The Family Program is designed to help introduce and include parents with children of all ages from toddler to teen into canoe camping. (2013 Schedule is listed below)

Who is this program for?

Our Family Program is for parents with children of all ages from toddlers to teens.
The Program has a variety of outdoor activities and training courses for the whole family based on the needs and abilities of the adults as well as the children. The emphasis is on safety on and near the water, acquiring essential paddling and camping skills, teamwork and having fun.

An added benefit of this program is getting to know other families with whom you can share your outdoor interests and experiences.

When and where do we go paddling?  (see our 2014 schedule below)
We are out paddling May – October.
We paddle on lakes and rivers in Ottawa or within 1-2 hours for shorter trips or within 1-2 days drive for longer trips. We paddle on canoe routes in Provincial parks, urban and wilderness settings.
Some of our favourite places to go are: Gatineau Park, Frontenac PP, Bon Echo PP, Algonquin PP, lakes in Renfrew, Frontenac or Lanark Counties, 31 Mile Lake, La Vérendrye Park and others ..

What kinds of trips do we have? 
We organize variety of trips - evening, day, weekend, or longer 

Evening paddles with younger children
Canoeing can be a challenge with young kids. Often just as you are getting ready to launch the canoe, one or more children claim they are hungry, tired or just don't want to go. We organize paddle and picnic evenings on weekday evenings throughout the summer for families with little children. These outings take place at a local beach.
Bring: a picnic, beach towels, bathing suits, and PFDs for the whole family (we also have few to share).
Canoes will be available for families to see how their little ones' fare before committing to a longer trip. Families can take turns in the canoes and spend the remainder of the time socializing, swimming and picnicking at the beach.

Older Children

For families with older children, the day or longer trips are offered. Day trip destinations are within 1.5 hours from the Ottawa. These events involve paddling across the lake, picnicking and swimming. Parents should expect their children to be comfortable canoeing for at least two hours and be good swimmers since the water at the picnic spot might be deep. Some of the Flatwater program trips might be available for families with older children.
For multi day trips, the destinations are endless.
Please consult with the trip leader about the difficulty of the trip.

Whitewater
Moving water and whitewater trainings are available to teens with parental permission. The participants will need to meet the training prerequisites as specified in each training course.

Family Camp
Family Camp is offered each summer over a weekend in Gracefield, Quebec. The program operates in a family atmosphere with parents and children participating together.
The camp is suitable for families where children are 8 years or older, and focuses on introducing the inexperienced canoeist to paddling.
The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe canoeing practices.
There is time for other camp activities including swimming, archery, hiking and campfires.

Family program outings and trips planned for 2013 (more coming):

Fri Apr 26 - Sun Apr 28
Big Salmon lake, Frontenac Provincial Park

Sat May 18 - Mon May 20
Joe Perry lake at Bon Echo Provincial Park or TBD

Sat May 18 - Sun May 19
Palmer River Festival via Paddler Co-op

Thu Jun 13
Evening paddle picnic (date to be confirmed)

Sat Jun 15
PC Waterfront course - Petrie Island

Fri Aug 9 - Sun Aug 11
Family Camp (PC Lake Canoe Skills Intro Tandem) - Gracefield Camp

Sat or Sun June – September
Day paddle trips:  Ottawa area or within 90 minutes drive

Date TBD
Thirty-one Mile lake Explore the largest lake in the Gatineau Valley

Date TBD
Frontenac Provincial Park, Fall colors

Please consult the RACCC online calendar for updated family program events.
Some Flatwater program trips may be suitable for kids participation, to confirm, please contact the trip leader.

How to get involved?
1. Join the RACCC!
2. Review the members’ Handbook 
3. Login on www.raccc.ca – check out the calendar of events
(Note the Ratings per distance and trip difficulty) 
4. Contact the trip leader well in advance of the event 
5. Attend the planning meetings: Tues PM for Weekend Trips; as organized for longer trips
6. Contact the program coordinator to help you get connected with trips and trip leaders! 
7. Take some of our training programs – for beginners to advanced levels.

Invitation to volunteer… 
All RACCC events are volunteer led! 
Got a great idea for a trip? Contact the program Coordinator!

Family Coordinator – Ivan: family@raccc.ca

More information:

• Parents (or guardians) are responsible for children in their care, and must accompany children at all times.
• Children are not to be left alone in a canoe and must ride with a parent or guardian at all times.
• With parental permission, your nieces, nephews and grandchildren, as well as a reasonable number of your kids’ friends are welcome to join you as well. Discuss this with the Trip Coordinator well before the date of the trip.
• Parents (and/or guardians) are responsible for any children they bring to events at all times.
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