The past few days have been a blast from the raft…that is, Crab Apple Whitewater Rafting in the Forks, Maine. The Friars and Bards have been experiencing a thrill of a lifetime down the Kennebec River. These constant Class III and IV rapids with names like Big Mama and Magic Falls have no mercy on the 14 year old campers from Camp Robin Hood.
The trip begins the day before when within an hour of arrival they are hiking to Moxie Falls and jumping in freshwater pools. Afterwards, they have a barbeque feast followed by evening activities of karaoke, night time swimming, billiards, and good old fashioned board games. It’s early to bed because the next morning they need to be on their “A” game to navigate these rapids. Breakfast is 7:45 a.m. and safety talks and equipment check begin at 8:30 a.m. A 25 minute bus ride brings everyone to the drop off site where they launch the raft into the water and for about an hour straight, it is rip roaring rapids. Eventually, rafters take a waterfall breather where the guides take pictures and doll out snacks.
Then it’s back in the water, literally. The campers are allowed to swim Class II rapids before hitting a few more Class III gems, and if they’re lucky, do a little “surfing”. The final leg of the journey is a float down stream where they spot wildlife like bald eagles and osprey, and take another dip in the river. Finally, they arrive back at the lodge where they feast on steak, salmon, and a variety of delicious side dishes. Near the end of the meal they are entertained by images and videos of the adventure. At this point it is 3:00 p.m. and the campers are wiped. They spend the remainder of the afternoon playing outdoor games, swimming in the pool, and reliving moments from their unforgettable rafting trip.
