Kayak Instruction Inc. makes it safe and easy for Girl Scouts of all ages to try out this sport. They provide all the equipment: kayaks, paddles, PFDs and all other safety equipment. Kayak Instruction, Inc. meets the Safety Wise Guidelines. The girls will be under the supervision of a certified lifeguard during a water safety exercise to make sure girls feel safe and confident in the water before participating on the water, as described in Safety-Wise Water Activity Checkpoints and there will be an instructor-to-girl scout ratio of 1 to 5. The instructor pool includes Junior Olympians, Olympians, US Team Members and many accomplished kayakers.

These four training programs are designed to help girls earn badges at almost all program levels; Paddle, Pole and Roll Badge for Cadette and Senior, Small Craft Badge for Junior and Paddle Safely Brownie Try-It.

Level One - Young Kayaks Cost: $15.00 per girl
Ages 8 through 17 Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior

Location: Winter-Indoor heated pool     Summer-Lake, pond or pool
Description: A two-hour fun class that stresses safety. Participants will become comfortable in a kayak and learn how to do self-rescues while playing games. Participation in this program meets the requirements for the Brownie Paddle Safely Try-It and the Adventure Sports Badge.

Level Two - Kayak Skill Techniques Cost:$25.00 per girl
Ages 9 through 17 Junior, Cadette and Senior

Location: Winter-Indoor heated pool     Summer-Lake, pond or pool
Description: A three hour clinic which provides the kayaker with the necessary skills to paddle safely, efficiently and with confidence. You will leave this class knowing how to enter, exit and maneuver your kayak in any direction. Participation in this program meets the requirements for the Junior “Small Craft” badge.

Level Three - Kayak Technique & Rescues Cost: $40.00 per girl
Ages 11 through 17 Cadette and Senior

Location:Winter-Indoor heated pool      Summer-Lake, pond or pool
Description: A six hour clinic which includes everything in the Level Two clinic along with a two hour classroom session and several rescue techniques and meets the requirements for the Cadette/Senior Interest Project “Paddle Poll and Roll” with exception of the service Project requirement. Arrangements may be made for this to be done at a later date if desired.

Level Four - Whitewater Kayaks Cost: $50.00 per girl
Ages 11 through 17 Cadette and Senior

Location: San Marcos River or Fort Worth Trinity River whitewater course
Description: After you have completed four hours of flatwater instruction, come along and take a whitewater clinic. This half day clinic is extremely fun and slightly challenging. This clinic emphasizes specific whitewater maneuvers, balance, and some fun and exciting vertical drops. Your instructors will include Olympians and US team members from the Power Olympic Center and Kayak Instruction, Inc. When they are not teaching you, they are tuning their skills for a spot on the US team.

Level Five - Kayak Roll Cost: $30.00 per girl
Ages 10 through 17 Junior Cadette and Senior

Location: The Colony Aquatic Park
Description: A three hour program that teaches the kayak roll. We listened to last year’s feedback and you asked for additional kayak programs, with more time devoted to the kayak roll. The kayak roll is a technique that allows an upside down kayaker (not a good position to occupy for any length of time) to roll the kayak back upright and continue paddling. After attending the first class, Girl Scouts are encouraged to attend follow up sessions for only a $5.00 pool rental charge. A prerequisite of Level One, Two or Three is recommended before taking this class.

Level Six - Lake or River Trip Cost: $20.00 per girl
Ages 10 through 17 Junior Cadette and Senior

Location: Lake Grapevine Meadowmere Park or Elm Fork of the Trinity River
Description: A three hour program that lets scouts paddle on a lake or river after completing one of our instructional programs. These two bodies of water are appropriate for novice or beginning kayak activities. Kayaks, paddles and PFDs are provided. After kayaking on the Elm Fork, you are located by the Elm Fork Nature Preserve and can hike their nature trails.

Please call for additional information 214-629-4794