The 29th annual Elk River raft race brought in $2,680 for the Elk River Alliance’s (ERA) youth camps.
“This money will go toward the Elk River Discovery Camps, which is an outdoor recreation camp for kids aged six to 14,” said Evgeni Matveev, ERA communications manager.
“The kids get to play in the river, swim, raft, learn how to fly fish, and they learn from Ktunaxa knowledge holders. They get to go hiking and explore the outdoors in a safe and fun environment.”
The ERA said about 134 participants wore fun, creative costumes to float down the river in a friendly competition.
“The raft race has been an ongoing staple in the community for 29 years now. Guides from Canyon Raft Co. have been organizing it every year, trying to bring the community together to engage them in outdoor recreation and have fun on the river,” said Matveev.
“Since the ERA became a registered charity, the money from the raft race has been donated to us, and we’re incredibly grateful. It’s a steady stream of support for our Discovery Camps.”
The camps allow children and teens to get an exciting, hands-on outdoor educational experience.
“The youth can get outside and have a great time exploring the local watershed. They can learn to value water from a young age and understand what lives in the river and how to recreate in the river safely and responsibly,” said Matveev.
“We have about 100 campers in this program every year and we have many happy, returning campers from Fernie or as far as Calgary.”
You can learn more about the Discovery Camps here.
Canyon Raft and Tunnel 49 supplied equipment and guides, with prizes donated from many local businesses including:
- Bridge Bistro
- Big Bang Bagels
- Ski Base
- Guides Hut
- Commit Snow & Skate
- Edge of the World
- Elk River Guiding Company
- Earths Own Naturals
- Freshies
- Bean Pod Chocolate
- Pub – Park Place Lodge
- Fernie Tap House
- Straight Line Bikes
- Happy Cow
- Mugshots
- Wally’s Barber Shop
- Hike Fernie
- Glow Candle Company
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