Youth & Family Programs
Building skills, confidence, and connection to the water.
For over a decade, The Kayak Foundation — in partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse (BBP Boathouse) — has opened the water to New York City youth and families. Through structured youth classes and hands-on family paddle sessions, we strive to make paddling accessible, safe, and fun. Whether you’re part of a school group, a weekend family outing, or a summer day camp — every program is designed with care, supervision, and the goal of building lifelong comfort on the water.
Youth group day camp & summer programs.
Our Youth program is one of the most comprehensive in New York City — giving young people the opportunity to connect with the water, many for the very first time, through a genuine urban outdoor experience.
Source: Brooklyn Bridge Park. Featuring Tom Potter, Director The Kayak Foundation
Designed for schools, camps, and youth organizations, this multi-session summer program introduces participants ages 11–18 to kayaking in a supportive, instructor-led environment in the afternoon during July and August.
Using sit-on-top kayaks in the protected embayment of Brooklyn Bridge Park, youth build foundational paddling skills while developing confidence, environmental awareness, and a sense of belonging on the water. Many participants are stepping into a boat for the first time. Sessions emphasize hands-on learning, safety, and progression, treating the harbor as an active outdoor classroom rather than a distant backdrop.
“This kids kayak program is by far the most extensive and imaginative program in New York — a genuine urban outdoor adventure.”
Beyond skill development, the program supports broader goals of access, equity, environmental awareness, and confidence-building, helping youth form meaningful connections with the waterfront and with each other. The Youth Kayak Program is offered in partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park, which coordinates scheduling, registration, and program logistics.
Details:
Who: Youth ages 11–18
Audience: Schools, camps, and youth organizations
Group Size: 15–30 participants
Format: Instructor-led, multi-session group programming
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park (Piers 1 & 2 embayment)
Season: Summer program (July–August)
Equipment: All kayaks, paddles, and safety gear provided
Experience Level: No prior kayaking experience required
For program availability, scheduling, and participation details, please visit the Brooklyn Bridge Park website.
Kids & Family Paddle.
On summer Sundays through August, Family Paddle sessions take place at Brooklyn Bridge Park, offering a free, welcoming on-water experience for kids and their guardians.
Family Paddle is operated in partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, which manages participation details, schedules, and sign-ups.
These sessions are supported by additional on-water safety boaters from The Kayak Foundation, specially trained to work with children. Designed for first-time paddlers and returning families alike, Family Paddle provides a relaxed way to explore the waterfront, build comfort in a kayak, and share time on the water together.
Family paddle details:
Family Paddle sessions are designed to be approachable, safe, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Who: Kids ages 7+ with a guardian present
When: Sundays, summer season (through August)
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Cost: Free
Experience Level: No prior paddling experience required
Supervision: On-water safety support provided by trained Kayak Foundation staff
Participation & registration are coordinated by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse.
Learn how to participate at Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse
Support our mission.
The Kayak Foundation's programs are made possible through donations like yours. Your support helps us provide youth programming, maintain safety equipment, train instructors, and expand access to paddling across New York City.
Classes & experiences
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Kayaking classes
Classes, sessions & workshops. Foundational to intermediate instruction for all paddlers. Gear provided, taught by certified instructors.
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Stand up paddling
Beginner-friendly to advanced SUP sessions and experiences that build balance, paddle technique, and confidence on the water.
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Trips & Experiences
Small-group guided kayak trips, practice sessions, and paddling experiences. Designed for private groups; friends, family, teams, and organizations