OAK HILL, W.Va. — Teachers who first experience the New River Gorge on a recreational whitewater rafting trip often return with their students, turning one of Appalachia’s best-known adventure destinations into an outdoor classroom for lessons in geology, ecology, hydrology, and teamwork.
That’s one reason ACE Adventure Resort is launching a new Teachers Raft Free promotion for West Virginia educators, offering a complimentary full-day rafting trip on either the Upper or Lower New River when accompanied by a paying adult.
While the promotion is intended as a thank-you to teachers, ACE officials also hope it introduces more educators to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve as a destination for hands-on learning.
“Every year we welcome teachers who first experienced the New River on a personal rafting trip and later return with their students,” said Chris Colin of ACE Adventure Resort.
“Many of those school groups participate in STEM-focused field trips centered on river ecology, geology, and hydrology, giving students the opportunity to learn through hands-on exploration in America’s newest national park.”
Learning from the New River
According to Colin, many of the lessons that make the New River Gorge such a valuable educational resource can be fully appreciated only from the water.
One of the most striking examples is river hydrology. As rafts navigate the currents, participants can observe how water flows through the gorge, how rapids form, and how moving water gradually shapes the landscape.
The river also offers an unparalleled view of the gorge’s towering cliffs and exposed rock formations, revealing hundreds of millions of years of geologic history. These natural features provide real-world examples of erosion, sedimentary rock layers, and the processes that helped shape the Appalachian Mountains.
Beyond science, Colin said rafting naturally reinforces communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
“Whether you’re paddling with coworkers, friends, or people you’ve just met, everyone has to communicate, problem-solve, and work together to navigate the river,” he said. “Those are the same collaboration skills teachers encourage in their classrooms every day.”
Outdoor education continues to grow
ACE officials say interest in outdoor learning has grown in recent years as schools and youth organizations seek experiences that combine adventure with hands-on education.
“We’ve seen growing interest from schools, teachers, and youth organizations looking for experiences that combine outdoor adventure with hands-on learning,” Colin said.
“More educators recognize that learning outside the classroom helps students build confidence, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and an appreciation for the natural world in ways traditional classroom instruction can’t always provide.”
ACE has welcomed school groups since the resort’s founding, and those offerings have evolved into structured educational programs centered on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also emphasizing leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.
Some educators have embraced the river so enthusiastically that they’ve returned to work as whitewater guides during their summer breaks.
“We’ve also had teachers enjoy the experience so much that they came back to work as river guides during their summer breaks,” Colin said. “They develop a deeper connection to the river, then bring that knowledge back to their classrooms and continue introducing new groups of students to the educational opportunities the New River Gorge has to offer year after year.”
ACE Adventure Resort welcomes approximately 40,000 rafting guests annually and is introducing the Teachers Raft Free promotion for the first time this year. While officials said it’s too early to estimate participation, they hope to introduce as many West Virginia educators as possible to the educational and recreational opportunities found in the New River Gorge.
Promotion details
The Teachers Raft Free promotion is available to eligible West Virginia educators and includes one free full-day rafting trip on either the Upper or Lower New River when accompanied by one paying adult.
The offer is not valid on Saturdays or holidays, reservations must be made by phone, and trips are subject to availability.
Located just minutes from the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, ACE Adventure Resort encompasses more than 1,500 acres of outdoor recreation, including whitewater rafting, camping, cabins, zip lines, mountain biking, hiking trails, lake activities, and the ACE Adventure Waterpark.
Educators interested in participating may reserve a trip by calling ACE Adventure Resort at 304-469-2651.
Read also: Planning a rafting trip? Explore WVExplorer.com’s West Virginia Whitewater Rafting Guide for information on the New, Gauley, Cheat, Shenandoah, and other popular rivers.