{"id":37624,"date":"2025-11-12T00:00:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T08:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/?p=37624"},"modified":"2025-10-13T20:04:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T03:04:07","slug":"inner-city-kids-kayaking-camp-still-going-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/11\/12\/inner-city-kids-kayaking-camp-still-going-strong\/","title":{"rendered":"Inner City Kids Kayaking Camp: Still Going Strong"},"content":{"rendered":"

When August rolls around, that means it\u2019s definitely kids kayak camp time\u2014something I look forward to every year!<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s Upward Bound program in lower Harlem. This was fantastic\u2014until they were defunded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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,<\/a> based in Yonkers, NY, and Green Chimneys<\/a> in Brewster, NY.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2014many of whom are non-swimmers\u2014the basics of whitewater kayaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, we\u2019ve 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\u2014now collectors\u2019 items!<\/span><\/p>\n