Gone paddlin’
A quick dawn patrol on the Foss today, then it’s time to drop off the boy at his Grandma’s house and hie out to the Key Peninsula for a two-day trip leader seminar at a summer camp. I’ll have a group of about 6 camp counselors, the ones who will be leading the various kayaking tours for the campers throughout the summer, and we’ll cover their routes and responsibilities over the course of a ten-mile paddle. With any luck, when we’re finished at noon tomorrow, they should have a working knowledge of the area as it relates to kayaking, an understanding of group dynamics on the water, and a good level of comfort with rescue situations. It is, apparently, my job to see that this is so.
It’s a good gig; I wish I had a dozen more like it. It’s refreshing to kayak with young people from time to time, kids who are enjoying it for the first time. First time that matters, anyway. For them, this summer job seems like the best thing ever (OMG!), and they can’t wait to get it on the go. I’ve taught the course for 3 or 4 years now, and it always brings me up.
About Ken Campbell
New Release
A story of sea kayaking and science on the rugged coast of Alaska. Coming – Spring 2014.
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