Teamwork at Camp: Canoeing and Communication
Let’s go to the lake!
Canoeing is one of the classic activities you probably think of when you imagine summer camp.
A warm summer day, gliding across the cool lake, chatting with your friend in the boat - what’s not to like about paddling?
The boys in Cabins 29 and 30 who came to the paddling docks yesterday morning were excited to get in the water, but also a little hesitant. “I don’t know how to paddle,” a few of them remarked as we got our PFDs on and gathered by the canoes.
“Don’t worry, that’s what we’re here to learn!” Beans, one of the counselors, reassured the boys as he propped up a canoe to begin teaching the basics. He explained how good paddlers “become the boat,” and that starts by learning the parts of the canoe.
Beans pointed out the front of the boat, called the bow. He explained that whoever sits there will act as the engine. The back of the boat, or the stern, was in charge of steering. No matter which role the boys chose, they would have to work together to control the canoe.
They covered a few more important points, including how to kneel instead of sit when paddling, why it’s not good for balance to grab the gunwales, and how to carry the canoe by the thwarts. Soon it was time to start learning paddling strokes.
Evan, another paddling counselor, demonstrated how to hold the paddle by the t-grip in one hand, and the paddle shaft in the other. “Hold the paddle over your head and make 90 degree angles with your elbows. That’s how you know how far apart to keep your hands when you paddle,” he explained. The boys learned their draw and c-strokes, and practiced the motions by paddling the water while standing on the dock. When everyone felt comfortable, they put their new skills into action in the boats.
The boys got in canoes with their partners and set off to explore around the lake. “Remember to think backwards when paddling a boat,” said Evan. “The harder you pull backwards, the faster you go forwards.” There’s a learning curve to controlling a canoe, but everyone was getting the hang of things quickly.
We paddled around, raced each other, and played “sponge tag” by trying to toss a wet sponge into others’ boats. In addition to learning how to paddle yourself, you also have to learn how to communicate with your paddling partner. It’s crucial to work as a team in a canoe.
“I’ve been in a fishing boat before, but this was my first time in a canoe,” said Walt A. from Alexandria, VA. He liked getting to steer the boat since he was in the stern, but he had to work together with his partner Webb W. in the bow, to ensure they could navigate the boat properly. “I had to listen to Webb. He had good ideas about where to steer during Sponge Tag. We had to work together.”
Beyond the paddling docks, teamwork is an important part of this whole Junior Camp week. Boys move around camp as a cabin group, working together in activities and encouraging each other. They clean the cabin together in the morning, cheer each other on at the climbing wall, partner up for foosball matches, play in pairs at pickleball, and strategize as a team during Green vs. Gold Evening Program games.
The camp experience may be different for each individual, but it’s the collaboration and teamwork that makes camp memorable and impactful for everyone. This week is going by quickly, and we’re looking forward to another day of activities together!