Youth Kayak Camp

Youth Kayak Camp

Youth Summer Kayak Camp

Program Description

Youth Summer Kayak Camp For Ages 10-16

Are you looking for a fun and unique summer camp? Our Youth Kayak Camp is perfect for you! Kayak on the warm waters of the Rogue River and sleep under the stars each night. Our days will be filled with kayaking, hiking, games, and adventure. We believe if kids have an opportunity to experience kayaking at a young age, it will have long-lasting positive impacts on their life.

Our mission at Sundance Kayak School:

Foster an environment of responsibility, respect, and self-confidence in our youth camps, and promote life-skills development. We maintain a safe river classroom, emphasizing fun, while learning through creative games. We believe a hands-on teaching approach encourages kids to get the most of out of their experience.

This course is about building. Building good friendships, building character, building teamwork, building self-esteem. The mental and physical challenges of kayaking, coupled with the support and guidance from instructors and peers, creates genuine life-skills development.

Many of the skills learned in kayaking, fit into the bigger picture in our natural world. Whitewater kayaking is the perfect way to explore the natural world and experience nature up close, while having fun and being active. It is also a low-impact sport both on the environment and on the body.

Length: 4 Days

Prerequisites: No Prior Experience Needed! Children ages 10-16.

2025 Start Dates:
June 24th – 27th

Includes: World-class instruction, all lodging, food, and equipment

Cost: $1125
All prices per person are subject to a 3% Government Use and Service fee. Guide Gratuity not included in the price.

Itinerary

Your child’s experience:

  • They will learn about essential kayak gear and safety skills needed in kayaking.
  • Our instructors will help them build a solid foundation of skills which they can continue to master even after the camp is complete.
  • They will learn about boat control, edging, and “wet exits”. Wet exits teach them how to get out of the kayak if it tips over. Believe it or not, gravity does most of the work!

On-water lessons:

  • Hydrology and Basic river safety
  • How to “read” the water, strategy for avoiding obstacles, and technique for running the river safely, all in the name of having fun.
  • Our instructors will demonstrate various acceleration and turning strokes to help students effectively navigate their new craft.
  • As the week progresses, these strokes will allow us to stop at will, play, and move around the river efficiently.

Off-water activities:

  • Focus on exploring our natural surroundings, fun, and games.
  • Creative projects and games
  • Examining the colorful natural history of the Rogue River: fishery, history with dams, and its future as a Natural resource.
  • By the end of the camp, students will have some understanding, of river geology, the ecosystem, and the future of conservation.

Sample of a Day’s Schedule:
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:30 – 12:00 pm: Morning Kayak Session
12:00 – 12:45 pm Lunch and Free Time
1:00 – 3:30 pm Afternoon Kayak Session
3:30 – 5:00 pm Project Time
6:30 pm: Dinner

Don’t Take Our Word For It. Hear What Our Guests Have To Say!

The experience was the highlight trip of my summer. I had been “making” it down the river, but that’s it. I felt like I was kayaking a bunch, but reached a point that I wasn’t getting any better. The instruction I received from your great group of instructors has been so helpful. They gave me so many techniques/paddle strokes to work on and they helped me with the bad habits I had developed. There wasn’t a single instructor that I didn’t think was great and enjoyable to be around, both on and off the water.

Angela W., Olympia, WA

My family loved every moment of our week long kayaking school. Not only did the wonderful and fun guides teach us how to kayak and roll, but we also established friendships and memories that I know will last for a lifetime. Thank you, Sundance! We can’t wait for our next trip.

Lauren K., San Francisco, CA

My instructors make maneuvering through challenging cross currents look effortless, but I have learned that there are no short cuts to doing so myself. Every time I enter a new rapid, I know a community of paddlers supports me.

Zoe L., Berkeley, California
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The guides and others created a FUN and safe environment that allowed me to get out of my comfort zone.  JR’s teaching is a combination of silly, serious and encompassed in a positive energy and a can-do spirit.

Charlie, Berkeley, California
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In my years as a river guide and in my own trials at learning to kayak I have seen many go through the progression and take up a paddle. But learning how to kayak is not easy and can involve overcoming some very innate fears. Of all the teachers I have encountered none have so effectively turned that fear into fun as Sundance Kayak School.

Aaron B., Denver, CO

I recently spent a week on the Rogue River with Lori and JR from Sundance Kayaking school and it was AMAZING!!!! I’m looking forward to going on another kayaking adventure soon and hope to be able to learn more from them again!

Megan S., Los Angeles, CA
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Additional Information

The Rogue is a perfect place to learn how to kayak.

A protected wilderness since 1968, students will be kayaking in the warm waters of the Rogue River. It has deep channels, and a pool-drop nature. The difficulty of this river is perfect for beginners. In addition, there are many different runs to choose from. These friendly conditions ensure a high success rate for young kayakers.

Our four-to-one student/instructor ratio: Makes certain each student will receive appropriate instruction and adult supervision.

The facilities: The camp will be held at either Indian Mary Park, or Almeda park, on the Rogue River.

Our Instructors: All the instructors at Sundance share an infectious appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Some of us even started kayaking in youth programs like this one!