Participants learn skills in the operation of canoes and kayaks. (Submitted photo/Morgan Gladue)

By Derek Cornet

outdoors

Paddling summer camps educating youth on canoes, kayaks

Jul 28, 2023 | 2:52 PM

Youth from the tri-communities are gaining valuable outdoor skills through paddling camps offered by Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan.

That’s according to La Ronge community programmer Morgan Bell, who explained the camps are for youth between the ages of eight to 17. The camps began on July 10 and continue until Aug. 24.

“The push to do this program is to get more kids interested in the Saskatchewan Summer Games and Tony Cote Summer Games and to build the support in the area and to have stronger teams,” she said.

“We are based out of Montreal River Outpost. Martin has been supporting our camp and he stores our equipment there. We keep our equipment there and we also have a classroom at Northlands College. On the days it’s rainy or windy, we will do some indoor stuff. We will try to stay outdoors as much as possible, but that’s our plan ‘B.’ Otherwise, we launch from Montreal River Outpost.”

The next two weeks from July 31 to Aug. 11 is for those between the ages of 14 to 17. Bell noted the first week (July 31 to Aug. 3) is a skills camp, which will be followed by a three-day trip (Aug. 8-11) to Bear Island on the second week.

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The week of Aug. 14 to 17 will be for ages nine to 13 and the final week of Aug. 21 to 24 will once again be for ages 14 to 17. Most weeks, with the exception of Aug. 8-11, are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rylan Brooks-Buffalo is a summer student providing programming with Bell and Luke Hepworth from Children North has also been helping out. Bell mentioned the first week was completely full (10 people), but the last two weeks have been at half capacity.

“It’s very beginner friendly, so it’s for kids who really haven’t been on the water much,” Bell said. “We go over safety and parts of a canoe and parts of a kayak, and then we go over different strokes and maneuvers in the water and, with our older kids, we will be doing the ‘T’ rescue, so canoe-on-canoe rescue.”

Those interested in registering for the program can do so online here. If internet access is an issue, Bell can be reached at 1-306-420-8393.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno