FAQs

Who is eligible for BEWET Membership?

BEWET membership is open to all current and retired Boeing employees.  Membership is also open to spouses and dependents of Boeing employees as long as the related employee or retiree is a current BEWET member.  Non-Boeing employees, such as contractor, vendors, customers and government officials that are assigned to full time company support can also be club members.  Non-Boeing individuals can also be associate club members as long as they are provide a benefit to the club. 

What exactly is an associate member?

Associate membership in BEWET is available to non-Boeing individuals that have a demonstrated skill that can be utilized to an advantage by the club. The BEWET Executive Board grants associate memberships on a case-by-case basis. There is no such thing as an Associate 'family' membership.

Do interns need to pay membership dues?

No, interns are offered a complimentary summer membership, but still have to pay the regular trip fees. What are membership rates? A single membership is $20 annually and allows the member to bring one (1) non-Boeing guest per trip.  A family membership is $25 annually and allows the member to bring two (2) non-Boeing guests per trip.  Associate (approved non-Boeing individuals) single membership is $20 annually.  

NOTE: Per Boeing Recreation policy, Boeing employees and on-site contractors must be members to participate in club activities, all guests must be non-Boeing people.

When is membership valid?

Membership is valid for the current calendar year, meaning January 1 through December 31.  There is a grace period from January 1 through May 1 for members to become current, as the majority of BEWET trips occur after May 1.  

Is membership required if I only intend to go on the Skagit trip?

No, the winter Skagit eagle float trips offer a special 'one-day membership'. In addition to regular trip fees, non-members have the option to pay an additional $5 for the 'one-day membership' instead of paying an annual membership fee.

What is expected of members?

BEWET is a volunteer organization where all the members donate their time to conduct all organizational and skilled activities. As members share the benefits and share the work. All members are expected to contribute time and effort to help make trips run efficiently.  Often times, some members participate by being guides, board members, or trip leaders.  Rafting participants are expected to participate in the assembly, disassembly and cleaning of all equipment before and after each trip.  Guests are also expected to contribute in all community efforts.

What are the advantages to being a member whitewater guide?

When a member (regular or associate) successfully completes the BEWET guide-training program, he or she no longer has to pay a trip fee to participate on a given trip.  In addition, when the guide is acting as the primary guide in a paddle raft, he or she is allowed one (1) complimentary guest on the trip. This is a courtesy and a gratuity to the individuals who spend so much of their personal time benefiting BEWET.  Guide trainees do not qualify for this benefit. 

Also, once a BEWET member becomes a guide, he or she is eligible to rent club equipment for personal use.  This is very beneficial to many guides, as the club has a large inventory of boats, frames, gear and other water related objects that are available to rent for personal use at fractions of the cost of renting gear from a commercial outfitter. 

NOTE: only BEWET guides are allowed to rent gear, non-members, guide trainees and regular members are not eligible to rent gear.  This ensures that the gear is not abused and used properly.  Ultimately, this policy is to protect the equipment as well as maintain BEWET’s private club status.

How old does a passenger have to be to participate in a BEWET rafting trip?

All rafters must be at least 12 years of age to participate in a BEWET rafting trip 

What if I'm a beginner and have never rafted before?

No problem. Our guides will run over the basic paddle commands, safety techniques, and general river instruction. You'll be good to go in no time.