The "River of Life" Youth Quest
A 4-day
& Spiritual Legacy Tour
LOCATION
Coloma, CA
Base Camp: Villa Florentina
(Private Olive Orchard)
THE VISION
This is a progressive journey of discipleship. We take the youth from the Garden (Orchard), through the Training Ground (Lower River), into the Refiner’s Fire (Upper River), and conclude at the House of the Lord (Temple). It combines the adrenaline of whitewater with the deep history of the Mormon Battalion.
THE ITINERARY
4 Days
3 Spiritual Levels
Day 1:
The Pre existence (Preparation)
- Location: Arrive & set up Base Camp at Villa Florentina.
- “Christ is at the center of the plan of salvation.” Camping among the olive trees at Villa Florentina, we discuss God’s Plan, light and Gethsemane—how the weight of the world pressed the Savior, and how our own trials and a reliance of the Grace of God, Christ’s atoning sacrifice refine us into “oil” that can light the world. Receives a small vile of oil from the orchard.
- Dinner: Provided
- Night Event: “Through the Mists of Darkness” – A stealth night game played in the olive rows, teaching the importance of holding to the Iron Rod.
Day 2:
The Training Ground (Lower River & History)
Breakfast: Provided
Safety talk, “Stay in the boat” “why you need a testimony “PFD “.
The River: Rafting Lotus to Salmon Falls (The Gorge) with lunch on the river.
Focus: Endurance & Basics. A mix of fun rapids and flat water. Learning to trust the guide (quorum presidency analogy.) before the water gets rough.
DINNER: Provided (9 square and corn hole set up)
FIRESIDE: Walk to Marshall Gold Discovery Park & Mormon Workers Cabin for dessert and fireside with Senior Service Missionaries docents.
Recap lessons learned. “Satan’s cesspool and the atonement”.
Focus: “Treasure vs. Truth.” A private docent session on the Mormon Battalion members who discovered gold but walked away to follow the Prophet.
GAME: after fire side – Miner 49r. (Adapted from Mafia).
Day 3:
The Test (Upper River & Goals)
Breakfast: Provided
The River: Rafting Chili Bar to Lotus (Upper River).
Focus: “Stay in the Boat, safety talk recap” This section is technical and intense. It applies the skills learned on Day 2 on a more technical class III section of the river.
Lunch on the river provided.
The Commitment: “River Stone” goal setting by the water’s edge. Youth write a “legacy word” on a stone to keep as a reminder of who they want to become.
Dinner: Provided
Fireside: Ward leadership
Game: The golden plates.
Day 4:
The Glory (The Temple)
Breakfast: Provided
Clean up and break down camp.
Activity: “Returning home” Sacramento Temple visit.
The Conclusion: We wash off the dust of the camp (mortality) prepare to enter the House of the Lord.
Theme: “Returning with Power.” Transitioning from the noise of the world (the rapids) to the peace of the Lord.
Lunch: Provided at Temple grounds
Testimony meeting: Temple grounds.
Return home.
WHY THIS TRIP?
Staying at Villa Florentina gives us a safe, private, and biblical setting (sleeping among olive trees) that public campgrounds can’t match. Camping on private land keeps the focus tight on the group and the Spirit.
Trained guides, usually Church youth from the local singles ward, provide safe, fun, licensed, permitted and insured river trips.
Spiritually focused. Youth will stand on the exact ground where the Gold Rush started and learn why their spiritual ancestors chose faith over fortune.
High Impact, Low Distraction: Don’t worry about cooking or transportation. Focus on your youth. Help them disconnect from the world and get to know themselves, their abilities and each other.
Cost: $345 per person
Tips not included
For questions contact: Adam Anderson @530-391-2885