About ORCC Camps

ORCC offers a series of day camps focusing on skills development to introduce the sport of paddling – sprint canoe, kayak, dragonboat, outrigger, recreational canoe skills, regatta skills – to children aged 8 and up.  Available during July and August, campers will receive instruction in various types of paddling from certified coaches, and enjoy spending time in the water practicing what they’ve learned.  The daily paddling activities are balanced with crafts, games and a day trip or two to various spots along the river, as well as lots of swimming on those hot and sunny days.  No experience is needed and campers work at their own pace to develop paddling skills. 

ORCC Camps focus on canoeing fundamentals, fun, fitness, water safety and participation.  The overall program was expanded in 2004 to introduce Regatta Ready Camps whereby campers compete in regional regattas (Carleton Place and Gananoque) on the Saturday immediately following the camp.

At the conclusion of each camp, participants receive a skills development checklist that indicates their ability to demonstrate the various paddling strokes/skills.  Games, crafts, team boats, singles, war canoes, pleasure canoes and the dragon boat will all be introduced to the participants during the week long sessions.

For 2008 

• One hot lunch provided per camp session, courtesy of ORCC. 
• Camper Referral Progam - Recommend a new ORCC camper, and get a free ORCC T-Shirt!
• 4 Regatta-Ready Camp sessions
  8 weeks of Canoe Kids Camps to choose from
  New Competitive Bundle program
  Non-ORCC member campers receive 50% discount on ORCC membership upon completion of their first ORCC 2008 camp

2008 Camps

Weekly Session	Date	Type of Camp Offered		Regatta Location
1 (4 Days)	June 30-July 4 (July 1st off)	Canoe Kids	Regatta Ready (recommended for paddlers new to racing)	Gananoque Sat July 5
2	July 7-11	Canoe Kids
3 FULL	July 14-18	Canoe Kids	Regatta Ready(recommended for paddlers new to racing)	Carleton Place Sat July 19
4	July 21-25	Canoe Kids
5	July 28-Aug 1	Canoe Kids
6 (4 Days)	Aug 5-8 (Aug 4th off)	Canoe Kids	Regatta Ready (regatta is for qualified paddlers)	Sydenham EOD Championships for qualified paddlers Sat Aug 9
7 8	Aug 11-15 Aug 18-22	Canoe Kids Canoe Kids	Regatta Ready (regatta is for qualified paddlers )	Rideau C.C.  Ontario Games Aug 14 Ontario Championships Aug 16 Sydenham Trillium Aug 17 for qualified paddlers

 
2008 Camp Fees

Lifejackets, paddles and boats are provided by ORCC and 2 hot lunches are also included in the camp fees.  Campers must be ORCC members to qualify for member rates for camps.

Please Note - Upon completion of their first ORCC 2008 camp, non-member campers receive a 50% discount to ORCC membership, entitling them to reduced rates for additional camps, and all ORCC benefits and activities for the remainder of the 2008 season.

Canoe Kids Camps

ORCC members (campers)       $125 per weekly session per child

Non-ORCC members                $200 per weekly session per child
June 30-July 4 & Aug 5-8         $175 per 4 day week per child
                                               $100 member 4 day week

Regatta-Ready Camps

ORCC members  (campers)        $150 per weekly session per child

Non-ORCC members                  $250 per weekly session per child               
                                                 $225 short week
                                                 $125 member

Fees for regatta-ready camps include all regatta registration fees.  (championship regattas not included- Trillium, Ontario Championships and Nationals.)

Competitive Bundle 
ORCC has created a bundle which includes 4 Regatta Ready weeks along with evening singles and crew boat training throughout the summer.  The price for this program is $500. 
Participants must be ORCC members.

If an ORCC athelete makes Trillium and is not part of the bundle program there will be an additional fee. ( $100 for the week prior to Trillium)

Hours of Operation

Regular camp hours are 8:30 to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. 

ORCC also provides optional early drop-off and late pick-up supervision by camp counsellors.  For a fee of $30 per camper per week, campers can be dropped off at 8am and picked up by 5pm

What Campers Need to Bring to Camp

Backpack
Change of clothes
Bathing suit and towel
Water shoes or sandals that can be worn in the water
Lunch, snacks and water bottles – note that hot lunches will be provided twice per week , included in camp fees
Sunscreen, insect repellent
 

How Campers Spend Their Day

The following shows when the different activities are typically offered during the day, weather permitting of course.  Certified counselors and the life guard will make changes to the daily routine based on weather conditions to ensure camper safety.

In addition, a minimum of 2 canoe day trips are offered, whereby campers bring their lunch and enjoy canoeing to and from a spot on the Ottawa River, such as Aylmer Island and Pinheys Point.

8:30 – 9am         Arrive at camp, welcome and warm up activities

9-11am              Paddling instruction – Team boats

11-noon             Free time in the water and boats

Noon – 1:30pm  Lunch and crafts

1:30 – 3pm        Paddling instruction -  boats

3-4pm               Free time in the water

4-4:30               Clean-up for the day, games

Qualified Supervision and Expert Program Design
 

Qualified and certified supervision ensure high standards in water safety and paddling instruction.

• ORCC has a full time certified lifeguard on duty during the summer camps, so that you can be assured that water safety is paramount.
• Paddling coaches are certified by the Coaching Association of Canada (National Coaching Certification Program) so campers get to learn from the experts.
• Campers wear lifejackets at all times when in the water and at the beach area. 
• CSA approved personal flotation devices (lifejackets), paddles, boats are provided by ORCC.

Paddling experts are actively involved in program design and implementation

• Founding ORCC members, LA and Bevin Schmidt, are actively involved in designing and participating in the camp program to ensure that campers get a balance of paddling instruction and fun during the sessions.
• For the past 3 years, they’ve competed as part of the Canadian National team at the World Dragonboat Championships.  At the 2004 World Dragonboat Championship, considered to be the “Olympics” of Dragonboat racing, LA and Bevin brought home 6 medals from Shanghai, through participation in a range of team race events.  This is an incredible accomplishment, considering that Dragonboat is akin to a national sport in China.

What Kids Have to Say about ORCC and Summer Camps 

Alex, aged 16 – ORCC member

“I started canoeing when the ORCC opened a couple of years ago and now I’m learning to become a coach, and I also compete as part of the ladies’ dragonboat team. The best part is being on the water – it’s a great way to spend the summer.”

Jake, aged 13 – ORCC member, Canoe Kid Camper

“They have great, great canoes there.  You meet a lot of people, and you know a lot of people, and the staff are nice. You’re never afraid to try anything new because people are there to help you.”

Rai, aged 11 – ORCC member, Canoe Kid Camper

“It’s fun to be with your friends, and you learn a lot about the water, paddling, safety and the boats.  I like all the activities and themes at the camps, and the counselors are people you can look up to.”

Hannah, aged 10 – ORCC member, Canoe Kid Camper

“It’s fun and I love the outdoor activities and especially the Regatta Camps! I love war canoe and all the boats (C-4, K-1, C-1)!”

Jared, aged 7 – ORCC member, Canoe Kid Camper

“I like hanging out with my friends at the club, making new friends, and paddling on the sit-on tops.”

Matt, aged 7 – ORCC member

“I love the sit-on tops and racing with my friends.  It rocks!”