Cooperative Trips
What a blast, what a deal!
ARTA's Cooperative Trips are designed to provide low-cost, participation oriented, river centered experiences for groups who wish to take a more active role in their trip. Very popular with school, church and Boy and Girl Scout troops, we have also had sports teams, book clubs and yoga groups put together trips. 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. Trips are priced on a per raft basis and the per person prices can be as low as $52 per person for a full day on the river. Click here for prices.
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.
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.
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.
ORGANIZER RESPONSIBILITIES:
FORMS:
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.
MEALS:
You are 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 also responsible for feeding the guides; for every six people in your group, please bring enough additional food for one more person. Lunches will be riverside picnics; dinners and breakfasts will be cooked over a 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). Our camp kitchen has some basic spices and condiments, but please bring your own beverages like coffee, hot cocoa, and drink mix. The General Cooperative Trip Details has some tried-and-true menu suggestions.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:
When you arrive at the meeting place, your group will pack your food for the river. ARTA will provide waterproof containers (coolers, metal boxes, rubber bags, etc.) but if you are already packed into your coolers, we can save a step of preparation. It seems to work best if food is sorted into zip-lock bags or other fairly watertight containers, (tupperware, large garbage bags, original packaging, etc.) and everything should be reasonably durable. Glass should be kept to a minimum, (look for squeeze type condiments). We will have some 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!
