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Summer Schedule -
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Kayaking
Kayaking Camp
St. Albans Whitewater Kayaking Camp will introduce students to the fundamentals of paddling. We will meet each day at an appropriate section of the Potomac River or C & O Canal by 9:00am. Campers will learn the basics of river safety, paddling technique, hazard identification, rescues, and maneuvers. Led by our Voyageur Instructors, campers will have the option to run different sections of moving water based on each individual’s ability and level of comfort. All kayaks, spray skirts, personal flotation devices, helmets, and paddles will be provided, and no previous experience is necessary; however campers should have the ability to swim (an assessment will be done the first day at the river). We will paddle rain or shine. If we experience inclement weather such as thunderstorms, we will adjust our itinerary accordingly. We will following any pandemic-related guidelines/issuance given by National Park Service, St. Albans School, and/or other appropriate authorities.
Maximum 10 campers per week
Transportation addendum - The Kayaking Bus will be available for all campers (likely still needing masks), but direct drop off and pick up at the launch location(s) is no longer allowed. If you have a transportation circumstance, please contact jvelosky@stalbansschool.org
Maximum 10 campers per week
Transportation addendum - The Kayaking Bus will be available for all campers (likely still needing masks), but direct drop off and pick up at the launch location(s) is no longer allowed. If you have a transportation circumstance, please contact jvelosky@stalbansschool.org
Weeks 2 and 3 for grades 9-12 only:
June 20 - 23
9:00 am–3:30 pm
$410
June 26 - 30
9:00 am–3:30 pm
$500
Weeks 4, 5, and 6 for for grades 6-8 only:
July 3-7*
9:00 am–3:30 pm
$410
July 10 - 14
9:00 am–3:30 pm
$500
July 17 - 21
9:00 am–3:30 pm
$500
*No camp on Tuesday, July 4
Eligibility:
Boys and Girls, Grades 6 - 12 (10 - 18 years old)
Boys and Girls, Grades 6 - 12 (10 - 18 years old)
Facilities:
Campers need to picked up and dropped off at St. Albans.
They will be transported to the primary site: Old Angler's Inn launch point on the Potomac River, 10801 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD. There may be a secondary launch point to be announced during camp week if to be used.
Campers need to picked up and dropped off at St. Albans.
They will be transported to the primary site: Old Angler's Inn launch point on the Potomac River, 10801 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD. There may be a secondary launch point to be announced during camp week if to be used.
What to Bring to Camp
- Swim shorts and a synthetic T-shirt for Kayaking
- Water shoes or old sneakers (no flip flops) for kayaking
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- 1-Quart Water Bottle
- Lunch
- Backpack with dry clothing
- Mask (with Ziploc bag to keep it dry while paddling)
- Hand sanitizer
Director
The St. Albans Kayaking Camp will be run by the school's Voyageur Program Director, John Velosky. Coach Velosky is in his 16th year at St. Albans and has a background tailor-made to teach students how to appreciate the many aspects of whitewater paddling. He holds a BS from Dartmouth College and an MS from Slippery Rock University, while also having graduated from Greenfield College's Outdoor Leadership Program. He has been instructing paddlers in canoes, kayaks, and rafts for over 15 years and is a certified Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor through the ACA and holds a Wilderness First Responder certification from Wilderness Medical Associates.
Assistant Director
Will not be participating Summer 2023
Eileen Giles is a Voyageur Program instructor for NCS, transitioning into this role in 2019 after spending the 2 prior years as a NCS physical education teacher, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse coach. She has participated in numerous courses with NOLS and American Alpine Institute and received her WFR through Maine Sports Outfitters and spends as much free time outdoors as possible. Eileen is a 2015 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in geography and double minored in American studies and social and economic justice. She also played lacrosse for Carolina and was a member of its 2013 National Championship team.
Located in Washington, D.C., St. Albans Summer Programs – a combined summer camp and summer school for area and out-of-town boys and girls in grades Pre-K through 12 – provides half- and full-day academic and art classes and athletic camps for football, golf, swimming, and tennis at state-of-the-art athletic facilities.