32 Years of Whitewater Adventure: Another Trail Guards Tradition Continues

This year marked our 32nd Trail Guards Whitewater Rafting Trip—and the 31st on the beautiful St. Louis River just south of Duluth. It's hard to believe how quickly the years have gone by, but this adventure has become one of our most treasured traditions. Every trip is filled with excitement, laughter, teamwork, and memories that last a lifetime.

As always, it's a wonderful feeling when everyone returns home smiling, every child is safely reunited with their family, and another successful Trail Guards adventure is in the books.

Safety has always been our highest priority. The rafting companies we've partnered with over the years have maintained outstanding safety records, successfully guiding thousands of rafters through exhilarating whitewater with remarkably few incidents. As I've often told the operators, we would never bring other people's children on these trips if we had even the slightest concern about their safety.

But these trips are about much more than navigating rapids.

They provide something increasingly valuable today—an opportunity for kids and adults of all ages to spend meaningful time together, build friendships, encourage one another, and experience the kind of positive group camaraderie that has always been a cornerstone of the Trail Guards program.

That kind of experience doesn't happen by accident.

Much of what we do is built on proven youth development practices found in respected books and research. Resources such as The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness by Edward M. Hallowell and Child Honoring by Raffi Cavoukian have helped shape our philosophy, along with countless other books, articles, and successful youth organizations willing to share what has worked for them.

Trail Guards has also learned from outstanding programs including Camp Mishawaka in Grand Rapids, YMCA Camp Menogyn near the Boundary Waters, Two Wheel View, OnaVelo bike touring companies, and the Minnesota DNR's former MinnAqua youth aquatic education and fishing program. Their examples have helped us create experiences that challenge young people while building confidence, responsibility, and lasting friendships.

A very special thank you goes to Roxanne Gale, who once again volunteered her years of school bus driving experience to safely transport our group—and who enjoys the rafting just as much as everyone else! Her summary of the trip says it all:

Thank you as well to Beth and Adrianna Schlangen for helping lead the adventure and to Swiftwater Adventures in Carlton for providing another outstanding whitewater experience.

Our 2026 Whitewater Paddlers

This year's courageous crew included:

• Savannah Lopez

• Raylee Poster

• Lexi Theel

• Liam Hoffenkamp

• Harmony Serna

• Sophie Twedt

• Owen Priebe

• Verena Schlangen

• Adeline Scheifels

Thirty-two years later, we're still reminded why we keep coming back. It's never just about the rapids—it's about the confidence gained, friendships strengthened, memories made, and the opportunity to help young people discover what they're capable of.

Here's to many more years of adventure with Trail Guards!