Noozhawk’s ParentNooz Camp Guide makes planning your child’s summer a breeze!
Designed to streamline your search for the perfect summer camp in Santa Barbara, Noozhawk’s Summer Camp Guide dives deep with local program representatives, to help parents make informed decisions for their child’s summer adventures.
In this interview Noozhawk spoke with Emily Abernathy-Jones, Secretary at Santa Barbara Community Rowing to learn more about their summer program.
Question: What is the name of your camp or program, and what is its primary focus?
Answer: With Olympic rowing around the corner this summer in Paris, we are offering Youth Learn-to-Row camps designed to introduce kids ages 11+ with no prior experience to this special sport. Based on Cachuma Lake, camps are designed to teach campers the basics of the rowing stroke and then put it into practice in 1, 2 or 4-person boats. Our goal is that by the end of the week campers are able to row in a boat comfortably and confidently with their peers.
We do this through a combination of demonstrations, skill building drills and on-the-water-games. Cachuma Lake is also a beautiful place to spend a morning so we hope campers can also simply enjoy the view, meet other kids, develop critical thinking, body awareness, strength and fitness – and take pride in new skills. Campers can sign up for multiple weeks to continue improving their knowledge of the sport. The experience learned will prepare campers to join our junior racing team in the fall. We are also able to train rising college students during the summer who are hoping to walk on to collegiate rowing teams in the fall.
Q: How long have you been running the program? Do you have any professional accreditations or certifications?
A: We are a relatively new club, so this is our second year running camp, however our coach has coached at the high school and college level for more than a decade. She is a Level 2 USRowing Certified Coach and brings a wealth of teaching knowledge to our camps including college recruiting advice for those interested in rowing in college.
Q: What specific goals or objectives will participants be working towards during their time at the camp?
A: We offer two levels of camp: Level 1 for those with no prior experience and Level 2 for those who want to build on Level 1 or who have at least a month of rowing experience. In Level 1 our goal is for campers to end the week understanding the basics of rowing technique and safety, and be able to comfortably take short rows in the lake either in a double or quad with other kids.
In Level 2, our goal is for campers to build on what they learned in Level 1 and begin to fine-tune their technique, build endurance through longer pieces on the water, and learn to row in a single person boat. We finish off the week learning how to race!
Q: Can you describe the educational components integrated into your program?
A: A lot of rowing is learning to make small adjustments in your body to improve the balance and movement of the boat, so a lot of what we teach is simply the ability to be coached and open to feedback. Because much of rowing is also done in multi-person boats, we also teach kids how to work in tandem with their partner so that they are rowing as efficiently as possible.
Q: What is the daily schedule like, including activities, meals, and rest periods?
A: Camp runs from 9am – 12pm. Campers will drop their bags and we will start with a warm up or demo on land explaining the focus for the day. That might be learning what proper rowing technique looks like or a specific drill. We will then carry boats down to the water and spend 1.5-2 hours playing games or doing drills together to practice what we learned on land. Campers are encouraged to bring water or a small snack in the boat with them. When we are finished we will carry the boat back up, and have a short debrief before campers are dismissed. All campers will get a video at the end of the week to highlight the progress they made.
Q: What is the typical age range of campers who attend your programs?
Answer: We take campers ages 11 and up, which is typically kids heading into 6th grade and up. The only real requirement is knowing how to swim and that kids are strong enough and willing enough to help carry boats to and from the water. And that they have a willingness to learn and try new things!
Q: Do you offer full day and 1/2 day options?
A: We are half-day only. When you are learning a new skill and trying to coordinate your brain and your body, it’s a lot to take in and can be tiring, so we find it’s most productive to limit sessions to just a few hours especially in the summer heat!
Q: What are your policies regarding staff background checks, training, and the child-to-staff ratio? How do you ensure the safety and well-being of campers?
A: Our staff is rigorously trained in all the necessary certifications. Our head coach is first aid/CPR/AED certified. She is also a USRowing level 2 certified coach and has her California Boating License. Our head coach and board are all SafeSport compliant. We have a safety plan filed with the County. Plus, we always have a motorized launch with life jackets out on the water with campers at all times in order to reach kids quickly in case of any problems.
Q: What is the cost of attending your camp, and do you offer any financial assistance or scholarships?
A: The regular cost of one week of camp is $175 and yes, we offer need-based partial and full scholarships! We hope to introduce as many kids as possible to the joy of rowing and don’t want money to be a barrier. Please contact us at coach@rowsbc.org if you are interested in this option.
Q: Is there anything you would like to share about your program that was not already mentioned above?
A: Rowing is not well known yet on the Central Coast but we are trying to build a world class program here. We have a small but accomplished group of junior rowers – two of whom are heading to USRowing Youth Nationals in June in Florida – and we are actively recruiting more interested kids to join them. So if you are a middle or high schooler who is intrigued by rowing, please come join us. We want you!
Rowing is a terrific lifelong sport and attracts some of the highest percentage of college scholarships for those who are interested in rowing in college. Plus, it’s a great way to build overall fitness and test your speed and endurance for those who are interested in competition. Our kids (and adults) often say that being out on the water at sunrise or sunset is a great way to clear their heads. Whether you are in a single, a double or a quad and all working together going fast, the camaraderie among rowers is special. You’ll see this on full display at the Olympics this summer. And we welcome anyone interested in seeing what rowing is all about to come join us.
Click here to learn more about Santa Barbara Community Rowing.