Youth Leadership Rafting Trips

Nothing excites young people quite like our exciting whitewater rafting. We’ve got it all: outdoor adventure, teamwork, the world of nature and a chance to build real skills that carry on for life.

And there’s no place to do it like the storied Ocoee River.

Get to Know the Ocoee River

Youth Group Huddles on Rock before Whitewater Rafting Trip with Raft One | Raft OneYour youth group whitewater rafting adventure begins on Cherokee land. The name Ocoee is what that tribe calls the purple passionflower, which is also known as the wild passion vine – the perfect name for this exciting river. The Ocoee River has sunk entire towns, and was the spot of the Olympic kayaking competition in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

This is a dam-controlled river, meaning it rises and shallows depending on the schedule of the Tennessee Valley Authority and their three dams.

There are 18 named rapids (like Broken Nose and Tablesaw) in the space of 4.3 miles, and that’s just the Middle Section.

Who To Bring

Our Ocoee whitewater rafting trips are real adventures. The good news is that we can tailor them to any level. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, youth groups and organizations – even school field trips – all are welcome with us on the river.

Just call us now at 1-888-723-8663 to schedule your trip, and start planning your Ocoee whitewater expedition.

Get Your Group an Online Discount!

We knew you’d be looking, so we decided to give you our discount information up front. Yes, we do offer group discounts on our half and full-day adventures. The more people you bring, the less it will cost.

See our Ocoee rafting price page, and note that weekday rates are much lower than weekend rates.

You can also combine a rafting trip with a zipline extravaganza. Click to get the most out of our online youth group discount.

Skill Building

At Raft One we know that whitewater rafting along our Ocoee is a tremendous learning opportunity. It gives youth one of the most exciting environments on earth to practice team, peer and personal skill building.

  • Community involvement
  • Leadership
  • Outdoor skills
  • Camping skills
  • Nature observation
  • Social skills
  • Group bonding

Where else can you find a youth group activity in Tennessee or Georgia that requires no previous experience and teaches all of these powerful skills in a few wet, exciting hours?

Custom Leadership Training

Watch Our Guides
Just being close to our expert guides is a lesson in leadership. Seeing how a single person moves your boys and girls into formation and readies them for every challenge. Our guides motivate them to stay the course and handle challenges.

Forming this dynamic relationship can be an unforgettable experience for young people.

Watch Your Youth Blossom
When we start to divide the day’s work, assign tasks and make each person responsible throughout the expedition – you’ll see young people grow fast.

The Ultimate Growth Combo
For the ultimate esteem-building combo, we can help you plan a whitewater and zipline trip. They’re both exciting in completely different ways. Each one works on a different branch of a person’s character, grit and stamina.

And it works for adults, too!

Your Custom Themed Trip
Just call us and we can prepare for you the perfect custom trip. If you’d like to do something special – like building your own story or thematic elements into a youth adventure – we’ll work with you on the river, and in the sky. Creating a meaningful experience for you is one of the pleasures of this job.

The Facts

Call and Book, or Get More Info
First, call us at 1-888-RAFTONE (1-888-723-8663). Tell us the date that you’d like to make a rafting trip and about how many are in your group. If you’d like more information, just ask!

Deposits
When the time is right to book, we’ll need a credit card number and a 20 percent deposit on your chosen trip. That amount holds your reservation. We’ll need the full balance two weeks prior to the date of your trip.

Waivers
Everyone riding on our rafts must sign a waiver prior to the trip. We also need a parent or guardian signature for minors under the age of 18.

Click this link for Ocoee Rafting Waivers.

Confirmation
At the time you place your reservation, you and our reservationist will set a confirmation date, which will give you time to organize your group and collect their payment. This date is normally two weeks in advance of your trip date. On your confirmation date, please call and tell us how many in your group have confirmed, and we will adjust your tentative number to a confirmed number.

Cancellation Policy
In order to receive a full refund or reschedule, cancellations or changes must be made no later than two weeks before your trip date. You will be responsible for payment for whatever number you give us on your confirmation date.

Real Catered Meals
Through the years, we’ve too often heard that the hardest part of a group-rafting trip is the food. So, we’re going to make this painless… We can have meals catered for your group, and usually for less than you‘ll spend shopping for groceries.

Sending Checks to Us
When you send a check, please be sure to include your trip date, time and name under which the reservation is booked. Please write checks to:

Raft One
P.O. Box 80722
Chattanooga, TN 37414

Youth Group Rafting FAQs

What gear does Raft One supply?
We supply three things: a helmet, paddle and lifejacket. We also offer recommendations on what to wear for your rafting trip.
What happens if it rains?
You get wet – just a little earlier than you originally thought. We raft rain or shine. Whitewater rafting is one of those sports where you are going to be wet from about the time you get on the river until the time you get off it.
Is it okay to bring a cooler?
Nothing goes in the raft but you and your gear provided by Raft One. The outpost is beautiful, and our two picnic pavilions are open to all of our guests for picnics. Chips, snacks and drinks are also available for purchase in our store. **Due to state regulations, no alcohol before your trip.
Do you need previous whitewater experience?
No, a majority of our guests have never been rafting before. There is a professional guide in each raft. The most important skill you can have is the ability to listen to your guide. Everything else we can teach you.
How old do you have to be?
You must be 12 years old or older to raft the Ocoee River. This rule is set by the state of Tennessee. There is no upper age limit; however, you should be in good physical health.
What comes in the group packet?
  • Sign-up sheets
  • Group rafting rates
  • Lodging and catering information
  • Discount information for other Raft One adventures

Whitewater Rafting Group Stay

If you’re looking for lodging for a large youth group in the South, we can help.

Raft One is an outpost apart from other Ocoee rafting companies, in part because of our lodging for large groups. We have campsites at the outpost, and we offer affordable rates for our Bunkhouse Lodges, which can accommodate up to 60 people. In the lodges you will find comfortable bunk beds, bathrooms with toilet and sink, refrigerator, grill with stovetop, and air conditioning/ heating.

One More Word About Our Wild Guides

You wouldn’t be on this website without our guides – and we wouldn’t be on the Ocoee. We put a lot into them. We get so much more back. We choose them carefully because we know it takes a unique soul who thirsts for river work – just like you thirst for youth work.

We can’t wait for your group to join them so we can show your kids the real call of the wild. Now stop reading about it, and start living it.

Call us now at 1-888-RAFTONE (1-888-723-8663).