Building on our legacy of environmental stewardship and fostering diversity in the whitewater industry, OARS and the Pam & George Wendt Foundation made 2024 a year of action and impact. Through financial contributions and the dedicated efforts of our operations teams, we extended our support to veterans and cancer survivors this year in addition to the vital conservation, mental health and diversity initiatives that we’ve contributed to in the past. 

“We believe in giving back to the rivers that provide for our livelihood, which is why we donate to environmental organizations and offer free river trips to youth from underrepresented populations,” said OARS president and co-owner Tyler Wendt. “By supporting these causes, we hope to inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect the natural world we cherish.”

Acknowledging the value of greater diversity within their staff and the outdoor industry, OARS and the Pam & George Wendt Foundation continued their unique Guide School Scholarship program in 2024. This initiative awarded full scholarships to four individuals, granting them access to week-long guide schools in California and Utah. Designed to open doors for people from underrepresented backgrounds, the program removes financial barriers by covering the costs of seven to nine days of professional whitewater guide training, empowering youth and young adults to pursue a career as a river guide.

“The time spent at OARS’ guide school was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of my life,” said Gabriella Gomes, one of the scholarship recipients, who came from Florida for the California guide school. “The team made the ‘fish out of water’ feeling something to celebrate. They were always excited when we made mistakes, as that meant we were learning.” 

In collaboration with the Pam & George Wendt Foundation, OARS has strengthened its dedication to making river adventures accessible by offering fully sponsored and deeply-discounted 1-day trips on the South Fork of the American River in California, Utah’s Colorado River, and Oregon’s Rogue River for more than 300 under-resourced youth. These trips aim to open the door to outdoor experiences for groups who often face barriers to such opportunities. By introducing a wide range of participants to the excitement of whitewater rafting, OARS hopes to inspire lasting memories, nurture a connection to the natural world, and spark a lifelong passion for outdoor exploration. This year’s recipients of trips subsidized by the Pam & George Wendt Foundation and OARS include First Descents, Konaway Nika Tillicum and Grand Area Mentoring, among others. 

“First Descents’ Community Members were able to come together and try something new without worrying about the cost, which is the biggest barrier to entry,” said Andrew Coulter, program manager for First Descents. “To be able to explore the beautiful outdoors with amazing guides and others who have had similar cancer and MS experiences is a priceless gift…one that resulted in a lot of smiling faces and new friends.”

On top of getting youth and young adults on the river, OARS made impactful financial contributions to organizations that are working hard to support our communities. For the fourth year in a row, OARS donated $5/person per day to the Sacramento LGBT Community Center for 449 people who rafted the South Fork of the American River with us in June, resulting in a total of over $2,400. In a similar partnership, OARS donated over $3,000 to the Bay Area’s Justice Outside, which continues to do great work furthering racial equity and justice in the outdoors. With a brand new partnership, OARS contributed nearly $2,800 to Swords & Plowshares, a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans. As part of that initiative, the company also offered free 1-day rafting trips to veterans, active-duty military and emergency first responders on select days through the month of August.

Donations

Throughout the company’s 55-year history, OARS, in partnership with our guests, has contributed more than $6 million to conservation initiatives and organizations that work to preserve the environment. We look forward to continuing our commitment to the environment and to fostering accessible and welcoming river experiences for years to come. These are the organizations that we supported with financial contributions in 2024, totaling more than $25,000

• Whale Foundation
• Redside Foundation
• American Whitewater
• American Rivers
• Grand Canyon Trust
• Sacramento LGBT Community Center
• Justice Outside
• Swords to Plowshares
• Friends of the River
• Tuolumne River Trust
• Alaska Wilderness League
• American River Conservancy
• Fraser Basin Council
• Futaleufu Riverkeeper
• Waterkeeper Alliance
• Greater Hells Canyon Council
• Idaho Rivers United
• Wild Hearts Idaho
• Utah Rivers Council
• Friends of the Yampa
• Grand Canyon Conservation Fund
• Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund
• International Rivers