Sackawa is a non-profit paddling club on First
Lake in Lower Sackville. Established in 1980, our club offers youth the opportunity to learn paddle sport in a safe and fun environment. Our goal is to develop world-class paddlers with a healthy, competitive attitude, that will excel in both sport and life.

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Sackawa aims to impart skills development in a physically demanding sport, within the context of social, relaxed and ‘fun’ activities. Athletes are encouraged to build skills to compete in local, national, and even internationally competitions. Many of Sackawa’s High Performance athletes have gone on to represent Nova Scotia at the Canada Games, and represent Canada at Junior & Senior World events.

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Summer Programs

Our summer programs are the best way to spend a summer on the lake, hanging out with friends and becoming an athlete in the sport of canoe/kayak. 

Programs run from 9am until 4pm, Monday to Friday, with the option to add extended hours by registering for our Early Drop Off - Late Pickup program. Drop-off would start at 7:30am and our late pickup program ending at 5:30pm.

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U10-U16 Full Summer

Our full summer program offers kids aged 9-15 an opportunity to experience the thrill of paddling in a safe and fun environment. Children are able to train in a competitive program and participate in regattas throughout the summer. 

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Over the course of 8+ weeks, from July 2 to August 29, our experienced coaches will guide your child through an unforgettable journey of paddling, group games, trail adventures, fun regattas, and more. The program is designed to provide children of all experience levels with an opportunity to learn and develop fundamental paddling skills, while enjoying a positive, engaging, and safe atmosphere.

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Throughout the program, children will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, including team and individual boat training, balance drills, aerobic and speed training, and competitive regattas scheduled throughout the summer. 

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The program schedule includes morning meet and greet, morning warm-up with dry land activities such as jogging and dynamic stretching, group games such as manhunt, pickle, frisbee, jack-pot, and relay races, multiple on-water sessions with time in team boats, singles, and big boats, designated lunch time supervised by coaches, beach activities, swimming, time in non-racing boats, and theme weeks.

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$1,350.00

Registrant must be at least age 9 on December 31, 2025

Program starts July 2nd and ends August 29th

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Registration fee includes all equipment (except lifejackets). Participants, along with their parents or guardians, become members of Sackawa Canoe Club for the year of registration. 

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Intro to Paddling Two Week Day Camp

(Ages 8 and Up)

Introducing Intro to Sprint, our hybrid camp program that is designed to offer a smooth transition for children (ages 8 -15) who are interested in exploring the world of competitive paddling while enjoying the leisurely aspects of Canoe Camp. 

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Intro to Sprint combines the fun and excitement of our recreational Canoe Camp with the competitive edge of our Sprint program. Whether your child is a beginner or has some experience in paddling, our well-trained coaches will provide them with a comprehensive physical activity program that involves paddling, balance drills, and games and activities in a positive and fun environment.

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Intro to Sprint offers instruction in the fundamentals of sprint canoe and kayak for both beginners and experienced paddlers. Children will have opportunities to use and compete in a variety of team and individual boats and will be introduced to aerobic and speed training on and off the water.

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The program consists of two weeks of full-day sprint canoe and kayak coaching, including morning meet and greet, warm-up with dry land activities, group games, on-water sessions, beach activities, swimming, and time in fun boats (non-racing boats). We also have designated lunch times, which are supervised by our coaches, and theme weeks with costume day on Wednesdays and the opportunity to compete in interclub regattas in the HRM area.

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The cost of Intro is $695 per 10-day session (Mon to Fri) and $625 per 9-day session, including all fees and taxes. Campers will be provided with a Sackawa Camp shirt on their first week of camp.

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Enrol your child today and let them experience the excitement of paddling and the fun of summer camp, while also preparing them for competitive paddling if they choose to continue in the sport!

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$695.00

Registrant must be at least age 8 on December 31, 2025

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Registration fee includes all equipment (except lifejackets). Participants, along with their parents or guardians, become members of Sackawa Canoe Club for the year of registration. 

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One Week Day Adventure Camp

(Ages 6 - 10)

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Our one-week adventure camp is designed for children aged 6 to 10 who love to be active and adventurous outdoors. With an emphasis on team building, water safety, healthy living and introduction of small and big boats, our camp offers a unique and exciting way to spend the summer.

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Located at the picturesque First Lake in the heart of Lower Sackville, our campers will have access to the stunning lake and the trails around first lake. Our program offers eight one-week sessions from July 7 to August 29, 2025.

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At our camp, children will have the opportunity to explore different types of canoes and kayaks suitable for all ages and skill levels. Our experienced coaches will guide them through the basics of paddling, and campers will be able to improve their technique and try out new skills as they progress through the week.

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Set along the shore of First Lake, children will explore the trials, learn how to identify different plants, and basic survival skills. Our program also includes a range of other fun and engaging activities, such as games, crafts, and nature exploration. Each week has its own unique theme, so there is always something new and exciting to look forward to.

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The cost of camp is only $215 per 5-day week (Mon to Fri) and $175 per 4-day week, including all fees and taxes. Campers will be provided with a Sackawa Camp shirt on their first week of camp.

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We welcome campers of all levels of experience, and our program is designed to be inclusive and fun for everyone. Join us for an unforgettable summer of adventure and exploration on the water!

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$215

Registrant must be at least age 6 on December 31, 2025

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Registration fee includes all equipment (except lifejackets). Participants, along with their parents or guardians, become members of Sackawa Canoe Club for the year of registration. 

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PaddleAll

This program is aimed at introducing athletes with physical or intellectual disabilities to the sport of Canoe-Kayak. PaddleALL is for all ages and skill levels. No experience is necessary. Come out and enjoy the freedom of being on the water. Program normally runs on Tuesday, Thursday at 6pm and Sunday afternoon. Exact days and times will be confirmed closer to the summer.

(3 days per week for 1.5 hours)

$200

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Registration fee includes all equipment (except lifejackets). Participants, along with their parents or guardians, become members of Sackawa Canoe Club for the year of registration.

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Early-DropOff / Late Pickup​​​​

Regular camp hours are 9am-4pm, if you require extended hours, Sackawa offers supervision from 7:30am-9am and from 4-5:30pm

Cost is only $5/day, so $25/week, and $200 for full summer

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You must be registered in this program to take advantage of this offering. If you only require a few days of extra supervision, there might be space available, but this must be confirmed and paid for on a case by case bases. Cost for this will be higher at $10 per use.

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Leaders in Training

Welcome to our Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program at Canoe and Kayak Camp! This program is designed for teens aged 15-16 who are interested in gaining valuable skills and experience working with children in a camp setting.

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At Sackawa Canoe Club we are excited to offer an exciting volunteer program that is available for teens aged 15-16. This program will run Monday – Friday from 8:30 am -4:30 pm (excluding holidays) for 2 weeks. The Leaders in Training (LIT) is an awesome opportunity and is excellent preparation for teens hoping to work as camp counselors, coaches or with children in the future. Sackawa Canoe and Kayak Camp is a fun, and active day camp full of games, crafts, and on-water activities. The Camp is located on the shores of First Lake.

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The goal of the LIT program is to teach you how to work with children in a camp setting while having the support and supervision of experienced camp staff. Our Leadership Training Program is designed to empower teenagers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become effective leaders both on and off the water. You will shadow our staff in both our camp and bantam programs to gain experience working with participants of different ages and experience across multiple programs. LITs must possess a positive attitude and genuine interest in working with campers ages 6-13. Respect, cooperation, and a high level of energy are all valued attributes that will be expected and will lead to a successful completion of the program. You will develop skills in leadership, teamwork, water safety, problem-solving and positive, effective communication. To successfully complete the program, you will be required to demonstrate appropriate levels of maturity, responsibility, competence, and enthusiasm. Participants will fill out a self-evaluation questionnaire and will receive a formal evaluation from SCC camp staff. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. We are happy to provide reference letters for future employment or volunteer positions upon request to successful participants.

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Throughout the two weeks in this program, you will get to experience many different things. One week you will join the summer camp program where you will be introduced to the camp side of things. Here, you will learn what a day of camp is like! You will work alongside camp staff in the different daily activities, such as exploring different types of canoes and kayaks, games, crafts, and nature exploration. A second week will be spent joining the U16 Paddling Camp! Here you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of the Bantam side of things. You will learn about the different boats involved in the U16 paddling and learn about the different training that takes place within the program. You will learn about a range of activities, including team and individual boat training, balance drills, aerobic and speed training, and competitive regattas scheduled throughout the summer.

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This volunteer position will enable registrants to earn 80 hours of volunteer work to go towards your highschool hours and experience. There will be a small fee to cover registration costs of $100.00. This will include an LIT T Shirt as well. You will also need to fill out a small questionnaire when registering. Participants will arrive 30 mins before and after campers to help organize the day and take equipment in and out.

Each week there will be a unique theme of the week (for example Water, SuperHero, Olympic, and Sports), so there is always something new and exciting to look forward to! As members of our Leadership Training Program, participants will not only enhance their own leadership abilities but also serve as role models and mentors for their peers. They will play an integral role in shaping the camp experience for themselves and their fellow campers, helping to create a positive and inclusive community where everyone can thrive. Come join us and have an amazing summer!

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Year-long Paddling

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