Portland, Oregon Kayak Adventure Camp

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Experience the waterways and natural wonders of Portland in our traditional skin-on-frame kayaks.

Become a Mariner

During this week campers learn the basics of boating and journey on our local rivers and lakes. They take to the water everyday paddling the Trackers fleet.

We teach the fundamentals of kayaking and boating from proper gear to the crucial safety principles of self rescue in a kayak (practiced in calm shore waters with instructors "spotting" students). Plus we cover techniques such as efficiently paddling, knots and other marine skills.

They also come back with an appreciation for the local natural history of our area as we look for great blue herons, deer, muskrat, kingfishers and much more.

The Trackers Difference

Our program goes beyond learning to kayak, we also track animals along the shores we visit, fish for food, play in the water and much more.

If you do not have one, we can provide your child with the required PFD (life vest).

Kayak Adventure Camp

Details

7:30am - 8:30am FREE Morning Pre-Camp
8:30am - 3:30pm Camp Session
3:30pm - 6:00pm Pre-registered After Camp Get extended camp to 6pm

Location 5040 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Portland, Oregon Map It

Early Bird Discount Register before February 22, 2012 and receive 10% off the regular tuition

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Ages 9-14 June 18-22, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 June 25-29, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 July 2-6, 2012 No camp July 4 Tuition $337 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 July 9-13, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 July 16-20, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 July 23-27, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 August 6-10, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 August 13-17, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 August 20-24, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

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Ages 9-14 August 27-31, 2012 Tuition $395 includes 10% super early discount

About Our Boats

Skin-on-frame boats have evolved and been put to the test over thousands of years of heavy use on some of the most arduous seas in the world, such as the arctic ocean. The "skin" of our highly flexible and resilient boats is ballistic grade nylon (the same material used in bulletproof vests). The frames of these boats are lashed and pegged through traditional construction. Modern engineers and boat builders value the flexibility of skin-on-frame construction for being more efficient and durable then fiberglass design in many respects. Because of the natural profile of our boats they also encourage closer encounters with river wildlife from ducks to birds to otters.

Ages 9-14 Kayak Adventure Camp includes

Travel the waterways of our awesome greenspaces and beyond
Paddle and row in our traditional skin-on-frame boats
• Proper safety and rescue gear
• practice rescue techniques including self rescue
• Navigation and reading the water
• Knots and other marine skills
• Silently Stalk bull frogs with fishing spears
• Weather reading
• Kayak games and water play
• Care for kayaks and gear
• Explore places only accessible by water
• Track otter, raccoon and coyotes along untouched shores

Updates from articles & classes

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Our Philosophy for Learning & Living

We help children to feel like that group of kids wandering country backyards 50 years ago: independent, tired, muddy, wet and happy from the woods and wild. We are acutely aware of full and real hazards of the out of doors after years of working in environmental education. We try to move away from the highly structured and limiting tolerances of conventional environmental education while keeping kids truly safe but not encapsulated from, or phobic of nature. We are deep patriots to the value of offering guided yet very free and transparent experiences for kids. We believe it is okay to be thirsty at times, cold at times, and wet at times. It builds empathy and care for the gifts of life. It fosters adventure and sincere accomplishment. We also believe it is critical to feel supported and cared for as they truly explore their passion and responsibility. And through a healthy life immersed in nature, they test the limits and great potential of the often untapped physical and emotional resiliency they possess.