needs. A smaller company may be able to adjust schedule etc., to help you have the experience you want to have. However, if you want to run another river, a small company may or may not be able to make the schedules fit or may not even be equipped to run the river you wish to see. A larger company may be able to do these things.

And finally, customer service can vary greatly depending on the size of your outfitter. Again, all companies are equipped with quality staff, but larger outfitters are bound by a strict schedule, which can pull the focus of guides and other staff. A smaller company may have you dealing directly with the owner or the small staff, and they are more likely to remain hands-on throughout your rafting experience. Like in most industries, a small company often equals a more intimate environment, while a large company will deliver more of a mass experience.

Most importantly, figure out what your priorities are, and then base your decision on what is most important to you. No matter what size you choose, when it comes to deciding on a rafting outfitter, size matters.

As a small company with big offerings, it is no wonder that Action Whitewater Adventures is a leading small company providing South Fork rafting on the American River. In addition to an outstanding rafting adventure, we provide summer adventure camps and outdoor education programs, creating an unforgettable experience for any age.

This is a question that often comes up for first-time rafters in Northern California. Whether you choose to raft the South Fork or the Middle Fork of the American River, you will have a great time. People often focus on the “class” of the river in order to determine whether they are going to see “more” or “bigger” rapids. This simply is not true. The higher the “class,” the more TECHNICALLY difficult the rapid; size is not necessarily a factor. A quick presentation of river classification will be helpful in determining which type of river is right for you.

First and foremost, one should note that the single highest rapid in a river determines the classification of that river. For example, if a river full of class II rapids has one class V rapid, then the river is automatically a class V. While several different classification systems exist, the I-VI numerical system is the most common in the United States.

- Class I: easy, slight rippling, moving water with almost no obstacles – Class II: rippling water, some whitewater, swift but few obstacles, which require minimal navigation – Class III: moderate, guide is typically required, tall rapids, powerful hydraulics, maneuvering needed for set-up but not within rapids – Class IV: moderate-advanced, guide is required, tall rapids, powerful hydraulics, maneuvering needed within rapid in order to remain safe – Class V: advanced, intense hydraulics, technical lines needed to navigate rapids, previous experience required, physical fitness a must. Professional guide a must. – Class VI: un-navigable. Can be a trickling stream or a large waterfall.

Commercial whitewater rafting generally ranges from class II to class V. When reviewing the list, the difference between class III and class IV is nominal, when it comes to the power of the rapid. The true difference is in the difficulty of navigation, i.e., whether you will be required to paddle in order to help safely navigate. While some class IV rapids tend to be more powerful, the difference is primarily in the duration of maneuvering.

If river classification is the only criteria important to your decision-making, you are done. The South Fork is class III and the Middle Fork is class IV. However, there are other considerations to be aware of. The South Fork offers a whole host of features that the Middle Fork does not have. These features may or may not be part of your decision-making process but are worth noting in order to be aware of your options, if nothing else.

The South Fork of the American River is one of the most rafted rivers in ALL of the United States, year in and year out. It is popular for many reasons: it’s easy to get to, it offers one-day and two-day rafting options (so it is doable in a weekend), there are many campground options, and there are an abundance of rafting companies operating on this river. Additionally, the rapids are fairly consistent, and the class III rating promises predictable hydraulics that get the blood pumping but are manageable for wide age ranges (7-years to 70+). The shuttles to and from river put-in and take-out are not overly long and tiresome. Access to the riverside is relatively easy, there are no hikes and or rough trails to get the gear to the river and back to the vehicles.

The South Fork truly accommodates a wide variety of people. Additionally, the water flow is predictable, the season is relatively long (May to October), the river valley is interesting given the Gold Rush history, and it makes for an affordable vacation.

The most famous rapids on the 21 miles South Fork are the Triple Threats, Meat Grinder, Trouble Maker, Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar.

The Middle Fork has many of the same features as the South Fork. It is dam controlled, so the flows are relatively consistent. Its season is a bit shorter than the South Fork’s. The Middle Fork does have larger hydraulics, more technically challenging rapids, a waterfall (don’t worry, you walk around it), and the famous Tunnel Chute. Given that the river is more remote, the shuttle ride is longer (albeit still tolerable). Most companies raft it in a day, although the two-day wilderness option is available from some outfitters. No campgrounds or convenience stores are located nearby; once you get into the river canyon, you are there until the 20+ mile trip is through. The Middle Fork definitely steps up the difficulty a notch, but also offers longer stretches of calm water as well as a unique, remote beauty.

Some of the famous rapids on the Middle Fork are Tunnel Chute, Panic alley, Chunder, Cartwheel, Duck Soup and Parking Lot. The Middle Fork also includes a portage around Ruck-a-Chucky Falls, which means that you have to exit the raft and carry the gear waterside.

Which river is best for you? It truly depends on what you want. As a rafting provider, I find that most of my guests tend to gravitate toward the convenience of the South Fork, but each river truly has its own set of challenges and appeal. And of course, the changing water flow is always good for a new adventure!

With South Fork Rafting and Middle Fork Rafting options alike, Action Whitewater Adventures is at the forefront of whitewater rafting trips on the American River. Over 25 years’ experience on the river guarantee that you will have an amazing experience, no matter which river you choose!

You’ve been invited to go whitewater rafting – congratulations! Now what?

Maybe you’re feeling nervous. Perhaps you can’t swim, and you are not sure what to do. Will you be going off of waterfalls? Are you fit enough? Are you the right age? What should you wear? Do you need special shoes, or other gear?

Don’t worry – everyone has some of these questions. You will have a great time. On the South Fork of the American River alone, over 65,000 individuals go rafting every season! Whitewater rafting is an excellent addition to any California vacation. Be cautious, but don’t let your fear stop you from embarking on the adventure of a lifetime!

These fourteen easy steps should make your trip a breeze:

1. RELAX! If you are rafting with a professional company, you are in great hands. They know what they are doing, and how to get you down a river.

2. Go with a “can-do” attitude. It is perfectly normal to be nervous, as this is a new experience, but don’t be “that guy” who complains the whole time. Just take a deep breath, and take it all in.

3. Rafting, like the rest of the world, has different seasons. What you WEAR depends on the season:

Rafting in the SPRINGTIME tends to be cooler. Check in with the company that you are rafting with, but you may need a thin wetsuit. But more than likely, you will need wetsuit booties or wool socks paired with strap-on sandals (no, flip flops don’t count) or old tennis shoes, shorts, a wool sweater, a splash jacket or other dry top, and maybe even a wool cap.

SUMMER rafting is a bit warmer. Strap-on sandals or old tennis shoes are recommended, and shorts are a must. You can wear a bathing suit but trunks/shorts are recommended as you are sitting on rubber and bathing suits tend to get…ahem…moved. Other clothing necessities include a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. Some companies wear helmets, in which case you may or may not be able to wear a hat while rafting.

4. Regardless of the season, or what you think your needs are, wear SUNSCREEN! All-natural or biodegradable sunscreen is the most environmentally-friendly if you are embarking on any kind of water sport. Be sure to avoid PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4- methylbenzylidene camphor and the preservative butylparaben, if you want to have the lowest possible impact on the environment.

5. Wear proper SHOES! Shoes must strap to the foot. Crocs and their composite foam ankle strap do not count as they do not bind to the foot. Name brands that make appropriate footwear include Teva, Chaco, and Keen. Water booties with a sole are fine, and old tennis shoes are a great solution as well, as they tie directly to your feet. No one wants you swimming without your consent, but if you do swim, you want something on your feet.

6. TRUST your gear. The personal floatation devices (PFDs) used in rafting are top-of-the-line, and are almost always Class V Coast Guard-approved. And of course, the rafts are high-quality and durable as well, as they adhere to industry standards and are designed specifically to carry you down moving rivers.

7. COMMIT to the rafting experience. If the guide gives you the opportunity to jump in the river, go for it! Remember, they would not suggest anything that is unsafe, and this may be your only chance ever to swim a rapid in a river canyon. The last thing you would want is to walk away from your rafting vacation with regrets.

8. Remember what NOT to do. Believe it or not, you shouldn’t bring a towel to the river. There’s no place on the raft for a towel. Keep it in the car for the end of the trip. Don’t wear suntan oil. Oil + Skin + Rubber = swimming. And drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes will not only impede your ability to get down the river, but can be downright dangerous when mixed with rafting.

9. Choosing a company can be no small undertaking. The South Fork of the American River ALONE offers no less than 33 options. Price disparity is almost nonexistent and the quality is stellar across the board, but each outfitter has a different feel and a different energy. That said, go with the company that feels like the best fit for you and your group.

10. No, waterfalls are NOT a typical rafting obstacle! You may have a dropoff here or there, but nothing that is actually a waterfall. Remember, the boats are made to do what you are doing.

11. Worried about being fit enough? So are most people! This is not an olympic event – you are simply responsible for pulling your own weight, and you have five or six other people to help.

12. The trips are professionally GUIDED. You will have a professional, competent guide in the back of the raft controlling the action. Just be sure to follow directions!

13. At times, age CAN be a factor. Be sure to check with the company you are rafting with before signing up, especially on the more advanced rivers.

14. Finally, do not let any PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS get in the way of your trip, because you will probably LOVE it! We have sent young children down the river with their grandparents, and people of all ages love this sport. You can join in on the fun, too!

As the leading supplier of outdoor tours of the South Fork of the American River, Action Whitewater Adventures (AWA), is your go-to resource for everything rafting. Family-owned and family-run, they also offer outdoor education programs through their sister company, Nature’s-Classroom.

Have you ever thought about booking a whitewater rafting trip? Maybe not. There are a lot of misconceptions and unknowns about this vacation option. When you know what to expect, what is protecting you, and what you get for each dollar spent, you will quickly conclude that this is one of the most memorable, doable and valuable vacations you will experience. Here are some tips to get you started.

Let’s start with the basics. What is whitewater rafting? It is the maneuvering of a vessel down a river. Rafting implies the vessel is a coast guard approved raft (which we will get to in a bit). This raft can be maneuvered in a variety of ways – by one person with large oars rigged to the raft, with a group of people holding individual paddles and led by a guide calling paddle instructions (most common) or in a combination referred to as an oar-paddle combination with the oarsman in the rear compartment of the raft acting as both the major power and the guide calling instructions.

Likewise, rivers are exactly what you think they are – water flowing from elevation working its way toward a body of water. Most rivers are given a classification that is specific to rafting, which determines the intensity of the ride. The grading generally ranges on a scale of I to VI. A class-I river is nearly flat, with little current, while class VI cannot be used for rafting. This does not necessarily mean it is too strong – a trickling stream on the side of the road is just as much a class VI as Niagara Falls is. This classification is specific to rafting, as certain other sports have different classifications (a kayak can fit places where a raft cannot, for example). For the average rafter, anything in the class II-IV range is feasible, and class III is ideal. The South Fork of the American River, one of the most popular rivers to raft in the United States, is just that. The class III body of water is regularly rafted by families, children as young as seven, youth groups, and elderly people, to name a few of the populations that use this river.

A typical raft trip includes a professional guide. Whether this individual is male or female, the guide is a professional who makes a living guiding whitewater trips. Some of these guides even follow summer around the globe! As a result, many of the guides are international, so don’t be surprised to hear an Australian or Canadian accent on board! But no matter what the nationality, these guides know the river you are rafting and are used to individuals of all ability levels. They know how to read the river and navigate it, so rest assured that you are in good hands! Don’t forget to tip your guide at the end of the trip – this practice is quite common on the river.

Naturally, your trip will include a whitewater raft – a strong, durable boat specifically designed for the purpose of rafting down a river. The two primary materials in the raft are Hypalon (a rubber-based product) and Urethan/PVC (made of plastic). These materials are strong enough that the raft can navigate over rocks, around waves, and can take several years of people stepping in and out of it before it needs to be retired. The biggest kryptonite to rafts is sand, which wears holes into the seams of the raft and causes it to leak. This is problematic, as rafts typically cost close to $5,000.

Before entering the raft, you will receive a paddle (unless you are in an oar-rigged raft), so that you can help power the raft down the river. The paddles are nearly six feet in length, and are comprised of an aluminum shaft, a plastic coating, and a durable plastic blade.

Another important component of your rafting trip is getting fitted with a class V Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD). The vests float individuals of all shapes and sizes, and are the most buoyant, high-quality PFDs that exist.

Helmets are becoming common practice in the whitewater rafting world as well. While the designed may vary, all rafting helmets have several attributes in common – they are designed for getting wet, are lightweight, and are a GOOD IDEA. In many other countries, helmets are a must and not an option, and outfitters in the U.S. are catching on as well, especially those that employ an international staff. When you choose your rafting provider, be sure that they require helmets, as this is the safest way to raft by far.

Certain outfitters, including the vast majority of those on the American River, offer a gourmet-style deli lunch that is actually served during the trip, right on the river! Food options may vary but generally include two or three bread choices, lettuce tomato, avocado, sprouts, onions, two meats, two cheeses, mustard, mayonnaise, peanut butter and jelly, chips, fruit, cookies and water.

If you are on an overnight trip, your campsite is paid for, your meals are prepared and served by the staff, and you typically get two days on the river with two lunches, a breakfast and a dinner.

The typical price for whitewater rafting is around $100 per person, per day. Considering everything that is included – professional guide, professional equipment, the opportunity to see the beauty of a river canyon from a unique vantage point, the opportunity to travel through whitewater rapids, excellent meals and lifelong memories – this is a very cost-effective vacation option.

The experience can be likened to a visit to Disneyland. Upon entering the park, you are not provided with meals or a professional guide, the experience is fun but somewhat artificial, and the price is tremendously higher per person, per day. Value is in the perception and knowledge of an experience. We hope that with this brief article, you will overcome any fears or trepidations and will encourage you to create your own lifelong memories with a whitewater rafting vacation!

Action Whitewater Adventures (AWA) provides high-quality whitewater rafting vacations that everybody in the family can enjoy. Situated on the shore of the American River, the sister company, Nature’s-Classroom, delivers outdoor education experiences for school groups of all ages.

Searching the internet for a “summer camp” can yield an overwhelming number of results. Unfortunately, the best camp for you may not be anywhere near the top of Google’s picks; your perfect camp might be hidden on page ten. Right at the top of the search results will be camp directories. Directories appear here as they put the most money into their sites, into their web-ranking. A directory won’t know which camp is best for you.

These search results will also provide links to specific camps. While these may be worth looking at, this task could literally take years, and looking at specific camp pages will seriously limit your exposure to the camps that are available.

Directories are probably the most user-friendly resource out there, but if you are using them, you need to know how they work. They charge camps a certain amount to be listed on their site. While some of the listing options are free, they are usually very limited and do not even include a color photo. If a camp wants to be recognized by posting pictures, video, and logos, they need to pay a huge amount of money – sometimes upwards of thousands of dollars a year!

Here is a tip for how to use the directory: Camps are broken down by religion, activities offered, geographic location, and residency (overnight vs. day camps).

Once you have narrowed down what you want, use the internet to research specifics. For example, if you have decided that you want to go whitewater rafting in a different part of the country, type “whitewater rafting camp in California” (or whatever area you have decided on) into a search engine. Take a look at the sites that you find, and if you are interested, make an effort to contact the camps directly. If you are traveling, find out if they offer a shuttle to and from the local airport directly (something that our camp offers). This will allow you to have your cake and eat it, too!

But enough on the art and science of using search engines to research camps. Here are some tips that will help get you started:

1. Is a residential camp (or sleep-away camp) right for you? This can be a scary thought if you have never spent much time away from home before. But keep in mind that everyone else at sleep-away camp is nervous, too! So if you are excited about this idea but a little nervous, give it a try, because you will probably love it. But if you are still feeling like this isn’t something that you are ready for, then check out day camps. They can run for multiple days or weeks, but you get dropped off at the beginning of the day and dropped off at the end.

2. Is a church-focused camp a main factor? If yes, then you must make sure you’re searching with the specific church focus in your query. Even the most devout of campers can enjoy a non-church focused camp. Directors and counselors alike have great respect for people of all backgrounds, so don’t allow this factor to keep you away if the camp is perfect in all other respects.

3. Does the camp need to be an all-boys (or all-girls) camp? If so, then make sure you are searching for all-boys camps. If coed is preferred make sure you keep an eye out for this as well. We cannot say which, if either, is better, as we have had experiences with both types of scenarios.

4. This is your summer vacation, so if there is something you want to explore, then look for that in a camp. If you want underwater basket weaving, then you should not enroll in a sea kayaking camp. With this in mind, it is important to look at the activities different camps offer, especially as you begin to narrow your search. Similar camps can still pose great differences. For example, here, in Northern California , there are two water-based camps that are not far apart. One camp is on a lake, the other on a river. They are both priced nearly the same. The river-based camp does nearly all that the lake-based camp does, but the river-based camp also rafts, has off-site excursions such as water parks, pro sporting events and local attractions, at no extra charge! Be sure to really take a look at the camps and compare. And as we always encourage, contact the camps and ask them questions. You can tell quite a bit about the camp by how they respond to you. Always choose the one that makes you the most comfortable.

5. Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make is assuming that you cannot do something. If something seems interesting, but you are not sure whether or not it is a good fit for you, then ask! Camps are designed to be fun, so there is a good chance that you will enjoy what they offer. So if you are excited by whitewater rafting but aren’t sure if you are athletic enough to try this, then contact the camp and ask them. Tell them what you need to do and what your concerns are, and see what they have to say. If they seem like they do not want to talk to you, that may not be the place where you want to be. However, if they seem to care about what you have to say, this is probably a good fit.

6. Email the camp, call the camp and dialogue with the camp! I cannot stress this enough. Anyone can write about how great their camp is, and everyone WILL write about how great their camp is, but the decision as to which camp fits you is yours and yours alone. The only way you are going to answer questions and get comfortable with your decision is to make contact. Camps should welcome your email and/or call. You are important, and so is your summer vacation. The right camp will recognize this and help you to find the best fit.

The tips above are a good starting point toward finding that camp that is going to help you make BFFs and provide you with memories for years to come. As you see, there is a tremendous variety in summer camping from adventure overnight camps to day camps focused on arts and crafts. This is your time to live it up, take the time to research, be bold, and take a risk on something new. Reach out via email, and go with the camp that responds in a way that speaks to you.

Nature’s-Classroom is the leading provider of Summer Adventure Camp in California’s Central Valley. We offer Whitewater Rafting, team building, high and low ropes courses, caving at Moaning Caverns, and offsite trips to local attractions, all right in the heart of Gold Country!

Let’s face it: we’ve all seen the word “Green” so much in recent history that it’s starting to not even sound like a word any more. Some folks may be getting sick of the word, but (if I’m being perfectly honest) I am thrilled to see the momentum of the movement, particularly how corporations are incorporating the philosophy into their work. As far as individual reactions, some people are tired of the movement and will not change. Others are simply waiting for more information before they decide where they stand, one way or the other. But some folks (like me – big surprise) are thrilled to see where this concept has gone and cannot wait to find out what will happen next!

But I digress, as this isn’t about the politics, about corporate greed or a call to any specific action. This is simply a quick little guide to help those that want to be more green on their outdoor vacation, to be a little more green!

1. As an outfitter I cannot count the number of times I see friends who hail from the same location or neighborhood arrive in a caravan of vehicles. There are a variety of valid reasons to drive separately, but on more than one occasion carpooling would have been an eco-friendly option. If you have a big group of folks coming rafting, look into busing. Some of the rafting companies can get you great rates with a bus company. For example, last year, for groups of 44 or less, I had a luxury bus line ready to provide round trip transportation from Southern California for as little as $36 per person. This is a great option. You’re traveling with friends, there are DVD players and a bathroom on the bus, and someone else is doing the driving. This is a nice carbon footprint reducing measure.

2. Cook with propane. If you have the ability to use a propane barbeque rather than charcoal, do so. Propane burns cleaner. This is a tough one, because the taste of charred cooking is so good. However, there are studies that suggest that the stuff coming off the charcoal is not great for your health, so now you have two reasons to reconsidered charcoal.

3. Sunblock is a necessity if you are on the river or anywhere in the sun. Some experts debate on whether or not sunblock is good for your skin, but one would be hard-pressed to find evidence disputing that the chemicals are damaging the ocean’s coral reefs. While there are no reefs located in the river, it is still responsible to look for organic or all-natural sunblocks that do not contain the following: PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and the preservative butylparaben. Why? Because over six MILLION gallons of sunblock are dumped into the world’s oceans each year, just from swimmers!

4. If you want to do a water sport with any regularity, it may not be a bad idea to invest in a vest. Technically, the devices can no longer be called “life vests,” because there is no *guarantee* that they can save lives, and there was a lawsuit somewhere at some point. In the outdoor recreation industry, they are more commonly known as Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). Regardless of what they are called, there are some choices to be made when purchasing one. Consider Astral, which constructs their PFDs from recyclable foam. This material is easier on the earth and easier to process. As a bonus, the vests have a great reputation!

5. Shop locally, shop organically. Have you gone organic yet? We have at my home. When you do, here’s something you’ll learn very quickly: food spoils far faster. After this initially happened, we paused, scratched our heads and asked: what the heck is in the other food that lets it last so darn long? Buying organic means, for the most part, that your food has traveled less distance to get to you and thus has a smaller carbon footprint. In many cases the products used to grow the food are far better for the earth, and the animals are treated better.

6. How about this: Whitewater rafting is, in and of itself, a green activity. You travel down the river using manpower, rather than an engine run by fuel or electricity.

7. One of the biggest changes we can make, whether on vacation or not, is to dump this habit of buying plastic water bottles. Instead, look for reusable water containers. It is very important to hydrate, especially when active, like whitewater rafting. My favorite container is glass – the breakage factor often makes me chose something else, but when the benefit outweighs the chance of breakage, I opt for glass. Switching to metal or even glass bottles is an excellent positive move. Check out actress Rachel McAdams’ website, Green Is Sexy, where you can buy semi-designer glass bottles, also known as Love Bottles.

Hopefully these seven tips will give you some new ideas on how to be green, whether you are rafting, traveling to another vacation destination, or simply living your day-to-day life. The struggles between corporations to create greener products are far from over, but ultimately, the efforts of individuals and businesses alike will benefit all of us.

Enjoy your rafting experience!

Nature’s-Classroom, located on the banks of the American River, is a leading provider of environmental education experiences in Northern California. The great outdoors becomes the classroom, as students are taken whitewater rafting and learn about the rich ecological and natural history of this iconic region.