We just completed the first Aquatic Skills Camp in partnership with the 4H Camps at Halsey and Gretna.
On Monday, 10 kids from across the state met at Halsey and were given a boater ed course by BSO Daryl Teter. Then we all went to Calamus SRA and set up camp.
On Tuesday, Corey from Buzz's Marine instructed the kids on wakeboarding and Daryl instructed them on kayaking. We split the kids in two and rotated to the two activities. A nice couple from Saint Paul (Matt and Ann) brought their boat for wakeboarding and we used the NGPC kayaks. We took a leisurely (if not dizzying) kayak trip from the 183 bridge into the reservoir on the Calamus River. The kids got to try wakeboarding and discovered it is not nearly as easy as it looks.
On Wednesday, Greg and Brenda from Kearney brought their ski boat and the kids enjoyed water skiing, tubing, and more wakeboarding. I also used four personal watercraft to instruct them in the right way to enjoy PWC. Thanks for Tri-City Cycle of GI for the loaners, including a fresh-out-of-the-crate Sea Doo 255hp RXP (with RPM limiter key...
).
It was an amazing camp and great to see these kids all learn something new and have a great, safe, time learning. Something that gets them outside to enjoy what the real world has to offer.
If you have kids who will be 14-17 next year, look into this. I hope we can make it an annual event. I wish I had more pictures, but the 4H staff took many more I can't wait to see.
