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Whitewater kayaking is a rewarding lifetime sport, and summer kayak camp is a great way to get your kids started with a solid foundation or to increase their learning. Kayaking offers opportunities to overcome individual challenges within a supportive group environment.

Our Atmosphere

There’s no better environment for your youngster or teen to begin or improve their kayaking than the safe, fun, encouraging atmosphere of kayak summer camp.

Our Instructors

Trained, certified, background -checked, top level kayakers who are fun, relatable teachers and passionate about sharing the sport of kayaking with your young paddler.

Our River

The Payette River features ALL levels of whitewater within one hour of Boise, Idaho. It’s the perfect place to learn, practice and advance your child’s kayaking skills.

Kayak Camp Options

Why join a kids kayaking summer camp? fun!

Enjoy the river with friends new and old while learning a challenging and rewarding sport. Young kayakers build confidence, kayaking skills and river safety and awareness all while having a great time.

REVIEWS

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"My 8 year-old walked away from the 2-day kayak camp stoked and confident about kayaking. Cascade was extremely professional and seemed to strike the right balance between not just instructing kayaking but also developing confidence and letting the kids have fun"

Barb
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"My 15 year old daughter just returned from the 4 day kayak camp and she had a ball! I was a little worried because she had never kayaked but they were so professional and welcoming, and accommodate all skill levels. My daughter said she will be doing the kayak camp every summer! Thanks to the staff for making it such a special experience."

Blaire
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"We love Cascade Raft & Kayak Camps! The instructors are awesome. They really helped my son strengthen his confidence in the water and developed his skills for kayaking. My son looks forward to returning every year!"

Roxie
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"The staff is very welcoming and friendly. Every time I go, I make good friends. I had only tried Kayaking one time before going to camp, but I learned so much in just a few days! I look forward to growing my skills this summer at camp!"

Wesley, age 14
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"Our family enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, and rafting all summer but none of them are as fun as the kayak kids camp!! Our son said the kayak camp was by far his favorite and it was the best week of his whole summer!!!!"

Matt
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"Kids camp with Cascade raft and Kayak is always a summer highlight for my boys. Cascade has worked with my boys from the basic paddle stroke, wet exiting, running the lower main, advancing to the main and ending up on the south fork and canyon stretch. Regardless of their paddling experience, Cascade capitalizes on teaching kayaking in a way that keeps kids coming back. Having two boys who have come up through all the camps that Cascade has to offer, I can’t say enough good things about how they are bringing the next generation of paddlers into the sport."

Marcie
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"Our son has had an absolute blast at Cascade’s kiddo kayaking camp! Honestly, it’s been his favorite summer camp for the past few years. Cascade’s staff is unbelievably awesome. They ensure every day on the water is FUN and safe. I highly recommend any of Cascade’s programs…especially this one!"

Jeff And Mary

Kids Kayaking Camps FAQs

What ages can participate in the kids kayaking summer camps?

Cascade Kayak School’s kids kayaking day camp is designed for youngsters ages 8 to 12. They’ll want to be comfortable spending the day away from home and familiar adults. The kids kayaking overnight camp is for ages 13 to 18. For the 4 days and 3 nights, teens should be comfortable with away from home for this time frame. All of our camp instructors are wonderful and engaging with these age groups, background checked, and attentive to safety and social nuances.
Where are the kayaking summer camps for kids located?

Cascade Kayak summer whitewater kayaking camps are located in Idaho’s whitewater mecca! Just 1 hour from Boise, Idaho the Payette River is an amazing classroom with sections of whitewater from class I to class V. Introductory classes often take place on the Main Payette starting at the Cascade Raft River Center and heading downstream toward Horseshoe Bend. Located in Horseshoe Bend is the Horseshoe Bend Hydroelectric diversion, locally known as "the gutter." This is a dynamic river environment that is an excellent spot for focused skills development at a variety of levels. The Main Payette upstream of the Cascade Raft River Center is a solid class III run, and class IV sections can be found on the South Fork of the Payette. Most of the camp time will be on the Main Payette, but we’ll choose the section best suited to the abilities of the campers—often several different groups. All camps base out of the Cascade Raft River Center on Highway 55.
What’s the schedule for the kids kayaking day camp?

The kids kayak day camp starts with a pick-up in Eagle at 8:30. If it’s more convenient to drop your child off at the Cascade Raft River Center, just let us know and we’ll make those arrangements. After getting geared up, we’ll have a morning kayaking session, return to the river center for lunch and then head back out for the afternoon. Pick up your budding kayaker at 5 PM in Eagle. Schedule will be the same for the second day. All kayaking equipment is included as are lunch and snacks for the kiddos.
What’s the schedule for the kids kayaking overnight camp?

The overnight kayaking camp begins at 9 AM at the Cascade Raft River Center and runs through the fourth day at 3:30 PM. We’ll take some time on the first morning to set up tents and stash personal items at our camping area on the property as well as get everyone set with the kayaking equipment they need. Then we’ll head to the water! Our low student-to-instructor ratio allows us to break into ability groups as necessary to keep everyone safe, but challenged. For the first two days we’ll spend time close to our base in Horseshoe Bend with morning, afternoon and evening sessions on the river. In addition to kayaking, a few of these sessions might be boogie boarding, rafting, hydrospeeding or other fun activities designed to increase comfort in the water and better understand the river currents and hydrology. On day three we usually take a full day on the river and head to the Cabarton section on the North Fork of the Payette. For the last day, we’ll wrap it up with a great kayaking run and a final fun session at the gutter.
Why should I register my child for the whitewater kayaking summer camp?

Cascade Kayak School’s kayak camps for kids are a great environment to learn in! Our instructors offer a great depth of kayaking knowledge and experience and love to have a good time on the river. Since 1991, we’ve been teaching kids to kayak and have developed a unique instructional method that combines kayaking technique, river safety and awareness, and comfort in the water with encouragement and empowerment. Kayaking is a thrilling and challenging lifetime sport that offers a singular sense of personal accomplishment and there’s no better place that Cascade Kayak School to get your youngster started or give them the opportunity to improve their skills.