Rogue River Institute

Rogue River Institute A non-profit dedicated to fun & educational rafting on the Rogue River for people with disabilities!

04/12/2026

Important Announcement



Dear Rogue River Rats Volunteers and Participants,

It is with great disappointment that we must share some difficult news:

The 2026 Rogue River Institute annual rafting and camping trip has been cancelled 😩

Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to secure the commercial liability insurance required to safely and responsibly operate the trip this year.

This was not a decision we made lightly. Our annual rafting and camping trip is the heart of everything we do, and we know how much time, energy, and heart you pour into making it happen. Without the proper insurance in place, we simply cannot move forward this year.

With Deep Gratitude

We want to take a moment to express how deeply grateful we are for your generosity.

You show up year after year out of the goodness of your hearts—giving your time and talents so that our participants can experience the magic of the Rogue River. That means everything to us, and to the people you serve.

Looking Ahead

Please know that we are working diligently to resolve this insurance challenge, and we are already looking ahead to the future.

We would love to have you back on the river with us, and we’re pleased to share that the dates for next year’s trip are set:

📅 July 16–19, 2027

We hope you will hold these dates and join us once again.

As planning progresses, we will keep you informed and reach out about volunteer opportunities for 2027.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything you do.
This community exists because of people like you.

With deep gratitude,
RRI Board of Directors

🚣 Leadership Opportunity with the Rogue River Institute! 🌲For over 40 years, the Rogue River Institute has been creating...
03/08/2026

🚣 Leadership Opportunity with the Rogue River Institute! 🌲

For over 40 years, the Rogue River Institute has been creating life-changing outdoor adventures for people with disabilities on the Rogue River. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers and supporters, this incredible tradition continues each year.

Now, we’re looking for the next President of the Board to help guide the organization into the future.

This volunteer leadership role is perfect for someone who:
• Believes in outdoor accessibility
• Enjoys working with a passionate team of volunteers
• Wants to help steward a beloved Southern Oregon tradition

Our current president, Stephanie Garcia, will be stepping down after several years of leadership and will help ensure a smooth transition.

🌟 If you care about community, adventure, and inclusion, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and a brief summary of their qualifications (or résumé) to:
[email protected]

Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone who may be a great fit for this role.

Good morning!  I wanted to get some public thank you's out for donations for our weekend.  The community is amazing when...
08/26/2025

Good morning! I wanted to get some public thank you's out for donations for our weekend. The community is amazing when it comes to helping out.

Wild River PUB, Banquet Facility and Catering for the donation of green salad for dinner Saturday night. I can say their ranch is delicious!

Raymond Ofiesh for his donation of his famous sourdough bread for dinner. It was a hit! Thank you to Janet Tarr for baking it.

To Pam and Doug Robertson for the popcorn Saturday after getting off the river.

Remember to support the local businesses that support us! Tell them thank you!

😂 💚 🛶
08/21/2025

😂 💚 🛶

River's gonna be crowded this weekend.

✨ “There is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats…” ✨🌟 Tonight’s the night! 🌟We’re so excite...
08/20/2025

✨ “There is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats…” ✨

🌟 Tonight’s the night! 🌟

We’re so excited for our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner—a special evening to celebrate the heart of Rogue River Institute: our amazing volunteers! 💚

A huge thank you to Amber and Charlotte Garcia for opening their home and hosting this year’s gathering.

From guiding boats to cooking meals, setting up camp to supporting participants—you made this year unforgettable. 🛶💛

We can’t wait to celebrate you! 🎉 If you volunteered this year and didn’t get our invite, send us a quick message—we’d love to see you there!

💚 Drop a 💛 in the comments to thank our incredible volunteers for all they do to keep RRI afloat! 🌊

07/23/2025
07/20/2025

We made the new last night!

Huge shout out to Orange Torpedo Trips for helping shuttle our local participants to Griffin yesterday and back to camp ...
07/20/2025

Huge shout out to Orange Torpedo Trips for helping shuttle our local participants to Griffin yesterday and back to camp today after the trip.

The local community is great with helping with sponsorships, donations and volunteering.

What an amazing day on the river and in camp after yesterday!  The Saturday night band, The Wizards, were a hit as alway...
07/20/2025

What an amazing day on the river and in camp after yesterday! The Saturday night band, The Wizards, were a hit as always. Here is Victoria rocking out with the band!

Thank you to the sponsors of The Rockets. It was a group effort from the Galice Resort, the Hugo Lady's Quilt club and donations from a former volunteer, who passed away recently. The family asked for donations to the Rogue River Institute in lieu of flowers.

What a great first night!  Thank you to Baldinis restaurant in Merlin for donating the hamburgers, hot dogs and buns for...
07/19/2025

What a great first night! Thank you to Baldinis restaurant in Merlin for donating the hamburgers, hot dogs and buns for dinner tonight,! And the Clampers for cooking all weekend and feeding this ravenous crowd!

Address

Indian Mary Park
Merlin, OR
97532

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