The Family Program is unique within the Canoe Club because it's designed to help introduce and include children of all ages from toddler to teen in your paddling life. With parental permission, your nieces, nephews and grandchildren, as well as a reasonable number of your kids’ friends are welcome to join you as well.

The Family Program facilitates a variety of outdoor activities and training courses for the whole family. Activities take into account the needs and abilities of the adults as well as the children. The emphasis is on safety on and near the water, acquiring essential paddling and camping skills, teamwork and having fun.

An added benefit of this program is getting to know other families with whom you can share your outdoor interests and experiences. Please note that parents (or guardians) are required to retain responsibility for children in their care, and must accompany children while canoeing at all times.

The family program relies on volunteers to organize, lead and participate in all events. Your efforts as a volunteer will ensure the program continues and thrives. Please contact the family coordinator to volunteer your time, efforts and experience.

Younger Children

Canoeing can be a challenge with young kids. Often just as you are getting ready to launch the canoe, one or more children claim they are hungry, tired or just don't want to go. The solution: join our paddle and picnic evenings! Paddle and picnic evenings will be held on weekday evenings throughout the summer at a local beach. Bring a picnic, beach towels, bathing suits, and PFDs for the whole family. Canoes will be available for families to see how their little ones' fare before committing to a long trip. Families will take turns in the canoes and spend the remainder of the time socializing, swimming and picnicking at the beach. For more information, consult the calendar. Volunteers are needed to shuttle canoes and "lead" the evenings which would involve securing the canoes when not in use, organizing turns for each family, facilitating introductions, and possibly providing some basic paddling instruction. Contact the family coordinator to volunteer.

Older Children

For families with older children, the Flatwater program hosts Thursday night Meech Lake paddles. These events involve paddling across the lake, picnicking and swimming at an Island before returning to the YCCC shed. Parents should expect their children to be comfortable canoeing for at least two hours, be good swimmers since the water at the picnic spot is deep, and expect to arrive home after dark, which in the summer can be past 10:30 pm. For more information, please see the calendar and the Flatwater program page.

Whitewater

Moving Water and Whitewater training and trips are available to teens from age 13 - 17 who have parental permission, and where applicable, meet the training prerequisite and have qualified for the whitewater list. Contact the Whitewater coordinator for more information.

Skills Nights

This event will take place on weekday evenings in the spring and summer (as per demand) at a calm water location and is open to all members of the club. Anyone who would like to improve their flatwater skills or just have another opportunity to paddle in the evening is welcome. Hopefully, some of the more experienced canoeists can attend to provide instruction, otherwise, we will practise with whoever arrives. Please consult the calendar for more information. Volunteers are needed to organize, lead, and act as experts for this event. Please contact the family coordinator to volunteer.

Weekend trips

Volunteers are needed to organize and lead family trips. If you are interested in organizing or leading a family trip, please contact the family coordinator.

Family Camp

Family Camp is offered each summer over a weekend in Gracefield Quebec. The program operates in a family atmosphere with parents and children participating together. The camp is suitable for families where children are 8 years or older, and focuses on introducing the inexperienced canoeist to paddling. The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe canoeing practices. There will be time for other camp activities including swimming, archery, hiking and campfires. For more information, read the article on the Family Camp 2010 and consult the calendar for the 2011 event.

Reminder: Parents (and/or guardians) are responsible for any children they bring to events at all times. Children are not to be left alone in a canoe and must ride with a parent or guardian at all times.

Family Coordinator: Laura Martin family@yccc.ca

YCCC Members - please download the YCCC Members Handbook for more information about the club, how to join in trips, what to take...etc!