Fathers and their daughters; Father and son; camp alumni and folks who have never been to camp; beginners and advanced paddlers - they all came for a great weekend of friendship and challenge at their personal frontiers. The paddling clinic for canoeists and kayakers, beginner to advanced, was a great success, and had one participant asking:
“So, when are you going to schedule the Fall clinic?”
Stay tuned…
Because of the depth and breadth of instruction from David Bell, Whitewater World Champion Lecky Haller, and Mondamin Canoe Staff member Jonah D’Antonio, we were able to serve people at their level of need - whether it was tuning up the fine points of a kayak roll, surfing a wave, or just figuring out which stroke to take to have the canoe follow your bow paddler’s lead. That allowed everyone to enjoy the challenges and delights of moving your boat in good control on moving water and through rapids. That’s what Mondamin’s founder, Frank Bell, Sr., “Chief,” envisioned a century ago: a place where you could challenge yourself in the development of activities to which you could return for a lifetime.
The clinic was full of intergenerational moments: seeing the pleasure of fathers watching their kids develop and sharpen their kayaking skills, or camp alums from the sixties who were rock climbers adopt a beginner’s heart to take on the less familiar challenges of canoeing, and accepting the learning process that included the occasional swim, all with youthful, open, and joyful attitudes.
The clinic was great preparation for camp, starting in less than a month! It also served as an opportunity for participants to donate to the Chief and Calla Bell Foundation, whose Board Chair, Pharr Smith, was present in explaining the work of the Foundation in helping families send their kids to camp for experiences like these.
It was summarized nicely by Mary Anne Schnider:
“The weekend had it all: great people, a beautiful setting, exhilarating canoeing, positive conversations, and laughter… oh yes, and some swamping!”
Come join us for the next one!
Onward, Gordo Grant
