Soft Power Health would like to thank Crocs for their sponsorship of the Kids Kayaking Camp.
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The first session of the
Kids Kayaking Camp was in the summer of 2002 and for the past 6 years,
Jessie and a dedicated group of instructors have taught inner city kids
from Harlem and the Bronx to whitewater kayak. The week-long camp
begins in a swimming pool in lower Harlem. The kids are introduced to
kayaks and taught how to get in and out of them. Flat water initiation
is followed by ocean kayaking, and progresses to running a whitewater
Farmington River in Connecticut by day 5. For all of the students, some
of whom do not know how to swim, this is their first experience with
the sport and their first introduction to the outdoor world.
The
camp has been incredibly popular, so much so that we have had to turn
kids away when we run out of space. It has also grown to include a
multi-day wilderness river trip on the wild and scenic Rogue River in
Oregon.
What the kids have learned about themselves and the
natural world is hard to put into words. The obvious lessons are about
taking risks, being responsible for your own actions, and caring for
the natural world. The other, more subtle and profound lessons are
about trust, building confidence, and achieving dreams and goals. Of
course, there is a huge element of fun in all of this, as well.
The
Kids Kayaking Camp is possible thanks to the collaboration of the Boys
and Girls Harbor Club of NY, various kayaking manufacturers, and the
generosity of individuals.
Professional kayaking instructors are compensated for their time and support.
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2006 Kids Kayaking Camp
In 2006, the Kids Kayaking Camp turned 5! Read about the 2006 Kids Kayaking Camp here.
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Please Help!
2008 may be the last year for the Kids Kayaking Camp! We need your support!
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