Business and team building whitewater rafting trips
Team building trips
When done right, team building can really help build a stronger team at work by increasing trust, improving communication, and showing the value of working together to solve problems. Sadly, Many of us have seen examples of team building exercises gone wrong, leaving employees even more disengaged. But, if you’re lucky enough to work in Southwest Idaho, a half-day or full-day whitewater rafting trip on the beautiful Payette river could be the perfect team building experience.
Call 208.793.2272 for more information and group rates
Four critical factors for a great team building experience:
- Communication
- Trust building
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
Most of our trips will have between 6 and 8 people on the raft, working together with our the guide to navigate the river. Even though everyone is having fun, people still need to work together and have great communication to get the most from the experience. While on the river, you will get immediate feedback on your communication skills with your fellow rafters, and people quickly learn to adapt their communication to align with their fellow rafters.
The river won’t stop flowing to give your team time to sort things out, so everyone must quickly come to trust their guide and their fellow rafters. The ever-changing rapids on the Main Payette, Cabarton, Staircase, and Canyon portions of the Payette river will test your team’s problem-solving and decision skills over the course of their trip down the Payette.
Starting with our safety talk, we stress the importance of working as a team to achieve goals on the river-keeping everyone together and having a great time. During the trip, we continually work the group as a team with drills – practice that will be put to the test when we hit the rapids.
Your employees will come out of this fun, experienced with increased confidence, self-reliance, and most importantly, trust. Let us whip your team into shape with a one or multi-day team building trip. We have many options at Bear Valley Rafting, and we’re happy to help you plan the perfect custom whitewater rafting trip for your team.
Take your clients out for a unique Idaho experience
In business, relationships matter. People like to work with people they know. Spending time with your clients outside traditional business settings can really help you and your clients build a long-term relationship. A golf trip or dinner at an upscale restaurant is nice, but why not take the opportunity to impress your clients with something different and exciting? A day on the Payette river offers your clients a very memorable experience in a classic Idaho setting.
A whitewater rafting trip with your clients offers many advantages over more traditional client outings, such as:
- No phones or distractions, just one-on-one time with your clients
- Connect with your clients on a more human & casual level
- Make a lasting impression
- Forge closer ties over a shared experience
Entertaining clients and building bonds with them will take work, but your effort will pay off when you show your clients that they are special to you and that you’re willing to do more than the typical dinner out. The team at Bear Valley Rafting is here to help, too. You can book your trip, or even better, contact us, and we will help you plan out the perfect rafting trip for your clients. Our team will help with arrangements, payment and scheduling, so all you need to do is focus on your clients when you arrive at our facilities in Banks, Idaho.
Reward your top employees with a gift card from Bear Valley Rafting
Recognizing high-performing employees goes a long way to keeping those employees fully engaged at work. While most people would appreciate a coffee gift card occasionally, why not mix things up and give the gift of an outdoor adventure? Bear Valley Rafting offers a range of gift certificates for half-day and full-day whitewater rafting trips and also kayak lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive?
Plan to arrive with enough time to park, check in and get ready before your scheduled departure. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your trip so you’re not rushing when it’s time to head to the river.
Where are you located, and is there parking available?
Bear Valley Rafting Co. is located off Highway 55 in Banks, Idaho just South of the intersection with the Banks-Loman Road. Parking is available for rafters and visitors to the Coffee + Convenience shop.
Is BVR Coffee + Convenience open year round?
No. Right now we are open during the summer only. Our hours are 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily during the rafting season (typically Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day. We’re open 7 days a week to serve rafters and travelers.
Is BVR Coffee + Convenience open to the public or just rafters?
Everyone is welcome! Our coffee shop is open to the public as well as whitewater rafters and kayakers. Whether you’re booked on trip with Bear Valley Rafting Co. or just passing through Banks, Idaho, stop by for a coffee, snack, ice cream and more!
How long are rafting trips?
Half-day whitewater rafting trips are approximately 8 miles in length and take about 3 hours from the time you arrive to the time you leave. Approximately, 1.5-2 hours of your time will be spent on the river. Full-day whitewater rafting trips are between 12-14 miles in length and take 6-7 hours from the time you arrive to the time you leave. Approximately 4 hours will be spent on the river, not including a stop for lunch.
Can I bring my own food or drinks?
Participants are more than welcome to bring snacks/drinks to enjoy prior to or after your trip, but we don’t have the ability to store items on the rafts, unless they’re medically necessary.
How cold is the water?
Great question! As our river system is dam controlled, this will change depending on the stretch and month. The South Fork of the Payette, where the full-day Canyon raft trip and the half-day Staircase raft trip are located, is fed from the bottom of the Deadwood reservoir, so it tends to be on the cooler side. The North Fork of the Payette, where the full-day Cabarton raft trip is located, is fed from the top of the Cascade Reservoir, so it tends to be a fair bit warmer. The half-day Main Payette raft trip is a combination of these two forks so it’s somewhere in between. The water is always warmer in later summer months, whereas snow melt in the spring brings the overall water temp down a bit.
What should I wear?
Wear a swimsuit with quick-drying clothes over the top. You’ll also want secure footwear that can get wet, such as old sneakers, water shoes or sandals with a back strap. Skip the flip-flops. The river likes to eat them.
What you wear can vary depending on when you visit. Summer trips are typically warm and sunny, but the Payette River itself stays cold, so quick-drying layers are your best friend. For early and late-season trips, when air temperatures can be cooler, you may want an extra layer for before and after your trip. Bear Valley can also provide wetsuits, splash tops and neoprene booties when conditions call for additional protection from the cold.
You’ll want to bring a towel and a complete change of dry clothes to leave in the car for afterward. And while sunscreen is a must, remember that anything you bring onto the raft has the potential to get wet, so leave valuables and anything you don’t want to lose at home.
What should we bring with us?
Bring sunscreen, water, a towel and a complete change of clothes for afterward. You might want to bring snacks or drinks to enjoy before or after your trip, or you can purchase them from our cafe. We don’t have the ability to store personal items on the rafts unless they’re medically necessary, so please leave valuables and anything you don’t want getting wet at home. Don’t forget to bring your signed waiver!
Bear Valley Rafting provides the essentials, including a helmet, personal flotation device and paddle. On cooler days we also provide additional gear such as wetsuits, splash tops and neoprene booties to help keep you comfortable on the water. If you want to bring your phone on the water, consider a waterproof case or dry bag with a secure closure.
Is there any extra gear needed or provided?
Bear Valley provides all needed gear for our trips. Paddles, PFDs (lifejackets), and helmets are the basics. On cooler days or for Spring trips, we provide full wetsuits, splash tops, and neoprene booties. If you choose to bring your own gear, it will have to be checked over by our staff. PFDs must be whitewater certified jackets and be at least TYPE III (our provided PFDs are TYPE V). No lake or water ski jackets will be accepted.
Group Rafting Trips
What could be better than rafting down exquisite whitewater in the majestic Boise National Forest? Sharing the experience with your friends! Nothing bonds a group faster than the adrenaline rush that comes from traversing down the Payette River. So, grab your customers, coworkers, friends, family, or church family and let us help you plan a day of fun you’ll remember for years to come.