Renaissance Adventure Guides

Kids Camps

5 Day Beginner Youth Paddling Camp

Prerequisites: Able to swim and have fun

$425/person
Ages 10-17 (Under 10 please call 303-988-2943)
5:1 student to instructor ratio (lake) 4:1 (river)
Minimum of 3 students needed to run this lesson

The 5 Day Beginner Youth Paddling Camp is a program that will allow your kid to progress through the basics of kayaking and embark upon many fun and exciting adventures on the river. Kids will spend two days on Chatfield Reservoir learning 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 the guides. The games are fun and improve paddling skills.
After the lake portion is complete we will spend the next few days on moving water. On the river, the kids 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 kids will learn how to respect the rivers and have fun at the same time.

Itinerary
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 go 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.

Recommended Gear List
Please bring the same personal equipment as you would wear to the beach: 
•Sunscreen
•Sunglasses with retention strap (Croakies, etc.)
•Something to get wet in (swimsuit)
•Wetsuit booties or river sandals (must stay on when you swim)
•A hat
•Lots of water
•Large lunch (food may be transported down the river in a dry bag)
•Warm dry clothing for when you are off the water
•Underarmer, fleece or other synthetic clothing (not containing cotton)

This lesson includes all the kayaking gear you will need including a boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, helmet, splash jacket, wetsuit and booties.   If you have your own equipment, we encourage you to bring it since it is most likely what you will be using outside this lesson.

 

Meeting/Departure Location
Chatfield Reservoir State Park
South of C-470 and Wadsworth
Littleton CO 80125
USA
See Location on a Google Map 

Important Travel Information
Pickup and Drop-off locations:
(Unless otherwise specified by instructor):
Days 1-2:  Chatfield gravel pond
Days 3-5:  Union Street Boat Chutes

Directions to Gravel Pond (Chatfield Reservoir):
At Chatfield Reservoir, the classes meet at the gravel pond, on the south end of the park. After leaving the gate house take a right at the first stop sign.  You will pass a road on your right that goes to the horse stables.  The road will curve to the left and as it does you will see the gravel pond on your right.  Take the next right turn on to a dirt road, follow it to a parking lot and that is the meeting location.
The reservoir has a gate fee of: $7.00 per day or you may purchase Season Pass.

Directions to Union Street Boat Chutes (Centennial Park):
Take Santa Fe Drive to West Union Ave. (about 3 blocks north of Belleview) and go west on Union Ave until you cross the South Platte River (one block).  Take the first right into the parking lot where a sign says Centennial Park.  Park as close as you can to the river in this parking lot.  This is the meeting place.
 
*Prearranged pickup may be available. Call for details 303-988-2943

Starting Dates
Monday, June 07, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, July 05, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010

Get 3 or more people together and we will run this trip during other weeks

Liability Release Form  , Health History Form   (Parent or Guardian please complete forms before class)

Call 303-988-2943 or email info@raguides.com if you have any questions.
 

Cancellation (Refund) Policy