The Nantahala Kids Club is our twice/year six week club that gets young people from all over the 828 area into kayaks and out on the river. It is an opportunity to learn about kayaking, and each session, improve skills.
It is also a great opportunity to meet other young people in the community, and for parents to network as well.  Our goal is to create lifelong paddlers here in the western North Carolina community.

The 2025 season will open up with our Spring Nantahala Kids Club, starting April Monday, April 21,2025.

We have such a strong group of Hellbenders – the advanced group, that we are going to offer a special slalom opportunity.  For our Hellbenders, after the first two sessions of the 2025 Spring Session, you will be given the option of splitting off and work with the slalom coach, Michael Montagne.

Why Slalom – words of wisdom from Slalom Coach Michael. Montagne

Kayaking is a lifetime sport. That means you can paddle your whole life, from the time you’re a kid to well into your old age. The better you are, the more fun you will have in your boat. You can surf waves, boom enders, stern squirt eddy lines, kickflip waves and run challenging rivers with style and ease.

Training and racing slalom is one of the best ways to become a good paddler because it will allow you to utilize the river features to your advantage. Slalom will teach you precision. You will learn to put your boat exactly where you want to, whether you are trying to grease the line at Nantahala Falls, hit the wave in the right spot to throw a sweet kickflip or catch that last-chance eddy above the portage rapid. You will be a better boater if you train slalom.

The Need More Outdoors intro-to-slalom program will help you refine your stroke technique, boat edging and placement, build strength and hone in your own style. Slalom will help you develop life-skills: visualization, accountability, grit, goal building and critical thinking. You’ll develop into a better paddler.

Slalom also helps build your paddling community.  I paddled slalom as a kid; to this day I still boat with a lot of the same people, and we shred!  Having a good, strong crew to boat with makes paddling more fun.

Lastly, slalom can take you places: there are rivers and races all over the world, not to mention the boundless world class rivers right here in the southeast, and you can paddle them with your friends. Joining us for slalom will make you the best boater you can be. I encourage you to join the team because when we build our skills together, we create a community.

Still need to register for the Spring Nantahala Kids Club that starts April 21st? Here’s a link to the registration page.

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How do we ensure the pristine condition of the rivers and land we love for today’s youth – as well as future generations to come? THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE: introduce young people to the wonders of the natural world by getting them outdoors.  This is the role that Need More Outdoors has taken on here in Western North Carolina.

From the lush greenery that blankets the Great Smoky Mountains, to the rivers and streams that we hold near and dear to our hearts, Western North Carolina (WNC) is considered by many to be an OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND PARADISE.  In 2022 alone, North Carolina hosted approximately 43 million visitors coming from all across the world – many who came to WNC to experience the beauty of nature that is offered here.  Need More Outdoors recognizes that It is unfortunate that the lack of opportunity to experience nature means young people growing up in western North Carolina don’t always share the same experiences as visitors do.

Through our KAYAK AND ECO-SPLASH CAMPS, young people who live here in the 828 area can learn to navigate rivers, explore the eco-systems found around the rivers, connect with the natural environment and cultivate a love for nature that will fuel a passion to protect it. We have programs from early spring through Fall.  Need More Outdoors wants to see all young people have equal opportunity to get outdoors. We offer scholarships for local individuals  or WNC-based organizations who want to adventure, but might not be able to afford the cost of outdoor adventures.

“We can only love what we know, and we can only protect what we love.” 

Resources:
“The More Children Know of the Natural World, the More They’ll Want to Protect It | Lucy Jones and Kenneth Greenway.” The Guardian, 22 Aug. 2021, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/22/children-natural-world-protect-earth.

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These days, I believe we can all agree it’s hard to get kids off the devices, adults too! All the information and entertainment one could need, at the swipe of a screen…. but are we considering that the rise in screen time and the lack of play time outdoors is affecting the well being of children and families? According to the Child Mind Institute, the average American child spends about 4 to 7 minutes a day playing outside and over 7 hours a day in front of a screen. Research is showing that spending time outside is not just for leisure, but is actually necessary for overall well being.

“Many researchers agree that kids who play outside are happier, better at paying attention and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors,” (Danielle Cohen). Most adults may assume that most kids would choose watching a movie over taking a walk, but believe it or not, getting outside will give them greater satisfaction! Making it a priority for your family to spend time outdoors will drastically improve mood and cognitive functioning for not only the children, but parents too! Getting outside gets the kids moving, increases their imagination, and provides different stimulation by activating all the senses!

Happier and healthier individuals equals happier and healthier communities. Need More Outdoors offers EcoSplash and Learn to Kayak Camps all summer.  Check out the options still available: !https://needmoreoutdoors.org/adventures-activities/

In addition, here are some family  alternatives to watching watching a movie this summer near Bryson City:

• Go on a hike in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
• Go on a guided fly fishing trip
• Tube down Deep Creek
• Rent ducky’s on the Nantahala
• Swim at Lake Fontana
• Take a kayak instruction course
• Have a picnic on the river

Sources:
“Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature.” Child Mind Institute, 14 Apr. 2023, childmind.org/article/why-kids-need-to-spend-time-in-nature/#:~:text=Spending%20time%20outdoors%20isn’t,nature%20can%20build%20their%20confidence.

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Teaching leadership skills at a young age helps children and youth grow into strong, well rounded individuals. With the support from the instructors at Endless River Adventures, Need More Outdoors brings together kids to not only experience the joy and reward that comes from learning to whitewater kayak, but were given the opportunity to learn and practice valuable leadership skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their life.

With Need More Outdoors, we strive to empower the youth in Western North Carolina by providing camps such as the Youth Leadership Kayaking weekend. “From mastering fundamental strokes and edging techniques to navigating through turbulent rapids and reading river currents, our campers will gain a comprehensive understanding of whitewater kayaking. Beyond the rapids, our campers will also engage in interactive workshops and team-building activities that foster leadership qualities,” (Britt Payne, Kayak Instructor and Mentor).

Methods such as near-peer mentoring teach leadership skills to youth that include taking accountability for oneself, learning how to cultivate healthy relationships with others, and the ability to delegate tasks. Near-peer mentoring involves pairing individuals early on in their education or careers (in this case learning to kayak) to facilitate a two-way learning opportunity for both participants. At camp, participants who are just slightly ahead skillswise of their peers at kayaking are given the opportunity to teach and assist other campers with learning basic kayaking skills. A win-win for everyone involved!

If you or someone you know is interested Need More Outdoors will be offering more outdoor adventures for the youth throughout this summer.  Opportunities include Eco Splash Camps, Learn to Kayak Camps, and another the Kids Kayaking Leadership Camp and Nantahala Kids Club this Fall!

Let’s get kids outside!

Sources:
Dodstem.us.“DODStem.”Home,dodstem.us/meet/blog/entries/what-is-near-peer-mentoring/#:~:text=Near%2Dpeer%20mentors%20can%20share,increase%20the%20possibility%20of%20bonding. Accessed 21 June 2023.
21K School.“Importance of Teaching Leadership in Early Grades.” 21K School, 28 Dec. 2022,www.21kschool.com/blog/importance-of-teaching-leadership/#:~:text=Teaching%20your%20children%20leadership%20skills,and%20help%20others%20move%20forward.

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The month of June, Need More Outdoors has been hard at work with Endless River Adventures getting kids outside.  In addition to Endless River Adventures, we have been getting kids outdoors with the help of our partnership with the nonprofits Diversify Whitewater.and Mainspring Conservation Trust.

Learn to Kayak Camp

On June 3 and 4, Endless River Adventures (ERA) was able to celebrate diversity in our local kid’s community with a two-day Kids Learn to Kayak Camp. Diversify Whitewater and Need More Outdoors (NMO) provided full scholarships to nine local Swain County Middle Schoolers for this camp. Not only did these kids learn the basics of whitewater kayaking, they were also able to work on their leadership skills and teamwork. Kids who may not have had the funds, or have thought there was not a space for them in the whitewater world, were able to experience, and hopefully foster a love for, a sport that allows for empowerment and strength.

Kids Love EcoSplash Camps

Thanks to Need More Outdoors, there have been lots of kids in the EcoSplash Camps with ERA – and there are more to come!  EcoSplash camps are set up to get kids outside and appreciating the natural world they see in front of them. This month, kids were able to raft and duckie down local class 2 rivers, hike to streams and look for aquatic macroinvertebrates – including hellgrammites, caddisfly larvae, and crawdads, catch fish using fish shocking, and snorkel in the clear mountain streams looking at fish in their natural habitats. Not only did these local children get to see and sometimes hold these creatures, they also were able to learn about them from our friendly scientists at Mainspring Conservation.

Partnering with School Programs

Graham County Middle School brought a total of 13 kids together for a custom 2- day EcoSplash camp. Mainspring Conservation Trust was brought in to partner with ERA and NMO to make this 2- day camp amazing!! The kids were lively and full of curiosity about the local flora and fauna. Thanks to some of the teachers at the school, we were able to find kids who may not normally be able to do Summer Camps like EcoSplash that had the desire to learn more about the streams in their backyard. While shocking fish, they were able to catch trout, sculpins, and red eye bass, and learn about what the presence of each fish meant.

More about Need More Outdoors and Summer Fun for Kids

Need More Outdoors’s mission is to empower young people through outdoor adventures and education found in western North Carolina.  Scholarships are available for individuals, groups and school programs. This summer the focus is on our Kayak Camps and EcoSplash Camps.  The NMO scholarships make it possible for young people in WNC to participate.  Check out upcoming EcoSplash Camps this summer and whitewater kayak camps as well.

If there is a date that looks good to you, give Endless River Adventures a call to set up your child in camp!

Endless River Adventures
828-488-6199
info@endlessriveradventures.com

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BRYSON CITY, NC (April 18, 2022)– Thanks to Diversify Whitewater and Need More Outdoors, Endless River Adventures (ERA) is pleased to announce a two day youth leadership kayak program.  The program will run  on Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, and is specifically for 8 local BIPOC youth.  Thanks to Diversity Whitewater and Need More Outdoors, the program will fully fund each participant.

The main goal of this program is to create an environment where participants will feel comfortable pursuing kayaking as well as other outdoors activities.  By introducing a group of  young people in the 828 area to the wonderful sport of whitewater kayaking, we hope to help create a new community of young people who share a desire to learn more skills and participate in the sport.

Whitewater kayaking is a sport that can help build confidence, self-esteem, leadership skills and a love of the outdoors.  While there are barriers for young people learning how to kayak, including cost of instruction, access to whitewater gear, and lack of representation, Endless River Adventures is hoping to help mitigate these barriers for the local BIPOC youth in the 828 area by providing the scholarship, as well as future opportunities through our local community programs.

“We know that nature has the power to inspire you, challenge you, and help you discover what you’re capable of,” explains Juliet Jacobsen Kastorff, executive director of Need More Outdoors, speaking on the importance of getting children outdoors – especially those who have more barriers than others.  “That’s why we are on a mission to get more kids outside to enjoy the beauty and wonder of western North Carolina. We believe every young person should have the chance to experience outdoor adventures and educational opportunities regardless of their economic situation.”

Endless River Adventures (ERA)
Endless River Adventures has been providing high quality kayak instruction and whitewater rafting trips in Western North Carolina since 1992. ERA’s mission is to provide their guests with services and experiences that will foster a sense of love and appreciation for the natural world that surrounds all of us.

Need More Outdoors (NMO)
Need More Outdoors, a nonprofit organization that was created in 2020, works to serve the underprivileged youth in Western North Carolina. By providing opportunities for the youth of WNC, they hope to reduce barriers, improve health, and build confidence in the outdoors.

Diversify Whitewater
Diversify Whitewater, a nonprofit organization that was created in 2020, strives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in whitewater paddlesports for BIPOC and allies. Through the events Diversify Whitewater has been hosting, they are hoping to foster a sense of community and build knowledge for BIPOC and allies to share with future generations.

Contact Information
media@endlessriveradventures.com
(828)488-6199

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Nantahala Kids Club (NKC)  is a program for kids from 7-14 who live in western North Carolina.  The goal of NKC is to get kids active and engaged in the outdoors through introduction to paddle sports. The focus is on learning basic whitewater safety skills, and building a supportive community of strong, confident, healthy kids. Participants are encouraged to advance at their own pace, while coaches provide individualized instruction and lead group games and exercises.

Spring 2022 NKC Dates:

Dates:  Monday, April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9,  and May 16 4:00-6:00PM
Full Day Session: Sunday, May 22 10:00AM – 4PM
Time: 4 pm-6 pm
Cost: $50 for new members, multiple-child discounts available.
Age: 7 to 14 (Kids 7 and under must contact us before signing up at needmoreoutdoors.wnc@gmail.com)

Details:

Skills: Participants learn basic kayak skills, beginning with learning how to get out of the boat, forward and turning strokes, and build familiarity with maneuvering a kayak in flat and moving water.
Prerequisites: No experience is necessary, beginner through intermediate ability levels are welcome.
Equipment: Equipment is included in the program, but feel free to bring your own if you have it
Discounts: $25 off for each additional child

Registration

Pre-registration: Online Registration Form
Registration closes April 17th at noon – dont miss it!

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Outdoor recreation is the perfect venue for young people to learn about taking risks, dealing with initial failure, and then celebrating the joy of experiencing the process of recovery and then mastery.  This process is the ultimate confidence booster for young people.

But surprisingly, while confidence building starts out very similar with both boys and girls, at about eight years old, girls’ confidence levels begin dropping, and this continues through their teen year.  A study by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay, the co-authors of the best-selling book “The Confidence Code,” found that girls’ confidence drops by 30% between the ages of 8 and 14. 

Our outdoor programs deal with this specifically. We introduce young women to outdoor activities such as whitewater kayaking and rafting, and help them not only master the technique needed to enjoy whitewater, but also include leadership training to help reinforce that confidence.

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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a tough time for everyone, especially our youngsters who have spent more time at home and in front of screens than ever before. This isolation and over-stimulation has led to an increase in anxiety, depression, and increased stress. Along with these mental health struggles, we often times see a spike in behavioral issues at home and in school. While there is limited quantitative research showing positive benefits of whitewater activities on adolescents’ mental health, there are foundations that have studied Surf Therapy and have found great success with intentionally pairing surfing with therapeutic processing.One such foundation, The Wave Project in the UK reported interesting findings amongst their adolescent participants in 2018-2019:

88% reported improvements in their confidence, 92% reported improvements in their emotional well being – notably with reduced anxiety and feeling calmer and 89% reported feeling as though they had developed more positive relationships and felt less isolated” (The Wave Project, 2019).

While these benefits might be profound, many might ask “but what does Surf Therapy have to do with youth in Southern Appalachia and whitewater kayaking?”

The Wave Project reported “seven factors that interact and motivate a change among the individuals of the target population, who were young people facing mental health problems and social exclusion” (Gaspar De Matos et al, 2017). These 7 factors are relatable to the ways that we find that youth engage with the outdoors during Need More Outdoors programs:

• The Outdoors provides a restorative environment
• Young people feel a connection with nature when they spend time in the outdoors
• Outdoor Recreation guarantees a sensory experience that assists in learning and promotes resilience
• A culture of acceptance allows young people to feel included
• Recognition and positive reinforcement help in the development of a positive self-concept and self-esteem
• The existence of people with reference models proved to be beneficial
• Regular contact between the participants and the instructors led to the building of trust and fostered learning

Need More Outdoors believes that engaging youth in outdoor activities, like whitewater kayaking, provides tremendous benefits on youths’ well being. Increased engagement in and connection with restorative environments, sensory and naturally stimulating experiences, connection with cultures and social groups, skill mastery and confidence building, and connection with role models can all be profoundly impactful in the health and development of our youth and adolescents, especially during this wild time of life.

Look for Need More Outdoors programs in the near future to engage your kiddos in healthy outdoor activity!

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1. Sunshine

The human body needs sunlight to make vitamin D, which helps with our immune system, bone development, sleep, and even our mood. Just be sure to slather on sunscreen to keep kids’ skin from getting burned.

2. Exercise

Good news: Play counts as exercise! Harvard Medical School recommends that kids should be active for at least an hour each day. To encourage active play, send them outside with a bike, ball, or frisbee—or take them out in a kayak.

3. Executive function

Unstructured time outside can help kids learn how to make decisions, plan, solve problems, and multitask. It can even boost creativity and imagination.

4. Taking risks

Letting kids outside to take some risks—like climbing a tree or swimming a rapid—teaches them what they’re capable of. They learn powerful lessons from the successes and failures of risk taking.

5. Socialization

Outdoor recreation and game play teach children how to work together, share, cooperate, and more. These are things they can’t always learn in a structured school setting or team sport.

6. Appreciation of nature

(Our favorite reason!) The future of the planet and its conservation will soon be in the hands of today’s youth. When they hike in the forest, paddle rivers, catch fish, or watch fireflies, they learn to appreciate just how important it is to protect our natural wonders.

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