The newly formed ROCK youth ministry group went on their first extreme adventure on July 9th, as they went white-water rafting on the New River in West Virginia. Leaders Pastor Don, Dwight Deal, and David Long were joined by Teddy and Aaron Linville, Trever and Tyler Hensdale, Rebecca and K.C. Chapman, Stacey Kitchen, and Charity Vogt. The 3-hour drive from Union Cross passed quickly and following lunch at Burger King in Fayetteville, WV, the group went to the nearby USA Raft Outpost to receive our instructions and equipment: paddle, helmet, and LIFEJACKET. A short bus ride then took us all to the New River and we were soon into our rafts traveling through the  smooth flat water..... but not for long! 

       

The white-water picture shown was only about 10 minutes into our 3+ hours in the river. There were  plenty of patches of whitewater along the way but we were also able to enjoy swimming (with lifejackets ON) in many parts of the river as well. Dwight may have been the only experienced rafter in the crowd but he also was the only one to find himself "separated from the raft" that is..... he was bounced out... then quickly helped back into the raft.  We "surfed" within a rapid too, which is deliberately keeping the raft in a spot that simulates what your clothes must feel in the washing machine! 

Later back at the outpost we changed into dry clothes and enjoyed supper at Fayettville's claim to fame - Dirty Ernie's Rib Pit - it's not really dirty just delicious! Now well-fed, our trip home that night did seem a little longer but everyone agreed it had been a great outing.