Senior's Week - Madawaska Kanu Centre

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Course Overview

Seniors Week is a great combination of learning whitewater skills in a relaxed river running environment amidst peers. It is an active vacation to challenge yourself at your skill level in either canoe or kayak, while also enjoying MKC hospitality and R&R. Perks include healthy & hearty cuisine, riverside stretching, evening socials, sauna and scotch tasting. Get ready for adventures and good times with friends this August!

Different for this week will be knowing when to take a break to stretch & hydrate, with a focus on technical river reading, and practicing efficiency – using the current to your advantage (a less is more approach!) In addition to kayak and canoeing skills, the week covers paddling posture, outfitting your own boat, reviewing video footage of yourself on the water, après paddling stretch sessions, and option to purchase a mid-week massage. The Scotch Tasting has become the signature event of Senior’s Week – do plan to bring a bottle of your own favourite!

The final day of your course is a full River Trip – allowing you to use your new skills on a different river and finish your active vacation with a healthy dose of adventure.

At our Wilderness Resort, you will have full use of MKC’s facilities, including hot outdoor showers, log sauna, and yoga pavilion. Camping, lodge or cabana accommodation and gourmet meals are also available. A Rapid Education combined with a wilderness getaway – Come join us this summer!

Who is this Course for?

Ideal for all skill levels! Our Seniors Week attendees range from beginners to some of our most experienced kayakers and canoeists (plan to learn a thing or two from them). We divide paddlers into small groups based on skill level the first morning of the course to ensure the learning progression is suitable for everyone.
Contact our office all year round if you are unsure of your skill level and to touch base about learning objectives. You do not need to be a certain age to sign up this week. We run our regular 5 day courses simultaneously.

Itinerary

Everything on this itinerary can always be swapped out with an afternoon of relaxing and reading, walking and relaxing at our wilderness resort.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Course Location

Our wilderness classroom is the beautiful Middle Madawaska River, located a short distance from our Resort, and just south of the town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario.

Cost

Instruction Fee

$1075

Accommodation + Meals

From $200-$925. See below for various accommodation & meal packages

Rental Package

$425-$475 (for boat, paddle, helmet, life jacket). Individual items also available to rent

Accomodation + Meal Packages

Cozy Lodge rooms, off-the-grid Cabanas, budget-friendly Dorms or wooded Campsites. Our Wilderness Resort offers something for everyone.

Shared Lodge Plan* | $925

Our rustic Lodge rooms have everything you need! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Rooms are at ground level with nearby washroom facilities (en suite not available). Meals included.

Shared Cabana Plan* | $925

Enjoy our off-the-grid Cabanas tucked in the woods! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Shared Glamping Plan* | $925

Come glamp in MKC's forest! Our newest accommodation options are cozy, comfortable, canvas tents. Two twin beds with bedding can be converted into a single queen bed. Washroom facilities are a short walk away. Meals included. No electricity.

Dormitory Plan* | $775

Dorm room accommodation sleep up to six per room. Dorms are on the second floor with nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. Bring your own bedding.

Camping Plan | $700

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. No electricity.

Camping No Meals | $200

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Bring your own camping and cooking equipment to enjoy meals at your site. Dishwashing station available. No electricity.

Check In

The evening before your course between 7 & 10pm

Check Out

Friday at 7pm

*For those booking for one for Glamping, Cabana, Lodge or Dorm: it is likely you will stay with other students of the same gender. As a wilderness resort we have chosen to not expand too far into our surrounding forest and therefore have limited indoor accommodations. To book a private room as an individual is an additional cost

About our Meals

We take pride in serving healthy, hearty and delicious meals. As a proud member of FeastON, we source locally when possible and add our special touch with herbs and edible flowers from our own garden. Meals start with breakfast the first day of the course and include: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners plus an après-paddling snack. Coffee, tea and juice are complimentary. BYOB.

Locally roasted specialty coffee and homemade snacks can be purchased from our Riverside Shop & Café.

Group Discounts

We welcome groups of 4 or more at a discounted rate (conditions apply)

What do folks think of Senior's Week?

Spent an exciting, fun and educational week at MKC. Did so in the company of an adventurous and young at heart crew of 55+ adults. Instructors were knowledgeable and paid great attention to individual student needs and interests regarding on-water skills development. Indeed, all Centre staff were attentive, courteous, and very helpful. Can't wait until next year!

Bill R

I did the Seniors Week Kayak Clinic at MKC. What an outstanding experience! It was such a great experience. The administrative staff and instructors were outstanding. Such a friendly and helpful group. All instructors were very knowledgeable, skilled, and helpful with my learning experience. The food was outstanding for the week and there was accommodation for those with food allergies. I cannot say enough about this organization