RiverWatch Institute of Alberta
RiverWatch School Science Float
RiverWatch Institute of AlbertaBasic Details
RIVERWATCH SCHOOL SCIENCE FLOATS - FLOATING LABS – YOUR CLASSROOM ON THE RIVER!
- Type
- Program
- Cost
- Fee per class
- Alberta Location
- Alberta - All School Districts
- Age/Grade Level:
- 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Teachers, Adults
- Curriculum Connected:
- No
- Subjects:
- Science
- Topics:
- Water, Ecology/Biodiversity, Climate change
RIVERWATCH SCHOOL SCIENCE FLOATS - FLOATING LABS – YOUR CLASSROOM ON THE RIVER!
Additional Details
- Languages:
- English, French
- Location:
- Field trip (outdoor)
- Format:
- In-person
- Activity Length:
- Single Day (4+ hours)
Full Description
THE RIVERWATCH MISSION: The RiverWatch Institute of Alberta delivers science education and environmental awareness experiences along Alberta’s rivers and watershed systems. Through our professional river guides, school science float trips, stewardship activities, and water monitoring equipment, participants learn about the science and health of our waterways. By becoming watershed knowledgeable, Albertans of all walks of life will better understand, enjoy and care for our environment.
YOUR RIVERWATCH SCHOOL SCIENCE FLOAT EXPERIENCE
We believe the best way to study a river is by taking your science classes on a float trip aboard our professionally guided large rafts, fully equipped as floating laboratories! Our science education programs align DIRECTLY with the Alberta provincial curriculum and have been a go-to resource for Alberta secondary science classes since 1995. Our hands-on and experiential science float programming is offered in the fall from early September to the end of October and again in the spring (late April to mid-June) once the ice is off the river.
With a laser focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), students explore their local river ecosystem aboard rafts equipped as mobile water quality laboratories. A day of guided rafting takes the student classroom into the real natural world to experience an interesting mix of ecology, wildlife, history, geology, engineering, technology, industry, water quality monitoring and data collection. Our programs showcase science in ways students have never seen before, creating an experience they’ll never forget, INCLUDING A TOUR OF LOCAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS! Over the years, close to 200,000 students have adventured out with us to become young scientists for the day.
YOUR RIVERWATCH GUIDES
All RiverWatch guides are highly trained and possess a minimum Class 1 PROAOA certification to meet Transport Canada Commercial Rafting Standards. All our river guides complete an intense week of training involving rafting, emergency response, health and safety, bus driving, equipment maintenance, water quality monitoring, and local/natural history interpretation. To work for RiverWatch Guides must possess Standard First Aid certification and/or may also have Wilderness First Aid, National Lifeguard Society, Swift Water Rescue or Emergency Medical Responder training. The result is an experienced group of certified and professional river guides ready to provide a safe, engaging and fully immersive rafting experience. Your RiverWatch raft guide will help students gain new insights and appreciation for our rivers’ history, culture, bio-diversity and stewardship. Everyone will finish the day more connected to nature and the river!
Accessibility
- Accommodations for physical disabilities
- Yes: Confirm details with organization directly
- Accommodations for neurodiverse participants
- None specified
Full Description
THE RIVERWATCH MISSION: The RiverWatch Institute of Alberta delivers science education and environmental awareness experiences along Alberta’s rivers and watershed systems. Through our professional river guides, school science float trips, stewardship activities, and water monitoring equipment, participants learn about the science and health of our waterways. By becoming watershed knowledgeable, Albertans of all walks of life will better understand, enjoy and care for our environment.
YOUR RIVERWATCH SCHOOL SCIENCE FLOAT EXPERIENCE
We believe the best way to study a river is by taking your science classes on a float trip aboard our professionally guided large rafts, fully equipped as floating laboratories! Our science education programs align DIRECTLY with the Alberta provincial curriculum and have been a go-to resource for Alberta secondary science classes since 1995. Our hands-on and experiential science float programming is offered in the fall from early September to the end of October and again in the spring (late April to mid-June) once the ice is off the river.
With a laser focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), students explore their local river ecosystem aboard rafts equipped as mobile water quality laboratories. A day of guided rafting takes the student classroom into the real natural world to experience an interesting mix of ecology, wildlife, history, geology, engineering, technology, industry, water quality monitoring and data collection. Our programs showcase science in ways students have never seen before, creating an experience they’ll never forget, INCLUDING A TOUR OF LOCAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS! Over the years, close to 200,000 students have adventured out with us to become young scientists for the day.
YOUR RIVERWATCH GUIDES
All RiverWatch guides are highly trained and possess a minimum Class 1 PROAOA certification to meet Transport Canada Commercial Rafting Standards. All our river guides complete an intense week of training involving rafting, emergency response, health and safety, bus driving, equipment maintenance, water quality monitoring, and local/natural history interpretation. To work for RiverWatch Guides must possess Standard First Aid certification and/or may also have Wilderness First Aid, National Lifeguard Society, Swift Water Rescue or Emergency Medical Responder training. The result is an experienced group of certified and professional river guides ready to provide a safe, engaging and fully immersive rafting experience. Your RiverWatch raft guide will help students gain new insights and appreciation for our rivers’ history, culture, bio-diversity and stewardship. Everyone will finish the day more connected to nature and the river!
More Info & How to Register
Spring 2026 School Science float bookings are now OPEN.
To meet safety and insurance requirements, RiverWatch has set a maximum raft capacity of 16 people, including 15 students and 1 adult/teacher supervisor, with each raft requiring one adult supervisor (mandatory). Please plan your booking request accordingly.
A booking request DOES NOT guarantee a spot; it adds your class to the Spring 2025 waitlist.
Please Note: For spring 2026, all bookings prior to January 1, 2025 will require 40% deposit due immediately in order to secure and hold your float dates for the spring season. The balance for all spring bookings is due by March 31st. 2026.
Float dates may change due to river conditions, air quality, weather, and other factors.
Last Updated: October 24, 2025