The Youth Paddle That Wasn’t

What do about a dozen Sebago volunteer paddlers do when the youth they were expecting to introduce to kayaking do not show up? They go kayaking, of course. They go kayaking longer and farther than they would have if they had been introducing the youth to kayaking. Read more about the trip on my blog, Summit to Shore, a post which includes a link to photos from the day.

July 16, 2010 Youth Paddle

Here is a link to more photos from taken at the July 16, 2010 Youth Paddle than you would probably ever what to look at.

According to Tony Pignatello "we took out 15 young boys and girls from the Brooklyn Sports Club. We had either 27, 28, 29, or 33 paddlers on the water (it all depended on who was counting). We came back with at least 27 so it was a very successful trip. It was picture perfect and the kids seamed to have a really good time.  This was a Sebago record, we had more volunteers than guests. Thanks to Mary E, John W, John H., Vicki the mermaid, Laurie P, Nina S. and Raphael, Matt F., Cecelia F., Griffin F., Andy N, Marty S, Dennis S, Barbara T., Jerry D, Gerard the bocce man, Gary (head of security) G., Anne G., Lori (not B), Beth E. and Mike C.  Everyone had a good time."

Tony continues "We have the best club in the metropolitan area and it's our volunteers that make it so. Thank you all and forgive me if I missed anyone. Thanks."

You can read my own comments about the day on my personal blog, Summit to Shore.

Academy for Conservation and the Environment visits Sebago

Late last Thursday afternoon and early evening, September 3, 2009, the Sebago Canoe Club, for the second year in a row, hosted rising ninth graders from our neighboring high school, the Academy for Conservation and the Environment, Michele Ashkin, Principal. It was a short paddle up Paerdegat Basin toward the school but a good paddle nonetheless. Look at the photos and see for yourself. We were on the water by about 6:00 PM and off an hour later before the sun set. Most of the students paddled sit-on-tops while faculty, staff, and Sebago volunteers paddled traditional kayaks.

July 10, 2009 Youth Paddle

One of the things I like about being a member of the Sebago Canoe Club is the expectation that the club and its members will give back to the community. One way we do this is by sponsoring youth paddles. I volunteered to help with a youth paddle last summer but the youth never showed up. After waiting around an hour or two most of us who had shown up to help went paddling on our own. Willing to give it another try, and responding to a desperate e-mail plea from Tony, I volunteered to help with the paddle last Friday, July 10, 2009.

The youth and an adult leader from the 68th Precinct (Park Slope) arrived a little late but still with plenty of time to get out on the water. Once all the youth and Sebago helpers were on the water we paddled out under the Belt Parkway Bridge, beached for a break, and then paddled back to Sebago. Back at the club we washed boats, put gear away, played volleyball, ate lots of hamburgers and hot dogs, celebrated birthdays with a cake, and said goodbye.

All in all it was a good day. The weather and the water were nearly perfect. I am glad I volunteered. I had the opportunity to paddle and catch a few rays, meet some great young people, reconnect with Sebago members, and meet a few members I had not met or paddled with before. I have posted photos from the paddle at Picasa.