Every spring for the past 17 years, we have sent a group of students down the river. The annual whitewater rafting trip, sponsored by Student Activities, takes students to the Lower New River in West Virginia, where they camp for two nights, have a five-hour rollercoaster ride down the river, and share the adventure with old and new friends.

This year about 60 students are making the trip in June, although as many as 250 have gone in years past. They provide their own transportation for the 8-hour drive, and their own camping gear. The morning of the river run is just a warm up of four or five larger rapids. Then it’s a BBQ lunch and the afternoon ends shooting about 20 rapids from class III through V.

Guides give teams instructions on paddling and what to do if someone falls out of the raft. The day ends with a big party, complete with live band, for the hearty rafters. Students and alumni look forward to the yearly getaway, and enjoy the rafting, camaraderie and breathtaking scenery. The memories of a great college experience last forever.