Waterfront
Canoeing & Kayaking
Campers have the opportunity to enjoy canoeing and kayaking in the morning as a cabin group and as an elective during afternoon activities. Plenty of canoes as well as single and double kayaks provide ample opportunity for children to explore all five lakes at Camp Olson. Rescue boats staffed with certified lifeguards supervise all waterfront activities and all staff and campers must wear lifejackets.
Sailing
Camp offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of sailing. Instruction at all levels includes safety procedures, award requirements, points of sail, response to wind, shooting and leaving a mooring, rescue procedures for person overboard, right of way rules, sailboat part identification and sailing terminology.
Most campers who participate in the beginning sailing program have never sailed before. Therefore, the requirements and expectations are naturally less. The main objectives of the beginning sailing program are to expose campers to the basics of sailing and in a fun learning environment which sparks their interest to learn more.
Beginners spend much of their time sailing sunfish. Sunfish offer sailors the opportunity to work in pairs or by themselves and learn the feel of sailing basics such as how to avoid irons, what coming about and jibing means, as well as the basic functions of various parts of the boat.
The majority of campers who take part in the intermediate sailing program have had prior sailing experience although some older campers may not have sailed before but are of the age and maturity to learn at this level.
Advanced sailors are encouraged to think independently about sailing. They are expected to be able to skipper a boat with a staff member on board.
Camp Olson’s sailing program is lead by trained instructors who are lifeguard certified. These individuals are responsible for instruction, boat repair, and boathouse upkeep. They are assisted by a group of counselors or program staff that have sailing knowledge. The sailing program is structured to be instructional in the morning and recreational in the afternoon.
Camp Olson Sailboats:
(6)Sunfish:
(4)C-boats
(2) 14’ Catalina’s
(2) E boats
16’ Catalina
Laser II
M20
Lightening
X-boat
O’day
18 ft. Prindle catamaran
16 ft. Hobie catamaran
(5)Windsurfers:
Beach
The beach at Camp Olson is a popular activity area. On hot summer days the waterfront provides relief from the heat and a fun place to swim and play with friends. Waterfront activities at the beach are supervised by lifeguard certified staff.
Each year a Red Cross instructor reviews lifegaurding techniques and recertifies staff. Assistant Counselors are required to go through an intensive week long lifeguard training program, upon successful completion of a written and skills tests these staff receive their lifeguard certification cards.
An organized swim across Little Boy Lake to Viking Point takes place once a week. Campers who take part in this challenging swim are rewarded at an award ceremony during closing night campfire.
Emphasis at the beach is on providing a safe environment for campers to swim and have fun
Click Here for a Album of Waterfront Photos
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