Registration Deadline: April 30, 2025.

Expedition Colorado River Is a partnership between Women’s Wilderness and GOALS Youth River Expeditions, a Colorado nonprofit on a mission to improve the future for kids and wild places using growth-focused river expeditions that demonstrate the positive impacts each can have on the other. The two organizations are teaming up to offer an exciting week for high school girls and non-binary youth in some of the most beautiful canyons in the West.

In collaboration with GOALS, we will be hosting a VIRTUAL info session for anyone curious about this course on Wednesday, January 29 from 6-7 pm. We will send a virtual meeting invite one week prior to the event date. Click here to RSVP.​

During this course, participants will raft through Ruby, Horsethief, and Westwater canyons. This transformative river expedition includes lessons and activities embedded in the experience that guide youth to new discoveries about the wonders around and within them. Over the course of the week, participants will practice essential outdoor skills, teamwork, relationship building, all while exploring some of Colorado and Utah’s most inspirational landscapes.

• Day 1 (Tuesday): Kickoff and Travel to Loma, Colorado
  Either meet at Women’s Wilderness in Boulder or in Evergreen at GOALS headquarters. We will drive about 5 hours to our campsite in Loma, CO, where we will spend the night before our river launch. We’ll get to know one another over dinner in Fruita, then begin working in our journals by creating a group oath together that will set our team apart from every other group before us. We’ll get a good night’s rest before our launch on Wednesday.
• Days 2-3 (Wednesday-Thursday): Ruby and Horsethief Canyons
  After breakfast, we’ll meet our team of professional river guides at the put-in for the river in Loma. Mid-day we’ll set up a lunch buffet,and then head for our first night’s camp. As Day 2 ends, we’ll enjoy a campfire and share roses, thornes, and buds from the day before drifting off to sleep. Day 3 takes us through the remainder of Ruby and Horsethief canyons, and the head of Westwater Canyon, where we will camp just above the exciting rapids section.
• Day 4(Friday): Rapids of Westwater Canyon
  This is what we came for! A series of close together and action-packed rapids that we’ll navigate with our paddling crew and raft guides. After navigating the challenges the Colorado River presents us, we will reflect together and compose a thank-you letter to the canyon. We’ll share one last campfire before falling asleep under the world’s best views of the desert night sky.  
• Day 5 (Saturday): Out of the Canyon and Back Home
  We’ll float from our last camp to the Cisco boat ramp, where we’ll help the guide team de-rig the trip, say our goodbyes, and head for home. We’ll spend the drive home retelling stories from our time in the canyon, and we’ll stop for dinner. Please be prepared for a late pickup.

This course is led by professional and experienced outdoor guides from both Women’s Wilderness and GOALS, all with extensive experience in youth outdoor education. Each guide is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is fully trained in the social and emotional curriculum of the organizations as well as  risk management protocols. Professional, licensed, and experienced raft guides are hired to outfit the trip, including safely guiding the river, preparing and cooking meals, and supporting with all camp details.

Expedition Colorado River Rafting Details:

• Ages: Entering grades 9-12
• Date: Tuesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 19, 2025
• Time:

  • Drop off in Boulder drop-off at 8.45am or in Evergreen at 10.30am
  • Pick up in the late evening from either Evergreen or Boulder

• Location: Colorado River (Launch in Loma, Colorado, take out near Cisco, Utah)
• Price: $2030 (financial aid is available through GOALS Youth River Expeditions)
• Activity level: intermediate.  Some prior experience is recommended; ability to exert/push self in challenging ways

Activities & Features:

• Rafting through towering red sandstone cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and the shimmering black rocks Ruby, Horsethief, and Westwater canyons
• Desert camping, including assisting with camp set up and kitchen duties
• Enjoyable camp activities and games
• Intentional group discussions and individual reflection/journaling
• Water safety discussions and practice
• Wildlife viewing (the area is known for abundant bald eagles and great blue herons)
• Explore ancient petroglyphs and rock arches
• Dive deep to your values, passions, and unique leadership capabilities
• Take space away from technology and screens

Included in the Program:

• Engaging activities: Daily hands-on experiences to inspire creativity and connection.
• Meals & Snacks: All meals and snacks are provided each day, from dinner on Day 1 through Day 5. This includes all meals on the road and in the canyon on the river. 
• Rafting and camping gear: All the high-quality gear needed to be safe and comfortable in the canyon, including the use of a dry bag, personal floatation device, tent, camp chair, sleeping pad, and all river/kitchen gear needed. Sleeping bags can be reserved and borrowed from Women’s Wilderness, if needed. 
• Transportation: We handle all travel to and from the course locations (families must provide transportation to/from Women’s Wilderness). Participants will be able to select meeting the Women’s Wilderness vans in Boulder or in Evergreen (at GOALS headquarters). 
• Camping essentials: All gear provided, including tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment.
• All permit and launch fees: For access to Ruby, Horsethief and Westwater canyons. 

Everything is taken care of so participants can focus on having an unforgettable outdoor adventure!

A  detailed list of items to bring for this course will be sent to families upon registration. GOALS has most items in their gear library for participants to borrow and use (more information will be sent to each family closer to the trip date).

Accessibility & Accommodations:

All physical, psychological, cultural, and religious accommodations of participants will be discussed and considered with families prior to camp. 

• Physical: This course includes paddling a raft, sitting in a raft for hours at a time, and hiking.  Participants should feel comfortable sleeping outdoors, in a tent, and on a sleeping pad. Access to restrooms on course are portable toilet systems (aka “groovers”) that are set up away from camp in a private location . Hand washing with water and soap provided.
• Psychological: Staff are trained to manage emotions that may influence a participant’s decision to participate, including fear and homesickness. We welcome youth who this would be their first time camping and/or first time overnighting away from home.
• Language: English is the primary language used during our field courses. While fluency is not required, participants must be able to understand instructions and directions, especially those related to safety and risk management.

Please note: the entire application and registration process, along with any and all communication, for this program is handled by GOALS. If you have any questions, you can contact them by clicking here.