Pam & George Wendt Foundation

11/12/2025

02/16/2024

We're proud of what we accomplished in 2023. Over 280 free and reduced trips for youth and young adults!

Long known for environmental stewardship and, more recently, for fostering diversity in outdoor recreation, OARS stepped up again in 2023.

11/30/2023

02/19/2023

⌛️LAST CALL! ⌛️The application for a scholarship to OARS whitewater guide schools in California and Utah closes TODAY (Feb. 19) Link >>
https://forms.gle/ouMSrNUogXgtQVGQA

The scholarship covers tuition for either spring session as well as a gear stipend sponsored by NRS upon completion of the guide school. All OARS whitewater rafting guide school programs are taught by our professional river guides who have formal swiftwater rescue training and extensive backgrounds in leading whitewater rafting trips. No experience is necessary to attend guide school!

📸: Dylan Silver & Andrew Miller

02/03/2023

Just a couple weeks left to apply for the Pam & George Wendt Foundation Whitewater Guide School Scholarship >> https://forms.gle/Mxe3sQV2xGGhb1cd8 ⏳⏳⏳ Deadline is February 19, 2023.

Why would someone want to go to guide school? Here’s how Jess Wallstrom, OARS California regional manager explains it, “Guide school is a full-immersion course with the river as our moving classroom. Participants will learn from many of our top crew members who are excited to share their extensive experience on-river. During guide school, students swim, paddle, push their limits and come away with new skills that will stay with them for life.”

🎬Tune in to our Youtube channel next week for the premier episode in our Guide School video series! We’ll take a behind the scenes look at what it takes to get through the demanding whitewater instruction.

ℹ️More about the OARS California Whitewater Guide School>>
https://www.oars.com/adventures/california-whitewater-guide-school/

ℹ️More about the OARS Dinosaur (Utah) Whitewater Guide School>>
https://www.oars.com/adventures/dinosaur-whitewater-guide-school/

📸: Andrew Miller + Dylan Silver

01/16/2023

The application for our 2023 whitewater guide school scholarship is now open! If you're considering work as a river guide and need financial assistance for training, check out the link below. We have 2023 guide schools in both California and Utah. The deadline to apply is Feb. 19, 2023. >>https://buff.ly/3CPYrhl
📸: Dylan Silver and Max Hamann

12/24/2022

A huge THANK YOU to all the guests and supporters who've made 2022 an amazing year! Here's a roundup of the many great things we were able to accomplish with your help.

In 2022, OARS donated thousands to to support conservation and provide access to rivers for those who need it most.

12/23/2022

The application for our 2023 Whitewater Guide School Scholarship is live! If you're looking for an opportunity to get started as a professional river guide and you have financial need, learn more and apply at the link >> https://buff.ly/3hMhtxR

11/29/2022

Named for OARS’ founders, the Pam & George Wendt Foundation is one of the largest non-profits devoted to getting under-resourced youth and young adults out on the river. In 2022, the foundation donated over 300 one-day trips on the South Fork of the American River, the Rogue River and the Colorado River as well as three fully funded scholarships to our guide schools in California and Utah. Since 2015, we’ve connected over 2,500 young people throughout the West to rivers. If you’re interested in increasing access to the outdoors, please consider a donation to the Pam & George Wendt Foundation this Giving Tuesday >> https://buff.ly/3AQjEqj

08/29/2022

The numbers are in! We were able to raise $4800 for our friends at Justice Outside. Their work making sure the outdoors are accessible to everyone is important to us, and we're proud of this partnership. Hit the link to learn more about what they do 👉 https://justiceoutside.org/

06/30/2022

We're looking forward to hanging with our friends at Sierra Nevada for a day on the South Fork of the American River! Join us July 23 for rafting and dinner (with beers, of course!). For every person that joins us, Sierra Nevada will donate $20 to the Pam & George Wendt Foundation. Hit the link below to register 👇

Raft the fun Class III South Fork American River and then join Sierra Nevada Brewery Co for dinner and freshies at the American River Outpost in Lotus, CA

06/03/2022

Guides are the heart and soul of the river community. They’re used to supporting others, but sometimes they need support too. Give back to guides and support the important work of The Redside Foundation with purchase of limited edition artist-series items from NRS and Chums Hats, tees, wallets, eyewear retainers—all items feature original guide-made artwork from Heidi Messner and HBS Artworks