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The Cooperative Spirit:
ARTA's Cooperative Trips, (formerly known as River Classrooms), are designed to provide low-cost, participation oriented, river centered experiences for groups who wish to take a more active role in their trip. Trips are run on a charter only basis with the chartering group planning, purchasing, and preparing their own food, and assisting in trip organization and logistics.
Trip members are active in all phases of the trip, from paddling in the rafts to helping out in the kitchen. Your involvement and initiative are emphasized and encouraged throughout the trip. As a result, Coop Trips are educational and unifying experiences for groups of all ages and have a unique and energetic spirit which provides great moments and lifelong memories.
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COOPERATIVE RIVERS:
The South Fork is an active river with over 50 rapids in a twenty mile stretch. The outstanding historical importance of the river, (it was the site of James Marshall's Gold Discovery in 1848), and its ability to provide a variety of trip options, makes this an unforgettable experience.
MERCED RIVER, Class IV, 1 day:
The Merced is a Spring runoff river which has challenging whitewater. Highlighted by large, roller-coaster like waves and big hydraulics, the Merced is a nice follow-up to the South Fork or a vigorous first-time excursion. The Merced is only a half hour's drive from Yosemite Valley and is a great addition to a trip to the Park. The 1 day trips cover 12 - 16 miles of river.
FORMS TO SIGN:
Each person on the trip needs to turn in a signed Release of Liability and Acknowledgement of Risk Agreement before they can go rafting. Youths under the age of 18 must have an Agreement signed by a parent or guardian, so it is vitally important to distribute, collect and return the forms well in advance of the trip.
MORE INFORMATION:
The actual details for each specific Cooperative Trip, (where to meet, how to get there, what to bring, etc.) are contained in the Trip Details for each river. The Trip Details for the specific trip are sent with each reservation. If you have reserved a Cooperative Trip and have not received the Trip Details for that trip, please call our office immediately. You may also access the trip details pages below:
MEALS:
The group is responsible for all meals from lunch on the first day of the trip through lunch on the last day of the trip. Please keep in mind that you are responsible for feeding the guides as well as yourselves: for every six people in your group, please bring enough additional food for one more person. Some of the food, especially the lunches, can get battered about, so buy firm bread and keep glass to a minimum. Our camp kitchen has some basic spices and condiments, but please bring your own beverages like coffee, hot cocoa, and drink mix.
For the most part, meals will be cooked over your camp stove or barbequed over an open fire and your choice of meals should reflect this, (simple is better). ARTA will provide a river commissary with a variety of pots and pans for your group to use during the trip as well as a firepit with grate and wood, (bring your own charcoal!). We also have a Dutch Oven which is an exciting way to bake and can be incorporated into your plans, (ie birthday cake). If you are not sure about something, please call our office - nothing is worse than a dinner disaster after a day on the river.
FOOD PACKING:
ARTA will provide large waterproof containers, (coolers, rubber bags, etc.) for food that has to go on the river, (lunches). This food should be sorted into zip-lock bags or other fairly watertight containers, (tupperware, large garbage bags, original packaging, etc.) and should be reasonably durable. Glass should be kept to a minimum, (look for squeeze type condiments). We will have 3 or 5 gallon drink jugs and water for concentrated juices, (bring your own ice - blocks work best). The less time we spend packing food, the more time we will have on the river, so try to have your first day's lunch ready to go in the morning.
Food that isn't going on the river, (dinners and breakfasts on overnight trips), should be packed in your own coolers or boxes and will be left in camp. Don't forget ice!
MENU SUGGESTIONS:
Here are some tried and true menu suggestions, simple but reliable.
BREAKFAST
French Toast, Pancakes, Omelettes or scrambled eggs with cheese and vegetables, Hot and cold cereal, Bacon, sausage, ham, Fresh fruit or melon, Yogurt, Juice from concentrate, Milk, tea, coffee, cocoa
LUNCH
Make-your-own sandwich - deli, tuna, peanut butter and jelly, BLT, etc. Cold fried chicken, Fruit, (apples and oranges), Cheese, crackers, & salami, Trail mix, Cookies, Powdered or concentrated juice drinks
DINNER
Barbequed hamburgers or chicken, Spaghetti, Burritos with refried beans & Mexican rice, etc. Stir-fry with rice, Salad: green, pasta or potato, Dessert: cake mix, brownies, Marshmallows, chocolate bars, graham crackers
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