Kids Kayak Camps, Teen Kayak Instruction and More!

Our kids kayaking classes are focused on having fun and learning to kayak. We offer our annual week-long kids camp, weekend learn-to-kayak camps, and workshops for advanced training in instruction on the Ocoee River and using kayaking to gain leadership skills as a young paddler.  Kayaking skills and river safety are taught through hands-on coaching from our select group of kids instructors, fun games, group activities and exploration. We also offer our EcoSplash Camps for kids who want to be outside, but are not ready to take up kayaking.

You can also combine participation in any of our scheduled kids camps with private instruction.
Scholarships are also available through our partner non-profit Need More Outdoors.

Check out the classes below to see which workshop is best for your young paddler!

KIDS KAYAK INSTRUCTION
SUMMER 2024

Regardless of the session, this is an opportunity to paddle with a group of young boaters, away from parental oversight so that kids can be their own boater and learn how to take responsibility for themselves as kayakers. Our youth instruction is fun, but with the intent that kids come away better boaters and are excited about being on the river. While our July 4th Kids Camp is a favorite for many, we offer a variety of kayak camps all summer long for ages 7-15. 

Our programs are flexible. We ensure compatibility of ages and work with mentoring between our experienced kids and new paddlers. Our goal is to create responsible paddlers that have skills, knowledge of safety, decision making and teamwork. Note: There are no parent tag-a-longs please!

Every day all summer is kids’ day at Endless River Adventures. We can also provide custom camps for kids – or for the whole family!

 

Our Annual 4th of July Summer Camp
June 29 – July 07, 2024

 

Beginner Session: June 29, 30 and July 01
Let’s Learn to Kayak!
This session is for new boaters, as well as those who have taken beginning instruction but have not been back in a kayak since then.
We have the ability to be flexible and both nurture new paddlers while encouraging those who have already spent time in a boat but need a refresher on the basics to get comfortable and move forward.
Any boater who needs an introduction to the wet exit / comfort wearing a spray skirt needs to start with the first day.
For boaters who need a little “refresher” before starting the advanced beginner or intermediate sessions can come in for the first, second or third day of this session.
Those wishing to continue for another set of sessions can add on the Advanced Beginner Session.
Advanced Beginner: July 2, 3 & 4
This 3-day session is for new boaters who are continuing from the beginner session, or for boaters who are not yet comfortable with the wet exit and a sprayskrt yet want to work through that. We will work on confidence with solid Class II moves and with being upside down on the river.
Intermediate Session: July 2 , 3 & 4
This 3-day session is for paddlers who are ready to start pushing their Class II skills working up to the Nantahala, working on rolling and on skills that will make each one an active participant in a group on the river. Paddlers must be wearing a sprayskirt and be ready to start having fun on more challenging rivers.
Intermediate 2 Session: July 5, 6 & 7
This 3-day session is for young paddlers who have spent time on rivers like the Nantahala and are ready to really push their Class II-III skills. We will spend quality time on the roll – with a goal of achieving a whitewater combat roll. River rescue skills will also be incorporated into the session. This is a great opportunity for paddlers who are still intimidated by rapids like Nantahala Falls – or have no fear, but are still not running this type of rapid with skill.
Advanced/Junior Instructor Session: July 5, 6 & 7
This 3-day session is a combination of Junior Instructor Training and Ocoee boating. Time will be spent working on teaching presentations, helping with rolling, rescue and decision making. All this and quality time paddling the Ocoee River makes for a great session.
 Weekend 2-Day Learn to Kayak Camp
July 20 & 21, 2024
July 27 & 28, 2024
August 03 & 04, 2024

The weekend is an intro to everything about kayaking: from wet exits, strokes, rolling, river maneuvers and some good old fashioned kid fun as well.  This is a great opportunity for those who have never been in a kayak, to those who have tried kayaking and want to really to spend the time to learn more!

Price:  2-Day Camp is $300.  Price includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

 

  2-DAY LEADERSHIP KAYAK CAMP

May 25 & 26, 2024

A 2-Day Youth Leadership Camp using the process of learning to kayak to help develop better communication skills, team building, and dealing with stress. The group will work together to gain each other’s trust, help building confidence and have fun together.

Price: 2-Day weekend camp $300. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

 

Kid’s Ocoee Boot Camp

June 22 – 23, 2024
July 27-28, 2024

These are two-day camps for kids and teens ready to spend time on the Ocoee. Prerequisites: A whitewater roll, confident eddy catching, successful runs at Nantahala Falls. Experienced Ocoee boaters can join us for one, two and/or all three days.

Day One:  Ocoee Bound
Options for main lines and challenge lines, playboating and fun.

Day Two:  Ocoee to the Max
Taking more challenge lines, boofs and spending all day in play mode.

Price: 2-day Camp $300. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation to and from our Nantahala Outpost each day.

 

3-DAY LABOR DAY KIDS LEADERSHIP KAYAK CAMP

BEGINNER /BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE AND PADDLERS LOOKING TO ADVANCE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS
August 31, Sept 01, Sept 02, 2024

What a great way to finish off the summer! A three-day workshop for kids. This will be orientated to beginner and beginner-intermediate paddlers who are looking to develop their whitewater skills, as well as for more experienced young paddlers who are interested in building their leadership skills through hands-on training. The focus of the three day weekend will be rolling, moves that will help you become a Class II boater, with leadership work and team building skills part of the weekend as well.

Price: 3-Day weekend session $390. This includes all your instructors, all necessary kayaking equipment, lunch and transportation.

 

Eco-Splash Kids Camp
This is for all kids!! For experienced kayakers, the river time can be in their kayak, and they will share their time with other kids in duckys and rafts so everyone can spend time together.

EcoSplash Camp is a 2-day camp for kids who love the water and are excited to explore nature. Not all kids want to be in kayaks, but all kids should spend time outside. We have teamed up with Mainspring Conservation trust to offer an Ecosplash camp: with days split between the river (in kayak, ducky or raft) and youth environmental education: exploring the river ecosystems with goggles and snorkels and lesson in nature.

2024 EcoSplash Camp Dates:

June 15 & 16
July 6 & 7
July 27  & 28
August 17 & 18

Price: 2-Day EcoSplash Camps $260. This includes equipment, lunch and transportation.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in joining us for a Camp session this summer?
If you need scholarship help,  consider applying for a scholarship through our partner non-profit Need More Outdoors.

Besides professionally trained kayak instructors, we provide:

ALL GEAR and EQUIPMENT you will need for the day. In addition to the five essentials needed to kayak (boat, sprayskirt, PFD, paddle & helmet) we also offer wetsuits and paddle jackets to assure your comfort on the water. The only items you will need are a pair of nose clips and shoes (sandals, water socks, etc.), as well as water and and any snacks to keep your energy going for the day.

TRANSPORTATION: of the kids, their equipment and the instructors is included.

KIDS CAMP LUNCH is provided, along with snacks to keep energy levels up. We can accommodate special dietary needs for health reasons.

Check our PLAN YOUR TRIP page for a link to waivers, directions to the river, and a trip prep checklist.

You can find our reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook

star rating  Truly professional Outfitter team, they have very experienced, courteous and professional staff. Ben was wonderful and knew every inch of the river. I had 5 friends I went to college... read more

davejamienstella
September 30, 2020

star rating  Not only was our guide wonderful with the 7 yr old on the raft, but everything went as promised ... a great day on the Nantahala with the family.

Captrick5
August 1, 2021

star rating  If you’re looking for the friendliest guides that also know what they’re doing, go here. Britt led our team alongside Lance and Meda, and they made the 4 day trip... read more

Tbharris22
May 15, 2022

Questions? Call us at 828-488-6199

We offer kayak instruction year round, seven days a week. Full day and half-day options are available. Call us at 828-488-6199 to reserve your trip specifics today. Please call with any questions you may have regarding instruction, as well as to reserve the dates that are best for you.

​Special Group rates and custom day itineraries are available. If you are the planner for special group, please call us for assistance with the logistics of your trip planning.

Payment Policy: We ask that all reservations be paid in advance. Full payment is due 14 days before the trip. Payment may be made by check or credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Cancellations: Our instruction courses go rain or shine! Cancellations more than 14 days in advance receive a 100% refund. Any reservation cancelled less than 14 days before the trip is ineligible for a refund.

Need More Outdoors offers scholarships for local individual or WNC-based organizations.