General > Kayaking

Youth Club

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Rachel:
Right so I run a Youth Club with UCDSVP for kids in Rosemount Estate in Dundrum, it's for children aged 7-12, we try and do something different with them every week, which so far has included lots of different activities in and around UCD. Just wondering if anyone thinks it would be possible to get them out in boats, on the Dodder maybe...? Or Dun Laoghaire?

Im sure there is HUGE insurance problems with this, but I have to ask. These children don't get to do much without this youth club and each new experience is making them more confident.

Another thing, I dunno about fitting them into our gear, they're, em, well, children.. but sure, we can just roll up the wetsuits on them..?

Oh, they can swim, they have started lessons on thursdays. And we could just not put spray decks on them..

So, someone tell me it's not possible so I can move on and think of far less fun things for them to do.  ;D

Matt:
The Irish Canoe Union run a lot of youth courses, and they run trips for schools and youth groups. It might be worth talking to them about organising something. I'll send you on contact details - they might be better able to help since they have gear especially for kids.

finch:
Ye - you won't be able to use our gear - UCD are really strict even about letting members take them out

kmck:
I just checked, SVP covers it's members with it's own liability insurance. So any event taking place under the SVP is covered by it's own insurance. UCD view the boats as theirs and as such only members from UCD canoe club can use them. I'm with matt on this one contact the ICU and see what they are willing to do. Also contact Tom Bannon as he was involved with a group of paddlers on flatwater a few years ago. You could also try Kipper at http://www.totalexperience.ie/total-experience-youth-groups.php.  Now either option will cost money, to get this you need to contact the dublin region office on sean mcdermot street. I think Rose Mcgowan is president of the dublin region.

bambi:
Hey, not sure how UCD would see it with the gear issue but any instructors with current ICU membership are insured/covered to take a group out so I'd be willing to take a group out. Not sure how many kids are in the youth club so you might need to take them out in two or three groups. Also given the number of trainee instructors that the club has I don't see you having any bother getting suitable helpers. I think that on a flat water session with a couple of trainee helpers I could take out 8 beginners.

In relation to using the gear, you have a few options... If the session is run with proper instructors I'd be inclined not to tell UCD, just make sure the ratio's etc. are in keeping with your safety statement and guidelines of best practice. They'd look pretty bad telling you not to use your gear a couple of times a year to help out SVP. Alternatively talk to UCD and explain that the club wants to do something for the community with proper instructors etc. and ask could you loan out the gear. Another alternative might be to talk to high school in Rathgar as they have some gear they might be willing to loan you for one or two sessions. Or even ask the ICU could you borrow some of their gear when they're not using it and get UCD instructors to volunteer their time to run the session.

It'll probably be a bit of work to organise but I think it'd be a great thing for the club to do and would totally be worth the effort.

Caoimhe

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