are booming as families discover this exciting lifelong sport. Don’t worry about the little ones keeping up—with the tireless enthusiasm of kids in the water and pint-sized kayaks manufactured just for them, it’s mom and dad who will be stopping to catch a breath. Check out these three great schools to find the perfect fit for your family.
BARRY’S BAY, ONTARIO SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
MINIMUM AGE: Nine to 12 for weeklong courses, 10 for weekend programs TIME TO COMMIT: Two to five days WHEN TO GO: June to August
WHY IT’S COOL: Whitewater canoeing option allows mom or dad to paddle tandem with junior, students can take a break from instruction and let loose with a guided raft trip
HOW MUCH: From $240 per adult / $192 per child for two days; from $580 per adult / $300 per child for five days
CONTACT: Madawaska Kanu Centre
www.owl-mkc.ca/mkc/family.htm
PALMER RAPIDS, ONTARIO SKILL LEVEL: Beginner MINIMUM AGE: Five TIME TO COMMIT: One to five days WHEN TO GO: May to October
WHY IT’S COOL: Custom course dates, length and structure to suit any family. Parents and kids learn together in kayaks or canoes
HOW MUCH: Call for family rates
CONTACT: Paddler Co-op
www.paddlerco-op.com
CHARLEMONT, MASSACHUSETTS SKILL LEVEL: Beginner MINIMUM AGE: 10 TIME TO COMMIT: Five days WHEN TO GO: July 13 to 17 WHY IT’S COOL: Family members who need a
Canyoneering Mission MOAB, UTAH
The stark landscape of Utah is strangely familiar to anyone who owns a TV and a copy of Thelma and Louise. Evading the cops across hundreds of miles of scorched highway isn’t the only way to bond with loved ones. An equally exciting (but legal)
break can swap kayaking for mountain biking or rafting on any given day
How much: $500 per adult / $400 per child
CONTACT: Zoar Outdoors
www.kayaklesson.com/kidsandfamily.htm
Ranch Experience FORT ASSINIBOINE, ALBERTA
Horse Riding and
Hey dude, a vacation at a working ranch can be an entertaining and edifying way to spend time with your budding cowgirls and cowboys. Iconic images of rolling hills, painted horses and log cabins come alive along the Klondike Trail in the Alberta foothills. Learn horsemanship and ride the trail, work together to sort, drive, and pen the cattle or try your hand at dummy roping and barrel racing.
SKILL/ACTIVITY LEVEL: All skill levels from easy to moderate
MINIMUM AGE: 12 TIME TO COMMIT: Three to 14 days WHEN TO GO: June to September
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Gold panning, swimming, hiking, bush skills
HOW MUCH: $496 to $2,290 per person, depending on activities and length of stay
CONTACT: Horse Creek Ranch
www.horsecreekranch.ca
method is to explore the twisting sandstone of canyon country on a guided canyoneering trip. Practice basic rappelling and climbing techniques before plunging into the narrow passages of this natural playground.
SKILL/ACTIVITY LEVEL: All skill levels from easy to moderate
MINIMUM AGE: Six TIME TO COMMIT: Half to full day WHEN TO GO: March to October
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Learn to rock climb, rappel off a 43-metre natural rock arch, mountain biking, hiking
HOW MUCH: $320 to $410 per family
CONTACT: Moab Desert Adventures
www.moabdesertadventures.com
Multi-Sport Getaway MINDEN, WEST VIRGINIA
If agreeing on what to eat for lunch in your family generally involves epic negotiations, then a multi-sport vacation (read: summer camp for big kids and their kids) may be the perfect choice. Sampling from some of the most exciting adventure activities—including whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding—the Family Adventure Week at Ace Adventure Center is happily geared for families full of dissidents.
SKILL/ACTIVITY LEVEL: Beginner/easy MINIMUM AGE: Eight TIME TO COMMIT: Five days WHEN TO GO: June to September
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Slides, trampolines and zip-lines at the adventure water park HOW MUCH: $321 per adult / $260 per child
CONTACT: Ace Raft
www.aceraft.com/multi.htm
» VIRGINIA MARSHALL
www.canoerootsmag.com 33
PHOTO: ZOAR OUTDOORS
PHOTO: HORSE CREEK RANCH
PHOTO: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64