Course Overview

The Perfect Weekend Getaway!

The course begins with learning basic strokes and boat control on flatwater which is then applied on easy current in the afternoon. By the end of day two you will be having fun on the river, paddling up to Class II rapids. Add to this MKC’s hospitality and you have the perfect weekend getaway!

Who is this Course for?

Our weekend courses are for those who are new to whitewater! Experienced flatwater kayaker or canoeists are also welcome. Intermediate & Advanced whitewater paddlers should join us for 5 Day programs or specialty programs.

Itinerary

Course Location

MKC’s weekend instruction often takes place at Palmer Rapids, a popular whitewater teaching site located 30 minutes from MKC. After paddling, you return to the comfort of our Wilderness Resort with hot outdoor showers, log sauna, yoga pavilion, and your choice of Accommodation & Meals Plan.

   

Cost

Instruction Fee

$500

Accommodation + Meals

From $80-$370. See below for various accommodation & meal packages

Rental Package

$170-190 (for boat, paddle, helmet, life jacket, skirt). Individual items also available to rent

Accommodation + 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* | $370

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* | $370

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* | $370

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* | $310

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 | $280

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 | $80

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 & 10 pm

Check Out

Sundays at 4:30 pm

*For those booking for one for the 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: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner, plus an après-paddling snack each day. 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 us?

Highly reccommend! A beautiful setting, friendly staff and expert instructors all combined to make my first weekend course in whitewater kayaking a memorable event and foundation for future adventures!

Beth S

The food was awesome, the natural setting was spectacular – both at the lodge and that the rapids, and the staff are all extremely professional and competent. We loved our two day adventure!

Lee T

Just finished a weekend refresher tandem canoe course at MKC and don't have enough superlatives to describe how fantastic the experience was from beginning to end. All staff, from the canoe instructors to the cooks, were amazing. Every detail was just right. Thanks, MKC, I'll be back!

Emily E

One of the best experiences of my life! I took the weekend white water kayak course. The value you get for the course is incredible for the price. The facility is beautiful, the place has a charm, a hidden gem! All the staff provided exceptional customer service. I learned a lot of great techniques and had a ton of fun!

Douglas S

Our weekend programs fill up quickly.

Book now to reserve your spots!

Book Now

Ask us about our shorter programs within our Monday to Friday 5-day courses

5 Days

Yoga Whitewater Week

Yoga and kayaking or canoeing. Join us for our famous 5 day course with additional yoga programming to harmonize your learning with mindful motion.

Beginner
Intermediate

$1225 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS
1 Day

Zero to Hero

Interested in giving whitewater kayaking or canoeing a try? Join us for a 1 day intro to moving water paddling experience to go from zero to hero!

Beginner
Intermediate

$290 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS
Weekend

Family Weekend

Bring the kids for this fun-filled weekend getaway! Learn to kayak or canoe as a whole family at our Riverside Wilderness Resort!

Beginner
Intermediate

$500 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS

Reviews

5 star ratingA great time. I highly recommend MKC This was my 3rd, five day white water kayaking trip with MKC. It was another fabulous week.

I always choose the all inclusive option. I camp, but there are a number of indoor options for those who prefer that. I select the full meal plan, as I really don't want to do my own cooking before I paddle, or after a long day on the water. Don't let the young cooks worry you. (They're students working the summer months. Some of them are in culinary arts training.) The meals are better that a lot of restaurants. There's always vegetarian options at every meal. I like this because, and I like variety, and sometimes I want a change.

It doesn't matter what your skill level is, you'll have fun and will learn. On this last trip, there was a couple in their 80s, who wanted a new adventure to try out. How great is that. The instructors/guides always give positive feedback. You'll never hear you did anything wrong. (Typically, you all ready figured that out.) The guide will say something like: "Try this technique, and see how you like it." The guide will then demonstrate the technique a couple of times, and watch you trying it, while shouting encouragement to you. Plus, the rest of the people in your group will be cheering you on. When someone in the group does their first practice roll, or any combat roll, the cheers are thunderous. The grin on the person who just did the roll, says it all.

This year I was in seniors week. (I'm 73.) Virtually everyone had their own equipment. No worries if you need gear. MKC has excellent equipment, and will outfit you with everything you need, appropriate to your experience level. If you want to try a performance boat, they'll let you try one.

All in all, it's a great experience. I plan to return next year for my 4th time.

Give it a try!

Alan - Registered Maine Guide in Sea Kayaking
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Sky K Avatar
Sky K
9/08/2024
5 star ratingAn absolute favorite We've visited MKC several times as a family and every time we did have a wonderful experience! Both adults and kids keep wanting to come back. An absolute pleasure to be there for so many reasons: the canoeing, the place, the surrounding nature, fantastic people and food .the entire spirit of MKC.
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Catherine G Avatar
Catherine G
7/30/2024
5 star ratingSunny days on the Madawaska River with the Madawaska Kanu Centre Absolutely fantastic experience!!!! I took my three grandchildren, aged 7 - 15 for the two hour family raft experience. Our guide made the adventure so much fun for all of
us. Our neighbours also joined our raft, so we had a total of 11. We will definitely return for another adventure.
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vera g Avatar
vera g
8/11/2024
Wednesday November 27th

Early bird sale.

20% OFF

KAYAK AND CANOE PROGRAMS AT MKC

Please get in touch with us prior, so we can prepare your quote in advance.

early bird sale heron

Must place deposit between 9am and 6pm EST November 27th to receive discount.

We cannot combine discounts.

March 4th - 8th 2024

10% off

5 day kayak + canoe courses

5% of all revenue from this week is donated to your choice of three organizations

We are forever grateful for the support we continually receive from our communities. To say a small thanks, we want to give back.