white water

learning Center

of Georgia

3437 Rockhaven Cir. NE

Atlanta, GA 30324

(404) 231-1199

Fax (404) 231-4749 

Kids' Summer Kayak Day Camp

Since 1998, White Water Learning Center of Georgia introduced more kids to 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. WWLC instructors have many years of whitewater teaching experience and many are involved with kids as school teachers and scout leaders.  Each session is led by an American Canoe Association-certified whitewater kayak instructor.

The format for the five fun-filled days is to spend the first two days at Allatoona Lake and the last three days on scenic Class I and II north Georgia rivers such as the Chestatee, Amicalola, 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. We believe that individual attention and small groups are important to a quality learning experience and we stay within American Canoe Association guidelines for maximum student-to-instructor ratios

Parents may choose to drop their children off at the teaching site each day. We also provide free van pooling from our headquarters location near Lenox Square, leaving at 7:15 am, and from a designated point just north of I-285, leaving at 7:45 am. The perimeter location is the McDonald's restaurant at Windy Hill Road and I-75 on Monday and Tuesday and the REI store parking lot off Ga. 400 at exit 5 the rest of the week. Further out pick-up and drop-off points en route to the day’s teaching venue can also be arranged. Afternoon pick-up times are 4:00 pm on lake days and 4:30 pm on river days at the perimeter locations and 30 minutes later at headquarters.

2006 Sessions Dates

                         June 12-16                  June 26-30                   July 10-14                   July 24-28

The cost of a five-day session is $375 per child. This includes all required kayak equipment: boat, paddle, helmet, personal floatation device (PFD), spray skirt, paddling jacket and nose clips. (A complete checklist of suitable clothing and personal items will be sent to parents with a confirmation of registration.)  It does not include any meals. Parents should pack a lunch, snacks and a beverage each day.

After attending camp, kayakers will be qualified to go on our biweekly one-day guided trips on class II  rivers. These trips are usually led by an American Canoe Association-certified WWLC kayak instructor. The cost is $45 ($40 if you register 5 days ahead.)  Equipment rental is $20, $15 off our normal daily rate. Transportation is not included but car-pooling can usually be arranged. We can also provide information on family-oriented paddling clubs in the Atlanta area and  organizations involved with kayak racing that have youth programs.

Participant Requirements and Behavioral Expectations

The appropriate age range for our kayak day camp is 9 to 14. (Mature, athletic kids 13 and older are also welcome in our weekend courses.) Campers should be emotionally stable, in reasonably good physical condition, able to swim and comfortable with their heads under water. Participants must have written parental consent and sign a  liability waiver.

Campers are expected to behave and respond positively to instructors’ directions. Physical aggression, teasing, harassment, or conduct that poses a risk to their own or others’ safety will not be tolerated. Serious or repeated offenses will result in expulsion from the program, without refund. Disruptive behavior while in moving vehicles is considered a very serious safety threat.

Registration Information and Payment Policies

The cost of camp is $375 per child. Space is limited, so an early registration will help assure your child a place on your preferred dates. Feel free to call to check space availability. We require a $100 per child deposit at the time of registration, with the balance due 10 days before the scheduled beginning date of the course. Deposits are refundable up to 10 days before the camp start date. If you register within 10 days of the start date, full payment is required. Please complete the registration form below and mail with payment to: White Water Learning Center of Georgia, Inc., 3437 Rockhaven Cir. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30324-2532.  I you are paying with a major credit or debit card,  you can  fax the form to 404-231-4749 or call us with your registration information at 404-231-1199.

Cancellations/Refunds

A full refund will be given for cancellations made 10 days or more before the camp start date. No partial refund will be given if your child withdraws or misses days for any reason, or is expelled for misbehavior. Transfer requests made at least 10 days before the start date will be accepted. Those received after that will be accepted only if his/her place can be filled from a waiting list. A pro-rated refund will be given if we are forced to cancel a particular day's activities before we leave in the morning.  If the registration minimum is not met 10 days before the camp start date, you will be notified and asked to choose among your options. Please indicate a second choice of dates to help us if your first choice is oversubscribed or undersubscribed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration Form

If you are mailing or faxing your registration, please print this page and fill in the information.

If lines wrap or are cut off when printing, set printer margins to 0 and/or reduce font size . 

(Hint: To change the font size, hold the CTRL key down and move the scroll wheel on your mouse.)

Name ________________________________

Age ______ Sex______ Height______ Weight ______ Shoe Size______ T-Shirt Size ______

Parents' Names _____________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________ City ___________________  State  ___ Zip ________

Home Phone (     ) _______________ Day/Work Phone (     ) ________________ Cell Phone (     ) _________________

E-mail address(es) ______________________________________________________________________________

Please describe your child's previous paddling experience, if any. ___________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Session Dates: (1st choice) ____________________________  (2nd choice) ________________________________

Enclosed is my check for $ ________

Please charge $ ______ to my  VISA  ______ MC ______  AMEX ______  Discover ______ card.

Card # _________________________________ Expiration date ___/ ___ Name on Card _____________________

May we charge any balance due to your account on the due date? ______

Signature _______________________________________  Date ________

How did you find out about WWLC? Ad in _______________  Flyer at ____________________

Word-of-mouth from __________________  WWLC web site _____ found using: (a) search engine ______________

or (b) link from another site  _________________   Other source  _______________