Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Cancer patients spend a great deal of time managing their physical health and medical appointments during treatment. It can be an exhausting and draining experience that takes a lot out of the individual, dampening their spirits and damaging the confidence in their body. While doctors and nurses are managing patient's health, River Discovery inspires empowerment and healing through taking risks, challenging the body, building a community of cancer warriors through experiences in nature and the healing power of being on the water in the outdoors.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Adult Cancer Survivor and Co-Survivor Retreat
Adventure Registration[/button] This 3-day adventure for adult cancer survivors and 1 adult co-survivor/caregiver. This retreat takes place in beautiful Donnelly, Idaho on the banks of Lake Cascade. Participants will challenge themselves with rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, games and more – offering experiences to connect and share with someone special who has been on this cancer journey with you. Must be 18 years old to participate.
“It was a very rewarding experience and I left with an extra spring in my step (that I have not had for quite a while).”
Joe & Fran Tonsmeire Salmon River 6-day Adventure for Cancer Survivors
The trip of a lifetime for 18 adult cancer survivors at any point in their cancer journey. This 6-day/5-night adventure provides the unique opportunity to meet and bond with other survivors while rafting and camping on the Main Salmon River in the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho. Strangers quickly become friends as adventurers raft by day, share dutch oven meals on sandy beaches, chat by the campfire in the evening, and sleep under the stars along riverbanks that are only accessible by watercraft.
venture.
“It was a fabulous confirmation that cancer has not taken away my ability to be out in the natural world, to enjoy the outdoors and so many activities that bring joy to my life. And that I am not too old a dog to learn a new trick or two.”
1-Day Youth Cancer Survivor and Family River Adventures
This river adventure allows families to participate in an exciting 1-day adventure out of Banks, Idaho that promotes healing and strengthens the mind, body and spirit.
A fun filled day on the Cabarton Run of the Payette River with Bear Valley Rafting is a perfect summer adventure for cancer survivors and their busy families. Enjoy the views and wildlife during the relaxing calm stretches, followed by some exciting whitewater. Hold onto your hat as you wrap up your trip at Howard’s Plunge!
“We had SO much fun – It was a day to be remembered!”
Survivor Paddle Boarding Summer Sessions
SUP/Kayak Summer Sessions. Stand-up Paddle Board (SUP) is a great opportunity to learn a new outdoor sport that is tailored to your ability. Paddle boarding offers you a chance to experience a water activity working on your strength, flexibility, balance and paddling fun. Paddle Boarding can be customized to your abilities and is a great introduction to water activities.
This adventure is scheduled in partnership with our friends at Idaho River Sports throughout the summer. Participants will have two hours to paddle around the beautiful new ponds at Boise’s Esther Simplot Park and Quinn’s Pond. Cancer patients and survivors are free of charge.
Cancer Survivor 3-Day Adventure
A 3-day adventure designed to allow 14 Educators/Cancer Survivors to float 39 miles of the Salmon River from Vinegar Creek to Lucille with H20 Rafting. Led by experienced guides, this trip will give participants the opportunity to meet and bond with other adult survivors. All gear, meals and camping supplies provided. Perfect for newcomers and experienced rafters alike, the Salmon River drifts past miles of breathtaking mountains and craggy cliffs with world-famous rapids.
“I got more out of this adventure than I could ever imagine. I have had serious medical issues and being with this group allowed me to open up and also absorb so much from others.”
Alumni 1-Day Snow Shoe Adventure
Grab a friend or family member and join us for a fun day! Space is limited for TWO fun snow adventures this Winter. No experience necessary. Snowshoes provided upon request.
“It was a great day. I appreciate the opportunity to gather with others who gave an understanding of what it means to be a survivor. Can’t wait for another adventure!”
Mosaic Workshops
Mosaic art materials are provided to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital for all pediatric patients to create an expressive art project. Pieces designed either in the craft room or individually, working with child life specialists to help with a supportive environment to help kids cope with the stress associated with the hospital experience. Art work is then returned to the young creative artist as a keepsake.
When Joe Tonsmeire received his cancer treatment at St. Luke’s in downtown Boise, ID, he and his family spent a lot of time in the Pediatric wing. On an afternoon escape from the hospital, Joe found Reham Aarti’s nearby shop and worked with her to bring mosaic art projects to the children in the hospital. That partnership continues today through River Discovery.
“We are so grateful for the mosaic program in partnership with River Discovery! We’ve been able to provide countless therapeutic interventions with all ages of patients for many reasons - including inpatient oncology, new diagnosis’, trauma, and surgeries. Having a way to help our patients express their emotions and process their hospitalization has been a true gift and our patients love the beautiful product they are able to create.” - Miranda Laramie, Certified Child Life Specialist, St. Luke's Children's Hospital, Boise
Where we work
External reviews

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Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of volunteer health care providers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, People with diseases and illnesses
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
River Discovery is building a volunteer base of nurses, social workers and other professionals to enhance and enrich our annual programs through volunteerism.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Families, People with diseases and illnesses, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2021 River Discovery was able to grow one of our original programs, 1-Day Healing Waters Floats, by increasing the number of people served 300% by offering multiple days and dates.
Number of new grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, People with diseases and illnesses
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
River Discovery has been reaching out to the Grant community to find like minded organizations to help fund our outdoor adventures for cancer survivors an their families and caregivers.
Number of organizational partners
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, People with diseases and illnesses
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
River Discovery has continued to grow our partnerships with other non-profits in 2019 and have combined our resources to reach more survivors and their families and add to our programs.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
River Discovery was founded on the basic idea that nature can heal the body, mind and spirit. Cancer affects many aspects of people's lives including their ability to trust their body, challenge themselves, and allow themselves to let go and live.
Cancer affects many aspects of people's lives including their ability to trust their body, challenge themselves, and allow themselves to let go and live. Taking survivors of all ages, demographics and stages of cancer on adventures in nature rejuvenates the spirit, inspires and empowers the individual and provides their strength and confidence and take on the healing challenges the future may hold.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Healing time spent outdoors, even without physical activity, improves your mood and reduces depression and anxiety. River Discovery’s programs get survivors outdoors, engaged in recreational physical activity, and connected with one another for emotional and peer support. River discovery programs strive to empower survivors and their loved ones to embrace an active lifestyle rich with recreation, friendships, and nourishing foods, all of which have been demonstrated to improve overall health.
We work closely to integrate our programs with other local non-profits that focus on the good health and well-being of cancer survivors and their loved ones allowing us to reach a more diverse population within our community.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
River Discovery contracts with a licensed outfitter to provide professional guides and high quality rafting and camping equipment. A safe and fulfilling adventure is a top priority so we always bring along professional medical and mental health volunteers. Each adventure promotes the essentials of healthy survivor-ship with frequent physical activity, good nutrition and a variety of activities to inspire, empower and heal survivors and their loved ones.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Over the last 14 years River Discovery has continued to expand our programs to include all ages, diagnoses, demographics and stages of cancer. In 2017 we added the Healing Waters White Water Rafting trip for children or teens who have lost a parent to cancer and the rest of their surviving family and the Sunrise 3-Day Retreat for Widows of Cancer. In 2018 River Discovery created a winter adventure for our alumni that includes snow-shoeing and natural hot springs. In 2019 a 3-day lower Salmon adventure was created to focus on a specific group of survivors. In 2019 the focus was fist responder cancer survivors and in 2021 we will be taking a group of educators/cancer survivors down the river.
We continue to grow our collaborations with other non-profits. River Discovery enjoys partnering and collaborating with a number of non-profits including:
John & June’s Mission: Hike 2 Heal
Shinecology
Camp Rainbow Gold
Casting for Recovery
Expedition Inspiration
Coalesce Discovery
Idaho2Fly
Surviving Hearts
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Suggestion box/email,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve,
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
RIVER DISCOVERY INC
Board of directorsas of 03/02/2022
Mr. Ben Murray
Mary Bower
Retired River Guide
Amy Tonsmeire
Wilderness River Outfitters
Kathi Denton
Kim Mehlhaff
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Liz Ryder
St. Luke's Cancer Institute
Dan Hernandez
St. Luke's Cancer Institute
Jacob Morse
Alan Shaw
St. Lukes Cancer Institute
Emily Edmiston
Boie School District
Tiffany Fulks
Becky Leach
Carly Knudsen
Wilderness River Outfitters
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
No data