Floating Classrooms on the Grand River

Open 7 days a week . April til November. Reservations Required 

Experience Hands-On Curriculumn as We Raft the River

 

Physical Education & Health

  • How to fish.
  • Camping & cooking over a fire
  • Outdoor survival techniques, wildlife contact and wilderness hygiene.
  • Teamwork interaction… bow drill, cook dat egg, balloon bust, synchronized paddling.
  • The experience of hiking trails.
  • Water safety in moving water… body surfing
  • Preparing for outdoor conditions… hypothermia, sun, wind, wetness, bugs, water & food.
  • Experiencing the physical endurance of paddling a 10-13 km distance.
  • Paddling stokes and steering techniques
  • Experiencing the calming effect of being immersed in the outdoors
  • Design your own first aid kit.

 History 

  • Neutrals… their customs, trade, alliances and wars
  • European impact on Neutrals and their downfall
  • The arrival of the Six Nations.
  • European settlement, War of 1812… Loyalist arrival
  • Grand River Navigation Company… the Great West Railway
  • Impact of the residential schools, Tom Longboat home.
  • We have Aboriginal speakers to teach dancing & culture

 Geography

  • Examine land forms, glacial deposits, river topography.
  • European settlement, mining, farming and urban development in the valley.
  • We teach about rivers, springs, perched fens and soil types.
  • See what 25 acres looks like, no-till farming, different crops grown here.
  • Reforestation, logging, prescribed burns and remnant forests. 
  • We cover climatology… micro climates, storm fronts, clouds and lightning. 

Science 

  • Tree and fauna identification, edible and medicinal plants.
  • Wildlife identification, bird calls, call animals, wildlife habitats and corridors, hunting, trapping.
  • Fish management, types of fish in river, sanctuaries & seasons, fish migration, hatchery programs.
  • Insects, reptiles and amphibian identification, habitat needs.
  • Learning the constellations
  • Recognizing ecosystems, types of management, forest types, prairie grasslands & burning
  • Pollution… water temperature, light, noise, chemical, erosion, acidic rain, human impact.

  Our goal is to make the trip hands-on with as many different curriculumn learning experiences as possible…

 Why We Chose Rafts Over Canoes as A Floating Classroom


  • We wanted boats where the guide would have complete control of all the students paddling on the river… where the number of water rescues would be zero.
  • We wanted an outdoor learning experience where students regardless of skill, size or swimming ability could equally participate in an introductory river paddling experience. 
  • Because a river has moving-water; we wanted boats that were stable when encountering turbulence, rocks or carrying overweight/small students
  • Because of the number of stops and difficult shoreline, we needed boats that allowed students to get in and out without tipping over. 
  • We wanted to use the time while paddling for teaching and communicating without shouting… the same thing a teacher desires in a classroom. 
  • We wanted to use paddling the river as a background tool to introduce multiple learning experiences along the way… with a community effect of “experiencing everything together” for the class. 
  • We wanted students to have a positive experience… learning to paddle with confidence… preparing them for a canoe/kayak experience next.  
Waivers . Risk Management Plans . Teachers Field Planning Assisitance

Our famous Noahs Rock contest... May the best boat float!


The Rafts: Top quality whitewater rafts made by Aire. They are self-bailing, multi chambered, stable &  safe. These 5 meter rafts have floating floors that easily seat 6 people plus! They are like sitting around a big kitchen table.

The River: The Grand River averages 1 meter in depth... with sections of easy splash rapids. The river is clear and the pools are 2 meters deep to swim in.

Our Guides:  Our guides spend the day with you... the way they would with friends. They deliberately customize the trip to help you explore & experience as much of the river as possible. 

Prices: $35.00 per person, includes all safety equipment, boats, guides and taxes Does not include transportation. Shoreline BBQs available upon request.

 

“If you would like a school trip that students won’t forget… please knock on our door… because we do it well!"