Raising Memories – Give Your Kids the Gift of Experiences

As the holidays approach, wish lists are often full of the latest toys, gadgets, and screens. Instead, let’s get our next generation off the couch, off their electronics, and engaged with life outside by giving them the gift of experiences! Experiential outdoor adventures help develop young people as individuals, as well as create priceless memories that last a lifetime when experienced together as a family. At Wet Planet we see it every day! Pick an activity that your kids will love, give them an outlet for their passions, provide an opportunity for skill development while building confidence, or simply spend time engaging together out of the house and away from the screen. Let’s have some fun together this year!

Multi-Day River Trips

Portland whitewater rafting is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your family. Being in the wilderness facilitates connections. The wildness of multi-day river trips removes us from the constant call of technology and wraps us in long days of untamed beauty. There may be deep conversations and endless laughter, while enjoying the vistas of cascading water and pebble paved pools. These are typical scenes during our multi-day river trips. New trips are planned for 2018! (stay tuned). Let Giani and Nicole spoil you with incredible deserts after a fun filled day on the river, often even including a fierce bocce ball competition on the beach, or the quiet moments of watching the sun rise and set from your river-side chair. Find a deeper connection with your loved ones in the depths of a river canyon!

Learn to Ski

One of our favorite ways to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months is on the slopes. Whether it is a day spent hiking for one amazing run or lapping the local resort, the snow makes for an amazing playground. Share that enthusiasm with a weekend of lessons, or sign up for a program like Mt. Hood Meadow’s consecutive week programs for kids. It will take them from learning the basics to loving the sport in 4-6 weeks. You can also look for Wet Planet guides Nicole and Seamus teaching day lessons!

Kids’ Kayak Camp

This annual 4-day camp at Wet Planet is for kids ages 9-12. We encourage children to play in the outdoors, to develop paddling skills and a basic appreciation and understanding of the river environment we love so much. Students’ creativity is challenged, both on and off the water, with cool and educational projects throughout the camp. This is the perfect opportunity for children to make new friends, learn about rivers, and experience the outdoors in an exciting new way. This kayak course is a kids only camp, but parents are invited to join the whitewater rafting trip on the White Salmon River on day 4 free of charge! Explore other fun family activities while you’re here to make it a vacation that everyone is sure to love.

Lessons to Feed a Passion

Whether it is the pool, paints, or doing flips off the couch that your kids can’t get enough of, give them a gift to help feed those passions! Pick something that your child loves to do and find local lessons that they’ll be thrilled about and engaged in. You can find swim lessons, gymnastics lessons, art classes, music lessons, and much more in your neighborhood.

Rock Climbing

Can your child often be found perched in trees, scaling fences, or discovering ways to use their excess of energy? Kids’ climbing programs are the perfect outlet for them, offering both mental and physical exercise as they find their way up the rock walls. The Circuit, Portland Rock Gym, Stoneworks Climbing Gym, and Planet Granite are all local gyms in Portland offering kid specific programing. Look for after school programs, youth climbing teams, and even family passes so you can all join the fun!

Cascade Mountain School

Located at the base of Mt. Adams, Cascade Mountain School designs its programs for outdoor enthusiasts, science lovers, multi-sport adventure junkies, and everyone in between. Both day and overnight adventures include outdoor elements, service projects, and hands on learning in a fun environment and in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Wet Planet works to reward their service projects with a free day of white water river rafting on the White Salmon River as well! Pick the perfect adventure for kids 6-18, and make sure to look for their special programs for adults and the whole family.

Adventure Treks

Give your teenager the ultimate summer adventure with Adventure Treks’ 2-4 week outdoor adventure programs. While Wet Planet instructs their whitewater river rafting and kayak courses, participants will also have the time of their lives climbing, hiking, ziplining, camping, and biking in some of the most beautiful places in North America. Adventure Treks programs help grow self-confidence, social achievement, teamwork, leadership, outdoor skills, and more for teens ages 13-18.

Make the most of 2018 by giving a gift that will build memories that your child will carry with them through the rest of their life!