Events Information
This is a list of WMCKA annual events. If you have a question about any of these events, see the officer`s contact page or visit the WMCKA forums.
- May 15-17, 2008 - Basic coastal IDW (Chicago)
- May 23-26, 2008 - 2008 WMCKA Symposium
- Jun 6-8, 2008 - 2008 Tip of the Thumb Festival
- Jul 12, 2008 - Kayak for Light
- Sep 11-13, 2008 - Basic Coastal ICE (Chicago)
- Oct 10-12, 2008 - WMCKA Annual Meeting
Basic coastal IDW (Chicago)
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: May 15-17, 2008
This is not a WMCKA Sponsored event, but it looks like a cool place to be for the weekend!
WMKCA's own Bonnie Perry and along with Gail Green are going to be doing an open water or basic coastal IDW in May (15-17) in Chicago.
One of the cool things about this IDW is that folks will be able to use either a Euro blade or a traditional blade. So at long last an opportunity to be an instructor without switching to that other blade!
The IDW is an Instructor Development Workshop in Coastal Kayaking for the American Canoe Association. The Basic and Open water certifications refer to the level of instructor certification (There are actually lower levels below basic).
Prerequisites for the IDW: The IDW is not for beginners. To gain certification at either the Basic or Open Water level you have to demonstrate your Eskimo roll. Candidates need to feel comfortable in 2-3 ft. waves and up to 20 knots of wind.
A brochure can be found here - [Click for IDW Brochure] or you can also e-mail Bonnie at bonnie@allsaintschicago.org for more information. The cost is $325 with the possibility of free accommodations if folks don't mind sleeping on a church floor!
(Back to Top)
2008 WMCKA Symposium
Where: Camp Pendalouan, Big Blue Lake
When: May 23-26, 2008
Click HERE to visit the 2008 Symposium page!
(Back to Top)
2008 Tip of the Thumb Festival
Where: Waterfront Park, Port Austin
When: Jun 6-8, 2008
This is not a WMCKA Sponsored event, but it looks like a cool place to be for the weekend! Click Here or email: info@thumbtrails.com for more information.
Weekend Hightlights Include:
- Rustic Waterfront Camping
- Group Paddles
- Free Fishing
- Yoga on the Beach
- Free Kayak Trials
- Museum/Lighthouse Tours
- Shipwreck Presentation
- Live Music
- Bonfires
- Dog Gone Lab - Dog Demo
- Safety Demonstrations
- Guided Nature Walks
- Puppet Show
- Historical Walking Tours
- Scuba Diving Demo
- Much More
(Back to Top)
Kayak for Light
Where: Ramona Park, Portage MI
When: Jul 12, 2008
The Kayak for Light event is usually held the second Saturday of July,
at Ramona Park, the site of Long Lake, in Portage, Michigan, from 10 am to 4 pm.
WMCKA and Lee’s Fun and Adventure Store of Portage, Michigan, sponsor this event.
Kayak for Light gives blind paddlers the opportunity to experience the thrill of
kayaking. Lunch is provided for all by WMCKA. (Back to Top)
We need WMCKA members (non-WMCKA members are welcome, also) who are interested
in giving a day to help others and feel great about themselves! Even if you
don’t feel comfortable working in the water with a blind paddler, you could
help on shore with various things such as registration, lunch, helping
paddlers with equipment, etc. You do not have to be an experienced kayaker
to assist with Kayak for Light.
Although many kayaks, paddles, etc. will be provided for the day by Lee’s Fun
and Adventure Store, any extra kayaks or extra gear that you could lend for
the day would also be very welcome. We especially need double kayaks, and wide,
stable kayaks with large, open cockpits, and extra-large PFDs.
If you are interested in helping out during Kayak for Light, or if you just want
to find out more about Kayak for Light, contact either Bill or Anne Keith, email elfman [at] netonecom [dot] net
or Jim Ellickson, email ellickson [at] verizon [dot] net
Directions to Ramona Park: From I-94, take the Sprinkle Road exit,
(80), and travel south for about 5 miles. Ramona Park is on the left or
east side of the road, and is very well-marked.
Basic Coastal ICE (Chicago)
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Sep 11-13, 2008
This is not a WMCKA Sponsored event, but it looks like a cool place to be for the weekend!
WMKCA's own Bonnie Perry and along with Gail Green are going to be doing an open water or basic coastal ICE September (11-13) in Chicago.
One of the cool things about this ICE is that folks will be able to use either a Euro blade or a traditional blade. So at long last an opportunity to be an instructor without switching to that other blade!
Instructor Certification Exam or the American Canoe Association (ACA). The Basic and Open water certifications refer to the level of instructor certification (There are actually lower levels below basic).
Prerequisites for the ICE: Participation in the ICE is by invitation - upon completion of the Instructor Developement Workshop (IDW) paddlers' skills in both teaching and paddling will be assessed and they will be expected to work on deficiencies over the summer.
A brochure can be found here - [Click for IDW Brochure] or you can also e-mail Bonnie at bonnie@allsaintschicago.org for more information. The cost is $325 with the possibility of free accommodations if folks don't mind sleeping on a church floor!
(Back to Top)
WMCKA Annual Meeting
Where: Mesick
When: Oct 10-12, 2008
The fall outing and annual meeting takes place at Northern Exposure Campground, Mesick, Michigan. Northern Exposure Campground is located north of Grand Rapids, traveling US 131 to M-115, then northwest to Mesick, Michigan. From Grand Rapids, it is approximately a 2-hour drive to Northern Exposure.
The campground is located on the lake formed by the Hodenpyle Dam, which is on the Manistee River. The lake is approximately 6 miles long and about a mile wide. It is surrounded by beautiful pine and hardwood forests. The lake ’s waters are clean and clear.
In addition to paddling on the lake, there is an opportunity to paddle on the Manistee River above or below the dam. This would be an option in the event of extremely windy or inclement weather. For anyone interested in paddling on Lake Michigan, it is approximately 25 minutes to a launch site.
The campground itself will have numerous open sites. During October, very few other campers will be found at Northern Exposure. The campground manger has reserved an entire section of the campground exclusively for the WMCKA event. Each site has piped-in water and electric. The price to WMCKA members for the weekend will be $14 per night for waterfront sites, and $12 per night for back sites (most appropriate for tenters.) There are excellent launch opportunities at every single waterfront site. This campground has newly paved blacktop access roads, and numerous hiking trails on the camp property, as well as access to the North Country trail nearby.
Although there should be no problem with last-minute arrivals, campground management recommends calling ahead for reservations and using the WMCKA name to ensure that everyone is in the same area. Normally, there is a $4 fee for day visitors, BUT this fee has been waived for the WMCKA event. There are no parking restrictions at Northern Exposure, so we should have no problem accommodating any day visitors.
The campground phone numbers for reservations are toll free: 1-800-563-7425, or 231-885-1199. If you have any questions, contact any board member.
(Back to Top)
(Back to Top)