River of Dreams provides young people and adults the chance to experience wilderness adventure, regardless of disability, medical illness, or financial need.

Ninety percent of contributions are used to provide accessible, supervised outdoor adventures and follow-up support, creating new opportunities and belief in oneself.

Several special programs are co-sponsored by River of Dreams and the Adaptive Recreation Services of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department.

River Rampage is a pilot outdoor adventure program for young people who face significant challenge. On each trip, half of the teen participants have significant physical or mental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, head injury, blindness, deafness or Down syndrome. The remainder are at-risk youths, many from neighborhoods overrun with gang activity.

The wilderness is a great equalizer. An extended outdoor adventure such as a River Rampage trip provides a perfect setting for learning acceptance and cooperation. The lessons of life are intensified because of the challenge, the lack of outside influences, and the need for teamwork and trust. When a gang member helps feed a young man with cerebral palsy, he learns what it feels like to care and to be appreciated. In turn, the teen with the disability gains trust in others, and experiences an increased sense of confidence and the ability to succeed.

Daring Adventure programs include adaptive cycling, corss country skiing, sled ice skating, adaptive kayaking, wilderness camping and hiking and backpacking.

Mainstream Expeditions are river raft trips for those with disabilities. In the fall of 1991, the Adaptive Recreation Services of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department co-sponsored the first National Park Service sanctioned Grand Canyon raft trip for people facing significant disabilities.

This continuing project has brought the canyon to life for outdoor enthusiasts who previously were not allowed to participate in commercial river trips. Their challenges have included cancer, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, quadriplegia, traumatic brain injury, spina bifida, post polio syndrome, neurological disorders, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cognitive disabilities and visual hearing impairments.

To find out more about River Of Dreams, visit the River of Dreams Web site.