When August rolls around, that means it’s definitely kids kayak camp time—something I look forward to every year!

This camp was started back in 2002 to give inner city youth of New York City the chance to experience whitewater and the paddling opportunities right in their own backyard. Initially inspired by the tragic events and aftermath of 9/11, the goals of camp still feel relevant more than 20 years later. Ideally, the camp also gives kids a sense of hope for their futures by opening the door to this wonderful new world of kayaking.

The first challenge was finding kids to instruct. Thankfully, after I taught Martha Stewart to kayak in 2001, she connected me with Boys & Girls Harbor, an organization dedicated to assisting underserved youth in New York City. The first group we worked with was part of the organization’s Upward Bound program in lower Harlem. This was fantastic—until they were defunded.

Shortly after, a trustee of Boys & Girls Harbor introduced me to the Graham Windham School in Yonkers, NY. We worked with this program until the events of COVID led to their defunding and eventual shutdown. Now, we work with two schools, REACH Academy, based in Yonkers, NY, and Green Chimneys in Brewster, NY.

All of these programs support kids from underserved backgrounds and those placed in residential schools by the state due to issues at home. Every summer, we teach anywhere from 10 to 15 students—many of whom are non-swimmers—the basics of whitewater kayaking.

Over the years, we’ve had an awesome group of instructors, including Emily Jackson, Nick Troutman, Eric Jackson, and Andy Khulberg. Most return every year to help out. All of our gear has been donated, and we are still using kayaks gifted by Jackson Kayak from the original camp. We also have some original AT paddles—now collectors’ items!

There is always a degree of trepidation along with excitement about the camp because there are so many factors that go into making it happen. I always wonder, will it all come together?

One of the big factors is water. Watching the ICF end the 2025 Freestyle Worlds early due to drought had me thinking much more seriously about where and how to do this camp, especially because it’s been a dry summer. Coordinating the schedules of the busy instructors who have a lot of commitments is also a moving target. Luckily, and hopefully for the foreseeable future, the camp is something everyone looks forward to doing.

Pre-camp stressors occasionally make me question why I continue to organize the camp every year. But once the students arrive and things really get going, I remember exactly why this is 100% worth doing. It’s so rewarding to see these kids blossom. The rivers always work their magic—just like they have on all of us!

This summer, we had 13 students which included two teachers from Green Chimneys school and 11 students from the two combined school programs, Green Chimneys and REACH Academy. Sean Coffey, a teacher, paddler, and one of the kindest and most generous humans I have ever met, was responsible for connecting our camp to Green Chimneys and REACH Academy after COVID—we couldn’t do the camp without him. His help and dedication are a huge blessing for us.

Seeing the defunding of other programs brings home the reality of how so many kids in this socio-economic bracket slip right through the cracks. These kids have tough home situations and/or learning issues. They don’t get many opportunities to go outside and enjoy the excitement and beauty of the natural world, let alone try out a new sport.

Seeing how kayaking and nature can open up a whole new reality for these kids, as well as how much they love it, fuels my desire to keep teaching every year. Students and instructors alike have a lot of fun. Just like their instructors, many students return, even after they age out of the program. It’s the perfect mix of a good challenge, lots of fun, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in something completely new. Many students leave camp hooked, and that’s exactly what we hope for!

This week was the first time since we started the camp in 2002 that we had no female students, though we did have several returning students and a great group of newcomers. Despite my earlier worries, we lucked out with the water. We had just enough to have a great first flat open water paddle in the swamp, which is super beautiful and a key confidence-building moment.

With the low water, we were able to paddle the Delaware River. The Delaware is a perfect first whitewater run—warm, beautiful and fun! Then, a big storm rolled in at the end of the day. Over an inch of rain fell, which made Graduation Day extra awesome. That, and EJ’s call to Mayor Bass to get the parking lot opened at the Housatonic! We paddled the famous George’s Rapid, a great wave train and surf wave at almost any level. It’s also a great rapid to swim just for fun.

Needless to say, there were multiple runs down through George’s—both in and out of kayaks. Several first year students even tried surfing and got their combat rolls! All in all, an amazing week. We’ll be back next year for more.

A huge thank-you to Emily Jackson, Nick Troutman, Andy Khulberg, Kristine Jackson, and Eric Jackson for coming back to teach with me, and to everyone else who helps make the camp possible. 

***

Guest Contributor Jessie Stone is a medical doctor and professional whitewater kayaker. In addition to her work with the Inner City Kids Kayak Camp, Jessie is the founder of the nonprofit Soft Power Health (SPH), a full-service medical clinic in Uganda. An NRS LEAD ambassador and Jackson Kayak Team Member, Jessie is also a six-time member of the US Freestyle Team. If you see her on the water, say hi!

Photography courtesy of Eli Reichman.