frequently asked questions

Swimming is not required, and participants wear a PFD (personal flotation device) when in boats or around the water.  There may be, however, elective opportunities to swim. Swimming is typically done in protected pools next to the river, and is always supervised. In water deeper than the knee, a swim test will be required prior to swimming. Swimming is never mandatory and students can always choose to swim with a PFD if they do not wish to take a swimming test. Students do not need to be strong swimmers to participate in this trip.

We run class I, II, and III rapids. We do not run more difficult rapids than class III. Class I refers to easy moving water. I nice relaxing float! Class II rapids have some easily avoidable obstacles and moderate waves. Class III rapids  have higher waves  and  require some planning and maneuvering around obstacles.  All our instructors have raft guide training for rapids one classification higher than what they will be running with students. For example, if an instructor  is responsible for guiding a raft down class II rapids, they will have a level of training to guide a raft down class III or higher.

We run our trips in rain or shine. If the weather patterns during or before the trip are prohibitively extreme, then we may change the trip’s itinerary or cancel it altogether. For example, if the planned-for river is unsafe due to local conditions, a river trip may move to an alternate river or even be changed to a hiking trip. That said, we don’t cancel trips due to typical rain events or manageable cold weather. We have the knowledge and experience to keep your child comfortable and safe during this type of weather. Further, adverse weather conditions actually tend to bring groups together and can yield a richer experience than a trip that’s all fun-in-the-sun.

On trips with whitewater, we use inflatable self-bailing rafts that range from 13' 6" to 16' in length. They carry 4 to 6 paddlers and their gear and food. We also use rigid canoes on flatwater.

We serve hearty, mostly vegetarian and organic fare. Whenever possible, we source our food locally, sometimes from our own homestead. A typical breakfast might be our homemade granola with fruit and yogurt and a hard-boiled egg from our chickens. Lunch could be peanut butter and jelly, or veggie/hummus wraps. Dinner might be a hearty bean chili with cornbread or a pasta dish. We do our best to serve food that is both healthy and appealing to young people, as a well fed person is much more likely to have a good time!

We are happy to work with any medically or culturally necessary dietary restrictions your child has. Please include this information in your child’s medical form. 

 Please let us know if your child has any allergies when you fill out the medical information form. We carry Epinephrine and Diphenhydramine to treat moderate and severe allergies. For mild to moderate food allergies we’ll make sure to have an alternative option on the menu for your child. If your child has a life-threatening allergy to a food, we will remove that item from the entire menu.

We camp on gravel bars and bluffs on the edge of the river. Students set up large tents to sleep in, typically 4 students per a tent. There is also a kitchen tarp set up, where we prepare and eat food. During wet and fire-safe trips, we cook over a fire in a specially designed fire pan.

 We set up a portable toilet in a private location next to camp. We use a sprinkle of lime to ‘flush,’ and bring toilet paper with us. There is a foot pump hand wash station near the toilet.  During river travel, the toilet is stored in a sealed metal container.

Our office has the ability to communicate with staff on expedition, and we have specific communication check-ins during the trip. However, you should not expect to hear from the office about how the trip is going. No news is good news.  

Since most groups have a long drive to get to our locations, we typically plan to meet a group around midday. We then like to check personal gear to make sure everyone has what they need. We typically don’t get on the water the first day, but instead work on carving skills and nature awareness skills. We also make time for students to learn about the equipment, maps, and food that has been prepared for the expedition. This allows them to understand the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the expedition, and participate more fully in the responsibilities, and fun, of running the expedition.

We try to be wrapped up and have our closing circle completed by lunch, so that students arrive home before too late. Depending on the itinerary, we may paddle a short distance that last day, or we may have arrived the night before and spend the last morning exploring the ending location and reflecting on the trip. 

Please detail what medications your child takes, and why, in the medical form. Students may not bring any medications other than what’s on the medical form, including over-the-counter meds. Medications will be carried and dispensed by your child’s teacher or chaperone, unless parents have made other arrangements prior to the program.

Please have your child bring an ample supply of menstrual supplies, a couple paper lunch bags, and a couple of Ziplocks. Any biodegradable products can be put in the toilet. Other products can go in the group trash, or in your child’s ziplock. All Farthest Field Expeditions have a female staff member who can support your child with any questions.