While the last day before fall semester may have brought gloomy skies, that didn’t stop nearly 1,200 students from bidding summer farewell with a float down the Boise River.
The First Week Float, a longstanding Boise State tradition, has invited students to the beloved six-mile stretch of river for over a decade. While the event is open to all students, it’s considered a core part of Bronco Welcome programming for first-year students.
Anujay Chopra, New Student Programs Coordinator, emphasized that the goal of the float is to embrace tradition and foster a sense of connection between students and their new campus.
“Hopefully by the time they’re halfway down the river, they’ll be taking in the scenes on the side, see themselves go by campus and be able to take in how connected the river is to all parts of town,” Chopra said.
While most Idahoans are no stranger to the Boise River, freshmen Sienna Grant, Emily Secord and Selena Cox were experiencing it for the first time. Their favorite part? Seeing all of the wildlife along the river.
They excitedly recalled spotting an osprey, blue heron and plenty of native ducks along the way.
“It was really, really fun,” Grant said. “The river was really beautiful and we got to see lots of ducks.”
Adorned with red and green inner tubes, students celebrate the new semester at Boise State by participating in The First Week Float, paddling down with sandals in hand. 
Whilst students ride the bus to Barber Park and enter the Boise River, they buzz with excitement with swimwear and clear-plastic Boise State fanny packs. Through a tree, students can be seen looking back at their friends as they float down the Boise River.
Others found joy in making a pit stop along the river at Red Bridge for some chaotic fun.
“It’s good vibes all around, meeting new people and hearing people’s stories,” freshman Simon Peterson said before jumping into the river. “My favorite part has been the mix of adrenaline and being able to relax after the busy last couple days we’ve had.”
Tom Taylor of Boise River Raft lovingly describes the Boise River as the “jewel of our city”, emphasizing that the float is one of the busiest and most exciting mornings of the year for the rafting company.
“Everybody talks about this day,” Taylor said. While it may be his first season working for Boise River Raft, his coworkers have made it abundantly clear the First Week Float is a ‘big day’ on the river. “About three weeks ago we started talking about the freshman float. ‘Be ready, we need staff,’ all that stuff. It’s exciting for us because we’re introducing a bunch of new people to our facilities. We kind of act as ambassadors to Boise as well. We like to give them that Boise friendliness. It’s a good day for us, but very busy.”
“It’s a great intro to Boise,” Tanner Hacker of Boise River Raft added. “Most people floating today are from out of town, and it’s a very popular thing to do in Boise. Coming here and floating the river that runs right through downtown and next to your new campus is a great experience.”
As students walked from the Ann Morison drop-off point back to campus, they left with wet hair, a sense of belonging and a newfound appreciation for the Boise River.
“Being at a university is so much more than just how you do in school. It’s about how you feel connected to other people on campus, as well as feeling connected to the campus itself. That connection reinforced that you’re here and you belong here,” Chopra said. “I think the most important thing is that students feel like they have a place here. This event is just one part of helping facilitate that feeling.”
