Parent Information

*THIS PROGRAM IS A PRIVILEGE AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH*

2023 Dates

September 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 


The Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality (TCPWQ) is excited about the upcoming 10th annual Wonders on the Wabash program! Your child will be rafting down the mighty Wabash River as part of an educational experience to better understand our natural resources and the river ecosystem. Due to the nature of this trip, the following information includes important suggestions and reminders for parents to ensure their child is ready for their big day on the water. We thank you in advance for the opportunity to work with your child.

*************** YOUR CHILD WILL BE AROUND WATER AND MAY GET WET ***************

We strongly encourage each child to bring a dry set of clothes, dry shoes, and a towel for the day.  DO NOT wear good shoes. Remember, NO open toe shoes are allowed. 

HELP US HELP YOU-

If your child is under the care of a physician for an illness or injury that may be adversely affected by participating in the Wonders program (e.g., cast, bandages, or stitches that should be kept dry), please submit a signed medical clearance from your preferred medical provider. In addition, if your child has a condition that might require additional safety-related care or precautions, please let us know so we can be adequately prepared.

Photo Release and Liability Waiver

All students must have a completed liability and photo waiver to participate in the Wonders on the Wabash program. Please find your child's school below to complete the forms.

Students with Disabilities and Special Requests


The Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality is committed to the full inclusion of all student participants. As part of this commitment, TCPWQ will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate to the fullest extent possible. If your student participant requires reasonable accommodations to participate in the WOW program (i.e., medication, allergies, Para, etc.), please contact us using the information at the bottom of this page.

If you have a student(s) under the care of a physician for an illness or injury that may be adversely affected by participating in the Wonders program (e.g., cast, bandages, or stitches that should be kept dry), please submit a signed medical clearance from their preferred medical provider. In addition, if the student(s) has a condition that might require additional safety-related care or precautions, please let us know so we can be adequately prepared.

How to Prepare


Items the TCPWQ will be providing for your child on their day include: a life jacket, bug spray (with and without DEET), sunscreen, a mid-morning snack (Goldfish crackers and water), and lunch. If your child requires a certain kind of bug spray and/or sunscreen, please make sure to send it on their day of rafting. Sunscreen and bug spray must be applied BEFORE getting into the raft. This is to prevent damage to the rafts.

The lunch menu will be announced and posted on our website before you child’s day on the water. If you child has certain dietary restrictions, they will need to bring their lunch for their day. We ask they do not bring a drink. We will provide water.

If your child has a cast, stitches, ace bandage, ect., which are normally required to be kept dry, we strongly recommend and encourage staying off the raft. 

Suggestions to ensure your child is prepared  for their day


  • Eat a good breakfast. A morning snack will be provided, but we eat a late lunch.
  • Wear OLD, CLOSED-TOE shoes. No one will be allowed on the raft with open toe shoes. This includes Crocs, flip flops, and other open-toe sandals. This is an insurance requirement we must adhere to.
  • Bring extra clothing, dry shoes, and a towel. We will be on the water, and your child MAY GET WET.
  • It is strongly encouraged that all students leave any and all electronic devices at home. The TCPWQ will not be responsible for lost, stolen or broken items.
  • Any items left by your school will be available for pick-up at the Surveyor’s Office, located in the Tippecanoe County Office Building at 20 N Third Street, Lafayette, IN 47901.

Event Details

We will be launching our rafts from Tapawingo Park located at 100 Tapawingo Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906. The trip ends at Fort Ouiatenon located at 3136 S River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906. We will be spending all day outside, both on and off the river.  There will be a Conservation Officer present in a motorized boat, should anyone need to get off the river quickly.

Watch this short video about what you and your child can expect for their rafting experience.

If you have any questions about your child’s day, please feel free to contact Monica Christopher by emailing mchristopher@tippecanoe.in.gov or by phone (765) 423-9228.

We look forward to working with your child on this floating classroom experience!