Downunder Kayaking
open Seasonally from Mother's Day weekend - September
SUMMER FUN ON THE FIVE MILE RIVER
Located in the Below Deck Surf Shop
below the Rowayton Market
"WHY IS KAYAKING SO GOOD FOR KIDS?"
asked anchorwoman Amelie Wilson during an interview with Downunder Kayaking owner, Kim Beaumont, as part of the News 12 Education Notebook segment that aired August 14th and 15th. Video of the interview will be posted here when we receive it, in the meantime, here is some of what Kim shared:
- it's fun, safe and healthy - get's them outdoors
- they LOVE it - making new friends, being challenged, exploring, learning new things, and especially the counsellors
- it's good for them - increases self esteem, balance, coordination, confidence, personal and social skills, increases their awareness of and respect for the environment
- engages both sides of your brain - any time your arms cross the midline of your body it engages both sides of the brain. Given that we tend to use one side of our brain more, this is good for all of us, but particularly good for children with difficulty in reading and writing. We teach kids to rotate when they're paddling - using their core muscles vs the small arm muscles, and this requires crossing the midline
It's not all sitting down!
KAYAKING & STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING
It’s fun, safe, easy and really good for them
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMTuesday September 7th through Friday 10th $220September 13-17 and 20-24 $255weekdays 3:30-5:30pm; ages 8+ SUMMER PROGRAMJune 28th through August 27th PRIVATE PROGRAMSAnytime during the summer (including June and September after school)book your own private camp - you pick the day(s) and time, arrange 3 or more friends, and we'll book the guide (s)!two hours: $55/day $255/week three hours: $85/day $385/week MORNING PROGRAMages 6-8years, max 6, guide ratio 1-4 minimum10-12pm weekly$255/week AFTERNOON PROGRAMages 8+1-4pm weekly$385/week
SPECIALS
- 10% discount additional weeks
- 10% sibling discount
- Returning campers may come by the day if there is space available - $85/class. No advance bookings - call on the Friday before to check availability.
CAMP INFO DOWNLOADS
Camp Emergency and Transportation Form
Session 1: June 28 Session 2: July 5 Session 3: July 12 Session 4: July 19 Session 5: July 26 Session 6: August 2 Session 7: August 9 Session 8: August 16 Session 9: August 23 After school programs offered in June and September. Call for more information. Private, semi-private or group. |
New in 2010
Stand-up Paddle Boarding
will be included in the kayaking program!
About the program:
It's all about learning to kayak and having fun doing something that's good for you. And we take it further, we make it good for the environment. The program has a strong educational element that incorporates weather, tides, water quality, temperature, marine life, beach clean-ups, wildlife. As part of the program we test the local water and visit Earthplace and Harborwatch to have samples analyzed.
We raise kayakers and marine stewards.
Kayaking is safe and easy aboard our sit on top kayaks, with a high counselor to camper ratio, and very experienced and qualified staff. Our location on the Five Mile River is beautiful, diverse, and sheltered – making it the perfect place to learn and develop kayaking skills. Children learn the skills by weaving in and out of pilings, under bridges, around buoys and boats, playing water games that increase balance, coordination, and confidence through teamwork. Once we’ve got the skills we go a bit further and visit local islands for treasure hunts, comb beaches for shells, make our own maritime environments, go fishing, swimming and enjoy the wildlife. On less than perfect days we go on exciting and educational field trips. The programs are week long this year, we do still offer special deals when you sign up for two weeks or more. The program runs weekdays throughout the summer, rain or shine. Graduates may come by the day, space willing. For more information and to book call Kim at (203) 247-0578.
Children learn everything from what to wear, equipment used, how it works, to kayaking skills – paddle and boat handling, form, strokes, how to get in and out, and what to do if you find yourself ‘out’! Information such as rules of the ‘road’, weather, navigation, tides… essentials for the skilled and responsible kayaker. An important part of our program is taking care of the marine environment – educating children so they understand the impact of trash and contaminants. Making a difference by cleaning up the river and beaches we visit.
Checking our traps to see what lives down there is fascinating AND an important part of our work with Harborwatch. 
Brendans' 101 Ice Cream Shop
A daily nutritious snack keeps our energy up (OK, so sometimes we go for ice-cream), we drink lots of water, breathe lots of fresh air, and engage most muscle groups – sending home happy and satisfyingly tired, campers!
Bad Weather:
The program runs rain or shine with field trips to the Long Island exhibit at the Norwalk Aquarium, Earthplace and the Harborwatch Laboratory, check out the serious kayakers gear and equipment at The Small Boat Shop, learn about oysters at the Bloom hatchery and harvesting businesses and trips to Sheffield Island to explore the lighthouse and nature reserve, and local land based scavenger hunts.
Cancellation: 2 weeks, follow link for terms.
PARENT CHILD PROGRAMS
Are offered during high tides when there's loads of room to play around on the river. You can take a guide or go on your own, and we'll give you some tips on how to make it an extra special outing. Children 3 years+ can go in a double kayak with an adult, and two kids can fit in a double with an adult.
Get out and explore the river and local wildlife!
Private programs for camps, schools, clubs
We have a strong environmental program that we love to share with groups. Trained by Save the Sound and Harborwatch our staff will share information on the local habitat and our impact on it. You'll get out there and explore - observe what nature brings us on any given day - and at the same time be marine stewards. We also do a trash pick up when we paddle - well at least we come prepared, with gloves and bags, and bring back whatever we find that doesn't belong in the water or on the beaches.
Programs for Scout Badges and Youth Challenges can also be offered. See the program page for more info.
(call Kim 203-247-0578)
Jason Kiska, Greenwich Catholic School
Beach Cleanup
SUMMER FUN ON THE FIVE MILE RIVER
Located in the Below Deck Surf Shop
below the Rowayton Market
