Take a kid rafting

HCRR has partnered with ViVe Wellness (a non-profit organization devoted to creating outdoor recreational opportunities for kids) to bring a unique opportunity for children from the greater Denver area to spend the weekend rafting and camping on the upper Colorado River. This is a chance to introduce many of these kids to the wonders of outdoor living and the thrill of whitewater rafting, experiences they may otherwise never have. 

We are calling on our HCRR members to volunteer their time, skills, and rafts to make this event possible. We need experienced boatmen and women to guide VIVE passengers, provide safety support in duckies or rafts, and assist with general event tasks. By sharing your passion for the outdoors, you aren't just providing a fun weekend; you are helping these children fall in love with the river just as we have. We believe that when someone learns to love a wild place, they will actively work to protect it forever. We will hold a mandatory pre-event meeting in May/June to personally walk through this year’s itinerary, safety protocols, and volunteer requirements to ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone.

If you are ready to help create a life-changing experience and foster the next generation of river stewards, please sign-up to volunteer.

Friday, Aug 7th

• 2:30 - 3:00 PM | VIVE Staff Arrival: VIVE organizers arrive at camp. HCRR volunteers who are present are asked to assist with setting up camp kitchens, grills, EZ-Up canopies, and tents.

• 4:00 - 7:00 PM | VIVE participants arrive: Families arrive and settle into Radium Group Sites A & B.

• 7:00 PM | Evening Social: Time for fellowship in camp. (Note: HCRR volunteers and VIVE participants are responsible for their own Friday dinner).

Saturday, Aug 8th

• 7:30 AM | Departure for Pumphouse: HCRR volunteers camping at Radium depart for Pumphouse to begin setup.

• 7:45 - 9:00 AM | Rigging & Boat Staging: 

  • All HCRR volunteers assist with rigging boats and moving them into the water.

  • Note on Lighter Crafts: Paddle boats and smaller crafts should remain in the staging area on land (just to the right of the boat ramp) to keep water parking open. These will be placed in the water right before launch.

• 9:00 AM | Vehicle Shuttle: HCRR volunteers drive vehicles from Pumphouse back to Radium and coordinate return shuttle to Pumphouse.

• 10:00  - 11:00 AM| Waivers, Pairing & Safety Talk: 

  • 10:00 AM Arrival: All HCRR volunteers and VIVE participants meet at the pavilion near Ramp #3 (see map for location). VIVE participants will arrive via their arranged passenger shuttle van from Radium.

  • Waivers: Every participant must sign a waiver before launching.

  • Safety Talk: Randy Minich from HCRR will lead the safety talk and lead & sweep boats will be assigned.

  • Boat Pairing & Crew Briefing: Participants will be assigned to their designated raft captains and boats. Captains should spend a few minutes introducing themselves, helping passengers with seating arrangements, and reviewing individual boat safety rules and paddle commands.

• 11:00 – 11:30 AM | Launch: 

  • Launch target is between 11:00 and 11:30 AM to miss the peak commercial traffic.

  • Pace will be slow and steady (~3 hours total water time).

  • Note: Everyone is responsible for packing their own lunch and drinking water for the river.

  • Stop 1: Big beach before entering the canyon (Lunch Stop - about 40-60 minutes).

  • Stop 2: Hot springs & lower jump rock area (Regroup & rest stop - about 30 minutes).

• 2:00 - 2:30 PM | Take-Out at Radium: Arrive at Radium take-out, pull rafts, load equipment, and coordinate shuttle runs for vehicle retrieval. 

• 2:30 - 4:00 PM | Camp Games: Relax at camp and play games like skitter skatter, ladder ball, and other yard games before dinner!

• 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Appreciation Dinner: Gather at camp for a Carne Asada & Taco dinner kindly provided by VIVE Wellness to thank all HCRR volunteers!  

Sunday, Aug 9th

• Morning | Event Wrap-Up & Camp Cleanup: Event official close. All volunteers and participants assist in camp cleanup. Departure throughout the day (except for those camping through Monday morning).

Participant Camping (VIVE Wellness)

• Location: Radium Group Sites A & B (Friday and Saturday nights). We expect approximately 50-60 participants from VIVE.

Volunteer Camping (HCRR Volunteers)
We have reserved individual campsites for HCRR volunteers who have registered for this event. You are welcome to camp at the following sites under the HCRR reservation at no cost to you:

• Radium Campsite #12: Nights of Thursday, August 6 – Sunday, August 9

• Radium Campsite #9: Nights of Friday, August 7 – Saturday, August 8

• Radium Campsite #13: Nights of Friday, August 7 – Saturday, August 8

Important Reminders & Site Rules

• Alcohol & Controlled Substances: This is a family-oriented event with children present. Please keep any alcohol use discreet and strictly limited to camp during non-event hours. Also, remember that Radium is located on federal BLM land, where all federal laws and regulations regarding controlled substances strictly apply.

• Parking & Carpooling: Parking at Radium is limited, so please carpool whenever possible. Each reserved campsite includes free parking for up to 2 vehicles. Additional vehicles must pay the standard BLM day-use fee of $10 cash per vehicle per day (America the Beautiful and Senior Passes are accepted).

• Fire Ban: An active fire ban is in effect—no open campfires are permitted under any circumstances.

• Drinking Water: There is no potable drinking water available at the Radium Recreation Area. Please bring all the water you will need for camping, cooking, and your time on the river.

Volunteers must register in advance and be current HCRR members. If prompted, sign in using your HCRR-registered email address.