Detailed Itinerary
The itinerary below represents a standard 4-day GOALS expedition through Ruby & Horsetheif Canyons of the Colorado River. Some changes may occur. We have allowed enough time in this itinerary to enjoy unexpected opportunities, and/or to overcome unforseeable challenges.
Day 1. Travel to Loma. Meet at 11am at GOALS world headquarters in Evergreen, CO - please arrive with a belly full of lunch. Today, we travel to Highline State Park in Loma, where we’ll spend the late afternoon swimming in their large lake to beat the western slope heat. When night begins to fall, we’ll set up camp in the grassy tent sites and begin exploring the GOALS curriculum. As excited as we are, we’ll try to get a good night’s sleep tonight, as we officially begin our river adventure tomorrow morning!
Day 2. Getting in the flow. After packing up camp and a thorough safety talk, we’ll meet the rest of our professional guide crew and launch onto the Colorado River to begin our adventure. Slowly, the canyon walls will get taller and taller as we head downstream in rafts, inflatable kayaks, and on SUP boards. When our bellies tell us it’s time, we’ll pull over and make a delicious riverside lunch. After eating, we’ll continue downstream toward our first night’s camp - most likely in the area of the Cottonwood and Mee camps. As we float, we’ll be watching for bald eagles, river otters, and desert bighorn sheep. When we arrive at tonight’s camp, we’ll break into teams, some of whom will help in the kitchen, some on the boats, and some with setting up the camp itself. Late afternoon is a great time for camp games or a quick swim in a river eddy next to our large beach campsite to cool down. The kitchen crew will help our guides prepare tonight’s dinner, then we’ll circle up in the “living room” around a campfire and re-call our favorite parts of the day, play a game or two that our guides teach us, and ultimately retire to our tents or outdoor sleeping area for a great night of sleep under the desert stars.
Day 3. Floating toward Black Rocks. After waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of guides working on a delicious, hearty breakfast in the camp kitchen, we’ll find ourselves smiling as we recognize just how good it feels to be starting a new day on the Colorado River. The kitchen crew will find their way into the camp kitchen while the rest of us watch the day come to life as the sunlight warms the canyon. After enjoying breakfast, we’ll get motivated to break down camp and head for the river - floating through a beautiful section of Ruby Canyon that will lead us to the famous “Black Rocks section” - home to some of the oldest exposed rock on planet Earth. We’ll plan to camp in this section tonight, and should be able to enjoy even more time in camp this afternoon because we’ll have a shorter day on the river. Lots of exploring this afternoon - examining the unique shapes of the Black Rocks section surrounding our camp that have been carved by millions of years of water and wind. Since this is our last night in the canyon, we’ll spend some time this evening composing a thank-you letter to the canyon - a GOALS tradition, then reflecting together on the growth we’ve experienced during our time here. One more night under the desert stars, and a fun day tomorrow still lie ahead!
Day 4. Ancient Messages. As we leave the Black Rocks section today, we’ll head toward McDonald Creek for a short hike to some ancient petroglyphs. While studying them, we’ll learn about the early civilizations that lived here and created them - pondering the messages they may have been trying to share with us. When we get back to our boats, there is still about 8 more miles of fun floating to the Westwater Canyon ranger station, where our river journey will end. After helping the guides load their trailers and giving them good-bye hugs, we’ll head for home - generally arriving between 8 and 10pm - already dreaming of the next time we can return to the Colorado River.
Costs and Inclusions
Cost per participant: $960
GOALS all-inclusive rates extend beyond the unrivaled on-river experience. They also include all transportation (ground and air), lodging/campsites before and after the expedition, and all meals both on the river and on the road during our travel to/from the canyon. A detailed list of all inclusions (gear, government fees, supplies, etc.) is outlined below.
Inclusions:
Ground transportation from GOALS world headquarters in Evergreen, CO to Loma, CO at the beginning of the expedition and from Westwater, UT back to Evergreen at the conclusion.
ALL MEALS - from dinner on day 1 through dinner on day 4. This includes all meals on the road and in the canyon (3B, 3L, 4D) - and accounts for all dietary restrictions and preferences. No need to send kids with road money for anything other than snacks.
Campsite at Highline State Park in Loma, Colorado on night 1.
All launch fees and government use fees for Ruby Canyon.
All the high-quality gear needed to be safe and comfortable in the canyon, excluding sleeping bags (which can be rented if necessary). Every participant will be afforded the use of a dry bag, personal flotation device, tent, camp chair, sleeping pad, and all river/kitchen gear needed.
Professional, licensed, and experienced river guides who know the GOALS curriculum and objectives.
GOALS curriculum journal and program t-shirt.
Memories and lessons that will last a lifetime.
Financial assistance from GOALS
We believe that cost should never prevent an interested child from experiencing a GOALS expedition, and work hard to raise money for financial assistance. In addition to the financial support we provide, GOALS also provides a stand-alone electronic fundraising platform that kids can use to raise money. Throughout our first 10 years of programming, GOALS has always provided enough financial aid to make sure that every interested child / family could be involved. This is a record we intend to keep intact.
If you require financial assistance, please complete the general application to participate form. On the last page of your application, you’ll be asked if you plan to apply for financial aid. If accepted to participate in the expedition for which you are applying, GOALS will then send you an electronic financial aid application. After it is completed and returned, our financial assistance committee will provide the most generous offer possible - based on a variety of factors including GOALS financial aid availability, parent and student contribution/fundraising efforts, household income, and additional financial commitments to programs and activities that advance your child’s personal growth.
Please contact GOALS if you have any questions.