Volunteer Information, Registration & Liability Form

Mandatory Background Check Form

The background form contains personal information. This form will be snail mailed to you along with a stamped return envelope. You are highly encourage to hand-deliver to 20 N Third Street, Lafayette, IN 47901. The Surveyor Office is located in the basement of the County Building. You can mail your background form to 20 N Third Street, Lafayette, IN 47901. 

 We look forward to seeing you on the water!

Want to volunteer but can't do all day.....here is a list of where volunteers are always needed

As a raft instructor, one of your responsibilities will be arming your students with information that will be on the On-the-River test. You will receive this information via email before your day on the water to give you ample time to review. Other raft instructor responsibilities include but are not limited to; always ensuring the safety of the students in your raft, making sure your students always adhere to the rules, always staying with your students, and keeping your raft moving and on schedule. 

Students will be aware they are competing against other rafts for high test scores. This is not a race to the finish line. Prizes will be awarded to the raft with the highest test scores. You are not allowed to help students with tests. Look around and take advantage of those teachable moments! 

Safety Information

In the event of an emergency while on the water, Emergency Personnel will be present in a motorized safety boat. They will have a first aid kit and will be able to assist.

The trip will only be canceled in the event of severe weather or dangerously high-water levels. If the day is canceled, you will be notified via text. Unfortunately, if we do have to cancel, we cannot make up that day.

Daily Schedule

8:30-8:45 AM - Volunteers Arrive at Fort Ouiatenon

Park your vehicle at Fort Ouiatenon, located at 3136 S River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906, between 8 AM and 8:30 AM. You will be shuttled from Fort Ouiatenon to Tapawingo Park (100 Tapawingo Dr., West Lafayette).

Arriving at Tapawingo Park 

There will be light morning refreshments. Seek out the TCPWQ Educator, or a Wonders Team Member (brightly colored shirts) when you arrive you at Tapawingo Park via the shuttle. The educator or team member will provide you with your group number, your adult rafting partner, and a large dry bag. Your dry bag will be equipped with a take-home water bottle student are to use throughout the day, (Indiana American Water will be available for the bottles to be filled before we launch) and goldfish crackers for a snack at the first island. This bag is large enough to fit jackets that the students may have brought. A separate clothes basket with your group number on it will be used to store extra clothing brought by the students in case they get wet. The basket will be shuttled to the fort by the land crew.

Once all volunteers have arrived, there will be a morning meeting regarding weather updates, agenda updates, number of students, any medical or special needs we need to be aware of, and to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the day.

This will be your last opportunity to use a restroom until we get to Fort Ouiatenon!

Students Arrive at Tapawingo Park

Students will begin arriving between 9:00 and 9:30. When the students arrive, they will have a number on their hand. This number signifies which raft they will be in for the day. They will be directed to find the adult with the number that matches their number. Once you have all your students, introduce yourself, then arm them with a paddle and life jacket.

If you have a few minutes before morning announcements, please take a moment to get to know one another, go over how to paddle, and assign a person to take notes. Students will be allowed to use their notes during testing. Let the students know this will be their last chance to use the restroom before we get to the fort.

Morning Announcements: Everyone needs to gather around the shelter area for morning announcements. Students and teachers will be welcomed, and rules will be covered. There will also be a quick explanation of how to properly hold a paddle, and any questions and/or concerns will be addressed.

Launch: After morning announcements and last call for restrooms, we will launch. Everyone equipped with life jackets and paddles will walk down to the launching area where all the rafts have been prepared.

YOU MAY GET WET!!! Please be prepared to have wet feet and possibly wet clothing. YOU MAY GET WET. We strongly suggest you wear old closed-toe shoes, water shoes, or Keens. Please do not wear Crocs or water socks. We suggest bringing dry clothing, dry footwear, and a towel. YOU MAY GET WET. Leave all your extras in the vehicle parked at the fort. 

Arriving at Fort Ouiatenon

  • Students and raft instructors are responsible for carrying their raft up to the grassy area.
  • Lifejackets will need to be spread out on the grass to dry.
  • Paddles will be placed in a pile near the bins.
  • Students will head to the shelter, where there will be a table with their raft number on it. Stay with your students!
  • Students will take their test BEFORE lunch. Keep students at your table until they are dismissed.
  • While students are waiting their turn for lunch, ask them questions about what they saw on the river! Students love to share stories.

Our Route

Wonders on the Wabash rafting trip

Questions and Concerns

Please feel free to contact the Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality (TCPWQ) with any questions and/or concerns you may have at 765-423-9228 or email Monica Christopher at mchristopher@tippecanoe.in.gov.