YOUNG MARINERS PADDLING CAMP | 9 – 12 year olds
Make new friends, learn paddling skills, and enjoy group activities on and off the water
No experience necessary | Sit-On-Top Kayaks and Paddleboards
5 Days | Morning or Afternoon Sessions | $450
1 Day | Morning or Afternoon Session | $110
Summer Camp Sessions for 2024 begin on June 17th and are offered through August 23rd.
Morning Sessions | Mon – Fri | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Afternoon Sessions | Mon – Fri | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sea Kayak Connecticut’s Day Camp is an opportunity for children to participate in outdoor recreational activities while learning the fundamentals of kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Our camp provides five days of activities both on and off the water. The introduction of seamanship skills will provide campers with a better understanding of local tides, currents, and preferred paddling routes. A tailored American Canoe Association Quickstart Program will teach campers essential items, including proper fitment of equipment, safe onboarding and offboarding practices, and a variety of strokes, maneuvers, and rescues. Campers will develop their abilities with on-water games and team building activities, and toward the end of the week, they will be able to use their newly developed paddling skills to explore some of the unique features of the Saugatuck River such as Burritt Cove and Kitts Island.
The items below will help ensure that your child is safe, warm, and comfortable throughout the week. Please pack all of your child’s belongings in a drawstring backpack or small duffel with a nametag on the outside.
Water and Snacks
Please pack a non-nut-based snack and a water bottle for each day of camp. All water bottles should be clearly labeled with the camper’s name.
Water Shoes
Campers will need shoes that can get wet and will stay laced or buckled such as old tennis shoes, ankle-strap sandals, aqua socks, or neoprene booties. Thong type sandals and flip flops should not be worn as they can fall off and float away.
Rain Gear
Please pack a lightweight hooded rain jacket. In conditions of light or intermittent rain showers, we will continue with outdoor camp activities.
Synthetic Shirt
We recommend shirts made of nylon/spandex, polypropylene, or capilene. These wicking fabrics keep paddlers comfortable, dry out more effectively than cotton, and offer significant UV protection. Long-sleeved shirts offer the best protection against sunburn.
Synthetic Shorts
Board shorts, athletic shorts, and/or a bathing suit is recommended.
Towel and Hat
A sun hat, cap, or visor is helpful for preventing sunburn.
Sunglasses | Retainer Strap
Sunglasses are highly recommended as they reduce glare and protect the eyes. Glasses should be worn with a floating strap affixed to the frames.
Sunscreen and Lip Balm
Please pack a UV protective lip balm and plenty of waterproof sunblock.
Extra Clothing
We suggest packing dry clothing and footwear for your child to change into at the end of each day.
Sea Kayak Connecticut will be following all Public Health Guidelines for Summer Camps. Programming is conducted either outside or in a well-ventilated space. All camp counselors are vaccinated and boosted.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Camp cancellations with 30 days or more notice before the scheduled start time will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations with less than 30 days notice will result in forfeiture of the entire camp fee. If you replace your space in the camp or it is filled from Sea Kayak Connecticut’s wait list within these 30 days you will only forfeit 50% of the camp program fee. Failure to attend on a scheduled day and time will forfeit the camp fee for that day. Makeup days are not offered.
Inclement Weather
Rain will not keep us off the water, so please pack rain gear if showers are in the forecast. Should Sea Kayak Connecticut determine that the weather conditions are unsuitable to safely be out on the water, we will restructure the day and resume camp activities under cover.
For All Camp Programs
Comfortable life jackets will be provided and must be properly worn by all participants.
Waiver Form
The SKCT waiver and release form is required for each camper. Please complete all paperwork prior to the first day of camp.
Online Registration Form
Registration must be completed for each camper prior to the first day of camp. Please include the names and phone numbers of all individuals authorized to pick up your child. Your child can only leave with someone listed on the emergency form.
Punctuality
On-time arrivals are required for our program to run smoothly. For morning sessions, campers should be dropped off between 9:15 and 9:30 am; they should be picked up between 12:30 and 12:45pm. For afternoon sessions, campers should be dropped off between 12:45 and 1:00 pm; they should be picked up between 4:00 and 4:15pm. Campers should not be dropped off before 9:15am or 12:45 p.m. Similarly, campers picked up after 12:45 and after 4:15 will incur a service surcharge of $30.00/half-hour applied to the credit card on file.
Drop off and Pick Up
The driveway and parking garage at the rear (east side) of the building will be utilized for dropping off and picking up campers. On the first day of camp, we request that you park in the parking garage and escort your child to the picnic tables in the lower plaza, where our counselors and director will be waiting to greet you (Please do not park on Riverside Ave or in the lots adjacent to the shop). After the first day of camp, campers should be dropped off and picked up at the lower plaza. If you arrive early or need additional time, you may park inside the parking garage to avoid blocking the driveway. Your child will only be permitted to leave with someone listed on the emergency form.
Self Drop Off and Pickup
If your child will be walking, skating, or riding a bicycle to and from camp, you must indicate this in the online registration form.
Check-in / Check-out
Campers must be checked in and checked out daily. Please ensure that your child checks in with their counselor each day. Counselors are responsible for campers during designated camp times. Please be prompt at check-out. Campers picked up after 12:45 and after 4:15 will incur a service charge of $30.00/half-hour applied to the credit card on file.
Medications and Allergies
These items that we take seriously. It is critically important that the director and staff know of any medical conditions or allergies. If your child requires an inhaler, an Epi-Pen, or prescription medication, please bring these with you and speak directly with the Director on the first day.
Ice Cream Fridays
Sea Kayak Connecticut campers will celebrate their new skills, adventures, and friendships with an ice cream in the last hour of each Friday camp session. If you do not wish your child to participate in ice-cream Fridays, please indicate this in the online registration form.