GOALS is proud to offer river expeditions beginning around age 9 (4th grade) and extending through college. From the red sandstone desert of Utah to Oregon’s green coastal rain forest, our western U.S. programs offer much diversity to elementary and middle school students. For the adventurous high school and college student, we offer opportunities to learn and explore on the banks of the most revered rivers on Earth.

The PROCESS:

1. Identify the GOALS river expedition(s) you are most interested in - based on age, river, and date.

2. Submit an application as early as possible - our programs fill quickly.

3. GOALS will connect with your references.
   Once we receive their feedback, we will thoroughly review all information to determine if there is availability on an expedition we feel you are ready for, will have the most positive impact on, and will receive the most personal benefit from. If that expedition is full, you will be placed on a wait list. We try to respond to all applicants within a few weeks of receiving a completed application - a process which also depends on how quickly we hear back from the references you provide.

4. If accepted, you will be sent:
   - a link for registration, submission of waivers, and payment of a $250 deposit - used to secure your position.
   - information about financial aid availability and fund raising opportunities through GOALS.
   - dates, times, and locations of upcoming GOALS parent / participant information nights.

A thorough breakdown of the 2020 expeditions listed by age is available below.

GOALS expeditions are first available to kids around the age of 9-10 (approximately 4th grade, with some variability in limited cases).  By differentiating the objectives of our expeditions for specific age groups, we maximize the effectiveness and impact of each child’s experience. 

For many GOALS participants, this expedition is their first overnight camping experience without a parent, and thus the primary objective is to connect each child to their peers while developing a sense of comfort and independence in a true wilderness area.  These expeditions are 4 days long, and explore rivers with minimal challenges imposed by whitewater.  Our dedicated leaders who lead GOALS expeditions for this age group focus on creative play and imaginative discovery - making the experience more fun than kids ever knew they could have outdoors.  

4-DAY EXPEDITIONS:

Ruby & Horsethief Canyons of the Colorado River - Colorado and Utah

Available dates in 2020:

- Monday, July 13 - Thursday, July 16

- Monday, July 20 - Thursday, July 23

- Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30

- Monday, August 3 - Thursday, August 6

GOALS expeditions offered to kids between the ages of 12-15 (approximately 6th - 9th grade, with some variability in limited cases) take advantage of the natural tendency for adolescents in this stage of development to be inherently curious about the world around them. As a result, our leaders use the extraordinary resources provided by the canyon to deliver powerful academic lessons at a greater depth than is possible in the traditional classroom.  Our curriculum also connects kids at this age to the planet - illustrating the cause and effect of management decisions on our environment, and emphasizing the importance of conserving the wild places that remain.  It also utilizes lessons and activities that foster confidence and interpersonal awareness - important traits at the middle and early high school level. These expeditions are generally 4-8 days in length, and explore rivers with whitewater up to Class III+/IV-.     

GOALS expeditions offered to kids between the ages of 15+ (approximately grade 9+, with some variability in limited cases) focus on connection with self, and requires some degree of personal awareness to maximize impact.  Participants are generally at an important and often intimidating time of transition in their lives - working to find success in high school or college and/or identify the proper decision for the next chapter of their young adult lives.  These programs harness the clear and powerful metaphoric lessons that river travel provide to illustrate that their potential to navigate challenges here translates directly to their ability to do the same beyond the river take-out. These expeditions range from 5 - 14 days in length, and explore rivers with whitewater up to class V - though this rapid classification is rare on GOALS expeditions.  

16-DAY EXPEDITIONS:

The Rio Futaleufu - Patagonia Chile

Available dates in 2020:

- Saturday, March 21 - Sunday, April 5

Occasionally GOALS offers the same opportunities to experience the personal growth and development that comes from exploring our curriculum on wild rivers to small groups of adults. The cost of these programs serve as fundraising vehicle for youth scholarships - meaning your experience will have a positive impact on you AND on additional children who apply for and receive financial assistance from GOALS.

12-DAY EXPEDITIONS:
The Rio Futaleufu - Patagonia Chile

Available dates in 2020:

Thursday, March 12 - Monday, March 23