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."