Since 1961, Richard Goss unknowingly started a tradition that’s lived on for 63 years.
It’s about family.
Dad loved time with his sons and the outdoors.
Although this was just one of our many trips starting out, the “boys only” canoeing trip grew across different branches of our family tree. Gaining more traction with each passing year, eventually inviting neighborhood friends along.
Losing loved ones made it more important to continue tradition.
Dad had four boys (Brian, Scott, Donnie, and Kevin) and while we were still just becoming adults, we tragically lost our brother Donnie in a car crash. It became more important than ever to stick together and cherish every trip, no matter how small.
Family comes in the form of friends, too.
After 33 years and with dad’s health declining, dad appointed Kevin to takeover. When Kevin announced he’ll be carrying the torch that year during the Welcome Reception, he thanked everyone for voting for him (the crowd teased that no one actually voted for him).
With dads passing, it became our mission to carry on the spirit of what this trip meant to us when we were all together. Having relied so much on friends and each other over the years, the bond that we’ve formed from sitting around a campfire and making memories on the Rifle River was better than medicine.
Today, we have over 100+ that partake.
We are so grateful to carry on what dad started over 60 years ago. It is our mission to continue his legacy by laughing around a campfire, sharing stories, and making memories with our sons/grandsons and friends from all walks of life. We are humbled by those who continue to lend a hand each year, those that travel from all over to join us, and for those who continue to help us carry on this great tradition.
“Welcome to the club. Welcome to the family.
Welcome to Dads & Lads!”