Kids Camp '07

     This past week, we completed our sixth inner city kids kayaking camp. Our kayakers come from Boys and Girls Harbor’s Upward Bound program in lower Harlem in New York City. This Upward Bound program was created 28 years ago to increase the number of low income and first generation students who attend college. Luckily for us Keen footwear was willing to help out again with sponsoring the camp so we can continue what we love to do. We had several returning students from last year including one student, Johnny Ayala who had come to Uganda in the spring to volunteer with Soft Power Health there.
      This year, we had a very enthusiastic group. Despite rain on two of our camp days, all the kids had smiles on their faces and were eager to learn whatever we showed them. Our instructors were all returning and included Margie and Harden Glatte and Emily Jackson. The kids really like having Emily there since she is around the same age as a lot of our students and is a great paddler. She is an example of what a kid can do with a lot of hard work and interest in paddling.
The kids also really like Margie and Hayden. Both of them have many years teaching experience on and off the water, and they are both about the best instructors the kids could get.

     Since we have all worked together for a number of years now, it’s a very fun reunion for us and it’s always fun and funny to be in NYC and its environs doing the camp. Most people that we meet in NYC have no idea what these small funny looking boats are that we are carrying around, putting in elevators or paddling out on the Hudson.

     When we begin the camp, we always ask the kids what they know about kayaking and what they hope to get out of the week. Most reply that they don’t know anything about kayaking, but they want to have fun. By the end of the week, they have learned the new language of whitewater kayaking. Its great to see the progression and how much fun the kids have.

     We have also been really lucky to offer a second camp on the Rogue River in Oregon. The Rogue trip gives the kids a chance to solidify the skills they have learned and enjoy a multi-day wilderness river trip! These kids learn so much about themselves and what they are capable of – it’s very inspiring!
      There were several things that made this year’s camp unique. First, we had had more boys than girls that participated and second, this may be our last year doing the camp, which is very sad! The US department of education has cut its funding of Upward Bound so as of September 1st, the program and hence our camp may disappear. This is hard to believe, as our kayaking camps with these kids over the years have been such a wonderful experience for instructors and students alike. In addition, the 82 Upward Bound kids per year who had a chance to go to college will no longer have that help and will likely fall through the cracks. Upward Bound has taken it upon themselves to try to help raise the money to run their programs, but they need help! That’s where we come in. If everyone who reads this story can donate between $10-$20, we can help save this very valuable program. If you have any interest in helping, please contact me! Jessie@softpowerhealth.org.