Access to nature is not equal. We think it’s time to change that.
RiverWatch is registered charity and over 30 years, we have connected nearly 200,000 Alberta students to science, nature, and their local waterways through hands-on school floats. In 2023, we expanded beyond the classroom with RiverWatch EcoFloats—an award-winning tourism and hospitality experience that now sells out across Edmonton and Calgary. These guided interpretive river floats and unique experiences for the public bring people to the river not just to see it, but to touch it, learn from it, and feel a lasting connection to the water that shapes our communities.
RiverWatch is a first-of-a-lifetime experience.
We ask the big question at the start of every trip: “Who here has ever been on the river before?” Almost no hands go up.
RiverWatch improves access by removing barriers and opening doors to nature.
Many students—especially those in under-resourced communities and schools—lack access to outdoor learning. They live near waterways but have never experienced them firsthand or learned how rivers sustain life.
2025 marks our 30th anniversary. We’re celebrating with purpose.
To honour this milestone, we’ve launched Floats for Kids—a school-focused donation and corporate partner program designed to connect underserved classrooms to Alberta’s rivers through free, guided float experiences. We educate and inspire the next generation to protect the water that gives us life.
Floats For Kids – How It Works
Select a donation level below to create access to nature for youth at risk, newcomer families, and community groups through inclusive, guided river experiences. Your support of Floats For Kids opens the river to underserved youth, newcomer families, and community groups who’ve never had the chance to connect with nature. These floats offer more than fun—they create belonging, healing, confidence, and environmental learning. We work with partners like Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, refugee agencies, and youth shelters to ensure every dollar reaches those who need it most.
Levels of Support for This Program:
✅ $100 Donation = A Nature Float Experience for One Youth + One Adult: Gift a float to a youth and their parent/caregiver. These shared moments strengthen families and build bridges to the natural world.Gift a life-changing first float to a youth and caregiver. Includes gear, guides, and their first-ever connection with the river.
✅ $250 Donation = A Nature Float Experience for a family or Small Group of 5+: Sponsor a float for a newcomer family or youth group. Quiet river time creates belonging, bonding, and joy. Sponsor a shared float for a newcomer family or youth group. For many, it’s a rare chance to simply relax, reconnect, and feel at home in nature.
✅ $500 Donation = A Nature Float Experience for a Youth Group Program: Support a half-class science float or youth team-building group. One raft, one guide, and one unforgettable adventure. Support a small youth group with a guided float focused on ecology, teamwork, and confidence. One raft, 3 hours, countless memories that shape self-worth. It’s not just a float—it’s a launchpad for leadership and resilience.
✅ $1,000–$2,500 Donation = A Nature Float Experience for 1Full School Class or Community Float for 20–50 Youth: Help an entire classroom or youth-serving organization experience a full float day—learning, laughing, and growing together. Make a full-scale float day possible for underserved youth or newcomer organizations. You’re helping entire communities access outdoor learning they’d never otherwise afford.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW
A RiverWatch Donation is tax deductible and purpose driven.
We’re a registered charity. Tax receipts are issued automatically for eligible donations. RiverWatch is Alberta’s only nonprofit offering guided educational river floats in Calgary and Edmonton. We’ve been a leader in outdoor science education for 30 years, with a focus on environmental literacy, stewardship, and advocacy. QUESTIONS? Email: executive@riverwatch.ab.ca or Call: 587-857-3447
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!
RiverWatch, Alberta’s largest non-profit river rafting organization, promotes adventure, science, education, and stewardship of our province’s waterways. These programs are made possible in Edmonton by our presenting sponsor EPCOR. RiverWatch is pleased to welcome back our Calgary partners: NSERC, the City of Calgary – Water Services, Nova and many more. RiverWatch also thanks MEC, Kenwood Canada and the The Rocky Mountain Paddling Center as our technical gear and safety partners.