By Allison Knab
It’s that time of year again … even though there’s (some) snow on the ground and no end of cold weather in sight, camps are sending you emails and the summer schedule is suddenly filling up. Surrounded as we are by rivers, estuaries, and the Atlantic, there’s really no excuse for not getting your child on a boat and on the water this summer. Great options abound – read on below:
Seven Rivers Paddling
With programs taking place all over the Seacoast, Seven Rivers Paddling prepares kids for a life of fun on the water with a number of week-long kayaking and stand up paddle boarding sessions. Along with basic paddling techniques and general water safety, your child will be introduced to compass and navigation skills and the principles of Leave No Trace. Sessions also feature a focus on team-building activities. What better way to spend a summer day than in a kayak.
Gundalow Company
The Gundalow Company knows most parents need scheduling options, which is why they offer full day camps, half day camps, single day camps, and after camp childcare choices. Some camps explore the Portsmouth waterfront, while others join up with Strawbery Banke for boatbuilding and carpentry experience. There’s even a summer apprentice program for ages 15-17, where teens can either work aboard the gundalow Piscataqua or with a camp program.
Kittery Point Yacht Club Sailing School
The Kittery Point Yacht Club Sailing School has been teaching sailing lessons to students for more than 30 years. The two-week camps run for approximately three hours each day, and students are taught in the sailing school boats with one to three students per boat, with the goal of teaching each sailor how to control the tiller and sail simultaneously in order to handle the boats independently. Lessons include nomenclature and knot tying, fundamentals of boat rigging and boat handling, wind direction, water safety, and boat maintenance. Advanced camps move into solo skippering and racing.
Seacoast Science Center
Tide pools, pirates, whales, and more: the Seacoast Science Center has camps with a variety of themes, sure to satisfy the scientists, artist, or historian in your child. Programs run from the Trek 4 Tots for 4-5 year olds to a two-week marine biology camp for high schoolers. With seven different habitats in Odiorne Point State Park to explore, campers are in and out of the Center and will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world around them.
And more:
For more great camp options, keep an eye out for schedules from the Great Bay Discovery Center and its day-long summer programs, Summer Sessions surf camp, Coyote Club nature camps, and Portsmouth Kayak Adventures kayaking camps for all ages.
This summer, let those kids explore!
This blog post was provided by the Great Bay Stewards, a proud partner of the Every Drop Alliance.
#EveryDropMatters
