Scouts Canada
Rafting NL has always been a proud supporter of Scouts Canada and the World Organization of the Scouting Movement. The entire management team and two of our Guides, are active Scouters, and very proud of it! In addition, all staff are required to sign Scouts Canada's Code of Conduct each season to ensure they are prepared to offer a safe Scouting environment.
Rafting NL is an approved activity provider for Scouting groups and as per Scouts Canada policy, we do NOT require Release of Liability Waivers for any registered members for an official Scouting activity (details).
We have a long and proud history providing river adventures for Scouts. The Scouts Canada recruitment poster featured here was taken on the Badger Chute Rafting Adventure when we facilitated the 2014 National Venturer Scout Jamboree (Adventure '14: Journey to the Edge of the Earth). We hosted 500 Venturer Scouts from all over the world over 5 days! It was a wonderful week! We also hosted the 2012 Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Venturer Scout Jamboree and countless Cubs, Scouts and Venturer Scout groups over the years.
In addition to having GREAT fun, we cater our river adventures specifically to Scouting groups by including the Outdoor Adventure Skills program. After your adventure on the river we will provide Scouters with a list of O.A.S. requirements that we covered over the trip. With Scouters running the company, you can expect nothing short of a Scout Camp feel to the event!
Speaking of camping, there are two great spots to camp within walking distance from our Raft Shack! Although unserviced, they are great locations for tent or improvised shelter camping, and our flush toilets are only a short walk away!
We offer OUR LOWEST POSSIBLE TRIP PRICES for Scouting Groups as you will see below!
Get Camping! We'll help!
Looking for an exciting camp to reinvigorate your youth program? A nice kick-start to spur membership and help restore your group to pre-COVID levels? CAMP WITH US AT RAFTING NL! While we do not operate a campground, we are very familiar with many great camping locations along the Exploits River with varying decrees of challenge and comfort. All of our camping area suggestions are wilderness camping. If you need to borrow camping gear, the 4th Grand Falls Scout Group can offer gear for a modest donation.
Stay Where Your Play - Interested in simply rafting with us? Why not turn it into camp? You can camp right on-site and have easy access to our washroom facilities, or you could plan a weekend camp across the road from our base camp at the old Aspen Brook Provincial Park. The Aspen Brook Park offers a LOT of camping space ideal for hammocks or personal (COVID friendly) tents. The camp area is also ideal for wide-games with easy to identify boundaries to keep youth safe. In addition you have a great water source with Aspen Brook (make sure to treat your water of course) or you could fill up your water jugs at our rafting facility. Aspen Brook also has a great campfire clearing that we have used many, many times before.
Paddling Camp - The Exploits River is dotted with fantastic camping locations on remote islands and also on the shore. The Exploits is a great river for beginning paddling, and has optional stretches that can provide a more challenging experience as well. The spacing of the camping areas allows for all kinds of paddling adventure camps from 1-4 nights!
Badger Chute
Our Badger Chute Rafting Adventure is by far the most popular option for Scouting groups as it is suitable for Beaver Scouts to Rover Scouts and Scouters of all ages and skill levels. The adventure begins with a long section of calm water that will give the Scouts 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. This also gives us the opportunity to work in some requirements from their Paddling O.A.S. badges.
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 youth 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 Scouts (& Scouters) 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 Scouts 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.
Outdoor Adventures Skills:
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Paddling Level 1: All requirements
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Paddling Level 2: All requirements
Exploits Canyon
Our Exploits Canyon Rafting trip will take adventure to a whole new level for your Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts and Scouters! 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 falls within guidelines in B.P.& P. for Outdoor Activities. Experience is not required, but participants must be comfortable with water.
As the Exploits Canyon Run is only suitable for members 41kg (90lbs)+ we can arrange for the rest of your youth to either visit the Salmonid Interpretation Centre which is located at the trip's starting location, or participate in flat-water canoeing and kayaking at Gorge Park.
Outdoor Adventures Skills:
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Paddling Level 1: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 1.9, 1.11, 1.12
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 Scouts 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.
Outdoor Adventures Skills:
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Paddling Level 1: All requirements
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Paddling Level 2: All requirements
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Paddling Level 3: For full day trips (combo) we can cover all requirements, for shorter trips we will still cover most
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Paddling Level 4: For full day trips (combo) we can cover almost all requirements, for shorter trips we will still cover a few.
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Paddling Level 5: On a full day trip, we'll even get in a few of these!
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
Scout Rates
Best Suited For
Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts and Scouters of all skill levels. Swimming ability is NOT necessary.
Capacity
Up to 72 rafters per trip
Off-Season Rates
$450 per raft + HST
(maximum 9 people per raft)
July/August Rates
$700 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
Best Suited For
Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts and Scouters who are comfortable in the water and have no mobility issues
Capacity
Up to 32 rafters per trip
Off-Season Rates
$450 per raft + HST
(maximum 8 people per raft)
July/August Rates
$700 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.
Call 1-709-700-8807
Scout Rates
Book Now
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 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts and Scouters (absolutely NO experience needed!). Based on the new water safety standards, they only way Beaver Scouts can get in the water is with certified professionals, so this is an amazing opportunity to get your Beavers their Paddling OAS!
Trip Duration - Flexible half-day customized to work with your schedule.
Scout Rates - Cost is $550 + 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.
Beothuk Falls Adventure
Our most adventurous option begins 5km upstream from Beothuk Falls and involves a moderately challenging 250m portage around the falls. Day two covers a 19km paddle to Badger, NL. This section features beautiful scenery, fairly swift river flow, and you will even optionally experience some (very) small rapids for a bit of excitement.
Suitable For - Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts & Scouters with a good deal of paddling experience (ability to reliably steer a boat and safely navigate small/moderate rapids). Must be able to hike on uneven terrain for the portage around the falls
Trip Duration - Ideally completed over two days. Generally completed around supper time on the 2nd day.
Scout Rates - $900 + 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 $120/boat + HST. Includes all required safety gear and a minimum of two professional paddling guides.
ADD AN EVENING OF WHITEWATER RAFTING!
For the ULTIMATE SCOUTING EXPERIENCE, we can meet you in Badger after your trip and switch out your canoes for rafts! You'll get the full Badger Chute evening experience, and finish up at our Raft Shack after the best Scout Camp of all time!
Rafting Special Rate - $400 per raft ($44/person for 9ppl) + HST
Optional Meal Service in Badger before Rafting - $10/person + HST
Badger Paddling Trip
Our most popular option begins 2km downstream from Beothuk Falls and involves a fairly swift 17km paddle to Badger, NL. This is the same as "Day Two" from our Beothuk Falls adventure, and 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 - Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts & Scouters with at least some paddling experience (ability to reliably steer a boat).
Trip Duration - Roughly 4hrs depending on break times and paddling skills
Scout Self-Guided Option - As this stretch of river has easy road access and is exceptionally easy to paddle, we do allow Scout Groups to operate self-guided. Please ensure your are following Scouts Canada's B.P.& P. though and that your Scouters have appropriate experience.
Self-Guided cost is $350 + HST for up to 6 canoes and 5 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.
Guided Option - If your youth or Scouters are very limited in paddling experience, we suggest you choose our guided tour option. We will provide you with two experienced paddling guides.
Costs are as above plus $300 + HST per day.
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 Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts & Scouters (easy enough to learn as you go)
Trip Duration - Roughly 5-6hrs depending on break times and paddling skills.
EXCELLENT Multi-day Camp!
Our Scout Troop often takes this stretch as a three day VERY low stress paddling camp. We camp the first night on an island about 5km downstream from the starting location, and the 2nd night in a sweet spot on shore almost in site of the golf course. This puts the majority of paddling on day two. Really awesome weekend out for Scouts of Venturer Scouts!
Scout Self-Guided Option - As this stretch of river has easy road access and is exceptionally easy to paddle, we do allow Scout Groups to operate self-guided. Please ensure your are following Scouts Canada's B.P.& P. though and that your Scouters have appropriate experience.
Self-Guided cost is $300 + HST for up to 6 canoes and 5 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.
Guided Option - If your youth or Scouters are very limited in paddling experience, we suggest you choose our guided tour option. We will provide you with two experienced paddling guides.
Costs are as above plus $300 + HST per day.
Great Rattling Brook
Our Great Rattling Brook takes Scouts 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 - Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts & Scouters 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
Scout Rates - $600 + 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.
