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RAFT for AMERICA
Reuniting America by Fostering Trust

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What unites us is much more important than what divides us!

What is RAFT for America?

RAFT for America — Reuniting America by Fostering Trust —is a national movement that brings people together from different backgrounds together through whitewater rafting to build trust, connection, and understanding.
Each river highlights a shared theme—proving that even with differences, Americans can still work together.
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Get in touch with our common values!

RAFT for America exists to move us back toward civility, empathy, respect, and collaboration. We’ll never all agree—and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to erase our differences, but to see each other, face to face, not behind a screen, as humans and fellow Americans.

How it works?

MEET
Participants meet a group of total strangers who don’t see the world the same way they do.
RAFT
Participants work together to navigate challenging rapids, avoid the falls, and have fun. In this environment, political disagreements do not seem as important or scary.
Connect
Participants have conversations they never imagined having with someone from “the other side.” Guided, respectful conversation prompts and reflection stops happen along the river and at the end of the day, and blend structured civic dialogue with natural moments of connection.
Check out stories from the river here

Learning To Disagree Better

It's a fact: As a country, there's not a single issue that we're all going to agree on. But democracy isn't about agreeing. It's about
learning to manage our differences by Listening First and by Disagreeing Better.


Let's make 2024 the year that we all get behind the National Governors Association's call to Disagree Better. It's the one thing we can
all do to help really hear one another, and manage our inevitable differences. Help build the movement by joining us on a river this year, as part of the nationwide R.A.F.T. for America Challenge.
Join the Movement
Apply to join us on the river

Here's How It Works

In partnership with whitewater rafting outfitters across the country, RAFT for America is accepting applications to participate in these extraordinary outdoor experiences. To apply, simply fill out this form, tell us a bit about yourself, and agree to be matched up with someone who is outside your social, political or cultural bubble.
Apply to join us on the river

This isn’t about politics!

It’s about demonstrating to ourselves, to our fellow Americans, and to the world, that our politics don’t define us, and that when we Listen First and Disagree Better, we really can accomplish great things together.  We want the world to see that America remains resilient, buoyed by the many millions of us who understand that we always do better by pulling together, than by pulling apart.
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