  |  |  |  |  |  |
Healing Waters is a project of the Tides Center, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. The mission of the organization is to take men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS on wilderness adventures that include whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, backpacking, and cross-country ski trips. The two professional staff work with a large pool of volunteers that help touch the lives of people of all ages, physical abilities, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2006, the tenth year of existence, Healing Waters served over 450 individuals. The trips are run almost entirely by volunteers - 180 individuals contributed their time and energy this past year in the office and out in the field. The majority of the trips take place during the summer and fall. Local one-day trips are conducted throughout the year, but the primary programs begin in June and end with the last trips in October. During these five months, there are events every weekend as well as local day trips mid-week. During the month of July or August, liquid camp, a week-long whitewater kayak camps for 15 HIV+ teens, is provided free of charge to the youth. The guides and volunteers include former members of the US Olympic Kayak Team.
