Youth Bureau planning white water rafting trip for teens
NORWICH — The City of Norwich Youth Bureau is currently accepting registration for a free white water rafting trip on Black River in Watertown, on Wednesday, August 4. Buses will depart from City Hall at 10:30 a.m., and are expected to return at 9 p.m. that night.
Participants must be at least 13 years of age. While no rafting experience is necessary, the ability to swim is a must, according to Youth Bureau Director Robert Mason.
"They do have to know how to swim, and there are guidelines I have to give them. You know, what to wear, what to bring," Mason explained. "The rafting people will talk to you and give you more instructions, safety instructions."
Mason said the Youth Bureau does bus trips like this every summer, but that they haven't gone white water rafting in about 15 years. He said most of the trips attract younger kids, so he wanted to do something geared toward teenagers.
"We had others this year: Animal Adventure Park, Enchanted Forest, and Ross Park Zoo. These trips are, primarily the young people take advantage of them," said Mason. "Rarely can we attract the older kids, like the teenagers."
"Now white water rafting is a good thing, they like to do that sort of thing. So we can get them involved in something," he added. "I came up with some additional funding. It's kind of pricey to do the white water [rafting], but it's a popular thing with the older kids."
The trip is being funded by grant money Mason applied for. He stressed that no public tax money is being used to pay for the trip.
"The trips are paid for by grant applications I write, so there's no public tax money into any of the trips," he said.
The Youth Bureau utilizes school buses to provide transportation for the trips, and Mason said the schools are always eager to help.
"The school has always been very good to work with us. Cause we have to pay the driver and the mileage on the bus and the fuel and everything else, which we understand. But no, the school has always been very good working with us," said Mason.
It is also important to Mason that the children participating have a chaperone with them that they know, such as a parent, older sibling, or aunt or uncle.
"When we take Youth Bureau trips we encourage parental involvement because we don't know all the kids getting on the bus. And what I don't want to do is pair some child up with a parent that doesn't know the child," Mason explained.
Participants can expect to spend a lot of time on the water, according to Mason. He said the kids will spend three to four hours in the raft.
"It's not just getting in the water and you're out in a half an hour," said Mason. "This is a three or four hour deal."
There are 40 slots available for the trip, but Mason said they are going fast.
"About half the spots are gone, and I just started advertising yesterday [Wednesday]. So they won't last long," he said.
Those wishing to participate can register at the Youth Bureau at City Hall, or call 607-334-1206.
The Youth Bureau also offers much more than just summer trips. Mason said they also provide free services including swim lessons, soccer, and tennis. What's more, these services are open to not just Norwich, but also North Norwich, Plymouth, Preston, and Pharsalia.
"We provide service for not only the city residents but also the five surrounding townships, also without charge," said Mason. "The other populations there, the residents can come in and do what they wanna do without charge, individually."
More information on the City of Norwich Youth Bureau and their future trips and events can be found on the City of Norwich Youth Bureau Facebook page.
Participants must be at least 13 years of age. While no rafting experience is necessary, the ability to swim is a must, according to Youth Bureau Director Robert Mason.
"They do have to know how to swim, and there are guidelines I have to give them. You know, what to wear, what to bring," Mason explained. "The rafting people will talk to you and give you more instructions, safety instructions."
Mason said the Youth Bureau does bus trips like this every summer, but that they haven't gone white water rafting in about 15 years. He said most of the trips attract younger kids, so he wanted to do something geared toward teenagers.
"We had others this year: Animal Adventure Park, Enchanted Forest, and Ross Park Zoo. These trips are, primarily the young people take advantage of them," said Mason. "Rarely can we attract the older kids, like the teenagers."
"Now white water rafting is a good thing, they like to do that sort of thing. So we can get them involved in something," he added. "I came up with some additional funding. It's kind of pricey to do the white water [rafting], but it's a popular thing with the older kids."
The trip is being funded by grant money Mason applied for. He stressed that no public tax money is being used to pay for the trip.
"The trips are paid for by grant applications I write, so there's no public tax money into any of the trips," he said.
The Youth Bureau utilizes school buses to provide transportation for the trips, and Mason said the schools are always eager to help.
"The school has always been very good to work with us. Cause we have to pay the driver and the mileage on the bus and the fuel and everything else, which we understand. But no, the school has always been very good working with us," said Mason.
It is also important to Mason that the children participating have a chaperone with them that they know, such as a parent, older sibling, or aunt or uncle.
"When we take Youth Bureau trips we encourage parental involvement because we don't know all the kids getting on the bus. And what I don't want to do is pair some child up with a parent that doesn't know the child," Mason explained.
Participants can expect to spend a lot of time on the water, according to Mason. He said the kids will spend three to four hours in the raft.
"It's not just getting in the water and you're out in a half an hour," said Mason. "This is a three or four hour deal."
There are 40 slots available for the trip, but Mason said they are going fast.
"About half the spots are gone, and I just started advertising yesterday [Wednesday]. So they won't last long," he said.
Those wishing to participate can register at the Youth Bureau at City Hall, or call 607-334-1206.
The Youth Bureau also offers much more than just summer trips. Mason said they also provide free services including swim lessons, soccer, and tennis. What's more, these services are open to not just Norwich, but also North Norwich, Plymouth, Preston, and Pharsalia.
"We provide service for not only the city residents but also the five surrounding townships, also without charge," said Mason. "The other populations there, the residents can come in and do what they wanna do without charge, individually."
More information on the City of Norwich Youth Bureau and their future trips and events can be found on the City of Norwich Youth Bureau Facebook page.
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