Youth Development Program
The ACA is committed to providing the youth of today, and tomorrow with the opportunity of experiencing the outdoors via a canoe, kayak or raft.
Teaching safety, in and around lakes, rivers and the coast, is a vital component of any paddlesports youth education program.
Children are not only the future of paddlesport, they are also the future stewards of our rivers, lakes, streams, seas, and oceans.
As with any youth educational program, a progression based approach is crucial to learning:
- Paddle Safe -Paddle Smart curriculum: components of this curriculum can be used for an inside or 'dry land' course.
- Smartstart Paddling Orientation: approximately a one hour program that can be used for a wide range of youth groups both on and off the water.
- Quickstart your Canoe and Quickstart your Kayak: ideal on water courses, for children to learn the basics, and safety, of paddling.
- Skills Assessment Program: as responsibility and paddling skills progress, these assessments are a logical next step.
Paddlesports Resources for Youth:
- Boating Safety Sidekicks
- Paddling Tips for Summer Camp Counselors
- Bobber - The Water Safety Dog
- Young Ben's Boating Safety Tip
- Young Megan's Boating Safety Tip
- Fit for Boating with Stacy Starboard
- Paddle Safe - Paddle Smart Curriculum
- Smartstart for Safe Paddling Brochure
- Paddle Safe - Have Fun
- Beginners Guide
- How to Choose the Right Lifejacket
- Best Practices for Paddlers & Paddlesport Programs
- Wear It! Brochure
- Smartstart Paddling Orientation
- Quickstart your Canoe
- Quickstart your Kayak
- Additional Resources
The ACA works with numerous organizations to promote safety and educational paddlesports initiatives:
- Boy Scouts of America
- American Camp Association
- American Association for Physical Activity & Recreation
- United States Coast Guard
For more information about how to teach paddlesports to youth or promote paddlesport safety for youth, please contact the SEI Department.
