Summer Kayaking Camp
Kayaking Summer Day Camp:
Please check the calendar for dates.
Meet the van Monday morning at a local designated, pick-up spot, and be ready for a day of paddling fun. Bring your lunch with you, and paddle, swim, and hike all day on the Potomac River. Your kayaking skills will grow, and every day you will be able to surf more, roll better, and paddle down riffles and rapids with more confidence. Return for drop off near home at 4:30 PM.
This week is for those with some kayaking experience, and including those who have paddled in the Westland, Pyle, Sidwell, or other after school program. Thursday night is an overnight on the river.
For campers ages 12 – 15.
Cost: $475
Overnight on the Potomac:
Please check the calendar for dates.
Spend a whole week paddling down the Potomac Huck Finn style,
camping every night on the various islands. It’s a whole new way to experience the river,living on the river, hearing the rapids at night, and waking up to play in the waves and eddies. Our boat-based camp week starts at Violette’s Lock on Monday, and ends on Friday at Fletchers Boat House. We will pick up and drop off at a central point near Cabin John.
This week is designed for those who have had experience kayaking in a LAKS program or another program, and who are comfortable camping outside. Students will need some camping gear, but most gear is provided.
For campers ages 12 – 15.
Cost: $525 per week, includes food, equipment, transportation and leadership.
Overnight on the Yough:
Please check the calendar for dates.
These overnight weeks are based on the Middle Yough and Lower Yough near Confluence, PA. Staff and young paddlers to sleep at the campground close to the river, every day expanding their experience of white water, while paddling these two great sections of river.
We drive up Monday morning and set up tents. At the camp ground on the Middle Yough we practice basic boat control and rolling. Our first day might include paddling the first rapid on the Yough Loop. Soon we will be exploring the class III rapids on the Lower Yough. A side trip to the Wisp artificial course is always planned. We eat breakfast in camp, and lunch on the river. Bring your first day’s lunch with you. Dinner each night is at the Lucky Dog Cafe in Confluence.
For campers ages 12 – 17.
Cost: $575 per week covers transportation from a central meeting point near Cabin John, MD, food and camping for the week, and leadership. Please consult the Summer Camp Equipment List for what to bring, and call the office if you have any questions.
Our camp staff is selected and trained by Tom McEwan, long time kayaking coach and camp administrator. For over 30 years Tom has provided unique and quality adventures to youth in the DC area. Notable programs in the area owe their roots to Tom and his spirit of innovation and adventure. Expect an active week of enjoying the river and beautiful natural environment of the Potomac River and the rivers of Western Maryland and West Virginia.
All kayak equipment is provided, including boat, PFD (lifejacket), helmet, spray skirt, sprayjacket, and paddle. On chilly days, students should have one or two thick layers of synthetic pile or fleece shirts to wear under a spray jacket. Students must have appropriate shoes.
Registration: You can register from the link above. Fill out the form and submit. Pay by check, by Paypal or call the office to leave a credit card number.
Testimony to a youth trip:
Hi Tom thanks for thinking about Rick (top ten in the country in slalom racing)… I will tell you , he loved your trip that he went with you back when he was either 13 or 14. More importantly that trip played a pivotal point in his slalom and paddling career. Up until that time, he was afraid of getting into big holes, he often took the easier line down a hard rapid etc. He came back from the trip so much more confident and it changed him from a rather timid paddler into a much more aggressive one. It was such a dramatic and noticeable change. This has certainly helped when he has paddled big water race courses, He hasn’t looked back at those timid days since. (athough he still uses common sense when he paddles) I always talk how that trip change him. Just thought you should know that. – Sandy Powell
