Brief program description:

6 day, Catholic Youth Organization based, kayak experience for High School aged young adults. The trip includes basic instruction to safley paddle recreational kayaks in lakes and moving water. The adventure includes three scheduled class days with trips planned each day. The camp culminates in an overnight campout on Government Island on the Columbia. The successful completion of the Kayak Adventure Camp will earn the campers certificates for course completion of the American Canoe & Kayak Association's Intro to Kayaking (Level 1), and Essentials of River Kayaking (Level 2). Course descriptions and outlines are available at: http://www.americancanoe.org. The CYO Camp Howard Paddle Club is a member of ACA (American Canoe Association) the largest association for canoers and kayakers

Day One:

Arrival at Camp Howard. The evening at Camp Howard will be filled with a camp orientation meeting, short "get aquainted with a kayak" pool and classroom session, and directed social time around a fire pit. Camp Howard is a 240 acre camp in the forests above Bull Run Reservoir with a spectacular view of Mt. Hood and the lake. More information about Camp Howard is available on the cyocamphoward.org website.

Day Two:

Day two activities start with a class on Lacamas Lake. This lake is located near Camas, Washington, and is a great lake to begin learning the skills necessary to complete the remaining days. During the class, participants will learn basic kayaking skills and explore the eastern end of Lacamas Lake. This is a beautiful lake that is well protected and offers views of beaver, bald eagles, herons, ducks, and lily pads. A sack lunch will be provided during the lake class and paddle.

Day Three:

Day three builds on the skills learned from day one and two with a morning class on more advanced kayak strokes, braces, and sweeps. We will also provide basic exit and re-entry skills to negotiate the days adventure down the Sandy River. Our course from Oxbow Park to Lewis and Clark Park will take us into one of the few designated National Scenic River areas in the counrty.

Day Four & Five:

Day four & five represent the culminating activity for the new paddlers as they build their skills in balance, turning, propulsion. The previous three days activities have indoctrinated them to moving water and the necessary skills to use the water's energy. The day starts with a hearty breakfast, loading the gear and heading for Lewis & Clark Park on the Sandy River. The trip will finish the remaining length of the Sandy River to the immense delta area as it ends in the Columbia River. We will have lunch, and make our way to Government Island. As night falls, we will recount our new experiences around the campfire. Day five will be spent exploring Government Island and playing on the sand beaches. After a day of playing on the island, the participants will return to Camp Howard and be integrated into the General Camp with all of it's special evening ceremonies.

Day Six:

The paddlers become Camp Howard campers and will enjoy the experience of the closing ceremonies with the other campers. The participants will be returned by Camp Howard busses full of new experiences. They will now be able to rent equipment from River Trails and utilize their new skills in exploring the waters and wildlife that bless the Portland area and it's surroundings. If they have joined the CYO Paddle Club, they will be able to join the tours and special events that will be scheduled during the summer.