Wet and wild, and fun for the family

RIDE wild river rapids on family rafting trips on the lower Kern River.

The two-day trips are scheduled daily from July through mid-September for families with children ages 9 and older.

“It’s the type of vacation that ... creates a bond because families have to work together. They share experiences and victories as a team,” said Sue Cawdrey of Kern River Outfitters. “Besides that, it’s fun.”

Paddle and oar rafts take participants 20 miles down the Kern over Class III to Class IV rapids -- fast-moving whitewater but without steep drops. Separating the rapids are calm stretches where participants can swim or float alongside the rafts. The group stays overnight at a private campground with sleeping platforms. Participants are shuttled by bus to the starting point at the end of the trip.

Cost: $308 per person weekdays and $358 per person weekends (special family rates on Monday and Wednesday departures), including guides and oar or paddle rafts, all meals, rafting-approved life jackets and equipment. Transportation from Los Angeles, tents and sleeping bags are not included.

Contact: Kern River Outfitters, Wofford Heights, Calif.; (800) 323-4234, www.kernrafting.com.

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OREGON

An abundance of Shakespeare

Celebrate the Bard at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and earn one credit from Pasadena City College.

The seven-night study tour, which begins July 23, includes the seven plays offered at the festival. There will also be discussion sessions with professional actors and directors.

Shakespeare’s “Richard III,” “Twelfth Night” and “Love’s Labor’s Lost” will be performed as well as “The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus,” by Christopher Marlowe, and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” by August Wilson.

The tour also is open to noncredit participants.

Cost: $600 per person, double occupancy ($120 single surcharge), including dormitory lodging, tickets to all plays, theater tours and insurance. Transportation from Los Angeles, meals and class registration fees are not included.

Contact: English Division, Pasadena City College; (626) 585-7371, www.pasadena.edu.

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CALIFORNIA

Sea voyage into WWII history

LAUNCH a trip down memory lane aboard the Lane Victory. The 455-foot ship, built in 1945 to haul munitions and troops during World War II, has been restored by veterans and volunteers and will take passengers on six voyages this summer.

The daylong tours to the eastern waters off Catalina Island are scheduled for July 23 and 24, Aug. 13 and 14 and Sept. 10 and 11. Participants board at 7:30 a.m.

Passengers tour the engine room and two museums onboard as the ship sets sail from San Pedro. A band plays songs of the era, and impersonators of WWII characters, such as Gen. Douglas MacArthur, stroll among the crowds.

On the return trip, weather permitting, a mock air battle is staged with the Condor Squadron that flies out of Van Nuys Airport. Retired naval armed guard volunteers operate the big guns armed with blanks as vintage American planes painted to look like German fighters maneuver overhead.

Cost: $100 adults, $60 children 15 and younger, including breakfast and lunch.

Contact: The U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII, Lane Victory; (310) 519-9545, www.lanevictory.org.

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HAWAII

A healing dose of life on Kauai

EXPLORE Kauai’s natural wonders on a seven-day health retreat and island tour led by a registered nurse.

The tour, designed primarily for health professionals, will begin Sept. 9. Participants can study healing techniques with a Hawaiian shaman, learn varieties of Hawaiian massage or participate in yoga classes and meditation.

Nature guides will take participants on kayaking, snorkeling and hiking excursions or sightseeing to the National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Kilauea Lighthouse and Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.

Health professionals may earn continuing-education credits.

Cost: $1,850 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations, meals, activities and classes. Ground transportation and airfare from Los Angeles are not included.

Contact: Ann Doherty, San Leandro; (877) 753-4208, www.hawaiihealthgetaway.com.

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ECUADOR

Folk cures from Andean villagers

MEET shamans and learn about folk healing on a tour of villages from the Andes to the rain forest of Ecuador.

Participants on 10-day tours, which depart July 17 and 31, will learn about indigenous healing herbs and religious and cultural practices.

The group visits outdoor markets, the pilgrimage site of Banos and embarks on a canoe trip from Ahuano on the Rio Napo. Participants will be guests of Amazonian Quechua natives, who will lead them on plant hunts in the rain forest. They also will attend a ceremony

performed by the village shaman.

The group travels by land through the harsh Paramo area of the Andes to Imbabura province and will meet with the Otavalo and their shamans, who practice rituals that combine Christian and ancient Andean prayers.

Cost: $3,250 per person, double occupancy ($275 single surcharge), including seven nights’ accommodations, two nights’ camping, some camping equipment, most meals, ground transportation and transfers. Airfare from Los Angeles to Quito, airport taxes and sleeping bags are not included.

Contact: Myths and Mountains, Incline Village, Nev.; (800) 670-6984, www.mythsandmountains.com.

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The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. Send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or write via e-mail to travel@latimes.com.