Camp Description:
Over the last five years, White Water Learning Center of Georgia introduced more kids to the sport of whitewater kayaking than any other instructional program in Georgia. The focus of our kids program is our summer day camp for children aged 9 to 14. We also provide instructional services to residential camps and youth groups such as scout troops.The Program
The goal of our summer day camp program is to provide an enjoyable and challenging experience for kids in a natural environment. We emphasize teaching proper paddling technique and have developed simplified instructional methods to assure success. Whitewater kayaking is a skill that requires balance and coordination more than strength and is an activity that can be mastered by most kids who are in reasonably good physical shape. However, many of the techniques involved in the sport are counter-intuitive and require working with an experienced instructor to learn them. WWLC instructors have many years of whitewater teaching experience and many are involved with kids as school teachers and scout leaders. Several have worked with kids with learning disabilities and attention disorders. Each session is led by a American Canoe Association-certified whitewater kayak instructor.
The format for the five days is to spend two fun-filled days at Allatoona Lake and the last three days on nearby scenic Class I and II rivers, such as the Amicalola, Etowah, and Cartecay.
The first thing we do at the lake is outfit each camper with the proper-sized gear. Kayaks are not “one-size-fits-all” pieces of equipment. We have several models of small volume kayaks for children and youths in the 50 to 125 pound weight range, along with youth-sized paddles, life vests and helmets. This is top quality equipment from manufacturers such as Perception, Dagger, Werner and Lotus. We also have adult-sized gear for big kids.
On the lake, campers become comfortable with their kayaks in the water and learn to get out properly when they turn over. We intersperse teaching paddling technique with playing games and take frequent breaks. On the first river day, we emphasize basic boat control-- going straight, avoiding obstacles, stopping by turning into eddies, etc. By Friday, the kids will have learned all the basic skills and we make the last day a "fun run" with a minimum of drills.
We introduce river safety and related topics at "teachable moments" during the week, rather than through formal lectures. All instructors hold current First Aid and CPR certifications and most have had specific training in river rescue techniques.
WWLC provides transportation each day from our headquarters location near Lenox Square, leaving at 7:15 am, and from a designated point just north of I-285. The perimeter location will depend on our destination, but typical meeting places are the McDonald's restaurant at Windy Hill Road and I-75 on Monday and Tuesday and the MARTA Park-Ride lot at Abernathy Rd. and Ga. 400 on other days. Pick-up time at these locations is 7:45 am. Drop-off time is 4:00 pm on lake days and 4:30 pm on river days at the perimeter and 30 minutes later at headquarters. Other pick-up and drop-off points en route to the day's teaching venue can also be arranged.
2002 Dates
June 10-14 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 22-26 August 5-9
Cost
The cost of a five-day session is $325 per child. This includes all required kayak equipment: boat, paddle, helmet, personal floatation device (PFD), spray skirt, paddling jacket, water bottle and nose clips. (A complete checklist of suitable clothing and personal items will be sent to parents with a confirmation of registration.) The price also includes daily van transportation. It does not include any meals. Parents should pack a lunch, snacks and a beverage each day.
