White water Rafting Courses Provide Unique Electives to Students at Pikes Peak Community College

Buena Vista, Colo. – River Runners and Adrift Adventures, two white water rafting companies under the same ownership and headquartered in central Colorado, are partnering with Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) for the second consecutive year to offer two white water rafting courses for the 2011 summer semester – an introductory course on Arkansas River May 7-8 and May 14-15; and an expedition leadership course on the Yampa River May 25-28 in Dinosaur National Monument.

Spencer Storm, adjunct professor in the outdoor program at PPCC, said he is pleased to provide students in Colorado Springs this unique opportunity to learn more about Colorado and Utah white water rafting.

“I am really excited about this program and how it exposes students from the city to these beautiful white water rivers in Colorado and Utah,” Storm said. “It is a fun way for them to pick up an elective, explore nature and gain a lifelong skill.”

The first course is Orientation to Rafting, which will be organized through River Runners and will be held over two weekends – May 7-8 and May 14-15 – in Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River. This four-day Colorado white water rafting course requires 50 contact hours and is worth two college credits. Students will learn about white water rafting equipment, how to read water, how to navigate a raft and safety protocol while on the river.

Students who complete the Orientation to Rafting course are eligible to enroll in River Expedition Leadership, which is a four-day Yampa River trip in Dinosaur National Monument scheduled for May 25-28 that will be organized through Adrift Adventures – authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service.

“Dinosaur is such a unique area and this course teaches students how to enjoy it on an expedition style rafting trip,” Storm said. “We also put special emphasis on river safety and resource protection.”

River Runners and Adrift Adventures are providing additional guides for the two courses and use of facilities and equipment.

“We are so fortunate to be teamed up with River Runners and Adrift Adventures,” Storm said. “They are extremely professional to work with and their equipment and facilities are top notch.”
River Runners operates out of two locations on the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colo. and Canon City, Colo. Adrift Adventures – authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service – operates near the confluence of the Green River and Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument. To learn more about Utah and Colorado white water rafting trips through River Runners and Adrift Adventures visit www.whitewater.net or call 1-800-723-8987.

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For More Information, Contact:
River Runners & Adrift Adventures HQ: 24070 CR 301 / Buena Vista, CO 81211 / 1-800-723-8987
Email: rafting@white water.net Web: www.whitewater.net