FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Information:

• Bring a sleeping bag if you have one, if not we have a few.

• We will spend at least 60 hours of water time.  Enough that you can coordinate a check-ride and become a guide after training (this would be on your own timeline not VOTRs)

• You will learn to read the water, scout waves, navigate the river, and control a boat through white water obstacles.

• You will also be required to journal your experience daily, attend evening soft-skill sessions, cohabitate as a team of rafters.

• You will also have an option to get CPR certified, if you are staying on for the summer.

• You will have one free evening per week without class sessions (personal time)

• There is no “lights out” time on the campsite but being courteous is a must.

• The day begins at 7am each day.  Off the water by 2pm daily.  Evening classes are not longer than 90 minutes and typically with dinner.  A detailed training schedule will be provided upon arrival.  Much of our day-to-day training is determined by the water, river traffic, and progression of the participants.

• Once selected you we will book your air travel (unless you are opting to drive) after you have paid your deposit.  Your deposit is due within 10 days of your being notified of your select to attend.  The deposit is a Non-taxed Donation of $400 payable to Veterans On The River to secure your place.  This is non-refundable and your only expense for the two weeks.  Meals are provided.

• We will sleep two per tent.  Tent, cot, and a waterproof box (like a deployment box) are provided.  Suggest all your belonging fit in a backpack and carry-on.

• Bring water friendly clothing (NOT COTTON).  You will need a jacket or coat, temperatures at night can reach the 30s.  WOOL sox are a must!  Sandals or flops are highly encouraged.

• We will provide you with a wetsuit, PFD, neoprene booties, and helmet for rafting.

• You may bring personal gear such as water flashlight, shoes, gloves, neck gators, pillow, etc.

• You are encouraged to bring a battery source for phones, ipads, or laptops.  We have access to power but not all will have access every day.  I use a $50 portable battery that I charge every two days to recharge phone and ipad.

• There is no Wifi, but cellular service works at the site, I will have a hotspot for emergencies.

• A permanent marker is always a good idea to make your stuff and body wipes to get you through the non-shower days.

• Nice to have: Dry-suit (if you go the $ or can borrow one).  550 Cord for clothesline or other uses.

​

Travel details:

• If flying, you will be booked to arrive in Denver the day prior to class beginning.  From airport you will take light rail to downtown Denver station.  Everyone will be on the Bustang headed to Crested Butte (download the app to purchase ticket, I will reimburse you).  The bus currently departs at 130-ish and arrives in Salida around 5:30-ish. We will retrieve you from the rally point.  To return you will be booked to depart Salida the day after our final training say, typically a Sunday.  Leaving Salida around 730a and departing Denver around 2-ish the same day.  (All exceptions to this travel will be handled PRIOR to booking travel)

• All other details will come via email as coordination are made.

 

On site:

• We will have a designated area for sleeping and the areas is considered secure for your belongings.  I also provide a dry-box for all your gear and clothes.

• We will have access to a shower facility every couple of days.  We have porta-potties on site.

• We will have a shuttle every-other-day from our camp-site to Walmart or the city center for supplies and such.  Some meals may also be off site at a restaurant.