GROUP EVENT PLANNER

Ten minutes from downtown Charlotte, NC and set among 307 wooded acres along the scenic Catawba River is the U.S. National Whitewater Center, the world’s most unique outdoor recreation facility with a climbing center, challenge course, mountain biking and running trails in addition to rafting, kayaking and canoeing.

The centerpiece of the facility is the world’s largest recirculating artificial whitewater river, and the only multi-channel one in existence. Olympic-caliber athletes, weekend warriors and casual observers share this world-class sports and training center.

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is the perfect location to combine business with recreation.

Bring your guests together in our conference center or in one of our open air venues and follow your meeting with a rafting experience and a team building program on our challenge course. Or just schedule free time for individuals and families to enjoy the climbing center, rafting, trails, and paddling on the Catawba River.

Contact our group sales department to plan corporate meetings & retreats, team building events, receptions, award banquets, holiday parties, social events, rehearsal dinners, weddings, birthday parties, and more.

The following outlines your adventure, venue, and catering options. We look forward to helping you plan an unforgettable event.

 ADVENTURES

Whitewater Rafting

Paddle through non-stop class II-IV whitewater on the world's largest man-made recirculating river! Our fully guided raft trips take you through the heart of our 300 acre wooded facility, providing an unparalleled whitewater experience only minutes from uptown Charlotte.

Over the course of the two hour trip, you'll surf waves on the wilderness section and challenge your skills on the tight turns of the competition channel. After a run down, you will ride a conveyer belt back to the upper pond to take on another channel!

Helmet, personal flotation device and paddle provided. Additional rental gear available.

Rate: $39.00/person Monday through Thursday

         $60.00/person Friday

         $65.00/person Saturday and Sunday

Age 11 +

Climbing

The climbing center at the USNWC is one of the largest outdoor climbing facilities in the country, with the ability to offer world class climbing competitions as well as idealopportunities to learn to climb. Made to feel just like granite, the climbing center offers approximately 40 roped climbing routes on a covered 30’ tall Imprint wall and an open air 46’ Free Form spire. The climbing, rappelling, and bouldering areas are situated along the competition channel, providing a spectacular view.

Challenge your group to a one hour guided climb. Our trained climbing guides will help you gear up and tie into a series of routes that are customized for novice climbers.

The USNWC provides equipment and instruction for all skill levels.

Rate:
1 hour guided climb: $23/person

Age 4 +

Team Development Center - Challenge Course

Take your team to another level! The USNWC offers groups fun outdoor teambuilding experiences through a multifaceted challenge course. Engage in an opportunity to discover and explore leadership, problem solving, communication and other teamwork skills through facilitator led initiatives. Through a personalized consultation, we will specially design a program consisting of games, initiatives, as well as low and high elements suited to your group's abilities, needs, and goals. Spend a full day, half day, or multiple days gaining a greater sense of self awareness and group understanding while taking in some of the best views of the USNWC.

Typically, the more time the group invests, the more they gain from the experience, and the more challenging the activities can become. We suggest a full day experience which includes both the low and high course, but for those not able to invest a full day, a half day program on the low course is offered.

What is the difference between the low and high course?

The low course includes a variety of challenging activities within 12’ of the ground. A facilitator sets the stage and hands-on safety is provided by fellow group members through active spotting techniques.  Low course elements allow up to 15 people to engage simultaneously in each activity. Up to 12 low element structures offer a wide opportunity of challenges including Whale Watch, Nitro Swing, Frankenstein, Swinging Log, the Wall among many more.

The high course offers group challenges up to 30’ in the trees. Participants are harnessed and secured to an overhead wire safety system. This unique Odyssey course is designed to allow groups of 4 to enter and actively traverse each element together. Tree house platforms between linked elements provide an opportunity to rest and strategize. A Cargo Net entry, four core activities, and a double zip line exit encompass the Odyssey high challenge course experience. 

Multi-day programs

Build on a single day program by returning to the challenge course for a second day. Program facilitators assist the group in delving deeper into the issues of teamwork, communication, goal setting, strategizing, execution, and decision-making.

Challenge Course Pricing:

Age 12 +
Minimum group size of 10

Flatwater

With over 1.5 miles of riverfront property along the Catawba River, the U.S. National Whitewater Center provides excellent opportunities for flatwater paddling.

Long Creek serves as the northern boundary of the Center and this is an excellent creek to explore by canoe or kayak. Additionally, the South Fork River and numerous wonderful creeks are a short paddling distance from the flatwater put-in at the USNWC.

All of these creeks and rivers create a feeling that you are hundreds of miles away from the city due to the limited development and the variety of flora and fauna present along the banks.

Join us for a two hour guided tour, led by a USNWC staff member educated in the local environment.

The USNWC provides equipment and instruction for all skill levels.

Rates: (Guided)
$35/person age 9+
$20/person age 4-8

Rent $20 individual exploration

Whitewater Kayak Instruction

Whitewater Kayak Sampler
We make it easy for you to see what this amazing sport is all about. A 2 hr sampler lets you try out the latest in boat technology and cool gear. We will have you on the water, having fun and learning the basics of a new sport in no time.
Minimum group size is 6, max 12.
$55/person

Whitewater Custom Group Clinic
Want to try something new and have a lot of fun in the process? Sign up your group for your own customized clinic, based on group goals and skill level.
Minimum group size of 5, max 15.
Call for rate

Trails

Hike or run eleven miles of rolling trails in the forests surrounding the whitewater channels. Trails flow in and out of the trees to take in views of the Catawba River and various creeks and ponds throughout the forest.
Use of the trails is free of charge

GROUP EVENT SITES

Adventure Pavilion
Overlooking the entire facility and set behind the trees for more privacy, the Adventure Pavillion offers a covered open air venue ideal for groups to enjoy a meal or hold an informal meeting.
$50/hr

Tented Sites
The USNWC can accommodate a large range of group sizes in tent sites throughout the property. Speak to a group sales coordinator for more details.
$150/hr

Conference Center

The combination of physical and mental challenges truly differentiates the USNWC meeting from the usual conference setting. Conduct your meeting in a state of the art conference room and then take a break to challenge yourself and play outside.

Moveable partitions provide three different size rooms (600, 1200, 2400 square feet) to accommodate groups of all sizes.

Guarantee
The final guest count is due fourteen days prior to the event date.  This minimum number of guests will be a guarantee for which you are required to pay.  If the guest count must decrease, it must equal at least 80% of the guaranteed number (we will only allow a 20% decrease within 14 business days). 

If an increase in attendance is necessary for any catered events and/or structured activities, a confirmation is required by 10:00am three business days prior to event.  Any point after this time, an increase cannot be guaranteed.  However, an increase in numbers can only be accommodated upon availability, as spaces are often limited.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made prior to fourteen calendar days before your event date may be refunded 50% of the total cost (deposit fee), but there will be a $100 cancellation fee. 

You may reschedule your event up to seven calendar days prior to your event date with no penalty, but NO refunds will be given.  NO refunds or rescheduling will be allowed within seven days prior to the original scheduled event date.

All activities are conducted regardless of weather conditions.  If any activity is cancelled by the USNWC, due to weather or other concern, we will allow you to reschedule or receive a rain check at no penalty to you. 

Food and Beverage
The USNWC does not permit any outside food or beverages to be brought in to the facility, as we will provide all of the necessary catering.  Final menu selections are due fourteen days prior to your event.  No catered food may be removed from the Center’s premises.   

The USNWC, as a licensee, is responsible for the administration of the sale and service of all alcoholic beverages in accordance with the NC State Legislative Commission’s regulations.  The Center strictly enforces North Carolina beverage laws.  Underage drinking and/or consumption of alcohol not purchased by the USNWC will result in immediate event termination.  The USNWC reserves the right to refuse service to visibly intoxicated or impaired guests. 

Additionally, smoking is prohibited on the entire USNWC property.  If you feel compelled to smoke, we do have a designated smoking area.

Service Charge and Taxes
The USNWC will assess a service charge* on all food and beverage catered by the Center.  This service charge includes all service personnel, set-up and clean-up fees, as well as all event planning required with your event.  Gratuity is not expected.

The USNWC is required by North Carolina state law to levy a state tax* on all products sold by the Center.

*Service charge is currently 22%.
*State sales tax is currently 8.5%.  These fees are subject to change without notice.

Facility Rental
The appropriate rental space will be determined based on set-up requirements and number of guests.  A facility rental fee will be charged for reserved event space.  If you require additional set-up time for your event, there will be a charge of $25 per additional hour.  All additional time is based on availability.  All equipment needs must be conveyed to your group sales representative at time of booking.  Functions that require excessive equipment may incur additional rental and set-up fees.  For open air venues, the USNWC will help facilitate any additional equipment needs such as flooring, heating/cooling systems, port-a-jons, and power where requested.  This equipment is not included in the facility fee and will be an additional cost.

Outside Vendors
The USNWC does not furnish flowers, entertainment, photographers, or transportation.  Our group sales team will gladly offer you suggestions for these needs.  Outside vendor deliveries and set-up must be scheduled with your group sales representative and must be removed immediately following the event.  Out of respect for other guests, music must be kept to moderate levels.  The use of bands, DJ’s, and other entertainers will be handled on a case by case basis depending on the event site, time of day, and entertainment selection.  The Center will not permit affixing of anything to walls, floors, ceilings of rooms with nails, staples, tape, or any other substance unless prior approval is given.  All signage related to the event must be approved by the USNWC.

For all outside vendors utilizing the USNWC, we must have the following certificates of insurance naming the USNWC as an additional insured party:

Liability: minimum coverage of $1,000,000.00

Property Damage: minimum coverage of $100,000.00

Outdoor Adventures
All activities at the USNWC expose the participants to hazards and risks.  Each participant must sign our Assumption of Risk, Waiver, and Release Agreement prior to the event.  A parent or legal guardian will be required to sign for any participant under the age of 18.  The Waiver can be found on our website, www.usnwc.org, should the parents of legal guardian choose to sign the waiver for a minor prior to the trip.  Furthermore, please view the gear checklist under the “Book Your Adventure” tab on our website to help you prepare for your trip.

Liability

The USNWC reserves the right to inspect and control all private functions.  The client is responsible and will be charged accordingly for any damage, loss, or liability incurred by the USNWC due to negligence of the client, the guests of the client, and/or any persons or organizations contracted by the client.  The USNWC cannot assume responsibility for personal items and equipment brought onto the property.