June 27, 2015--Delaware Water Gap

On June 27th Ellis High school and ICO volunteers heads to the Delaware Water Gap for a day of rafting. A little rain wasn't keeping this group of youth and volunteers off the river. Gowned in yellow ponchos everyone clambers off the bus and gets ready for a fun trip down the Delaware river.

The afternoon started with some easy paddling and a leisurely lunch along the river. Soon the lunch containers could be seen floating around the rafts and the youth jumping out. There were many flips off the boats and dips in the river. If another raft caught up to you, you got doused in a water fight. The laughter rang all day despite the drizzle. Youth and volunteers swapped boats and mixed groups a few times, climbing onto the nearest rafts that had room and hoping to have even rowing power.

Near the end of the trip the winds pick up and the river gets choppy. "Row, row!" Everyone is using all their muscle. Fighting the wind we go under the bridge and just need to round that last bend. The different boats are competing to see who gets to the beach first. We get to shore and jump out of the rafts.

Everyone hustles up the stairs and straight to the waiting bus. Soon the group has toweled off, and changed into dry warm cloths. The youth and volunteers enjoyed the warm toasty ride back to the city after a great day on the river.