Paddler’s Discovery Camp — Oregon City Kids Kayaking & Whitewater Week

On the banks of the Willamette and Clackamas rivers just below Willamette Falls, Paddler’s Discovery Camp turns a week of summer into a hands-on school of moving water for kids. Based in Oregon City, this five-day, Level 1 paddling course meets at 1701 Clackamette Dr Oregon City OR 97045 and runs seven hours per day through a rotating schedule of kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, tubing, and guided whitewater rafting. Designed for 8–12 year olds who are comfortable in the water, the camp requires no previous paddling experience and focuses on water safety, basic stroke mechanics, and group skills while keeping play at the center of every session. What makes this program special is its setting: the confluence of two Pacific Northwest rivers that carve through basalt and sedimentary terraces, with visible riparian zones and stands of bigleaf maple, red alder, and vine maple framing eddies and glints of current. The instructors cycle themes—Pirates Ahoy, Survival Crafts, and White Water Academy I—so every day feels different while building practical confidence on moving water. Kids practice launching and landing, reading simple river features, and controlling a paddle craft in class I–II water under guided supervision. Each day begins with a land-based skills session to practice rescue basics and paddle strokes, followed by on-water drills tailored to the day’s theme. Instructors emphasize buddy checks, lifejacket fit, and simple rescue techniques so children leave with real skills rather than just memories. Lunches are picnic-style on riverbanks, and sessions end with reflection and craft activities that reinforce environmental stewardship and basic navigation on rivers. Parents receive daily updates and photos via the camp’s secure messaging feed. Families will appreciate the explicit meeting logistics and the camp’s practical checklist—bring water, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, clothing that can get wet, a towel, and a change of clothes—along with transparent pricing that typically ranges from $495 to $545 for the five-day session. The meeting point at 1701 Clackamette Dr sits within easy reach of parking and river access, which streamlines gear drop-off and pick-up during a busy summer schedule. Beyond technique, the camp places campers in an ecological classroom: watch for forage fish runs, river otters slipping between rocks, and bald eagles perched on cottonwoods. There’s also a cultural thread here—these waterways flow through the historic territory of the Clackamas peoples and near the industrial and mill sites that shaped Oregon City’s growth. Whether your child aims for future whitewater runs or simply wants a week of outdoor play, Paddler’s Discovery Camp offers a measured, safety-first introduction to paddlesports in an iconic river corridor. It’s a practical, fun, and locally rooted way to pass along river skills, respect for currents, and an appetite for more time on the water.