Welcome to
Learn-2-Paddle
- Summer 2023 -

Dear Parents/Guardians

Welcome to the Calgary Canoe Club!  

We would like to start off by welcoming your child (paddler) to two weeks of amazing outside fun and adventure as part of the Learn 2 Paddle (L2P) summer program at the Club. We are excited to get your paddler on the reservoir and teach them new and exciting skills.

The camp runs from 9am-4pm Monday to Friday (we are off for stat holidays). Drop off is between 8:45 and 9:00 am and pick up is between 4:00 and 4:15pm. Drop off and pick up your paddler in the field beside the parking lot (you will see us there day 1 with a pop up tent and sign). We take attendance for both check in and sign out. If you are allowing your child to arrive or depart from L2P on their own via bike, scooter, etc please communicate this with the coaches beforehand or upon check in. We do not have before or after care. In the unforeseen circumstance when you are late to pick up your paddler, coaches will take them to the boat bay where they will be supervised with a staff member until your arrival. 
 

Your paddler will learn the paddling basics in our various recreation canoe and kayaks, as well as some crew boats; voyageur and outrigger canoes, and dragon boats. They will also participate in daily on-land games focused on FUN, and working together as a TEAM. 

You may receive emails from our L2P coaches in regards to activities/events during the program. When appropriate, we encourage all paddlers to advocate for their needs and communicate directly with their coaches. We have a zero tolerance policy for any bullying and encourage paddlers to talk to coaches should they have any issues in this regard.
Please email coaches at: l2p@calgarycanoeclub.com if you have any questions or concerns. 

First Day Procedures

On the first day of each two-week session, paddlers will meet their coaches in the field up top. Coaches will be eagerly waiting for their arrival at the L2P tent located in the field. Look for the L2P sign as there may be other groups doing check in (Rowing camp, intro to sprint). Once your paddler is checked in, do not hesitate to communicate with coaches if you have any concerns or questions. 

Once the entire group has arrived and everyone is checked in, paddlers and coaches will take their bags with their lunch, snacks, change of clothing, etc down to where they will be stored for the day and paddlers will receive a tour of the site, along with our expectations for behaviour and participation. We strongly recommend you do not send your paddler with any valuables in their backpack. Paddlers will be given instructions on where to meet for the remaining days. If any paddlers are absent, we will attempt to phone you to check on your child’s attendance status.

If you are choosing to send your paddler to camp via their bike, coaches will direct them to the bike racks where they are able to lock it for the day. 

If you cannot attend the first day (or any other day)

If your paddler is unable to attend any day(s) we kindly request that you email the coaches at: l2p@calgarycanoeclub.com and let them know. We will do our best to review what they missed so they are caught up and ready to get back out on the water having fun with their group.

If your paddler only has to miss a morning or afternoon please do your drop-off or pick-up between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm (lunch break). We will not bring one paddler in early (unless this is an emergency). This ensures that the entire group can continue with planned activities on the water together with the required number of coaches.
 

Draft of what Paddlers will be doing in the Two Weeks

Activities and scheduled plans may vary a bit due to weather. A typical day will have paddlers experience a variety of recreation kayaks & canoes, including team boats such as dragon boats. We have a few dry land activity sessions but the majority of the time is on the water. In the second week paddlers will be introduced to sprint canoeing and kayaking with an intro session. If they really enjoy the racing boats then the next step may be ‘Intro to Sprint Paddling’ as a program option, please go here to check out.

The typical day will look something like this. 

8:45-9:00am - Arrival and check-in

9:00-10:00am - Introduction, day plan, dry land games, bathroom break

10:00am-12:00pm - On the water in kayaks, canoes, and large boats (weather dependant)

12:00-1:00pm - Lunch, dry land games, bathroom break

1:00-2:30/3:00 pm - On the water in kayaks, canoes, and large boats (weather dependant)

3:00-3:30 - Bathroom and snack break 

3:30-4:00 - Dry land games

4:00-4:15 - Pick up and check out
 

Weather Cancellations

In the event that weather forces paddlers and coaches off the water, we have plans in place. In the case of extreme cold, electrical storms, or high winds that will persist for the majority of the day, we will cancel activities at the Club and paddlers will not attend. Where possible, make-up days will be available to paddlers and we will contact parents to reschedule them to alternate days through the summer. We strive to communicate weather cancellations within 24 hours via email and post announcements on the Calgary Canoe Club website, go here.

If it appears that it is only going to be a morning or afternoon of bad weather, we will plan to only cancel that period of time and have paddlers arrive in the morning at the normal drop-off time and be picked up at 12pm or arrive at 12pm and be picked up at normal pickup time. For short term poor weather issues, we will look after the paddler and make room inside the tents and/or building and get creative with more games and activities.

We do not offer makeup days for paddlers that choose to miss a day of camp. We understand paddlers may have other appointments or want a day off, just let us know.
 

Lunch procedures

All paddlers have a supervised lunch hour. L2P lunch break is typically scheduled from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm. Paddlers will always remain on-site at the Club during the break. Once all paddlers are done eating, a coach will start an on-land game they have the option to play until the end of the hour. Garbage, recycling, and compost bins will be available for paddlers. We strongly believe in the leave no trace philosophy so will always ensure that all trash is picked up before leaving the lunch location.

What your paddler should have with them at camp:
In order for your paddler to thrive at L2P, we recommend they bring a few key items.

• A water bottle
• Running shoes
• Dock shoes (sandals, crocs, flip flops,etc)
• Appropriate clothing for the weather
  • 1 set of spare paddling clothes and a small towel
  • Warm clothing is the weather is cool
  • Raincoat and pants if there is rain in the forecast
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Hat and sunglasses (If your paddlers does comes with any king of glasses please ensure they have a safety strap to ensure they do not lose them in the event of a tip)
• Lunch and snacks
• 1 single bag to keep everything together
• If your paddler has a PFD and/or paddle that fits them they are welcome to bring them, however, this is not required and the Canoe Club will have PFDs and paddles available in many sizes.
• We recommend all gear is clearly labelled with your paddler’s name.  If you are looking for labels, the Canoe Club Sprint Team fund raises with Mabel’s Labels!  Find out more here.

We look forward to meeting you and your paddler and cannot wait to get on the water! Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 

CCC L2P Leaders
 

P.S In the event you would like to communicate with management in regards to a concern you are welcome to email Lynda (Club Manager) or Kirsten (Assistant Manager) 

at: calgarycanoeclubinfo@gmail.com