Kids’ Summer Kayak Camps

Overview

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4 Days July - Aug

• Ages: Ages 9+ (See specific level for age ranges)

• Includes: Lunch and all equipment

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Level 1 Camp

The Level 1 Kids’ Kayak Camp is designed for children ages 9-12 who are new to whitewater kayaking or have paddled a SUP or sit-on-top kayak on flatwater. Our professional and fun instructors help students become comfortable in a whitewater boat on Class I-II rivers while having a blast throughout the week! We strive to have every child leave camp prepared with new skills and knowledge, and feel excited to get back out on the water.

• Ages: 9-12
• Prerequisite: Good health and a positive attitude!

Learning Objectives

Instructors will introduce students to and help them practice the following:

• River safety and etiquette 

• Wearing a spray skirt

• T-rescues

• Wet exits

• Basic paddle strokes

• Maneuvering around the river

Sample of a Day’s Schedule

9 AM: Drop-off at Wet Planet
9:30 – 3:00: Head to the Klickitat River to kayak and have a blast!
3:30 – 4:00: Project Time (example: tie-dye shirts to remember their fun times at camp)
4:00 PM: Pick-up at Wet Planet

On the last day of camp, we will close with a celebratory awards ceremony. All parents/guardians are welcome to join us for awards!

Level 2 Camp

The Level 2 Kids’ Kayak Camp is designed for children ages 10-13 who have taken a Wet Planet Kids Camp in the past 12 months or have started their whitewater journey with a class elsewhere. Students will refresh on skills they learned in Level 1 and begin focusing on catching eddies, ferrying, and peel-outs. Our instructors will emphasize moving down the river using controlled movement and build a solid base of skills for progression using engaging drills and games!

• Ages: 10-13
• Prerequisite: Have previously taken a Wet Planet Kids’ Camp in the past 12 months or have started their whitewater journey elsewhere

Learning Objectives

Instructors will introduce students to and help them practice the following:

• River safety and etiquette 

• Eddy catching

• Ferrying

• Peel outs

• Controlled downstream movement

• Moving around the streambed

Sample of a Day’s Schedule

9 AM: Drop-off at Wet Planet
9:30 – 3:00: Head to the Klickitat River to kayak and have a blast!
3:30 – 4:00: Project Time (example: tie-dye shirts to remember their fun times at camp)
4:00 PM: Pick-up at Wet Planet

On the last day of camp, we will close with a celebratory awards ceremony. All parents/guardians are welcome to join us for awards!

What’s the difference between Level 1 and Level 2?

Kids who have already taken the Level 1 camp will have a solid foundation of kayaking skills and an increased level of comfort on the water. We want these students to push themselves and progress, so we designed the Level 2 curriculum, which allows them to refresh known skills, learn new whitewater skills, and apply them on the water. Incoming Level 2 students will have a base knowledge of T-rescues, wet exits, paddle strokes, and some comfort in wearing a spray skirt. Instructors will teach them to catch eddies, ferry, peel out, and control their boat while moving downstream. 

Level 3 Camp

The Level 3 Kids’ Kayak Camp is designed for children ages 11-14 who have previously taken a Level 2 Kids Camp in the past 12 months or have started their whitewater journey with classes elsewhere. These kids are stoked about kayaking, feel comfortable in a spray skirt and hardshell kayak, and are ready to step it up! With our professional instructors, students will maximize their time on the river by working on skills through fun drills and games. They will refresh eddy catches, ferries, and peel outs while honing in on technical movements, strokes, and downstream progress on Class II and III rapids. These kiddos are on track to making kayaking a lifelong passion!

• Ages: 11-14
• Prerequisites: Have previously taken a Level 2 Camp in the past 12 months or have continued their whitewater journey elsewhere. Students must be comfortable paddling with a spray skirt.

Learning Objectives

Instructors will help students practice the following:

• River safety and etiquette 

• Class II whitewater

• Eddy catching

• Ferrying

• Peel outs

• Controlled downstream movement
• Moving around the streambed

NOTE: With our small class sizes, instructors often tailor lessons and drills to students’ specific needs and skill levels.

Sample of a Day’s Schedule

9 AM: Drop-off at Wet Planet
9:30 – 3:00: Head to the Klickitat River to kayak and have a blast!
3:30 – 4:00: Project Time (example: tie-dye shirts to remember their fun times at camp)
4:00 PM: Pick-up at Wet Planet

On the last day of camp, we will close with a celebratory awards ceremony. All parents/guardians are welcome to join us for awards!

What’s the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?

For kids who have already taken Level 2 and feel comfortable in a hardshell kayak on Class I-II whitewater, our Level 3 curriculum allows kids with more confidence and prior gained skills to drive deeper into technical kayaking skills and step up to more challenging sections of whitewater, such as the Lower White Salmon. Level 3 kids are on their way to making kayaking a lifelong passion! 

NOTE: If your child previously took Level 2 but does not have the confidence to paddle with a spray skirt yet, they should retake Level 2, and they will have a great time!

Requirements

Course Prerequisites

• Level 1: Good health and a positive attitude!
• Level 2: Have previously taken a Wet Planet Kids’ Camp in the past 12 months or have started their whitewater journey elsewhere
• Level 3: Have previously taken a Level 2 Camp in the past 12 months or have continued their whitewater journey elsewhere. Students must be comfortable paddling with a spray skirt.

Ages

• Level 1: 9-12
• Level 2: 10-13
• Level 3: 11-14

What’s the difference between Level 1 and Level 2?

Kids who have already taken the Level 1 camp will have a solid foundation of kayaking skills and an increased level of comfort on the water. We want these students to push themselves and progress, so we designed the Level 2 curriculum, which allows them to refresh known skills, learn new whitewater skills, and apply them on the water. Incoming Level 2 students will have a base knowledge of T-rescues, wet exits, paddle strokes, and some comfort in wearing a spray skirt. Instructors will teach them to catch eddies, ferry, peel out, and control their boat while moving downstream. 

What’s the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?

For kids who have already taken Level 2 and feel comfortable in a hardshell kayak on Class I-II whitewater, our Level 3 curriculum allows kids with more confidence and prior gained skills to drive deeper into technical kayaking skills and step up to more challenging sections of whitewater, such as the Lower White Salmon. Level 3 kids are on their way to making kayaking a life-long passion! 

NOTE: If your child previously took Level 2 but does not have the confidence to paddle with a spray skirt yet, they should retake Level 2, and they will have a great time!

Can my child repeat the same level they did before? 

Yes, and sometimes they should! It’s not uncommon for kids to retake the same level they took the year before. Here are a few reasons to repeat a camp:

• A younger sibling or friend is taking the camp
• It works best for your family’s schedule
• Your child was extremely nervous or apprehensive in last year’s camp and is still getting comfortable on the water

The beauty of the rivers we paddle on is that we can challenge the more advanced kids with new strokes and maneuvers while still having an appropriate playground for those who are getting the hang of the basics. No matter which level camp your child takes, they will have a blast!

Dates & Pricing

2024 Kids’ Kayaking Camp Dates

All camps are 4-day camps running Monday through Thursday.

Pricing

All camps cost $495/person + tax. This cost includes all the gear needed: wetsuit, footwear, splash jacket, fleece if needed, personal flotation jacket, spray skirt, helmet, kid-sized kayak, paddle, and lunch each day of the camp. Kids only need to bring a bathing suit or something to wear under a wetsuit, sunscreen, and a water bottle.