Mini Kids Kayak

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Course Overview

Mini Kids Kayak was first launched in 2022 as a trial program, and it was AWESOME! Family Week programs usually begin for kids aged 8 and up, but this week we open the doors to 5-7 year-old children of any skill level. For a week splashy river fun, paddling, swimming, rafting, surfing, and playing silly water games, look no further than August 12-16, 2024.

Parents! You can choose to join an adult course this week for yourself, or use this program as a day camp for your children with 9am drop off and 4pm pick up. Pack your kid a lunch, or upgrade them to join our buffet hot lunched served every day for paddling students.

We’re stoked to get your children comfy in moving currents and playing around in boats this week!

Who is this Course for?

This river kayak course is open to youth aged 5 years and up. Comfort around water will be important, the ability to swim is not necessary as we will be wearing lifejackets 100% of the time around water, as well as helmets 100% of the time around moving water.

Itinerary

Course Location

Our wilderness classroom is the beautiful Middle Madawaska River, located a short distance from our Resort, and just south of the town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario.

  

Cost

Instruction Fee

$650 for Kids 5-7 years old

Accommodation + Meals

From $123 to $630. The Accommodation & Meal options below include the 30% rate for 5-7 year-olds.

Youth 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult to stay overnight at Madawaska Kanu Centre

Rental Package

Free Rental Equipment for kids 5- 7 years old! (Usually $365 for boat, paddle, helmet, lifejacket).

All costs are in Canadian dollars & subject to 13% taxes

Accommodation + Meal Packages

Cozy Lodge rooms, off-the-grid Cabanas, budget-friendly Dorms or wooded Campsites. Our Wilderness Resort offers something for everyone. Please note: Kids 16 & under receive a 20% value discount on accommodation and Kids 12 & under receive discounted Kids Meal Pricing. Please inquire with our office for your customized family package.

Shared Lodge Plan* | $630

Our rustic Lodge rooms have everything you need! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Rooms are at ground level with nearby washroom facilities (en suite not available). Meals included.

Shared Cabana Plan* | $630

Enjoy our off-the-grid Cabanas tucked in the woods! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Shared Glamping Plan* | $630

Come glamp in MKC's forest! Our newest accommodation options are cozy, comfortable, canvas tents. Two twin beds with bedding can be converted into a single queen bed. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Dormitory Plan* | $525

Dorm room accommodation sleep up to six per room. Dorms are on the second floor with nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. Bring your own bedding.

Camping Plan | $455

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. No electricity.

Camping No Meals | $122.50

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Bring your own camping and cooking equipment to enjoy meals at your site. Dishwashing station available. No electricity.

Check In

The evening before your course between 7 & 10pm

Check Out

Friday at 7pm

*For those booking for one for Glamping, Cabana, Lodge or Dorm: it is likely you will stay with other students of the same gender. As a wilderness resort we have chosen to not expand too far into our surrounding forest and therefore have limited indoor accommodations. To book a private room as an individual is an additional cost.

About our Meals

We take pride in serving healthy, hearty and delicious meals. As a proud member of FeastON, we source locally when possible and add our special touch with herbs and edible flowers from our own garden. Meals start with breakfast the first day of the course and include: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners plus an après-paddling snack. Coffee, tea and juice are complimentary. BYOB.

Locally roasted specialty coffee and homemade snacks can be purchased from our Riverside Shop & Café.

   

Group Discounts

We welcome groups of 5 or more at a discounted rate (conditions apply)

Youth aged 12-16 years receive 20% off, youth aged under 12 receive 30% off

Testimonials

Our family of 4 spent 5 days learning whitewater kayaking with MKC. We thoroughly enjoyed our week and look forward to returning to "our paddling summer camp". This was definitely one of our most memorable weeks we've spent together as a family and look forward to doing this again and again.

Nat

Now that our kids were old enough to try the sport, we booked a week of instruction and adventure at MKC. Consensus among all of us - one of our best trips ever. If you have any interest in whitewater (kayak or canoe) this visit is a must do.

Tim C

I took my 2 teenage sons for the family week. We were all beginners. The instructors were fantastic developing our skills and building our confidence over the 5 days. A very caring staff, a well structured course and great food made for a fun week.

Arden

The sleep was great! The fires were good! The games were good too! My goal was to learn new skills like the T-Rescue, wet exit, and steering, and they were achieved!

Ruth K, age 9

Get your kid on the water this Summer!

August 12 – 16

Book Now

We welcome groups of 5 or more at a discounted rate (conditions apply).

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Reviews

5 star ratingA great week at MKC I have been to MKC many times over the years, and it is a fabulous way to spend a weekend or a week. I did the 5 day kayaking course with my daughter and granddaughter this year. The instruction at MKC is some of the best you will find anywhere in the world. The facilities are beautiful. It is set in a wooded area of north east Ontario. August is a great time to attend because the water is warm, and not a lot of bugs. July may be a bit warmer, , and early September in this area can be very beautiful, and the water is still warm. May and June in this area can be a bit buggy so come prepared if you are going in the early summer.

The river is dam fed from a top release dam, so the conditions are consistent and the water warm-- no need for dry suits-- I think the water was around 80 degrees this past week. The river itself is probably a class 2-3 river, but has some good technical lines for more advanced paddlers.

MKC is great at accommodating all levels of paddlers. I have gone with paddlers who have never been in white water, or a kayak for that matter, and by the end of the week, they are running the river with confidence. I have been doing white water kayaking for around 30 years, and I still learn something new every time I go. More importantly, I have fun with both the family I bring and the staff at the facility.

The business is now being managed by the founder's granddaughter. It is a third generation business. Stefi holds true to her grand parents and parents vision of a top notch teaching facility, but at the same time brings her own touches and personality to the operation. Since Stefi has starting running MKC, I have notice some really nice changes to the facilities, and the food is excellent-- I am vegetarian and really enjoyed the vege dishes. Lots of good looking meat dishes for those who like them. The staff all seem to be very happy and excited to be doing what they are doing. They clearly have a solid team that makes every part of the experience excellent.

There are various packages available. You can camp and do your own meals if you are on a budget. They have bunk style rooms for groups, and individual rooms for individuals and couples. There are also several screen walled cabins up in the bush that I love-- feels like camping but with a real bed and no wet tent to deal with when you get home. The accommodations are not fancy, but clean and comfortable. The chalet where meals are served and where people gather is beautiful. If you have kayaks (or canoes if that is what you are doing) you can use your own equipment or rent from MKC. There equipment is top of the line.

Price wise, I view it as an all inclusive vacation with the added benefit of instruction. It is a lot less money that you would pay for an all inclusive vacation pretty much anywhere else, and you are building skills and great memories.
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Chris C Avatar
Chris C
8/13/2023
5 star ratingAdventure Rafting Great day adventure rafting with friends and family. From bridge jumping, surfing, flipping the raft and the laughs in between. Thanks to our guide Tatiana for an entertaining 2 hours.
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Sherpa57752201563 Avatar
Sherpa57752201563
8/05/2023
5 star ratingWhite water rafting Brilliant fun from start (jumping from a bridge into the river) to the end (flipping the raft)
Easily the best activity of our 2 week holiday in Ontario.
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simon o Avatar
simon o
8/03/2023
November 17th 10am - 6pm EST

Early bird sale.

20% OFF

all 2 and 5 day MKC kayak and canoe programs. Includes Yoga Week, Slalom Week, Week of Rivers, Women’s Week and Weekend, Family Weeks and Weekends, Senior’s Week, Kayak and canoe instructor courses

Must place deposit to receive discount. We cannot combine discounts.

early bird sale heron
BOOK A COURSE
March 4th - 8th 2024

10% off

5 day kayak + canoe courses

5% of all revenue from this week is donated to your choice of three organizations

We are forever grateful for the support we continually receive from our communities. To say a small thanks, we want to give back.

BOOK A COURSE