I think your son deserves to enjoy boating even if he can’t learn to swim but a group camp is absolutely not the right environment.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. He has low muscle tone, and he still can't swim after taking swim lessons. He has some fear of getting water in eyes and nose, and he may not be able to do basic swim until at least a few more years after.

Why on earth would you even think about sending him to this camp?! He will struggle with those activities given his muscle tone and he's afraid of getting water in his eyes and nose so you think a lake is a good idea?! This seems so dumb I'm having a hard time believing this is a real post.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. He has low muscle tone, and he still can't swim after taking swim lessons. He has some fear of getting water in eyes and nose, and he may not be able to do basic swim until at least a few more years after.

Given this there is absolutely no way I would send him. I'm also confused why you would send him somewhere with canoing, paddle boarding, and tubing (needs to hold on tightly) if his muscle tone is such that he can't swim. How would he be able to do these activities?

Op here. He has low muscle tone, and he still can't swim after taking swim lessons. He has some fear of getting water in eyes and nose, and he may not be able to do basic swim until at least a few more years after.

Those camps tend to let kids swim. At the very least he will be capsize the canoe a few times because that's the fun part of canoeing when you are a kid. I would no be comfortable with my kid in that situation if they couldn't swim

I was looking at the KAH Explorers camp (for next year, this year is all set) and had similar misgivings. The schedule is very water heavy and my kid can't swim (despite lessons, regular pool trips, etc. putting her head in just terrifies her). Virtually every day is ACTIVITY (& swimming). Obviously there's actual safety, but I was also worried about bad incidents from regular kid pool horseplay (a kid pushing her head or whatever) making her fear of the water worse. That's happened before with swim teachers who pushed her head under unexpectedly.

It's hard when the thing your kid is terrified of is the thing other kids find so fun, but I don't think I'll sign her up next year unless she starts swimming between now and then.

Life jackets I'd be semi comfortable with. Free swim in a lake for a kid who can't swim at all? Absolutely not. There is a difference between a kid who isn't a strong swimmer and what it sounds like your kid is. Get your kid swim lessons

No way would I be comfortable with this. Get your kid basic swim lessons.

I would not if he doesn't even know how to doggie paddle. Invest the time in swim classes instead.

Anonymous wrote:I would not until he can swim. That’s dangerous.

+1

I would not until he can swim. That’s dangerous.

If he likes the water then yes sign him up.
I would sign him up for swim lessons to though. It’s a life skill.

Yes, I would sign him up, since it sounds like he isn’t afraid of water, just can’t swim. They will be in life jackets for the water stuff. Also, maybe worth a quiet word with the camp counselor on the first day.
Is this Adventure Camp with KAH? My son had a lot of fun with that camp for years!

My boy is a non swimmer, can't do doggie swim style. Is it okay for me to sign him up adventure day camp that involves canoeing, tubing and paddle boarding in river? It does not say kids need to swim on descriptions, and it seems like every one have to wear life vest.

They also offer daily swim lessons and free swim in a lake. I have never swam in a lake, and I can't swim. Does this camp sound fun or miserable for non swimmers? He loves play water time in pool.