5-day Kids Kayak Camp
Day 1 - Prepare to get wet and have a lot of fun! Each student is outfitted with a their own life jacket, dry suit,and wetsuit booties. You will be instructed to run into the water and experience the weird/funny sensation of swimming in a dry suit with warm dry clothes on under the suit (only their hands and heads get wet). Next, you get fitted with your own kayak and paddle while we familiarize you with kayak nomenclature, design basics, and entry level safety skills --first on the shore, then in shallow water near the beach. By afternoon you will practice launching and landing and we take a short trip along the shoreline of L. Sammamish State Park (at the south end of the Lake). You will get a feeling of accomplishment when you look back at where you started after paddling a mile under your own power in a one-person kayak. One the way back you will begin learning techniques to paddle forward faster and more efficiently.
Day 3 - Learn first hand about kayak design and construction by making your own minature carboard kayak model. This also serves as practice for the next day when groups of kids build, paddle and race full sized cardboard kayaks that they make. On the water, you will learn to use a deck compass and chart to navigate a course, and use the skills to find a hidden treasure chest. Day 4 - RACE DAY! Build and race full sized cardboard kayaks. Participate in planning the tour for our final Day 5 trip. We will look over the maps and charts along with checking the marine weather forecast of wind and wave conditions to determine the best destination and route for our trip. Day 5 Pack a snack and appropriate gear for a day trip. We will carpool and meet at another location. This is an opportunity to use all the skills and experience you have achieved during the week.
5-day Kids Kayak Half Day Camp, 8-10 or 11-14 yrs
|
||
|
| ||
|
Knews | Programs | Used Boats | Contact | Registration | Links |
Kids Kayak Camp learn what's cool and fun to do in a kayak. Five days of fun on the water!
Paddle your kayak at our camp location on Lake Sammamish (Issaquah, just 25 minutes from east of Seattle).
Learn basic paddling and safety skills with Head Youth Kayak Instructor, Barbara Sherrill Gronseth, Christine Burris and one of our skilled assistants. Play water games and race or
tour each day. Build and paddle cardboard kayaks. Day 5, we take an all day kayak trip. Class size limited to 6
students maximum.
Day 2
- Confidence and excitement grow as you carry your kayak to the water and practice basic kayak rescue skills.
After all that, you will discover some finer points of the maneuvering strokes as you kayak through narrow passageways
while exploring the wildlife and slow moving water of Issaquah Creek (which flows through the park into L. Sammamish).
Playing water games that develop higher paddling skills through experiential learning complete the day.
