River Healing and the Strength of Spirit

I had the incredible opportunity to be a guide for a touching trip that Holiday helps sponsor every year called Burn Camp. In partnership with the University of Utah Burn Center, Holiday River Expeditions escorts a group of teenagers that have experienced severe burns to their bodies on a 6- day trip down Desolation Canyon.
The Green River is a force. It is powerful beyond imagination. I thought I understood the might of the Green River after my first trip down the river with Holiday Expeditions. In many canyons throughout Utah, like Lodore and Grey Canyons, it is easy to visually see how the constant flow of river has affected the landscape. Scrapes and shrubs on various horizontal heights in many places give clues to the rivers daunting and impressive past. While the Green River may deviate in an occasional bend or meander it only flows in one direction, down towards the ocean. I am sure we have all had points in our lives when we felt that our lives were going in a similar direction, minus the magnificent ending in the Gulf of Mexico.
For 6 days I got to watch and listen to the kids that participated in Burn Camp become engulfed in the non-visible, nearly spiritual force of the river. Each one of their lives had undoubtedly been challenging as a result of their burns. I would not doubt that they thought that their everyday scenarios, such as going to school and attending to their wounds, would ever change direction to something slightly less physically and mentally draining. But for those 6 days every single one of those kids, within the confines of the endless blue sky that seemingly shoots out of the canyon openings, opened themselves up. They experienced their burns with each other and seemingly came to the realization that they weren’t alone. Instead of watching the river from the safety of the boat, they jumped on in and felt HOW FREEZING IT WAS!! (…and wanted back in immediately!!!) Instead of listening to their group leaders wishes to not get wet, they all secretly conspired together and attacked communally to get them DRENCHED instead of wet. They got together in group every night and shared their stories; laughing unanimously at the humorous parts. In rapids they held onto each other in excitement all while having the biggest smiles I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.
They, with the canyons, animals, and plants, let the river take control for those 6 days of their lives and the outcome was truly magical.
By Noel Gugliotta



"If there is magic on this earth,
then surely it is contained in water."

- Loren Eiseley
The Immense Journey, 1957

Inspiring Youth Groups with River Adventure

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” Edward Abbey, champion of the American Southwest, conveyed this and many other thoughts through his evocative writing. This quote embodies the heart and soul of Holiday River Expeditions. Every time I hear the words of Abbey, or just walk across the boatyard at the Holiday base, I am reminded of this simple, inherent truth, the vitality and rejuvenation offered by a day on the river, and how it all started for me: with a simple youth group trip.

At the age of 17 I happened upon a unique opportunity to do a youth rafting trip in the Grand Canyon. I loved every minute of it… from rapids, to wildlife, to relaxing lunches in the sun, and returned each of the following two summers. At 20 I began working for Holiday River Expeditions in the gorgeous south Utah desert and haven’t wanted to be anywhere else since. It’s been an incredible experience to come full circle and go on several youth trips myself, now as a guide, whether it be a daily trip on the Green River with Boy Scouts or a Church group on the playful Colorado River Daily, or a multi-day trip with families or high schoolers through spectacular Desolation Canyon. It has been a unique privilege to pass on this special experience, and to be able to work for a well-established outfitter, operating since 1966 with an outstanding record of safety and customer service, not to mention high-caliber guides.

Not everyone who goes on a youth rafting adventure is overwhelmed with wanderlust and becomes a rafting bum, but in my humble opinion everyone should at least experience a day on the river. It’s so much more than a time and place, it’s a mindset. Who knows? It could change the course of your life forever. At the very least, you’ll be left with spectacular memories…
by Joe Ballent ~ Holiday River Expeditions Guide