KIDS KAYAK INSTRUCTION
SUMMER 2022

Regardless of the session, this is an opportunity to paddle with a group of young boaters, away from parental oversight so that kids can be their own boater and learn how to take responsibility for themselves as kayakers. Our youth instruction is fun, but with the intent that kids come away better boaters and are excited about being on the river. While our July 4th Kids Camp is a favorite for many, we offer a variety of kayak camps all summer long for ages 7-15. 

Our programs are flexible. We ensure compatibility of ages and work with mentoring between our experienced kids and new paddlers. Our goal is to create responsible paddlers that have skills, knowledge of safety, decision making and teamwork. Note: There are no parent tag-a-longs please!

Every day all summer is kids’ day at Endless River Adventures. We can also provide custom camps for kids – or for the whole family!

10th Annual Kid’s Week Kayak Camps

This is our favorite week in the Gorge! Choose from as few as one day in a session to consecutive sessions.
Note: First timers in the beginner session must do the first day of the 3-day session

KID’S KAYAK CAMP

Session 1

BEGINNER/ADVANCED BEGINNER

Day One: Review and Bring a Friend Day. We will begin on the lake, working on wet exits and strokes and technique. For experienced paddlers, this is a day to get back in a boat and feel good about where they left off.

Day Two: Building confidence on Class II whitewater, with an emphasis on increasing comfort being upside down in moving water.

​Day Three: Class II whitewater with an emphasis on eddy catching and an introduction/review of the kayak roll. For kids who have participated in Kids Camp and are looking to step it up, but have not been in a boat since then, we highly recommend adding this day as a warm up for the beginner/intermediate sessions.

DATES: July 2-4, 2022

Price: $130/day. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

KID’S KAYAK CAMP

Session 2

ADVANCED BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

For young  boaters who have spent a season paddling, are comfortable on Class II and are ready to really work on the roll.  If your young boaters are ready to step it up to intermediate, but have not been in a boat since last year, we recommend adding the third day of Session I as a warm up.

Day One: Review of strokes, rolling and bow rescues. Time will be spent on both flat water and Class II.

Day Two: Improving river runner maneuvers on strong Class II whitewater, an introduction to river rescue and backing up fellow boaters on the river.

Day Three: An introduction to the Nantahala with the option of working on rolling before hitting the river.

DATES: July 5-7, 2022

Price: $130/day. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

KID’S KAYAK CAMP

Session 3

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

For the young boater who is paddling the Nantahala (or similar runs) – maybe not the Falls, and are looking to start paddling more Class III whitewater. An emphasis will be on making sure that everyone is comfortable with at least trying to roll in a combat situation.

​Day One: Working the Nantahala and Nantahala Falls

Day Two: Option of either a day of Slalom and play boating or an introduction to the Ocoee.

Day Three: Building confidence on Class III whitewater, with an emphasis on learning how to lead a group through rapids.

DATES: July 8-10, 2022

Price: $130/day. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

  Kid’s Ocoee Boot Camp

These are two-day weekend camps for kids and teens ready to learn to paddle the Ocoee. Prerequisites: A whitewater roll, confident eddy catching, successful runs at Nantahala Falls. 

Day One is an intro to the Ocoee to get used to bigger water and rolling on the Ocoee.

Day Two is all about taking on more of the river, working on water reading, and learning optional lines for future days on the Ocoee.

DATES: June 25-26  and June 30-31

Price: Weekend session $300. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

Kid’s Weekend Beginners Camp

The weekend will cover everything from wet exits, strokes, rolling, river maneuvers and some good old fashioned kid fun as well.

DATES: July 16-17, July 23-24 and July 30-31

Price: Weekend session $300. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

3-DAY LABOR DAY KIDS KAYAK CAMP

BEGINNER /BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE

What a great way to finish off the summer! A three-day workshop for kids. This will be orientated to beginner and beginner-intermediate paddlers who are looking to develop their whitewater skills. The focus of the three day weekend will be rolling, moves that will help you become a Class II boater, with leadership work and team building skills part of the weekend as well.

DATES: September 3-5, 2022

Price: 3-Day weekend session $390. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

 2-DAY LEADERSHIP KAYAK CAMP

Diversity Whitewater Kids Leadership Camp

A 2-Day Youth Leadership Camp with a focus on learning to kayak, communication, team building, and dealing with stress.  This 2-day camp is a full scholarship for 6- 8 participants sponsored by Diversity Whitewater and Need More Outdoors. Preference will be given to BIOPIC kids who are excited to spend some time in the outdoors.  

Eco-Splash Kids Camp

EcoSplash Camp is a 2-day camp for kids who love the water and are excited to explore nature. Not all kids want to be in kayaks, but all kids should spend time outside. We have teamed up with Mainspring Conservation trust to offer an Ecosplash camp: with days split between the river (in kayak, ducky or raft) and youth environmental education: exploring the river ecosystems with goggles and snorkels and lesson in nature.