Dear Parents/Guardian,

 

Summer is here, school is out and it is time to make plans to send your child to Grande Tours popular Kids Kayak Kamp. It is a fun-filled day-camp for children ages seven to thirteen, lasting one week, making a wonderful alternative to get out of the house and have great fun while learning about kayaking, our Southwest Florida ecosystem and natural history. The main themes throughout the week will be centered around learning kayaking skills, wildlife, history and ecological conservation with many hands-on activities. It is always an adventure at Grande Tours Kids Kayak Kamp and on behalf of Captain Marian Schneider , myself and our staff, we look forward to seeing you and your child here to make wonderful summertime memories!

 

Sincerely,

 

Bill Godek

Senior Instructor/Counselor

 

 

What will my child need to bring?

 

  • Secure fitting water shoes. Please no flip-flops, Crocs, or open toed sandals.
  • Bottled water and/or personal bottles. Re-fills can be done on site.
  • Lunch and snacks. We do not have a refrigerator, so a small cooler may be needed.
  • Hat and cool-fast drying clothes.
  • Towel.
  • Please do not bring electronic devices, cash or jewelry.

 

 

Important Times for Parents:

Drop off is at 9am and pick-up is at 1pm. Please be on time.

 

Other Important Parent Information:

 

We at Grande Tours take safety as our up most concern. Due to the nature of on water activities, the size of the group and keeping all campers safe; we ask that if your child has physical, emotional or behavioral special needs or is on medication for those special needs, you need to find another summer camp venue. Our staff is not trained to provide one on one attention for special needs children. It also detracts for providing instructions to other campers.

 

Also, we will not tolerate bullying, aggressive or anti-social behavior, disregarding the instructions of staff or other disruptive behavior. If the Kamper does not adhere to the above, a parent will be called and asked not to return their child to camp. There will be no refund in this event.

 

 

Very important,please note: A non-refundable full payment and complete registration forms must be submitted to our office no later than 2 weeks before each scheduled camp. There is a $25 late fee for forms received after that date. However, this does not guarantee that there will be a reserved space for the camper.

 

Direct any question or concerns to either Bill Godek or Capt. Marian Schneider at : 941-697-8825.

 

 

Planned Itinerary

 

*Please understand that this is subject to change due to extenuating circumstances. This year we will be adding Paddleboarding into the activities.

 

Day One, 9am:

 

*Meet with parents and campers in conference room:

 

    • Rules and expected behavior.
    • Drop-off and pick-up times.
    • Review of potential on-water hazards.
    • Say good-bye to Mom and Dad.

 

Kayaking Basics:

 

    • Importance of Personal Flotation Device(PFD).Life jackets will be worn at at times on the water while kayaking or swimming.
    • On land: kayak and paddle parts. Matching Kampers to their kayak.
    • On water: paddle techniques and maneuvers. Training games.
    • Lunch and discussing what we learned.
    • Putting back equipment.
    • Swimming off the dock(rules for swimming will be reviewed).
    • See you tomorrow.

 

Day Two:

 

    • On the water: More kayak games and paddle tour of parts of Carol Creek.
      Birding exercise.
    • Lunch, Bird review.
    • Putting back equipment.
    • Open swim.
    • Get some rest tonight.

 

Day Three:

 

    • Fishing trip: Pre-trip safety briefing. Let's go fishing!
    • Lunch and review of fish caught and released. Put equipment away.
    • Open swim.
    • See you in the morning.

 

Day Four:

 

-Sea life trip to Gasparilla Sound: Ethics in handling sea life and field identification.

    • Lunch, review of encountered sea life.
    • Put equipment away.
    • Open swim.
    • Bye for now and bring your appetite!

 

Day Five:

 

    • Parent day. Kids show off your skills and teach your parents to kayak!
    • Back for Hot Dog cookout(Grande Tours will provide Hot Dogs and fixin's, please bring your drinks and anything else you might want to eat).
    • Show your parents what you learned. There will be a question and answer time about fish, birds and sea life.
    • Help putting up equipment.
    • Good-byes and Thanks for joining us this year.

 

Some information about your Camp Counselor:

 

Bill Godek is a native Floridian with a degree from the University of Florida in Cultural Anthropology.

He is certified as a Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Systems and a American Canoe Association Kayak Instructor. Prior to his tenure at Grande tours he had a career in Alaska as a Chief Animal Control Officer for over 27 years. There he developed humane education and animal safety programs for local schools. He returned to his beloved Florida 6 years ago and lives in Placida.