What are the exact meeting details?

Meet each morning at Lion's Park, Red Lodge, MT; instructors provide a daily briefing and check-in times at registration.

Do participants need prior rafting experience?

No prior rafting experience is required; basic swimming ability and comfort in moving water are highly recommended.

Is this an overnight camp?

No. This is a day camp that runs for three consecutive days and ends daily at approximately 4:30 PM.

What safety training is included?

The curriculum covers swiftwater awareness, throw-bag practice, swimmer management, basic rescue procedures, and safe boat handling.

What should teens bring each day?

Bring a swimsuit, quick-dry clothing, PFD and helmet if you have them (or use provided gear), river shoes, sunscreen, and a water bottle.

How will parents receive updates?

Instructors provide daily debriefs and contact information at check-in so parents can follow progress and ask questions.

Teen River Guide Camp in Red Lodge: Swiftwater Safety & Leadership for Ages 14

On the edge of Red Lodge, Montana, Teen River Guide Camp gathers teenagers at Lion's Park for three days of hands-on swiftwater skills, leadership training, and guided practice on nearby rivers. This day camp (ages 14–18) turns nervous first-timers into confident river runners through practical instruction in paddle technique, boat control, river reading, and rescue basics. Instruction emphasizes safety and decision-making: identifying currents, reading eddies and strainers, executing controlled ferry moves, and drilling swimmer-management with throw bags and tethered swims. The setting is as instructive as the lessons — Red Lodge sits below the Absaroka-Beartooth foothills, where braided channels, gravel bars, cutbanks, and riffles show how mountain rivers shape the land. Instructors use these natural training grounds to teach trip planning, risk assessment, and leave-no-trace stewardship so students learn both craft and conservation. Each day finishes at 4:30 after a progression of classroom-led briefings, on-water practicals, and scenario-based problem solving. Coaches move from basic paddle strokes to leadership drills that place participants in guide roles, using radio and command protocols familiar to commercial river operations. Expect taught simulations of swimmer recoveries, throw-bag placements, and group rescues executed in controlled conditions. No prior rafting experience is required, but comfort in moving water and basic swimming ability accelerate learning and confidence. Why this program stands out: it blends professional guiding techniques with teen-focused leadership development, taught in a community rooted in outdoor recreation. The course focuses on real-world skills used by commercial guides — risk management, effective communication on the water, and practical navigation of dynamic features — while keeping age-appropriate progression and safety margins. For families visiting Red Lodge, the camp is a chance to plug into a local river culture that values outdoor careers and responsible river use. Practical notes: meet at Lion's Park, Red Lodge, MT each morning; bring a swimsuit, quick-dry layers, helmet, and reusable water bottle. The camp’s emphasis on environmental stewardship and teamwork leaves participants better prepared for future multi-day trips or guiding internships. Instructional teams emphasize small-group coaching with a high instructor-to-student ratio, practicing boat flips in controlled zones, paddle-bracing drills, and scenario planning that mirrors commercial trip decisions. Campers also get an introduction to basic gear maintenance, knotwork useful for rigging and rescues, and protocols for minimizing impact on riparian zones. Parents appreciate daily debriefs and clear communication about objectives and safety progress. The camp’s hands-on format, grounded in real river behavior and local expertise, makes this an efficient way for teens to gain practical competence before taking on river expeditions. Daily progress reports, instructor contact information, and optional gear lists are provided at check-in; families can expect measurable skill gains, improved situational awareness, and a clear pathway to advanced whitewater training this summer.

Teen River Guide Camp in Red Lodge: Swiftwater Safety & Leadership for Ages 14–18

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