Beyond the Rapids: A Journey of Adventure and Connection
Adventure, teamwork, and a little courage go a long way, especially on the San Juan River! This summer, Quality Connections members and employees traded their everyday routines for an unforgettable journey through the spectacular canyon country of southeastern Utah.
The group spent their days navigating the river, tackling rapids, and discovering the beauty of the outdoors, while their nights were filled with camping, laughter, and camaraderie.
Along the way, they discovered that the greatest adventures aren’t just about where you go, but what you accomplish together.
The spirit of adventure has been part of Quality Connections since its earliest days. From mountain biking excursions between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon on adaptive bicycles, with CEO Armando Bernasconi driving a support vehicle loaded with gear, to today’s river adventures, QC has long embraced opportunities to explore the outdoors, take on new challenges, and build lasting friendships.
The idea for a San Juan River trip first surfaced in 2020, but it wasn’t until 2025 that the dream became a reality. Now in its second year, the trip is on its way to becoming an annual tradition for QC members and employees.
Carolyn Ford, who works in QC’s accounting department, stepped into the role of trip leader for the inaugural adventure in 2025. For Carolyn, the experience was about much more than rafting.
“It was an incredible opportunity for us to take clients that don’t normally get to go outdoors and experience those adventures, to actually experience white water rafting,” Carolyn shared. “Everyone got to float and we had some epic water fights.”
Memories From The Trip!
The adventure began with the group arriving at their first campsite, pitching tents, and preparing for the journey ahead. The following morning, they launched onto the San Juan River, beginning a rhythm of days spent floating through spectacular canyon country and nights camping beneath the stars.
But life on the river was anything but ordinary. Between navigating rapids, fishing, preparing meals, exploring campsites, and simply enjoying the scenery and each other’s company, there was never a dull moment. For many participants, the rapids were a highlight, bringing bursts of excitement, laughter, and a sense of accomplishment.
Yet some of the most meaningful moments came from the simple experience of sharing an adventure, working together, and stepping outside familiar routines.
“And to me, that’s really a meaningful part of being on a trip like this, getting out there in nature, and figuring out how to come together as a team,” said QC employee Doug Arnett. “There’s amazing bonding that happens on these trips.”
That bonding, Doug explains, is what makes a trip like this so important. Everyone, no matter who they are, should have the opportunity to experience new places, take on challenges, and create memories together.
“I want to be able to give our members access to those kind of experiences,” Doug said. “Sharing adventures together helps us deepen our connection to one another and really feeds the human soul.”
Of course, no great adventure comes without a few unexpected challenges. And sometimes, it’s those unplanned moments that become the most memorable, especially when you have the right people by your side.
“It was REALLY windy,” recalled QC member Ryan.
A massive dust storm sweeping across Arizona brought powerful winds to the San Juan River, forcing the group to cut their trip short by a day for everyone’s safety. But even that couldn’t dampen their spirits. Looking back, participants shared plenty of laughter about the unexpected twists, funny moments, and challenges they faced together.
In the end, the trip was about much more than rafting and camping. Members returned home with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and a renewed sense of confidence in what they could accomplish. The river may have had a few surprises in store, but the greatest discovery was what they could achieve together.
Painting Of The San Juan
Some adventures leave you with memories that last a lifetime. Others inspire you to create something that keeps those memories alive.
After the first San Juan River trip in 2025, Carolyn found herself wishing the group had something tangible to commemorate their adventure. So when the opportunity came to return the following year, she decided to put her artistic talents to work, creating a painting that would become a lasting keepsake for the river crew.
“When we did our San Juan River trip the first year, I remember thinking, man, I wish we had something clients could sign,” Carolyn recalled. “So when the second year came around and Doug asked me to join him on this year’s trip, I was like, I’m going to make a painting. I’m going to leave a block open for clients to sign, and this can be their thing.”
More than just a painting, it became a way for participants to leave their mark on an adventure they had shared, and a reminder of the friendships, challenges, and accomplishments that made the journey so special.
The painting now hangs in the halls of Quality Connections’ main office in Flagstaff.
These adventures were made possible through some incredible partnerships. The inaugural 2025 trip brought together Quality Connections, High Country Adaptive Sports (HCAS), and the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. In 2026, QC expanded its partnership with HCAS, welcoming two of its athletes to join the adventure.
This year’s trip was supported by Tse Kooh, a Flagstaff-based outfitter led by Cody Little, with a long history of providing adaptive outdoor experiences for the Hozhoni Foundation. Together, these partnerships are building the local connections, expertise, and resources to make accessible river adventures an ongoing tradition for years to come.
For Carolyn, one of the most memorable places on both trips was a campsite known as Pour Over, where the beauty of the surroundings seemed to bring out something special in everyone.
“That one, everyone agrees, even the first year we went, it was a magical campsite,” Carolyn recalled. “That’s when a lot of clients have some emotional moments.”
“It’s near the end of the trip, and their emotions are coming out and they’re expressing their excitement that they’ve had on this trip,” Carolyn said.
Coming near the end of the journey, Pour Over became a place for participants to reflect on their experiences, celebrate their accomplishments, and share what the adventure had meant to them.
Ask the river crew if they’d do it all again, and the answer is a resounding yes! Despite the unexpected challenges, the laughter, friendships, and unforgettable experiences made every moment worthwhile.
For anyone thinking about joining next year’s adventure, the seasoned river veterans have a few words of advice: bring plenty of snacks, extra hats, refillable water bottles, and definitely a second pair of shoes!
But perhaps the most important takeaway from these adventures is that opportunity opens the door to possibility. With the right support, encouragement, and a willingness to try something new, people can discover strengths they never knew they had, forge friendships they never expected, and accomplish things they might never have imagined.
And if there’s one thing the San Juan River has taught this crew, it’s that the greatest adventures aren’t just about where the river takes you, but how far you discover you can go.
Relive the Adventure!
The Diverge Media team put together a fun little video capturing the excitement, laughter, and unforgettable moments from this year’s San Juan River trip!
From breathtaking scenery to the friendships made along the way, it’s a glimpse into what made this adventure so special.
Check it out! And a special thank-you to our amazing sponsors and partners, recognized in the video, who helped make this adventure possible!
Upcoming QC Events!
Check out some of our upcoming events! From Halloween dance parties, trunk and treats, and costume bingo nights, Quality Connections is excited to celebrate the spooky month of October!
