Q. What?s the main idea behind Kids Camp Advanced?
A. To give kids an opportunity to receive more focused and personalized experience in sculling through small group guidance, video critiques, specific training drills, and tailored training modules. Kids who learn to row in small sculling boats rather than large sweeping boats tend to become much more proficient and adept if they stick with the sport. Advanced Camp is available for kids with some rowing experience, as well as youth over the age 13 who have no rowing experience but are eager to learn sculling. Kids Camp Advanced is relative more expensive than KidsCamp ($250 plus tax for half-day rather than full-day KidsCamp), but the training is far more focused on sculling and personalized."
Q. Can our son or daughter be in Advanced Camp and stay at Moss Bay the entire day?
A. Yes. For an additional fee of $100 for the week, Advanced Camp participants can also participate in our afternoon KidsCamp, with kids their approximate age.
Q. Is it a drawback if our child is 14 or older and has no prior experience or big muscles for sculling?
A. No. Because the program is so personalized, and our very best instructors lead this camp, participants don't sense that they are behind or under qualified. Some of our star program participants came to Moss Bay with no rowing experience, but really benefited from personalized instruction.
Q. Does Kids Camp Advanced really prepare kids for future rowing oppotubities in high school or even college?
A. Yes, because the participants receive tailored and focused instruction on some of the most critical aspects of sculling: including body mechanics, "touch" on the oar handles, and effective balance in a variety of different rowing conditions. Most American youth are taught to row in large 8-person boats, whereas European rowers tend to be taught sculling. More than any reason, it is this difference in training that produces such large discrepancies in performance between American and European rowers - the international European rowers consistently beat American rowers, especially in small boats.
Q My child is not a strong swimmer. Does this matter?
A. No. Kids and counselors wear comfortable, tailored lifejackets at all times on the water.
Q. Is Lake Union a good place for this kind of weeklong program?
A. Indeed. It has a 7mph speed limit, lots of parks, many interesting sights, and Harbor Patrol support.
Q. Do we have to sign up now? We are waiting on other summer program selection dates.
A. Kids Camp begins to fill quickly after mid-April. You can sign up now and switch weeks later.
Q. How should the kids dress and prepare for the program?
A. Participants tend to dress in layers for the weather of that day, but no special gear is needed. Sunscreen, sandals, a towel, and a change of dry clothes work great.
Q. Can children come before or after the scheduled program hours?
A. Yes. We can make arrangements for childcare with the staff members (see reg. form for rates).
Q. How can we know that Moss Bay will take good care of our child?
A. Since 1986, we have kept an absolutely unblemished safety record.
Q. Do kids have to sign up for the whole day?
A. No. But most half-day enrollees want to switch to full days but can?t because of space limitations.
Q. Will any of the equipment from Kids Camp be available for purchase at a discount?
A. Yes, after each week equipment will be available for purchase at a camp discount.
Q. What additions or improvements have you made to the Kids Camp program?
A. New Alden training shells, sailing units, digital photo displays of the kids each day, and video critique of each child.
Q. Are refunds given?
A. Refund Policy: Any cancellation before June 1st will be refunded in full on Sept. 1st, 2006. Any cancellation after the 1st of June will be a 80% reusable credit - MB will hold onto 20% of the funds for holding KC space. Campers needing to cancel for medical (doctors note) or family emergency (death in family) issues will also be refunded in full on Sept. 1st, 2006.
Q. What happens after our child is registered for the camp?
A. You will receive a follow up packet a week after we receive your registration. It will consist a larger set of Frequently asked Questions and a survey that will allow you to specify any wishes or concerns that you have
about your child?s participation.
