Kayaking is a great sport to help youths grow up strong and healthy.
Kayak course just for youths
The Youth Kayak Camps are two, three or five-day programs that will
progress through the basics of kayaking. These classes run from 9am to 3pm each day and youths return home at night. We have our Youth 5-Day Youth overnight kayak clinic. Please see below for the schedule format for this class. This clinic will cover the basic paddle strokes, bracing, self-rescue, Eskimo
rescues, and the Eskimo roll. Once the basic strokes are learned we will
play kayak games developed by our guides. The games are fun and
improve paddling skills. Lunch will need to be brought to this class. Lunch will be followed by soccer, kickball, volleyball,
and whatever other fun games we want to play before getting back in the water. All kayaking gear is included.
Our three and five day camps progress to the river once the two days on the lake portion is complete. On the river, the youths will learn how to control their boat
in current and to maneuver from one part of the river to another. Maneuvers
include: in and out of eddies, ferries across the river, surfing waves
and negotiating a slalom course. We will encourage teamwork, respect for
the river, and self-reliance. River safety, scouting, self-rescue, and
reading whitewater will be practiced throughout the class. Your youths will
learn how to respect the rivers and have fun at the same time.
What Rivers?
We have several options of rivers to paddle this summer. The rivers for the day camp trips include
Boulder Creek in Boulder, Clear Creek in Golden, St. Vrain in Lyons and
the South Platte River in Denver. Each of these rivers will be utilized
depending on water levels. The meeting place each day will depend on which
river we are running. The overnight camp includes transportation to Glenwood Canyon for kayaking on the Colorado River.
The Guides
The river guides are all ACA certified kayak instructors. They
are trained in CPR, first aid and river rescue. The guides are experienced
whitewater kayakers and love to spread knowledge on to others. We want
to encourage young paddlers to lead the sport into the next generation.
Youth Kayak Day Camps: Lake class in Littleton, Colorado at Chatfield State Park and rivers along the Front Range
Map to Chatfield State Park, meet at the gravel pond at Chatfield State Park. Enter through the main entrance to the park off of Wadsworth Blvd (
$6.00 per vehicle
). Go right at the T-intersection. Follow the road south for about 1 mile. The road will turn to the left, and on the right you will see a body of water. This is the gravel pond. Take a right on the first dirt road and go 200 yards to the parking lot at the end. This is where you will be met by your instructor.
Novice Youth 2 Day Camps
Dates: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)
Jun 07 - Jun 08, 2010
Jun 14 - Jun 15, 2010
Jun 21 - Jun 22, 2010
Jul 05 - Jul 06, 2010
Jul 12 - Jul 13, 2010
Jul 19 - Jul 20, 2010
Fee:
$200.00
Novice Youth 3 Day Camps
Dates: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)
Jun 07 - Jun 09, 2010
Jun 14 - Jun 16, 2010
Jun 21 - Jun 23, 2010
Jul 05 - Jul 07, 2010
Jul 12 - Jul 14, 2010
Jul 19 - Jul 21, 2010
Fee:
$300.00
Novice Youth 5 Day Camps
Dates: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)
Jun 07 - Jun 11, 2010
Jun 14 - Jun 18, 2010
Jun 21 - Jun 25, 2010
Jul 05 - Jul 09, 2010
Jul 12 - Jul 16, 2010
Jul 19 - Jul 23, 2010
Fee:
$425.00
Typical Schedule:
Day 1 - Intro to kayaking. Today we teach about boat design and all of the other equipment necessary for whitewater kayaking. We teach and practice flat water paddling techniques (forward, sweep and correction strokes), the wet exit, hip snaps, T-rescues, bracing and an intro to the roll.
Day 2 - We work some more on rolling technique in the morning, then move to the river in the afternoon to get a feel for moving water and how a boat handles in it. This is all done in a close and controlled environment, working on small sections of water with close supervision.
Day 3 - We spend a full day on the river today, learning ferrying, eddy turns, and basic safety skills for moving water. This is our first big day on the river! Not only do we teach kayaking, but we also teach students about the natural environment in which the rivers flow, teaching respect for all other people and animals out there enjoying the river with us.
Day 4 - We put the individual techniques learned over the past 3 days together to learn how to navigate basic rapids (class I-II) while moving down river. More advanced safety techniques are also taught.
Day 5 - Now that we've learned the basics of moving down river in a kayak, we spend today having fun! We do more river running in rapids, with a focus on learning to play in the rapids as we down river, including an introduction to play moves. This is usually at a local whitewater park, and parents are encouraged to attend to see how their children have progressed during the week.
*The 2-day camp covers days 1-2, 3-day covers days 1-3, etc. (hint: the 5-day camp is the best value!).
Bring your own lunch, water, sunscreen, clothing, etc.
Ages:
10-17 yeas old
5 Day Intermediate Youth Paddling Camp (2 Days Denver Rivers and 3 Days Colorado River)
This is for those kids who already have some proficiency and experience with whitewater kayaking. A prerequisite is our 5 Day Beginner Youth Kayaking Camp or equivalent. We spend the first day doing a refresher on rolling technique and determining the group's paddling ability, then we spend the remainder of the time running rivers improving kayaking skills, surfing, and river safety skills.
All kayaking equipment is included.
Ages: 14-18
Typical Schedule:
Day 1
Day one we will spend on the Platte River at Union Cutes. The focus of this class is to get to know everyone and find out what each students kayaking ability is. We spend the entire day practicing drills and playing adventure games. Students will begin to learn the importance of team work and relying on others.
Day 2
Day two we will spend in Golden at the Whitewater Park. Here we will fine tune some skills and practice maneuvering through slalom gates. Students will practice rescue and safety scenarios. We will also practice rolling. At the end of the day we will talk about what is needed for the up coming three days on the Colorado River.
Day 3
We will begin day three by checking to make sure everyone has all the proper gear to camp for the next three days. Then we say our goodbyes and begin a new adventure. We will travel to the Colorado River near Glenwood and have some lunch at are camping spot. Then we hit the water for an afternoon of fun. We end the day with a good dinner and an evening hike.
Day 4
Day four will be the day we put everything we have learned to use. We will be on a larger river, allowing us to really open up. We will visit some historic landmarks and warm up in some natural hot springs on the river. Depending on everybody’s energy level we may hike to hanging lake to finish the day.
Day 5
On day five Students are tired but the fun is not over. We will start by breaking down camp and learn the importance of leave no trace. In a fun and safe environment student will be encouraged to push their limits. We will be ending the day around 2pm and shoot to be back in Denver around 5pm.
Camping Locations on the Colorado River for days 3-5.
Deep Creek Camp Sites Directions
I-70 Exit 133 at Dotsero and turn north onto County Road 301 (Colorado River Road). Follow for approximately 2.5 miles. Turn at the National Forest Access sign onto Deep Creek Road. Go through private property for the first 2 miles until enter BLM. Campsites are marked along the road, as well as walk-in sites at the Coffeepot trailhead. White River National Forest access is further up the road. Be careful of trucks on road. Located 4.5 miles from Dotsero, CO
Upper Colorado River-Lyons Gulch Camp Site Directions
I-70 Exit 133 at Dotsero and turn north onto County Road 301 (Colorado River Road). Follow road for 3.8 miles until site on right side with two parking areas. Located 4 miles from Dotsero, CO 4 miles from Dotsero, CO
All meals, transportation and kayaking equipment is included on days 3-5. We will send out a packing list upon receiving a reservation. The group will be camping. Tents are included, sleeping bags and pads are available at $30.00 for the 3 days if you need them.
Dates: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)
Jun 28 - Jul 03, 2010
Jul 26 - Jul 31, 2010
Fee:
$525.00
Map to the first day meeting location:Union Chutes - Englewood (Centennial Park) W. Union Ave., just west of Santa Fe, Englewood, CO 80110
Meeting Time at Union Chutes - Englewood (Centennial Park): 9:00 am
|
