by New Skies | Feb 22, 2016 | Uncategorized
To some, rafting with kids seems more like a scary nightmare than a fun family activity. Indeed, I just talked to the mother of a 3-year-old at the playground the other day who literally shivered at the thought. The thing is, her only rafting experience was hair-raising whitewater during one summer in Colorado. There are plenty of gentle, meandering flat-water floats in many areas, including Alaska. If you’re already familiar with boating, these floats are a perfect way to get outside and see your area from a new perspective. Best of all, you can introduce your kids to the start of many happy memories on the river. An added bonus is that you only have to be able to lug all your kid-stuff from the car to the boat, unlike a backpacking trip where you carry it the whole way (including all the toys and animals they just had to bring, but got tired of carrying 5 minutes down the trail). So boating parents, if you’re not already doing it, don’t leave a hobby and love behind because of the age-old excuse: We can’t, we have kids. Bummed out parents, take heart! You can do something fun, and yes, even exciting with kids. You just need to know how to go about it. It’s not 100% peaceful and idyllic, and it’s not meant to be the adrenaline rush it used to be, but it has its own special rewards. Here are some things to think about when you are considering planning on going rafting with kids: First and most important, know the kid(s). Does your child feel comfortable around the water? Are they okay with water splashing in their face? Even smaller, harmless rapids...
