Summer vacation just got very exciting. Very. Why? Two words: All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting. (I know, that’s more than two words, but that’s how exciting this is!)

Written by Gracie Moore Poletti

What a great family mini-vacation. Outdoors. Athletic. Challenging. Wet! All-Outdoors, a whitewater rafting company, travels ten California rivers, so it’s likely there’s one within a few hours from you. Trips range from a five-hour run with class I and II rapids, to one-day trips, to the ultimate four-day class-V trips (which include camping, pre-trip instruction, and some exploring).

So, let’s talk rapids. I’m qualified because I went white-water rafting last summer. Plus, I read about it on the Internet. And all trips include pre-trip instructions, so I’m all set!

There are class-VI rapids, but they are so difficult that (and I quote from the All-Outdoors Web site here) “safe passage is doubtful and chances of serious incident, injury or death are almost certain.” So let’s pass on those, shall we? I’ll plan my trip here, with you looking on, so you can get an idea of how this works. Adjust plans to suit your family, or copy my plan exactly. It’s up to you.

Okay, I have three children, ages 6, 8, and 11. An easy beginner trip sounds good. I’m thinking the Tom Sawyer trip sounds just about right. “Great trip for young families with small children. Gentle rapids and calm pools. Float. Meander. Pick blackberries.” Oh, and it includes inflatable kayaks—we’re definitely in!

You’ve probably already picked up on the fact that we’re pretty daring, but I doubt you realize just how daring. Let’s bump it up a notch. South Fork American River Trip—class III. “Lively approachable rapids. Beautiful scenery. Exhilarating, but not intimidating.” Sounds exciting, yet mom-friendly. Hmm, this could be the one for us.

Or, should we opt for the intermediate class-III/IV trip down the Middle Fork? Set in a 2,000-feet-deep valley, this remote wilderness area has been featured in movies and contains the well-known (to those who know these things) Tunnel Chute, “a steep and narrow chute of frothy whitewater that crashes over a six-foot drop and then through a 90-feet-long rock tunnel!” Whoo-hoo! Sounds fantastic! Unfortunately, my children are still young, so we’ll have to stick to the class-III trip.

Prices range from $109 to $830, but I very cleverly looked at the All-Outdoors Web site and found discounts from 10 to 25 percent off. I’m liking this trip more every minute. And, I can make my reservations online. Oh, yes! Summer is going to be very, very good this year. And maybe a little wet.