Step Out Onto The Water
Float Trip With A Difference
A cool, gentle stream on a hot summer day - quietly flowing through acres of woods and rolling country side. Float trips provide a wonderful break from the fast paced life we often find ourselves caught in. It's a great bonding activity and when coupled with an appropriate message is spiritually enriching as well. Anyone can participate - they're great for youth groups or family outings. The EarthTraces "STEP OUT ONTO THE WATER" program provides everything you need, with the right locations, high quality equipment, food and camping options and a message that leads to a better understanding of God's expectations of us and our importance to Him. This 1 or 2-day Life Experience trip takes place at a number of locations all around the country (see below for a partial listing) or you can borrow our equipment and curriculum and do a self-guided tour! For more information or to register: contact us or click HERE to choose any available 1-day or 2-day session so we can reserve a trip for you! ALL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED! You only need to get yourself there! Food and camping options also available. 2 OPTIONS AVAILABLE: STANDARD LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM or SELF GUIDED OPTION.

The EARTHTRACES "STEP OUT ONTO THE WATER" LIFE EXPERIENCE program is $28 per participant ($15 tax tax-exempt CIF contribution, $8 equipment fund & $5 equipment transportation cost). Includes one spotting vehicle, enclosed equipment trailer, handouts and leaders for program and lessons from EarthTraces. (Minimum contribution is for 15 persons.)

The SELF GUIDED OPTION allows you to take the trip at your own pace using our program and equipment. Plus its lower cost! You'll use floating gear, camping gear and 6’x8’ rafting equipment trailer. It'll hold all the activity gear plus about anything else you'll want to bring and is towable by most any vehicle. (Pick-up/drop-out at our training facility near Edwardsville, IL or at any site program site when in your area. Our staff travels extensively so this isn't difficult to arrange (advance planning required)! 

STANDARD RAFTING PAK - $225/day; $125/addt'l day STANDARD OVERNIGHT RAFTING PAK - $300/day; $165/addt'l day · Three (3) Excursion Five 4/5-person rafts   (800 lbs load) w/4 paddles · Five (5) Seahawk 400 2/3-person rafts   (500 lbs load) w/2 paddles · Two (2) Challenger K2 2-person Kayak   (330 lbs load) w/2 kayak paddles · Four (4) 120VAC/12VDC rapid inflation/   deflation air pumps · Two (2) food/beverage coolers · Two (2) raft repair kits · One (1) waterproof cellphone float bag · Six (6) water resistant gear storage bags · Four (4) airtight w/p gear storage bags · One (1) waterproof lessons manual and · 6'x8' rafting equipment trailer

Excursion Five 4/5-person raft Challenger K2 2-person Kayak

ADD-ON RAFTING PAK - $125/day; $70/addt'l day
ADD-ON OVERNIGHT RAFTING PAK - $200/day; $110/addt'l day

· Three (3) Excursion Five 4/5-person rafts (750 lbs load) w/4 paddles
· Six (6) Seahawk 400 2/3-person rafts (400 lbs load) w/2 paddles
· One (1) Challenger K2 2-person Kayak (330 lbs load) w/2 kayak paddles
· Two (2) 120VAC/12VDC rapid inflation/deflation air pumps
· One (1) waterproof cellphone float bag
· Six (6) water resistant gear storage bags and
· Four (4) airtight waterproof gear storage bags

OVERNIGHT PAK (standard or add-on paks) · Two (2) 8-10 person tents · One (1) 6-8 person tent · One (1) liquid fuel camping stove · One (1) camping stove stand · One (1) food preparation table/game table · Three (3) 20 LED flashlights w/rechargeable batteries · Two (2) airtight waterproof gear storage bags · One (1) food/beverage coolers and · One (1) floatable gear tote

Seahawk 400 2/3-person raft

There is a $100 refundable deposit on each standard or add-on rafting pak. The deposit is refunded after equipment is returned in good condition. (Note: your organization is responsible for the equipment it uses and for any repairs or replacements required even if above the deposited amount.)

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFD's) Properly fitted PFD's are required by law for each person on the water. Children must wear them at all times. Each participant must bring their own PFD or request one from EarthTraces prior to the utility trailer being packed. Basic USCG approved vests are $2 each; deluxe 3 or 4-buckle vests are $6 each. Infant/youth zipper vests are $4 each.

*You are allowed reasonable travel time for your trip to the float area. Typically you may pick up equipment the evening before, float the next day and return it the day after. If selecting the overnight option you may pick up gear even earlier so you can float that evening before establishing camp on the river.

TO SPONSOR A TRIP just email your information to: .

To download the "Basic Float Trip Review For Group Leaders" guide and the "Self-Guided Option Recommended Equipment Contributions" with details on the rafts and kayaks that are available, click HERE! (word.doc, 273K)

Partial List of Float Locations:

Southern Missouri site: The Jacks Fork River in the Heart of the Ozark Mountains and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The upper Jacks Fork River is one of Missouri's wildest and most scenic streams. It's deep valley extends about 30 miles from the Prongs to Alley. In the spring this section provides floaters beautiful class 2 water. Due to lack of access, it is the most primitive of rivers in this region. From Alley Springs to Two Rivers is a beautiful class 1 river and is floatable year-round. Life Magazine: The Jacks Forks River is "...one of the world's most scenic float, fishing streams."

Southern Indiana site: The Driftwood River 40 miles south of Indianapolis, flows through central southern Indiana. This 8 mile all-day float begins at Furnas Mill dam and ends at the Columbus, IN. The first two miles flow through a secluded state wildlife preserve then on through four miles of Camp Atterbury Wilderness Area. This section of river is alive with deer, beaver, great blue heron, osprey, wild turkey and excellent smallmouth bass fishing. There are occasional mild rapids for added excitement. You feel as if you're far from civilization."

You may cancel program at any time prior to the off-site activity and apply participant contributions to any future activity. (Sponsor reservation contribution goes directly into the Internship Fund and is non-refundable.) Team building activities, lessons and other activities provided in case of partial rain-out, alternate dates provided in case of full rain-out. (Rain-outs are typically not a problem when rafting...)

To reserve a Step Onto The Water program please contact us today!

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