Cadets Canada
Rafting NL has been a proud supporter of the Cadets Canada program for over 20 years. We have safely guided thousands of Cadets and Officers over the years and are looking forward to guiding many more!
Rafting NL (ONadventure Wilderness Tours Inc) is listed as an approved vendor by the Department of National Defense, and our rafting, canoeing and kayaking adventures can count towards the "hours on water" requirement for Sea Cadets.
Whether Sea, Air or Army, your Cadets and Officers will have an amazing experience in the outdoors learning new skills, building team work, and having fun!
We offer SUBSTANTIAL discounts for Cadet Corps as you will see below!
Interested in canoeing or Kayaking? We have great options down below as well!
Badger Chute
Our Badger Chute Rafting Adventure is by far the most popular option for Cadet groups as it is suitable for Cadets & Officers of all ages and skill levels. The adventure begins with a long section of calm water that will give the Cadets a chance to build up their comfort level in the raft and allow our professional guides to teach them the skills they will need to navigate the raft down the river.
On the 12km route the rapids build slowly over the first 2/3 of the trip and peak at the famous class 3 "Exploits Steps" and "Badger Chute" rapids which will certainly provide the thrill the girls are seeking! Expect huge waves and a complete soaking on these amazing rapids! After our signature rapids youth will have an opportunity to participate in a whitewater swim in a recirculating current at the Badger Chute before proceeding to our crowd favourite - surfing the 50/50 and Roost rapids. More adventurous Cadets & Officers are welcome to try their skills on our whitewater body board.
The Badger Chute rafting is typically 4-5 hours from start to finish, but can be condensed to accommodate your groups' schedule. We offer several catering options on this trip to complete your experience. You can either bring your own lunch along in our coolers, or we can provide a healthy lunch for your group served on the the Surf Island just downstream from the Badger Chute. We could even pack some camp stoves and allow the Cadets to cook their own lunch along the way! We can also provide your group with a full hamburger/hot dog BBQ after your trip. You can enjoy some great food while watching pictures and videos from your adventure displayed on our Raft Shack TV.
Exploits Canyon
Our Exploits Canyon Rafting trip will take adventure to a whole new level for your Cadets & Officers! Just imagine the excitement of rafting through an 80 foot vertical walled tidewater canyon and riding a roller coaster of waves crashing around you. This either one or two hour excursion through the Exploits River Canyon features non-stop excitement with some of the biggest rapids on the island!
Don't worry though, even though the waves are HUGE and the excitement high, our Exploits Canyon Run features class 3 rapids and below, and are quite safe. Experience is not required, but participants must be comfortable with water.
Canoe/Kayak
The canoe is still the most widely used form of self-propelled water transportation in the world. It was also the historical tool responsible for opening up the interior of the island to the Beothuk indigenous people. The art of canoeing is a essential to anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Solo or tandem, canoeing is a skill that offers recreation, exercise and relaxation. Canoeing expands our beautiful backcountry and opens up the outdoors for exploration and adventure.
We have some great options for Cadets ranging from self-guided adventures, to guided single day or multi-day canoeing or kayaking adventures outlined below. For a more detailed overview of our canoeing and kayaking instructional programs, please check out our Paddling NL website.
Badger Chute
Minimum Weight
16kg (30lb)
Odds of Falling Out
Very Low
12 km (7.5 miles)
Full Trip
5hrs
Express
3.5-4hrs
Full Trip
4hrs
Express
2.5-3hrs
Full Trip
Meal Incl.
Express
None
Cadet Rates
Best Suited For
Cadets & Officers of all ages and skill levels. Swimming ability is NOT necessary.
Capacity
Up to 72 rafters per trip
Off-Season Rates
$529 per raft + HST
(maximum 9 people per raft)
July/August Rates
$750 per raft + HST
(maximum 9 people per raft)
Meal Service
$10/person + HST
(meal served on the river)
Package Ideas
Add a 1-2hr Exploits Canyon adventure for the ultimate whitewater weekend! We also have canoeing and kayaking tours & instruction available.
Book Now
Call 1-709-700-8807
Canyon Adventure
Minimum Weight
41kg (90lb)
Odds of Falling Out
Low-Moderate
3 km (1.9 miles)
Full Trip
2hrs
Bullet
60min
Full Trip
90min
Bullet
30min
None
Cadet Rates
Best Suited For
Cadets & Officers of all ages and skill levels. Swimming ability is NOT necessary.
Capacity
Up to 32 rafters per trip
Off-Season Rates
$529 per raft + HST
(maximum 8 people per raft)
July/August Rates
$750 per raft + HST
(maximum 8 people per raft)
Package Ideas
Add a Badger Chute rafting adventure for the ultimate whitewater weekend! We also have canoeing and kayaking tours & instruction available.
Book Now
Call 1-709-700-8807
Introduction to Canoeing & Kayaking
This is by far our most popular option and really the perfect option for any summer camp or any other kind of youth group that wants a basic introduction to canoeing and kayaking. The main goal of this half-day course is to just get the kids outside, introduce them to paddling, and have fun. Our instructors keep this fairly flexible so that they can adapt to the needs of the group and make sure the kids have a good time.
Suitable For - All Cadets & Officers (absolutely NO experience needed!).
Trip Duration - Flexible half-day customized to work with your schedule.
Cadet Cost - Cost is $600 + HST for up to 6 canoes and 4 single person kayaks. Each canoe can accommodate 3 people. Additional canoes or kayaks are available for $60/boat/day + HST. We will provide you with sufficient experienced paddling instructors to ensure every participant feels like they have individualized attention and training.
Badger Paddling Trip
Our most popular option begins 2km downstream from Beothuk Falls and involves a fairly swift 17km paddle to Badger, NL. This section features beautiful scenery, fairly swift river flow, and you will even experience some optional (very) small rapids for a bit of excitement. Includes all required safety gear and a minimum of two professional paddling guides.
Suitable For - Cadets & Officers with at least some paddling experience (ability to reliably steer a boat).
Trip Duration - Roughly 4hrs depending on break times and paddling skills
Cadet Cost - Cost is $700 + HST for up to 6 canoes and 4 single person kayaks. Each canoe can accommodate 3 people, or 2 people with camping gear. Additional canoes or kayaks are available for $60/boat/day + HST. We will provide you with two experienced paddling guides.
Exploits Valley Adventure
This 15km paddling adventure gives paddlers a taste of a variety of paddling conditions. The first 2/3 of the trip feature leisurely paddling through the shallow sections of the Exploits downstream from Aspen Brook. Towards Grand Falls-Windsor the river widens considerably and also slows down which allows an opportunity for some swimming or exploration of the various islands. The trip finishes with a paddle up through the golf course and in to Rushy Pond. Pick up is at Beothuk Park Campground.
Suitable For - All Cadets & Officers (easy enough to learn as you go)
Trip Duration - Roughly 5-6hrs depending on break times and paddling skills.
Cadet Cost - Cost is $650 + HST for up to 6 canoes and 4 single person kayaks. Each canoe can accommodate 3 people, or 2 people with camping gear. Additional canoes or kayaks are available for $60/boat/day + HST. We will provide you with two experienced paddling guides.
Great Rattling Brook
Our Great Rattling Brook takes girls from Gorge Park in Grand Falls-Windsor to the Great Rattling Brook 8km downstream. This section of the Exploits River is completely untouched and truly gives you a sense of being in the wilderness even though we're only a short distance from town.
There are a couple fairly significant "swifts" (small rapids) along the way which could potentially capsize a novice. Some paddling experience is recommended.
Great Rattling Brook meets the Exploits River over a water fall into a scenic cove. This is an excellent location for a boil-up or even a swim on warm weather days!
You can either end your trip here with a pick-up at Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp, or carry on downstream to the famous trestle bridge in Bishop's Falls. The stretch from Great Rattling Brook to Bishop's Falls is the same distance as the first leg of the adventure but it the Exploits River is very wide and very deep in this section. This makes for a great paddle on a calm day, but a very challenging paddle in windy conditions.
Our Great Rattling Brook trip approximately 2hrs in duration, or roughly 5hrs in duration if you continue on to Bishop's Falls, making this the perfect trip for groups without a lot of time.
Suitable For - Cadets & Officers with paddling experience (ability to reliably steer a boat and navigate small rapids).
Trip Duration - Roughly 2-6hrs depending on break times, paddling skills, and ending location
Cadet Rates - $650 + HST for up to 6 canoes and 4 single person kayaks. Each canoe can accommodate 3 people, or 2 people with camping gear. Additional canoes or kayaks are available for $60/boat + HST. Includes all required safety gear and a minimum of two professional paddling guides.
