This past May, four local members of Boy Scout Troop 158 (Brian Harris, Scott Buffington and their sons, Chase Harris and Marty Buffington) went on a seven-day, six-night rafting trip through Grand Canyon National Park. A journal was kept during the trip

THE NOTION
"I've got an idea..... how about we take the boys and raft through the Grand Canyon?" When my friend and local Scoutmaster, Brian Harris, first mentioned the idea of rafting the Colorado River roughly three years ago, my initial reaction was "Yeah, right, we're going to take a group of boys and ride a raft through some of the biggest and roughest whitewater on the continent in one of the most remote locations in the lower 48 states."

Actually, I'd considered this trip in the distant past, but it was one of those things that usually stays well on the back burner of life. In my case, it was a dream fueled by years of reading articles in adventure magazines from my childhood to present. But to think that it was a real possibility now was simply wishful thinking.... or was it?

Over the next few months, the idea came and went but it eventually grew on us even though it became apparent after talking to other Scout parents that few boys in Jefferson's Boy Scout Troop 158 would actually be able to go because of age and cost factors. Not only that, Brian had been met with skeptical outfitters when they heard we wanted to bring a group of boys on the trip. They said the trip was better suited for older teens, but some of the companies that Brian talked to thought 14-year-olds should be old enough to enjoy the trip safely. Our boys are that age.

So the idea hung around with us, and finally it took root. We decided, that since our sons, Marty and Chase, were soon to hit the mid-teen years, they would probably soon lose interest in anything Dad wanted to do. If this ultimate father-son adventure was to happen, it was now or never.

Deer Creek Falls

Chase Enjoying Cool Water

Canyon Scene

Marty in Side Canyon

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