Real Mom Review: Calleva Family-Friendly Whitewater Rafting Trip on the Potomac River

By Leslie Silverman, CertifiKID Team Member
Posted Jul 12, 2019 Real Mom Reviews Things to Do DC/MD/VA

Founded in 1993 as a small outdoor adventure summer camp, Calleva is now recognized as an innovator in outdoor education in the Washington, D.C. area. Calleva offers a variety of land and water adventure camps and programming with the mission of getting kids and families enjoying the great outdoors. 

We sent one of our CertifiKID team members and her family to experience Calleva's Family-Friendly Rafting Trip on the Potomac River below beautiful Great Falls. She provides an honest review of their experience below.

Save 50% off a 4-Hour Calleva Family-Friendly Whitewater Rafting Trip with this CertifiKID Deal (Ages 9+).

Doused in sunblock, we were ready for our first-ever family rafting trip. A short walk down a wooded path at the Madeira School in McLean, Virginia took us to the edge of the Potomac River, where we met our guides for the day - Joe, Ezra and Squirrel. We donned PFDs (personal flotation devices) and helmets and set out on our adventure.

I held my breath for the first rapid, desperately afraid that I was going to plunge in the Potomac or that our raft would somehow capsize. But I soon realized that we were in expert hands with our guide Ezra. In fact, after traversing the first rapid, Ezra suggested we paddle back upstream to the rapid and battle the rapid from the other side. I thought he was crazy. My kids thought he was ingenious. And so we did!

The next four hours flew by. As we paddled, our guides shared their enthusiasm for the water and the outdoors with all of us. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Our guide, Ezra, also happens to be a Calleva camp counselor. He led us in camp songs, explained how beaver dams are formed, showed us eddy currents and taught us the pry and rainbow paddle strokes. The crazy thing is, I don't know who was having more fun - our guides or us! Ezra, Squirrel and Joe obviously LOVE their jobs.

We enjoyed every minute of our trip, and it left me realizing that we need to do more activities outdoors as a family. We've lived here all our lives, but never explored the Potomac River. Look at what we've been missing!

Recommended Age Range

Calleva's Family Friendly Rafting Trip is for ages 9 and up. 

Tips for Families

You will receive an email the Friday before your trip explaining what to bring and where to meet.

Everything gets wet, so unfortunately we couldn't bring our phones to take photos.

Lunch is provided. All you need to bring is a water bottle.

Do you want the chance to provide your real parent review of one of our deals? Join our MOM Squad Facebook Group (you must be a CertifiKID member to be approved for membership. Not a member? Sign up HERE.).

Tags: white water rafting family-friendly kids potomac washington, dc virginia

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CertifiKID was founded by a mom with a passion for helping parents provide the best experiences for their children on a budget. From outings to adventures, classes to camps, theater to sporting events, amusement parks to getaways, CertifiKID provides the best family-friendly experiences at unbeatable prices. Sign up for family-friendly deals in your area and start saving!