Water Majors

River, pool, lakes – we’ve got them all!

There is a natural progression of skills in the Water program between Sky Valley Ranch for 5th – 8th graders and Round-Up Ranch for 9th – 12th graders. You’ll love being challenged year after year through a variety of activities designed for your grade and skill level.

The high alpine lakes, Arkansas River and Junior Olympic pool all provide wonderful venues and varying challenges for the different majors in the Water program offered at the A/U Ranches. Campers will continue to develop new skills and more confidence in their water activities. Each of the water majors has its own overnight trip that tests and focuses on the skills they’ve been learning.

SVR = Sky Valley Ranch · RUR = Round-Up Ranch
Please click on the majors below to get a complete description of the program

SVR Waterfront (5th – 8th graders)

This major teaches a range of swimming and waterfront skills. Planned activities are appropriate to your skill and grade level. In this program you will learn swimming strokes and technique using our Junior Olympic size pool. At the waterfront you will further your skills in canoeing and kayaking on one of the camp lakes. This will be great practice for your three-day challenge trip paddling across Turquoise Lake. Everyone will get an introduction to the skills necessary for future whitewater rafting programs and 7th and 8th graders will actually get the opportunity to put their skills to the test on the river. Everything you learn will be showcased in our Mountain Madness competition on the final day of camp.
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RUR Whitewater Rafting (9th – 12th graders)

You will be rafting on the most popular whitewater in Colorado – the Arkansas River. Our counselors are all certified River Guides by the State of Colorado and will teach you all about rafting safety and technique. You too have the unique opportunity to learn how to become a raft guide. But rafting is not a solo job. You will paddle as part of a “rafting family” while learning how to read the river. Develop your rafting skills and confidence by captaining the rafts themselves!
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RUR Whitewater Kayaking (9th – 12th graders)

Our kayaking major is perfect for campers comfortable with the river and ready to step up to the next level. You will start off on the camp lakes and in the pool as you learn paddling techniques and rolling lessons, eventually moving on to the Arkansas River. Local river parks provide perfect venues for developing river confidence. You’ll then move on to moderate sections of the river and culminate your kayaking experience with a run on Brown’s Canyon.
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