Women’s Weekend

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Course Overview

Women’s Weekend Whitewater Retreat

An opportunity to learn new skills or fine-tune previously acquired paddling techniques in your choice of whitewater canoeing or kayaking. These skills open up unlimited paddling possibilities for wilderness travel on the water. Our team of talented female instructors, will guide you through a fun-filled and confidence-boosting weekend on the water.

The quiet of the surrounding forest provides a unique ambiance for après-paddling relaxation, mealtimes and overnights. This all-inclusive retreat is enhanced by our amenities which include a log cabin sauna, outdoor showers, wash house, yoga shala, and cozy chalet with fireside lounge and library.

Who is this Course for?

This course is ideal for beginner kayakers and canoeists. If you are an intermediate or advanced level paddler on whitewater we also offer our Women’s Week (Open to all skill levels). Cis-women, trans-women and gender non-conforming folks are all welcome!

Itinerary

Course Location

MKC’s weekend instruction 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

Women's Weekend

$450

Accommodation + Meals

From $72-$333. See below for various accommodation & meal packages

Rental Package

$153-$171 (boat, paddle, helmet, life jacket). Individual items also available to rent

All costs are in Canadian dollars & subject to 13% taxes

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* | $333

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* | $333

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* | $333

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* | $279

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 | $252

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 | $72

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: 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?

Our course leaders were incredibly skilled, but also passionate about teaching and helping others love the river as much as they do.

EK

MKC is a great training centre. I was challenged & supported. I grew in confidence and competence. The retreat provided wonderful nourishment for body, heart and soul. It was wonderful to connect with women from many different places to learn together and support each other through our love of paddling. Knowledgeable, patient instructors. Enthusiastic, attentive staffI was challenged & supported. I grew in confidence and competence. The retreat provided wonderful nourishment for body, heart and soul.

Kathleen

Simple but comfortable and low-impact accommodation, great food, excellent atmosphere and very good instruction.

Dorothee

Women’s Weekend:

July 5-6

Book Now

Can’t find your preferred date? Let us know and we’ll do our best to help. Contact Us.

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Reviews

5 star ratingA great facility for an active family reunion. We are a large family (22 members) and the MKC absorbed our whole gang with
efficiency and excellent service. We had 16 family members guided for 3 days in
white water canoe skills with three amazing guides. They loved it and everyone
could maneuver white water with great skill at the end of three days.
MKC is known for the excellent food it serves and we were all super impressed with every meal served over the three full days. Thanks MKC staff for making us all feel so welcome. You made our family reunion and MOST MEMORABLE ONE. Jackie F.
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621jacquelinef Avatar
621jacquelinef
8/12/2024
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
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
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
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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.

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