RIVERS -- In their  fifth year, the Meet Me at the River trips sponsored by the Spokane River Forum are one of the best ideas ever floated to introduce people to the segments of the river that eventually cover all 112 miles from Lake Coeur d'Alene to the Columbia River.

These Eco Tours feature group trips in different river stretches. Local river outfitters provide the guides and boats appropriate to the section of river, whether they’re sit-on-top kayaks or rafts. Each trip includes people with expertise on a facet of the river to foster discussion.

The whitewater trips are limited to one weekend to take advantage of the best rafting conditions through the two stretches of the river prized for rapids.

Cost: $15 for Spokane River Forum members; $25 for non members.

Read on for the schedule:

June 15: Whitewater rafting Corbin Park, ID, to Harvard Road, WA.

June 16: Whitewater rafting Peaceful Valley to Plese Flats

July 13: Flatwater kayak, evening paddle, Upriver Dam to Sirti.

July 14: Rapids/flatwater kayak, Harvard Road to Plante’s Ferry.

July 29-30: Flatwater kayak, overnight trip on Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt, with camping on Spokane Indian Reservation, finishing with paddle to Fort Spokane.

Aug. 3: Flatwater kayak, moonlight paddle, lower Spokane River, Plese Flats to Nine Mile Dam.

Aug. 5: Flatwater kayak, from start of Spokane River at Lake Coeur d’Alene to Q’emlin Park at Post Falls.

Aug. 11: Flatwater kayak, Lake Spokane to Tumtum.

Aug. 12: Flatwater kayak, Tumtum to DNR campground near Long Lake Dam.

Sept. 16: Flatwater kayak, Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam.

Sign up for trips at 535-7084 or email info@spokaneriver.net.