On August 16, 2026, RAFT for America returns to the Nantahala River for a day of dialogue and whitewater in one of North Carolina’s most iconic outdoor settings. We are once again partnering with the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), a nationally recognized leader in outdoor recreation and an extraordinary RAFT ally. The NOC has generously donated rafts, guides, staff time, and access to their location four times making them one of RAFT’s most trusted and valued partners. This gathering will bring together community members and leaders from across the political spectrum for conversations centered on Healthcare and Social Programs. Participants will examine questions such as whether the government should provide universal healthcare, whether social programs discourage work or provide essential support, and whether labels like “socialism” clarify or distort how Americans understand programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.
Team Democracy has engaged award-winning filmmaker, Kristi Kendall, to produce a video from the Nanatahala River RAFT event that will be shared widely across the community, and across social and traditional media outlets.
We are grateful to our sponsors whose donations make this event possible! If you, your business, or your organization is interested in sponsoring this, or any of our RAFT for America events, please reach out to amy@teamdemocracy.org.
Funding beyond what is necessary to run this event will be donated to organizations supporting family reconciliation efforts.
Thank you for your support!
The RAFT for America event on the Nantahala River is made possible through collaboration with:
