AzRA Rafts with Foundation for Blind Children
On June 5, 2015, ten Foundation for Blind Children students and their guides embarked on a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. We had the honor of being their preferred outfitter! Going into the 2020 rafting season, they have decided to try again!
About Foundation for Blind Children
Photo Courtesy of Foundation for Blind Children
Foundation for Blind Children, founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1952, is a non-profit agency that provides services and education for the blind and visually impaired. Their mission is to increase the self-esteem and confidence of kids with blindness or low vision to help them lead more empowered, independent lives. One of the ways they do this is by arranging challenging excursions for their students.
The first such event was a 19,340 foot hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009. Another was a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz to the San Francisco Bay in 2013. Fitting right in with these other major expeditions, Foundation for Blind Children chose our 6 Day Upper Canyon Classic Adventure to be their fifth destination. In 2020, Foundation for Blind Children will be rafting on our 9 Day Lower Canyon Classic Adventure.
Photo Courtesy of Foundation for Blind Children
Then They Went Rafting!
This group spent a thrilling five days hiking side canyons and rafting some of the largest whitewater in North America. On the sixth and last day, they hiked out of Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. To prepare themselves for the 7.5 miles and 5,000 foot elevation change, the students spent months hiking several mile long trails around Phoenix. Their time was well spent, as the group completed the trail in just eight hours.
Their Experiences
“The trip was absolutely awesome,” Chris Hawk, the Foundation for Blind Children IT Manager, said about the students’ trip experience. “The only way I can express to you how much the kids enjoyed it is to share with you a few of their Facebook posts I saw when I got home.”
“I just returned from an amazing trip. I rafted the Colorado river in 5 days and hiked to the top of the grand canyon. It was the best time of my life. It was unbelievable that I made it to the top.” – Anonymous
“Remembering when it was just an idea to raft and hike out of the Grand Canyon and to be in this moment a year later with 19 other people to share this journey with me. 10 of those people being blind teenagers and young adults. To have the opportunity in life to share my passion of travel, outdoors, and adventure with people is something I will be forever grateful for. I have learned so much, gained so much inspiration, and gathered such strength from the last week in the Canyon with these special people.” – Anonymous
“This last week was definitely one of the most amazing weeks of my life!!! So incredibly blessed to have been able to spend a week in the Grand Canyon with these amazing people!” – Anonymous
Student quotes courtesy of Foundation for Blind Children.
We would like to thank Foundation for Blind Children for choosing Arizona Raft Adventures and for putting together such an exceptional group!
Photo Courtesy of Foundation for Blind Children
How to Support Them
To support Foundation for Blind Children, and to read more about this amazing challenge and their other events, visit them online at https://www.seeitourway.org/.