Ottawa River Runners Summer Kayak Camps

The Ottawa River Runners offers a summer camp program that teaches the basics of whitewater kayaking skills in a fun, safe environment. The campers will get started on the calm flat water learning all the basic strokes before progressing to the moving water. Qualified kayak instructors will teach participants self rescues, ferries, eddy turns and the first steps of whitewater paddling running the rapids.The camps are separated by age and skill level. We only offer one type of camp each week. The age groupings are; Kayak Kids Camp: ages 9-12, and Youth Kayak Camp: ages 12-16. We offer Level 1 camps, which are for participants who have never been taught whitewater kayaking skills, and Level 2, which are for participants who have taken a Level 1 camp, or another whitewater kayaking instruction program. All equipment for the camps is provided. All camps are held at The Pumphouse, our paddling site in the heart of downtown Ottawa, at Lebreton Flats.

Level 1 Camp Skills and Activities
-forwards, backwards, turning and bracing strokes in a kayak
-paddling games and races for improving kayaking skills
-lessons on current flow and paddling in moving water (Class I)
-ferrying, eddy turns, edge control
-introduction to Class II moving water on the last day

 Level 2 Camp Skills and Activities
-review and work on basic paddling skills
-introduction of more advanced whitewater paddling techniques
-introduction of whitewater slalom kayaks and canoes, slalom technique
-introduction of rolling skill progression

Note: Full day camps are run as a traditional day camp and will include games on land, arts and crafts, swimming and other activities. It is not beneficial nor possible to have children paddling all day, due to their limited endurance, strength and the environmental conditions. Our instructors break up the day to allow rests, and time out of the sun/rain.

Basic Requirements:
-The minimum age for participation in the camp program is 9.
-Participants must have basic swimming skills.
   We do not require a specific Aquaquest Level, what is important is that the child is comfortable in the water environment, and can swim well enough to guide themselves in moving water. All participants will be wearing PFD's while on the water.
-Participants should be prepared to try whitewater kayaking.
   The purpose of our program is to teach whitewater kayaking skills, and to give kids the opportunity to try out paddling in rapids. Those with an adventurous spirit, who are ready to try new things are best suited to this type of program. We ask that you please consider the suitability of this camp for each child, they do not need to be fearless, but they should be prepared to come with an open mind. If you are not sure if your child would enjoy this activity, please refer to our FAQ.

Schedule

 Kayak Kids Level 1: Ages 9-12. 
  -July 5-9, August 16-20, full days, $270.
  -August 3-6, 4 full days $220
Youth Kayaking Level I: Ages 12-16.
  -July 19-23, Aug 9-13, 4 1/2 days AM + full day Fri, $195
Kayak Kids Level II: Ages 9-12.
  -July 12-16, full days, $260.
  -August 23-27, 5 half days (mornings) $140
Youth Kayaking Level II: Ages 12-16.
  -June 28-30, 3 full days, $170
  -August 23-27, 5 half days (afternoons) $140
Spring Level 1 Catch-Up Course: Ages 11-13.
  -June 22 6-8 pm, June 24 6-8 pm, June 26 9 am - 3 pm, $120

***Just Added: Kayak Kids Level 1 Mini-Camp: Ages 9-14 (ask us about older youth for this camp)
- Mon Jul 26, 9am-1pm,  Tue Jul 27, 1:30-4:30pm, Wed Jul 28, 9am-12pm, $110

***Just Added: Kayak Kids Level 1 Mini-Camp: Ages 9-14 (ask us about older youth for this camp)
- Wed Jul 28, 1:30-4:30pm, Thu Jul 29, 1:30-4:30pm, Fri Jul 30, 10:30am-4pm, $120

Cookie Race: Free event for all camp participants!
  - August 28

Camp Hours
Full days 9 am - 4 pm.
Half Days: Monday - Thursday 9 am - 1pm, Friday 9am - 4 pm
Week of August 23-27: mornings are 9 am -12 pm, afternoons are 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Special Notes:
  - The Spring Level 1 Catch-Up Course is a speedy introduction for participants aged 11-13, who want to gain the basic skills in order to take a Level 2 Camp with friends or to take an ongoing club program. Participants registering for this course should be strong swimmers and ready to paddle! The spring course would not be appropriate preparation for the Level II Camps during the week of August 23-27.
  - The Level II Camps during the week of August 23-27 will include more of a focus on introduction to slalom kayaking. These camps will be suitable for participants who have already taken a Level II Camp, and want to do some preparation for the Cookie Race, or for participants who have only done a Level I but are very keen to keep learning.
-We offer a discount of $30 off each camp fee for multiple campers or multiple camps. This is available for selection in our registration form.
- Camps hours can be extended by 30 minutes in the morning or afternoon for full day camps. The fees are $15 for early drop-offs (from 8:30 am) and $15 for late pick-ups (until 4:30 pm) and cover all 5 days. If you know that you will need to drop-off or pick-up early or late for the week, please select this option on the registration form.
- We reserve the right to cancel camps if we do not have a minimum number of participants

PLEASE CONTINUE TO THE REGISTRATION LINK TO CHECK AVAILABILITY. (START THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, GO TO THE 2ND PAGE, SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE AVAILABILITY, THEN EXIT OUT OF THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, BY CLOSING THE BROWSER, IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE. NO PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE RETAINED, NOR WILL YOU BE CHARGED.)

Please click here to register online via Zone4 and to check the availability 

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information Contact Us 

For ongoing programs for youth and adults, please explore the other sections of our "Courses & Programs" menu.
 

Location: National Whitewater Canoe/Kayak Slalom Tailrace/Pumphouse Training Site, 10 Fleet Street, LeBreton Flats.

Camp Instructors

Tom Murrie - Chief Instructor

Tom has been paddling for over a decade, and is a semi-active slalom athlete.  He grew up paddling on the Kananaskis River in Canmore, Alberta, and is now in Ottawa attending Carleton University.  Tom is a Whitewater Ontario and NCCP certified Kayak Instructor and is excited to be recruiting new paddlers through our camp and intro programs.

Alison started her paddling career here in Ottawa with the Ottawa River Runners. She races in slalom kayaking, and trains with our competitive seniors group. Alison also attends Carleton University and has completed her Whitewater Ontario and NCCP Kayak Instructor training.

Offcial Media Sponsor

We're pleased to announce that Rapid Media is the Official Media Sponsor of ORR's summer camps. Summer camp parrticipants will receive a complimentary digital subscription to Rapid magazine as well as a back-issue hardcopy. Check-out Rapid Media's magazines: Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots, and Kayak Angler.