OARS’ “Raft Free” program offers teachers, first responders, and military members complimentary whitewater rafting trips on the American River and Tuolumne River in California.
For teachers, first responders, and military members in California, finding time to recharge can feel like a luxury that’s out of reach—especially during a busy season of work and service. The mental load of teaching, the high-stakes pressure of being a first responder, and the sacrifice and dedication of military service require a specific kind of reset.
That’s why OARS, a California-based whitewater rafting outfitter that offers half-day, full-day and multi-day trip options on the American River and Tuolumne River, makes it easy for community heroes to trade the stress of the job for the rhythm of the river with its “Raft Free” programs designed to give back to those who serve—teachers, active-duty military, veterans, and first responders. 
Free Whitewater Rafting Trips for Teachers, Military & First Responders
These “Raft Free” offers are available for half-day and full-day whitewater rafting trips on the Class III South Fork of the American River, as well as full-day trips on the more challenging Class IV Tuolumne River near Yosemite.
Teachers Raft Free is a dedicated ‘thank you’ to Pre-K through 12th-grade classroom teachers and classified school district staff. It’s an intentional effort to celebrate those shaping the next generation. Similarly, the Military and First Responders Raft Free program serves as a gesture of gratitude for the individuals who protect our freedom.
Both offers are valid Sunday through Friday, May through September. When a qualifying educator, service member, or first responder books their trip with at least one full-paying guest, their seat in the raft is free. It’s an open invitation to get families, friends, and colleagues off the clock and into the wild.
A Legacy of Service: Why OARS Gives Back
The commitment to educators and service members isn’t new for OARS. It’s baked into the company’s founding mission. Late founder George Wendt actually started his career as a middle school math teacher before launching his first commercial rafting trip in 1969. He knew better than anyone that river trips give people a chance to escape the pressures of work and life.
“As kids, most of us never showed our teachers the appreciation they deserved,” says Steve Markle, VP of Sales and Marketing at OARS. “As adults, we recognize how hard they work and the impact they have on our children. They deserve more recognition.”
That same philosophy extends to those who protect our communities and our country. Whether it’s navigating a classroom or a crisis, OARS recognizes that these professions carry a heavy mental load. A guided river trip, by contrast, offers a place where all the logistics are handled, the pace is set by nature, and the only task at hand is to be present.
From the Roar of Rapids to the Quiet of Camp
On the South Fork of the American River, that reset comes naturally. One moment, you’re paddling in sync as your raft charges through rapids like Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar. The next, you’re floating on your back through splashy riffles and calm pools, soaking up the sun and letting the current carry you. It’s equal parts adrenaline and ease—and that balance is what makes the South Fork so universally appealing.
For Gina Wilson, a teacher from the San Diego area who took advantage of the offer and rafted with OARS on the South Fork of the American River last August, the trip was the ultimate way to unplug before the school year ramped up.
“My family did the Gorge one-day trip,” Wilson shared. “We drove up the day before and spent the night in a tent in their campground the night before and the night after our trip. The campground is peaceful, right on the river which you can splash in at the water’s edge.”
Wilson says she chose rafting on the South Fork American because it was an approachable, last-minute vacation option that appealed to her entire family, including her teenage sons.
“You know, when you have teenage boys, they can get bored easily. So it was something they enjoyed, and that I could do as well,” said Wilson, noting that the river allows you to feel fit and adventurous without needing to be super athletic.
The ease and convenience of camping at OARS American River Outpost was another selling point for Wilson.
“I liked that we could stay on the property,” she said. “It was a way to get away from screens and be in nature. Nobody gets enough of that anymore.”
For teachers, military members, veterans, and first responders, this kind of reset isn’t just enjoyable, it’s essential. OARS’ “Raft Free” programs honor the heroes among us and turn a day on the river into something that feels both restorative and well deserved.
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