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Unlocking the River in the new Jackson Antix 3 

The Jackson Antix 3 medium is a fantastic new half slice. It builds upon the high level of performance shown by the previous iterations of the Antix. This boat makes the river more exciting and fun with its aggressive edges, playboat hull, spicy stern, and rockered bow. For those who are looking to put away their old family sedan and get into the latest dynamic sports car, the Antix 3 will make your half slice dreams come true and put a smile on your face time and time again!

The Jackson Antix 3 medium is a fantastic new half slice building upon the high level of performance shown by the previous iterations of the Antix.

I moved the seat all the way back as soon as I got the boat, which is something I always do with half slices. If you’re gonna go to the party, you should go all in for a full night bender! The boat comes with a thick foam pad on the seat that lifts you about a half inch up. I prefer to sit low in my seat so I removed the pad. 

The Antix 3 stern is playful and friendly.

The Boat

Stern – A

The Antix 3 stern is playful and friendly. It engages easily, allowing for effortless squirts. It is well balanced and catches the water to allow you a stable ride when vertical. For those that love to back surf, the stern lacks the rocker needed to do this well so it pearls into a backender quickly. Going downriver, the stern doesn’t grab when you are paddling aggressively. The moment you float or get into a boily eddy, the edges and low volume can add some challenge. Paddling aggressively is a theme with this boat. If you are working the boat, the stern will perform magnificently. 

Hull – A

This boat has a playboat hull so it is a kayak for the aggressive paddler that wants to do cool stuff. This boat wants you to play the river. It is a fantastic surfing boat, spinning easily on waves and in holes. The sharp edges allow you to carve precise turns, make quick maneuvers, and carve back and forth on a wave with ease. The boat is pretty stable but also easy to roll. If you are looking for a high performance hull, look no further. 

the Antix 3 really is a kayak where anything is possible!

Bow – A+

The bow is probably this boat’s best feature, especially in comparison to other half slices. It has a good amount of volume, which allows the bow to stay on the surface nicely when going down river or when front surfing. The rocker profile is a fantastic balance of high enough to help with downriver paddling but low enough that you can get the bow under when trying to ender or loop. The bow was one of the main draws for me when choosing this boat. Some other half slices I tried previously have bows that are extremely difficult to get under with a high amount of rocker and volume. I don’t want to be limited to just stern moves and the Antix 3 really is a kayak where anything is possible! 

Jackson Antix 3 kayak on river

Outfitting – A

The Jackson outfitting is outstanding. The Bees Knees are easily adjusted with the velcro to find the right setting for your leg and they hold your knees firmly in place. The seat comes with a ½ inch foam pad on it, which is comfortable but had me sitting higher than I like. I removed the pad and sit in a better position for me.

The hip pads are a nice shape and hold you in place well. They are easy to adjust and don’t wobble when in the boat. The backband is very good as well. The cord that pulls them tight is easily adjusted. The foot plate is supported by another cord and comes with foam for shorter paddlers. The footbrace does wobble some while paddling, which again is why I prefer the more solid bulkhead system used by other companies. However, I do appreciate that this system is lighter than the traditional heavy metal bulkhead so it’s a trade off. 

Jackson Antix 3 kayak by a rock

Comfort – B- 

I am giving a mixed review on comfort. My feet have a good amount of room and the seat is comfortable. However, the deck near my knees feels low and pushes my knees wide, which causes strain on my hips. Most other half slices have more room in the knee area, making them more comfortable to sit in. I removed the seat pad to lower my center of gravity and moving the seat all the way back helped immensely to create some extra knee room.

Jackson Antix 3 kayak in water

Boat Characteristic Comparison

From my previous review of the Skuxx, I absolutely love that boat. However, the superior outfitting that Jackson kayaks have, lower bow volume, along with the incredible reputation that the Antix 3 has for being a high level all river play machine, caused me to choose the Antix 3. It is obvious to me that the Skuxx and the Antix 3 are both excellent half slices that shine in different ways and here is my comparison to help you choose the correct boat for you.

The Antix 3 medium is definitely smaller than the Skuxx with volume and width so the two boats paddle differently. The Antix 3 is a half slice with a playboat hull. The edge for surfing in waves and holes definitely goes to the Antix 3. The Skuxx stays on the surface and runs rapids smoother with the bigger bow and the wider hull providing stability. The boats feel similar speedwise and both are very easy to squirt with the seat all the way back. 

Antix 3 MSkuxx
Stability – B+Stability – A+
Agility – A+Agility – A+
Speed – B+Speed – B+
Squirting – A+Squirting – A+++
Balance on the Stern – A+Balance on the Stern – A+
Carving – A+Carving – A+
Rolling – A+Rolling – B
Leaning – A+Leaning – A
Boofing – ABoofing – A+
Comfort – B-Comfort – A
Friendliness – B+Friendliness – A
Downriver – B+Downriver – A
Overall Surfing – A++Overall Surfing – A+

The Antix 3 is a boat that will make kayaking more exciting and fun. The dynamic hull will push you to match it with aggressiveness and creativity. If you are looking to add even more fun to your days on the river, you should definitely check this boat out. Take out the demo Antix 3 at Calleva’s River Store and unlock the river for yourself!

Antix 3 kayak review

Author’s Note 

For reference, I am about 6 feet tall, weigh 180 lbs, and have size 10.5-11 feet.

The half slice kayaks that I have spent a lot of time in are the medium Rewind, Firecracker 242, and Skuxx. There are obviously some excellent designs that I haven’t tried so I always recommend demoing boats to see which one works best for you. 

Bobby Miller

Calleva River School Instructor

Here at the River School, Bobby Miller is a main component of the instructor team. Bobby leads Fall Training, Cheat Training, Yough Training, Green Training…. whatever you want to train for, the Zone Dogg turned elementary school teacher, can get you there!

If you’re still not impressed, Bobby is a pro athlete ⎯ sponsored by Team Calleva, Accent Paddles, Immersion Research and Astral. He also has multiple first descents on rivers, creeks, and waterfalls throughout the United States.

    Southeast Stouts!

    New in 2025 at Calleva River School was the Southeast Stouts program. This program is designed to push the skills of those looking to go beyond the Upper Yough. Kayak programs often take on the personality, style, and image of the instructor. So, when yours truly, the ZoneDogg, was named as the lead of the program, you can imagine it would be filled with big drops, some low volume escapades, and high amounts of adventure! 

    Bobby running Gorilla on the Green, photo by Annabelle Crum-Gross

    The training featured three weeks of preparation before the trip to the Southeast. We started with an advanced moves clinic on the Upper Yough at a fairly juicy and challenging flow of 2.6. With the extra water, we made an evening run Top Yough to double our fun! The second week’s clinic brought heavy rain, high water, and lots of options! We were craving large amounts of gradient, so we headed to Red Creek. It is a true wilderness run dropping off the side of Dolly Sods, a gorgeous mountaintop plateau. For 3 miles, the creek drops an impressive 250 feet per mile down an endless series of slides and waterfalls!

    Jack Marlowe at Bear Creek Falls on the Cheoah, photo by Bobby Miller

    The final training adventure took us to the 5th slide of the Fishladder at Great Falls. Steve O, Jesse and I headed out early that morning to preview the course and make decisions for how to navigate the run safely with our group. The 5th slide gave everyone good practice at driving their boat to the left to avoid the hole at the bottom and is easily lapped. After these three sessions, the group was ready to go test their skills on some of North Carolina’s finest runs!

    Bobby Miller running Super Slide on the Cullasaja, photo by Jack Marlowe

    The first day of the Southeast Trip featured the Nantahala Cascades, a ferocious half mile run with some stout slides and drops! The dam release was oddly placed in the evening, which threw off our schedule. Not being one for loafing around and wasting time, we went to check out the Cullasaja River for some park and huck fun. We drove up the road and checked out several sections for consideration. We decided on the Super Slide section starting at the boiled peanut stand (Boiled Peanut Gorge). It started with a fun section of Class 3-4 drops before disappearing over a horizon line of drops leading to a sieved out 5 foot ledge. I figured the likelihood was that I would bridge the sieve with speed and a boof, which worked perfectly! A few others followed with successful lines.

    The final drop of the section was Super Slide, a long slide that got progressively steeper and ended in a wild looking drop with a roostertail that looked like a potential piton with some ugly boulders on the right bank. The slide actually went smoother than it looked and I was stoked to have fired up a clean line. Jack decided to send it too and also had a great run. 

    Jesse Pulliam running the Horns on the Cascades by Jack Marlowe

    We got over to the Nantahala Cascades near the beginning of the release. The level was around 350 cfs, which was a good bit pushier than the low water release we were expecting. After a full scout of the section, we ran it in two separate groups to safely guide down all 7 of the participants. The drops were cool and ran together quickly with only small eddies to set up in.

    The Horns was the first drop and required boofing a hole, followed by a turn and a 6 foot drop between two rocks (the Horns). A short cascade led to a nice pause eddy. The second drop was Big Kahuna and featured a long slide with curlers and holes that ends in a broken 10 foot ledge requiring a precise boof. The runout drop was a slide into a large hole that dished out some nice skips if you hit it with the correct angle and speed.

    The final drop was called Chinese Feet, which had a sweet 4 foot boof followed immediately by a second drop into a deep hole. The group navigated this section overall well with a couple flips and surfs being the only bobbles.

    Bobby running Big Kahuna on the Cascades

    Before leaving, we decided to check out a large cascade on a side creek called White Oak Falls. It was steep and manky, with some a sharp turn against a pillow part way down. This was a Zone D-O-Double G drop if there ever was one! I caught too much rock on the initial boof which deflected me further left than planned heading into the pillow.

    Bobby running White Oak Falls by Annabelle Crum-Gross

    I bounced off the pillow with a slight upstream lean to carve toward the bottom cascade. My paddle blade got pulled down and I had to brace upstream. I rode the brace down the cascade and righted my kayak as soon as I went off the lip of the final falls. It wasn’t perfect but it was a successful run nonetheless! The rest of the group decided to save it for another day and we headed back to town to feed our faces at a fantastic Italian restaurant. 

    Adam Friedlander running Bear Creek Falls on the Cheoah by Bobby Miller

    Day 2 brought a double run of the Cheoah River, one of the best Class 4 runs anywhere. The highlights included a fun 10 foot drop called Bear Creek Falls and about a million high quality boofs! We owed it to ourselves to do a second lap of this kayaking goodness! We ate dinner at a cool restaurant that sat right next to one of the best boofs of the day!

    After dinner, we were seeking more thrills so we headed up the Tail of the Dragon with the Calleva Sprinter van to test its high performance abilities on one of the world’s curviest and deadliest roads. After a few miles, we decided that the Sprinter was out of place with all the sports cars and motorcycles zipping around so we decided to go back.

    Sebastian Jilke launching the restaurant boof on the Cheoah

    The final day brought the infamous Green Narrows, now drastically changed from the flooding of the previous fall. We had no idea what water level to expect but we figured it would be doable. We set shuttle and hiked in on the Big Hungry Trail to the scoured put in area. We floated down to the gauge to find it a little above 2 inches (call it 2 ¼). Once we arrived at Bride of Frankenstein and the true Narrows of the Green began, we found that we had an acceptable amount of water for the run. 

    Nathan Anderson running Frankenstein, photo by Bobby Miller

    Frankenstein looked low and very tight for missing the piton rock at the bottom. Nathan ran it and had a nice run but the rest of us opted to portage. It would be a long day on what was now an unfamiliar section of river so we decided breaking a boat, paddle, or bone in this rapid would be bad for the mission so we pressed on. The next several rapids were steeper than before and necked down nicely into smooth channels. Soon, we were out scouting the new Boof or Consequences, which required a 90 degree right turn off a small boof followed by a 90 degree left turn off a 4 foot boof right next to a siphon. SIPHON!!!! Although spooky looking, the group members that ran this rapid were able to avoid this danger and get off the bottom boof fine.

    Next, we looked at the new Go Left, which is a mess of boulders leading to a sweet exit boof and slot. I came off the top drop and caught an FU rock that deflected to me right, through the slot and away from the sweet left boof. Luckily, the slot went smoothly and I rocketed off the final drop and into the pool. I carried up so that I could do the sweet left boof. A few others liked this idea and fired off sweet boofs of their own. Zwicks is next and has smoothed out from its previous version and dished out some absolutely SIK boofs.

    Sofi Reinoso boofing at Go Left, photo by Bobby Miller

    Soon, we were scouting Gorilla and analyzing the complex rapid that it has become. After a quick look, I hopped in my boat to get SIK! I cut hard right through the entrance slot and hit a nice boof to catch the setup eddy. From there I ferried out and launched a SCHWEEEETTTT boof off the shelf on the right. Nathan, Sofi, and Jesse decided to run it as well and all aced it. 

    Jesse Pulliam at Gorilla, photo by Bobby Miller

    The slides below were all fantastic and we made good progress through this section. Rapid Transit was still very high quality and provided a fast ride to the bottom (287 miles per hour using actual LIDAR measurements to be exact!). Groove Tube had a cleaner boof than before and offered up some nice launches.

    From here, we walked around Sunshine and began the arduous scrape fest to get out of the gorge to the takeout. Some of the channels didn’t have enough water to float or even hand walk through so we had a couple portages in here. Soon, we reached the final section of fun drops. Hammer Factor closed out the run and was just as fun as it always was, much to our delight! 

    Annabelle Crum-Gross at Rapid Transit, photo by Nathan Anderson

    What a phenomenal month of kayaking! We hit a top tier murderers row of steep runs that paddlers spend years, decades even, dreaming of running! We have another great program planned for this year, starting on Memorial Day Weekend!

    Eric McCullough boofing Groove Tube on the Green, photo by Bobby Miller

    If you are looking to step up to the next level, the Southeast Stouts program will certainly go a long way toward helping you reach that goal!

    Sign up for 2026!

    Watch Best Day Ever Video!

    Bobby Miller

    Calleva River School Instructor

    Here at the River School, Bobby Miller is a main component of the instructor team. Bobby leads Fall Training, Cheat Training, Yough Training, Green Training…. whatever you want to train for, the Zone Dogg turned elementary school teacher, can get you there!

    If you’re still not impressed, Bobby is a pro athlete ⎯ sponsored by Team Calleva, Accent Paddles, Immersion Research and Astral. He also has multiple first descents on rivers, creeks, and waterfalls throughout the United States.

      Water Quality in the Potomac River: Current Status and Ongoing Monitoring

      Calleva is with you and has been keeping a  close eye on the situation with the Potomac River. We would like to share our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of the water along the Potomac River, where we’ve been running our beloved camps and kayaking programs for over 30 years. Our dedication to the health of the river and the safety of our campers and staff remains unwavering.

      As part of our responsible programming, we continually monitor the water quality, river conditions, and environmental factors that can influence the safety of our activities. We work closely with the Potomac Riverkeeper, a trusted partner, who conducts daily testing, reports contamination levels—such as bacteria like E. coli—and helps us stay informed about the current state of the river. Their efforts are vital in guiding our decision-making to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for everyone.

      The Potomac River recently experienced a significant environmental challenge due to a sewage spill near Lock 10 in January. This incident has impacted water quality downstream from the spill site, raising concerns about recreational safety and ecological health.

      We want to reassure our community that our camps are located upstream from the recent January sewage spill near Lock 10. While the spill has impacted downstream areas, we are confident that the water around our designated camp locations remains within safe limits for swimming and water activities. However, because water quality can fluctuate, we remain vigilant, ready to adapt our plans if necessary.

      We are pros at adapting plans on the river. Calleva River School had to cancel the remaining Winter Slalom program due to the spill. Aside from Lock 10, River School has had to stop utilizing the Feeder Canal, Z Channel and Little Falls.

      If certain sections of the river are deemed unsafe at any given time, we will modify our programming to focus on areas that meet safety standards, ensuring everyone can enjoy the river without concern.

      We are actively collaborating with local officials, environmental regulators, parks teams, and the Potomac Riverkeeper to stay ahead of any changes in water conditions. Regular testing and monitoring are part of our proactive approach, and we are committed to acting quickly should water quality issues arise.

      Looking ahead, we remain optimistic. The Potomac Riverkeeper continues to work tirelessly, testing and documenting contamination levels, and advocating for faster remediation of the spill. Their recent updates highlight ongoing efforts to contain and remediate affected areas, as well as educate the public about both the immediate and long-term ecological impacts.

      For those interested in deeper insights, the Riverkeeper’s “Swimmable Potomac” program offers extensive resources. Additionally, the Swim Guide provides weekly water quality updates from May through September at Seneca Landing, near Riley’s Lock. This stretch, upstream of densely populated areas, generally maintains healthy water quality, with occasional fluctuations linked to seasonal runoff and weather events. For instance, May 2025 saw about half the water quality reports fall below healthy standards, triggered by heavy rains and increased sediment flow, but conditions normalized by June. We were watching the conditions then and will continue to monitor conditions.

      In light of these developments, Riverkeeper emphasizes the importance of public engagement, encouraging families to reach out to their elected representatives to urge stronger responses, including the issuance of recreational use public health advisories—measures currently lacking from DC and Maryland authorities. We can demand better from our representatives. You can find your state reps & their contact info here.

      We deeply value the beauty and vitality of the Potomac River and are dedicated to protecting it for future generations. Our camp season is shaping up to be exciting and safe, and we look forward to sharing memorable, fun-filled experiences with our campers while honoring our responsibility to keep everyone safe and informed.

      2025: A Calleva Kayak Year To Remember!

      2025 was a banner year to be a kayaker and I had a ton of outstanding days on the river! The various Calleva programs kept me busy and the lessons I taught throughout the year brought me joy beyond measure. New this year for me was being added to Team Calleva to represent the shop and have a bigger role promoting the sense of community. It was a year spent spreading the love of being on the water!

      Winter

      My normal winter does not include much paddling until the weather and water warm up. However, in an effort to try out my new toys, I headed out in some very harsh conditions to get after it! I took the Waka OG for a run down the Blackwater Canyon in 20 degree weather with snow falling, did some cold water playboating on the Shenandoah in the Pyranha Helectron, and some splatting and squirting in the Liquidlogic Powerslide and the Pyranha Firecracker 242. 

      Cheat Elite

      2025 marked my 6th year teaching Cheat Elite and we had a very motivated group, wanting to challenge themselves. Our Potomac workouts were grueling and the group was building strength and stamina preparing for race season. We had three Cheat Elite paddlers come out for the Top Yough race and most of the group participated in the Cheat Race. I ended up taking 7th in the Top Yough Race, 7th in the Cheat Race, and got the win in Calleva’s own Seneca Showdown!

      Our Shavers Fork trip was the highlight of the program for me this year. Heavy rains brought the Cheat beyond a reasonable level so we headed higher up in the watershed. Starting at Cheat Bridge, near the headwaters of the Shavers Fork, we paddled 36 miles to the town of Bowden! The gorgeous scenery, challenging rapids that included a waterfall, and the sheer length of the paddle made this a day to remember! After 8 hours in our boats paddling hard, we were tired and hungry but also grinning ear to ear!

      Yough Training

      We had great water levels for working the gates, Z Channel, and Little Falls during the in town sessions. High water postponed our Upper Yough Moves on the Lower Yough clinic but the group got to have a fantastic day on the Savage as a consolation. The highlight of the program for me was catching Difficult Run on a rainy Saturday morning and guiding the group down a real creek where they got to apply and practice the skills we had taught them. The Upper Yough trips were also great, as it is always wonderful to show this magical run to people for the first time.

      Southeast Stouts Training

      We put together ambitious training sessions to prepare the group for a trip to North Carolina to tackle the Nantahala Cascades and the Cheoah. We hit up an Advanced Moves on the Upper Yough clinic to start, with an evening Top Yough run immediately after. We also did laps on the 5th slide of the Fishladder to practice setting up on a high speed slide and driving to miss or punch the hole. The highlight of the training sessions was definitely the day we ran Red Creek. This run flows off a high mountaintop plateau in Dolly Sods, West Virginia and descends furiously to the valley below.

      If you have never been to Dolly Sods, it is an absolutely gorgeous place with a variety of incredible hiking trails. We hiked in just over a mile across a soggy trail to the put-in, where the creek is no more than 10 feet wide. The first couple miles are scenic as the run snakes through a marsh. Once the bottom changes to rock and you enter the forest, the creek slowly steepens before reaching a 3 mile section at 200+ feet per mile. Innumerable slides and several waterfalls carry one through what has to be one of the most amazing sections of whitewater on the planet. The group paddled well and had a wonderful time on this stellar day.

      North Carolina Trip

      The Southeast Stouts group headed to NC for a 3 day weekend of adventure. The first day had us going to an evening release on the Nantahala Cascades. We decided to do a low water park and huck on the Cullsaja before heading to the uber intense Cascades section. The Cascades certainly didn’t disappoint with its steep drops in close succession. As a bonus, there was a gnarly cascade on a side creek at the put in called White Oak that I fired up. Day 2 brought us laps on the Cheoah, which is one of the most enjoyable runs ever, kind of like a cross between the Savage and the Upper Yough.

      The third day was the most challenging with a grueling 8 hour expedition down the new Green Narrows. With a changed river bed, new and challenging rapids, difficult portages and scouts, and a shallow run out section, this day pushed us to our limits of strength, stamina, and mental toughness. We had a successful day with good lines all around and a tremendous feeling of accomplishment!

      MD ChuteOuts and Surf Academy

      I gave instruction on playboating before the June and August MD ChuteOut competitions. These are fun low key rodeo competitions on the Potomac. I ended up winning the August ChuteOut with a flurry of cartwheels. My return to freestyle competition also had me taking 4th place in the Upper Yough Rodeo.

      During the summer, I taught two different Surf Academy sessions, mostly on the Potomac but we did take a very fun field trip to the Lower Yough in July. It is so rewarding to help people build their playboating skills and develop another way to have fun on the water.

      Advanced Canada

      What can I say about this trip? With 7 days of world class kayaking in the beautiful Quebec wilderness with a fantastic crew, what could be better? We truly had a trip to remember and each day was special. We kicked off with a huge dam and a phenomenal super slide on the Saranac River.

      The Des Isles and Malbaie on days 2 and 3 are incredible wilderness runs with superb whitewater. The Mistassibi on day 4 was such a fun big water run and we got to hit the massive rapid, Chutes du Pere, as a bonus. Days 5 and 6 were exploratory missions down big drops and waterfalls on the Riviere aux Rats into the Mistissini and the Du Loup. We had a final chill day on the Black River before making our way back home. Best week ever!

      Great Falls Race

      The falls race took place on the Virginia side on Saturday and the Maryland side on Sunday. I shook off some Saturday rustiness to post a run that I was happy with on Sunday. I finished in 9th place in a very competitive field, only 4.6 seconds behind 1st place! 

      Fall Training

      Fall Training is always a joy for my soul. We spent our time surfing, squirting and working on tough ferries, all things I love to do. The Gauley trips are among the best days on the river that you will ever experience and guiding several first timers down the Upper Gauley this year was particularly rewarding. Everyone had a fantastic time on the trips and I was able to reach 1000 vertical moves per day while testing out the amazing Waka Skuxx. 

      October Surf Academy

      I closed out my year of kayak instruction with a bang, doing one final Surf Academy. Access to Great Falls Park was closed off in VA, but the MD side was still open. The levels were good for Horseshoe so we scaled the steep cliff down to the observation deck to get to this spot during the three sessions. It changed the sessions from mere surfing lessons to rugged battles against nature to access the surf spots and then get back out in the fading light from the shorter days.

      For the capstone trip for the class, we traveled to Holtwood Whitewater Park. There are two incredible manmade features here in close proximity to the cars made for a fantastic day. I was able to keep both the Nova and the Helectron by the water and had a ton of fun going back and forth between the two boats. The powerful and well built playspots opened the eyes of everyone there and gave us smiles a mile wide! It was an outstanding day and was a great way to close out my paddling season. 

      Canada Trip Presentation

      The Canada Trip was such a monumental experience that I decided to make up a full trip slide show and video, delivered in the Calleva River Store!

      What a year! I am working with Ashley and Steve O to bring some new and exciting programs to you for 2026 and, of course, I will be involved in the core Calleva programs that everyone knows and loves! Can’t wait to see all of you on the river!

      Bobby Miller

      Calleva River School Instructor

      Here at the River School, Bobby Miller is a main component of the instructor team. Bobby leads Fall Training, Cheat Training, Yough Training, Green Training…. whatever you want to train for, the Zone Dogg turned elementary school teacher, can get you there!

      If you’re still not impressed, Bobby is a pro athlete ⎯ sponsored by Team Calleva, Accent Paddles, Immersion Research and Astral. He also has multiple first descents on rivers, creeks, and waterfalls throughout the United States.

        Calleva Cultivates Kindness

        Why I think Kindness Is the Most Important Leadership Quality at Calleva

        When we talk to young people about leadership, they often think of confidence, big decisions, or being the one “in charge.” But at Calleva, where children grow, explore, and challenge themselves every day, we believe the strongest and most memorable leaders share something much simpler — kindness.

        Leadership Begins with Kindness

        We’ve all met leaders in our own lives — at work, in school, within our families — who stand out not because they were the loudest or the most skilled, but because they were kind. They made us feel respected, valued, and supported, even in difficult moments.

        That’s what we want our young campers to see and experience too.

        Great leaders show kindness through how they treat others, how they respond under pressure, and how they make space for everyone to belong. Kindness is what turns leadership from a role into a relationship.

        Kindness Builds Trust and Belonging

        At Calleva, everything starts with relationships — between campers, staff, and the wider community. And relationships start with trust.

        When children feel seen, heard, and valued, something powerful happens: they take more risks, try new things, ask more questions, and bounce back more quickly from setbacks.

        Google’s “Project Aristotle,” which studied what makes teams excel, found that psychological safety — the feeling that you can be yourself without fear of embarrassment — is the number-one factor in high-performing groups. Kindness is the foundation of that safety.

        Kindness Is the Easiest… and the Hardest Thing

        Kindness is something anyone can choose. You don’t need a title. You don’t need special skills. As the Dalai Lama put it: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

        But kindness can also be incredibly hard. It takes real strength to be kind when you’re disappointed, tired, frustrated, or when things don’t go your way.

        These are the moments when kindness matters most. Teaching children to respond with patience, empathy, and self-control strengthens both resilience and leadership.

        Maya Angelou said it beautifully: “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

        We See Kindness Everywhere at Camp

        We see staff showing acts of kindness hundreds of times every single day at camp.

        From an instructor offering a quiet word of encouragement to a camper who is struggling with a new activity or working to overcome a fear…

        To counselors giving specific, genuine compliments about effort or progress — “Great job pushing through that tricky part of the obstacle course!” or “I’m really impressed by your patience while you practiced your forward stroke.”

        To celebrating kindness itself — “Thank you for helping your friend pack all his clothes back in his bag.”

         To simple acts of attentiveness — sitting beside a camper at lunchtime to make sure they feel included.

        To taking the time to really listen when a camper feels overwhelmed, nervous, or stressed, offering reassurance without judgment.

         And finally, to our office staff, who show kindness in the way they patiently and warmly support parents each day.

        These small moments are the heartbeat of Calleva. They show children what kindness looks like in action — steady, intentional, and quietly powerful.

        Kindness Takes Courage

        At Calleva, we teach that kindness isn’t the opposite of strength — it is strength.

        Kindness means being truthful with compassion: offering feedback without shaming, correcting with understanding, listening before judging, and holding each other accountable while lifting each other up.

        This blend — high expectations paired with genuine care — is what we call kind strength.

        Kindness Ripples Through a Community

         Kindness shapes culture. When leaders model it consistently, it spreads from counselors to campers and outward into families and communities.

        Research shows that emotional connection grows from feeling cared for, respected, and valued.

        Mark Twain said, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

        A Legacy Worth Leaving

        When staff lead with kindness, children notice. And when children experience this leadership, they bring it to friendships, school, sports, and eventually adulthood.

        At Calleva, we’re not just teaching outdoor skills — we’re nurturing future leaders who understand that strength and kindness go hand in hand.

        Kindness changes people. And people change the world.

        Lucy Martin

        Camp Director

        Lucy is our Program and Camp Director. She has been with the Calleva team since 2006, when she met Jen Rainey, a former Calleva HBR instructor.

        Lucy has two equally favorite parts of being at Calleva. One is the joy she gets watching her children having fun making new friends, having adventures and growing in confidence through summer camp, HBR and kayaking programs all year round. The other, being part of an incredibly supportive family-like community.

        Her favorite programs at Calleva are Farm and Forest Cubs and sailing. Lucy loves being a part of young staff growing and developing into amazing leaders, and kind, considerate humans.

          Joy Overloaded: The Waka Skuxx 

          The Waka Skuxx has exceeded my expectations and a clear frontrunner has emerged in the half slice world! I have been loving my time demoing this boat and want to share this joy with all of you! I tried this boat with the seat in the center position for a day and then moved the seat back for the remaining time I spent in the boat. I always paddle half slices with the seat in the back position because that’s where the party is! I also use one foam pad of ¼ inch to raise my center of gravity and make the boat a little easier to lean and roll. 

          The Boat

          Stern – A+++ 

          The stern is incredibly easy to get under and is extremely well balanced for stern squirting. It sinks effortlessly and stabilizes nicely while vertical to allow you to spin in circles until your heart is content. It also slices into a wave nicely while surfing and loads up while blasting a hole to give a great deal of control.

          In my opinion, the stern balance and ability to slice are the most important aspects to a half slice and this boat has peak performance in both of those categories. Another strength of the stern is that it doesn’t grab when you don’t want it to. I don’t have to fight with the stern when paddling down rapids and it was easy for me to lift the bow to launch the boat when I wanted to. The rocker on the stern allows it to stay up nicely and in control while backsurfing. The stern on the Skuxx takes the prize as the best stern on a half slice I’ve ever used. 

          Hull – A+

          The wide flat hull of the Skuxx makes it very stable and gives extra confidence when running rapids. The flat hull allows for spins on a wave like a playboat. The boat is extremely maneuverable and friendly to control. The edge allows you to carve turns easily to dart in and out of eddies and slots and glide effortlessly back and forth across waves. There is also a great amount of stability while on edge. The Skuxx has nice speed for an 8 foot boat and I’ve been able to easily make small attainments and ferries that are difficult in other slower half slices. 

          Bow – A

          The bow rides high over features and confidently allows you to carry momentum downriver. The bow rocker allows you to stay on the surface, which is appreciated for running big rapids and while surfing. It lands smoothly off waterfalls and skips beautifully landing off drops and going over holes. The only downside to such a big bow from a freestyle standpoint is that it is challenging to get under for loops and cartwheels. 

          Outfitting – C+

          I have mixed feelings about the outfitting. The knee braces are quite possibly the best on the market and really wrap around your knee to hold you in place. The seat is also very comfortable to sit in. The hip pads are a nice shape and hold you in place well for the most part. However, they loosen up and it can be challenging to pull the strap tight, often requiring you to reach your hand behind the seat into an uncomfortably tight area. The backband is not great. I adjusted it many times and struggled to find a comfortable position that supported my back and held me in place. The backband was adequate for most paddling but felt like it tried to slide around when I had a major impact, like a firm landing off a backender or loop attempt.

          The Skuxx is a phenomenal kayak and has performance characteristics that will excite kayakers of all skill levels. Advanced paddlers will appreciate the extremely playful stern and the carving edges. Beginner and intermediate paddlers will appreciate the stability and the friendly bow that takes you downstream with ease. The wide, flat hull allows the boat to surf like a playboat but it also makes it harder to roll than some of the other, narrower half slices on the market.

          For a beginner or intermediate paddler, using the Skuxx with the seat in the center position will help make it friendlier and more well rounded. For an advanced paddler, having the seat in the back position makes this boat a downriver freestyle machine! The overall performance of the Skuxx is unmatched by any half slice I have paddled and it makes kayaking more exciting and fun than it ever has been before!

          Boat Characteristics

          Stability – A+

          Agility – A+

          Speed – B+

          Squirting – A+++

          Balance on the Stern – A+

          Carving – A+

          Rolling – B

          Leaning – A

          Boofing – A+

          Comfort – A

          Friendliness – A

          Don’t take my word for it. Take out the demo Skuxx at Calleva’s River Store and experience joy overloaded for yourself!

          Author’s Note 

          For reference, I am about 6 feet tall and weigh 175 lbs.

          The half slice kayaks that I have spent a lot of time in are the medium Rewind and Firecracker 242. The new Antix 3 is high on my list to try next. There are obviously some excellent designs that I haven’t tried so I always recommend demoing boats to see which one works best for you. 

          Bobby Miller

          Calleva River School Instructor

          Here at the River School, Bobby Miller is a main component of the instructor team. Bobby leads Fall Training, Cheat Training, Yough Training, Green Training…. whatever you want to train for, the Zone Dogg turned elementary school teacher, can get you there!

          If you’re still not impressed, Bobby is a pro athlete ⎯ sponsored by Team Calleva, Accent Paddles, Immersion Research and Astral. He also has multiple first descents on rivers, creeks, and waterfalls throughout the United States.

            Calleva is a Different Kind of Classroom

            Calleva school programs offer immersive, hands-on outdoor education experiences designed to foster leadership, teamwork, and a deep connection with nature. These programs are tailored for school groups and operate throughout the academic year. Our programs provide students with opportunities to engage in various outdoor activities and challenges. Calleva collaborates with over 50 schools and organizations throughout the DC area, emphasizing experiential learning that nurtures courage and resilience. 

            Outdoor, hands-on education matters now more than ever. It supports mental well-being, nurtures curiosity, and helps students connect learning to real life. In a world that’s more digital and disconnected than ever, time outdoors helps students build resilience, work together, and develop a deeper connection to the environment. The outdoors creates a space for all learners– especially those who struggle in traditional school settings– a space to grow through active exploration, hands-on learning, and real-world experiences. 

            The goal of these programs is to spark curiosity, build confidence, and foster genuine connections. We use the outdoors as a powerful classroom for growth, discovery, and learning that lasts. By taking learning outside, we aim to ignite curiosity, build long lasting confidence, and help students connect deeply– with themselves, each other, and the natural world. Every child deserves the chance to learn in a way that excites them. When students learn outside, they don’t just absorb information that is given to them. They ask better questions and take healthy risks. That’s where confidence grows. 

            group of students paddle a canoe in Potomac River

            The Value of Outdoor School Programs

            A day that is spent learning outside of a traditional classroom can leave a lifelong impact. Calleva outdoor school programs go beyond fun. We are focused on helping each child grow and thrive as a learner, a teammate, and an individual. 

            Social emotional growth flourishes in nature. Students develop self-awareness, empathy, and resilience away from screens and pressure-filled environments. They’re given space to express themselves, make mistakes, and grow in confidence. 

            Teamwork and leadership are naturally embedded in all of the activities we provide on school programs. Whether navigating a ropes course, paddling a canoe, or building a shelter, students must rely on one another to communicate clearly and contribute to the group’s success. Oftentimes, these experiences help the quietest students in the group find their voice. 

            Having this direct interaction with the natural world, students engage in real-life applications of science, history, and ecology. Instead of always reading about habitats and sustainability, they can observe frogs in a creek, plant seeds in a garden, and build a fire using techniques. This kind of experiential learning makes abstract concepts concrete. 

            And of course, the memories. When students recall their school year, they won’t just remember textbooks. They will remember the day they held a chicken, solved a team challenge, or got muddy and laughed harder than they had in weeks. These memories are powerful reinforcements of learning.

            Group of students hold hands along the river while rafting

            What A Great School Visit Looks Like

            At Calleva, a great school visit begins the moment the bus doors open. Students are greeted by Calleva staff with energy, and clear guidance to set the tone for a safe and exciting day. After a welcome and safety briefing, the groups break into smaller teams to rotate through a series of outdoor activities. Each activity is led by enthusiastic Calleva instructors and supported by classroom teachers or chaperones.

            Whether they’re paddling down a stretch of the Potomac river, navigating the challenge course, or feeding animals on the farm, every activity is hands-on, engaging, and tailored to the group’s age and goals. Lunchtime offers a chance to relax, enjoy a picnic style meal, and build connections through unstructured play in the field.

            The day wraps up with a reflection circle or debrief. Students share highlights and takeaways. They often surprise themselves with how much they’ve learned and grown in only a few hours. From beginning to end, the experience is well-organized, joy-filled, and centered around helping each student feel capable, connected and curious. 

            students sit around campfire

            Favorite Activities That Bring Learning to Life

            At Calleva, learning looks like climbing, paddling, planting, problem-solving, and so much more. Our most loved activities are the ones that get students moving, thinking and collaborating in ways that feel exciting and new. 

            The Calleva challenge course is a powerful setting for growth. Designed to promote communication, collaboration, and courage, this includes a mix of low and high elements such as balance beams, rope swings, zip lines, cerebral puzzles, and climbing structures. As students work through each challenge, they must rely on their peers for ideas, encouragement, and physical support, learning quickly that success depends on listening, patience, and group problem-solving. This is where many students discover their leadership potential. Or realize they’re braver than they thought. The challenge course experience is carefully facilitated to meet each group where they are.

            For some, the challenge might be putting on a harness and helmet. For others, it is climbing to a new height or leading a group through a task. The Calleva instructors provide guidance but leave room for students to discover solutions on their own. This allows natural leaders to emerge and quieter voices to be heard. Perhaps the most powerful are the emotional breakthroughs. The student who started the day saying “I can’t” and ends it smiling at the top of a climbing element.

            Or a group that starts with uncertainty and finishes cheering each other on with pride. A good lesson is knowing that the challenge course isn’t about competition. Rather it is all about connection, resilience, and realizing what’s possible when you trust yourself and your team.

            students packed up and ready for a river adventure

            On the River

            When rafting, on the water, students experience a dynamic blend of adventure and science. Working in small groups, they paddle guided rafts through calm stretches and gentle rapids of the Potomac river. They learn the fundamentals of river safety, navigation and communication. As they move downstream, instructors point out key ecological features connecting what students see to broader environmental systems.

            Rafting brings teamwork to the forefront. Students must coordinate strokes, respond to the current, and make decisions together in real time. It’s thrilling, empowering, and the perfect setting for hands-on learning about problem-solving. By the end of the trip, students feel stronger connections to their local waterways and a sense of pride and accomplishment in what they did as a team. 

            On the Farm

            A visit to Calleva’s farm brings learning to life through hands-on interaction with animals, plants, and sustainable practices. Students learn about the daily routine of farm life which is collecting eggs from the chicken coop, feeding goats and pigs, harvesting vegetables, or learning how to turn compost. The farm also serves as a living classroom for environmental science. Students explore topics like soil health, pollination, and  composting. They learn not through textbooks, but by digging into the dirt, watching worms at work, or planting seeds and seeing growth over time.

            For many students, it’s their first opportunity to connect with where their food comes from. Or to understand how people and nature can work in harmony. These hands-on experiences foster a sense of calm and confidence, especially for those who thrive through physical, hands-on learning. Whether it’s holding a chicken or watching a seed sprout, students leave the farm feeling grounded, capable, and more connected to the world around them. 

            Calleva’s Mission

            Calleva’s mission is to get people outdoors. By doing so, they are empowering students to learn and practice essential survival tips that spark curiosity and build confidence. These hands-on activities, like fire-building, shelter building, knot tying, and map reading, offer more than just practical know-how. They cultivate independence, patience, and creative thinking in ways that feel exciting and real.

            Students will start by learning how to safely gather natural materials and build a fire using primitive methods. As the sparks catch, and the flame grows, so does their confidence. They work together to construct a shelter from sticks and tarps. They must consider location, stability and protection from the elements. Orienteering challenges introduce compass use and topographic map reading, helping students build directional awareness and problem-solving strategies. 

            Guided by skilled instructors, students explore trails, learn to identify native plants and animals and practice environmental stewardship through the principles of Leave No Trace. 

            The hike often begins with a question like “How can we move through nature while leaving it just as beautiful as we found it, if not more beautiful?”. This mindset shapes the entire experience, as students learn techniques to minimize their impact. Staying on marked paths, carrying out all trash, and respecting wildlife from a distance to name a few.

            These principles become practical as they navigate diverse habitats, from wooded trails to creek crossings. On the hike, students come to understand that nature is not just something to enjoy. Nature is something to protect and respect. The experience fosters a sense of belonging to the natural world and empowers students to act as caregivers of the environment, both during their visit and beyond. 

            aerial view of the Calleva Farm with students eating lunch

            What Students Are Doing And Learning

            At Calleva, students aren’t just following instruction. They are actively engaging in experiences that challenge their minds, bodies, and social skills. We carefully design each activity to encourage personal growth while fostering a strong sense of community and responsibility. 

            Whether they are building shelters in the woods, navigating the river, or working through a challenge course element, students learn to communicate and think critically. Problem-solving becomes more than just an academic exercise. It is a practical, hands-on process where ideas are tested, refined and celebrated. Through trial and error, students discover the value of perseverance and creative thinking.

            Outdoor challenges often push students outside of their comfort zones. Whether it’s climbing a high rock wall, paddling for the first time, or taking a leadership role within the group, these moments help students realize their own resilience and capability, transforming their fears into triumphs. By the end of the day, they’ve not only faced challenges– they’ve conquered them. 

            Living Classrooms

            Every Farm visit, creek exploration or hike invites students to see nature not just as a backdrop, but as a vibrant living classroom. They learn to slow down, look closely, and ask questions. By observing carefully, and practicing environmental stewardship, they develop a lifelong respect for the natural world. 

            For many students, the day they spend at Calleva is a rare opportunity to explore without boundaries. No desks, no screens, just fresh air and freedom to move. Activities like rafting, hiking, and nature crafts make learning feel spontaneous and joyful. This immersive, hand-on approach makes each new skill feel more like an adventure rather than a lesson. 

            By the end of their trip to Calleva, students leave not only with stories to tell, but with skills and memories that shape how they see themselves and the world around them. They return to school with a fresh perspective. They are more confident, more curious, and more connected to both their peers and the environment. 

            Fire at the Calleva Farm

            What Makes Us Smile: Staff Reflections

            At Calleva, our staff members are more than just instructors. They are mentors, cheerleaders, and witnesses to incredible moments of growth. The most rewarding part of our day? Seeing students surprise themselves and each other. Here are some of the moments that stick with us long after the buses leave:

            It’s not uncommon for a quiet or hesitant student to hold back at first. Students are faced with group challenges that require their communication and leadership. But then, something shifts. Maybe they suggest a strategy during a team puzzle or encourage a friend climbing a trick rock wall. Seeing that shy student step up, find their voice, and be celebrated by their peers is nothing short of magical. It’s a great reminder that confidence can grow in the right environment. 

            Transformations

            One of the most powerful transformations we witness is a student who is convinced they can’t paddle a boat or climb a rock wall and finds the courage to try. They might struggle, hesitate, and doubt themselves. But when they finally succeed, whether it’s climbing to the top, or finding their balance on a SUP, it’s pure joy. That smile, and high-fives from friends. Then the realization that they just conquered their fear. That’s why we do what we do. 

            Sometimes it’s the simple things that can make the biggest impact. The wide eyed wonder when a student spots a frog camouflaged in the creek. The focus and determination while building a fire. The thrill of rapid swimming down the river for the first time. These moments of discovery ignite a spark that keeps curiosity alive long after they leave. 

            Then there’s always that one group. They are quiet and cautious when they first arrive, unsure about getting dirty or trying something new. But as the day unfolds, their barriers break down. They splash through the creek, climb to the treetops, and share stories over lunch. By the end of the day, they’re covered in mud, laughing like old friends and full of stories about their experiences. Seeing that transformation, watching them leave braver, happier, and more connected is what makes it all worthwhile. 

            It’s the little victories and the unforgettable moments that make every school visit special. We witness growth, courage, and joy in real-time. That’s why we keep showing up, ready to make every day at Calleva just as impactful as the last. 

            Group of students sit around fire under the stars

            Why It Matters

            Outdoor programs at Calleva aren’t just fun. They are formative. At Calleva, we believe that every child deserves the chance to feel capable, connected and curious. Our programs are designed to go beyond the typical field trip experience. We offer students a chance to build confidence, develop teamwork skills, and foster a deeper connection with nature. 

            When students step away from the traditional classroom and into the outdoors, they gain more than just memories. They develop resilience, independence, and a sense of belonging. Whether they are paddling a raft for the first time, building a fire, or problem-solving with their peers, each challenge teaches them something valuable about themselves and the world around them. 

            A school visit to Calleva isn’t just a break from routine. It is a chance to grow. It is about stepping outside of comfort zones and into those discomfort zones, discovering new strengths, and learning to appreciate nature as both a playground and a teacher. These types of experiences stay with students long after the day ends, shaping how they think, learn and connect with others. 

            At Calleva, we’re passionate about making these moments accessible to as many students as possible. If you’re an educator looking to inspire young students, build community, and create lasting memories, we’d love to work with you. You can find more details about our school programs in our Group Program Catalog. Reach out today to learn more and book your next adventure with Calleva!

            two tents at campsite by the river

            Alexa Simon

            Virginia Assistant Camp Director

            Alexa has been with the Calleva team since Summer 2017. She joined the team because she needed a summer job while she was majoring in Education and wanted to be outdoors! Alexa loves that she’s teaching kids in ways that they would never learn in a traditional school setting. She also really enjoys challenging herself in ways that she never would be able to in a school classroom.

            Alexa likes to dabble in all Calleva activities, she enjoys being both on water and land. But, if she had to choose, her favorites would be SUP, Rock Climbing, and Caving. Alexa loves how she gets to work with a wide variety of ages and how she gets to do something different every day!

              The Magic of Calleva Camp Leadership Meets ACA

              What is ACA?

              The American Camp Association (ACA), specifically the ACA New York and New Jersey (NY & NJ) chapter, is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the quality and safety of camp experiences for children, youth, and adults. It supports camps in NY and NJ regions by providing resources, training, and networking opportunities for camp professionals.

              ACA NY and NJ works to ensure camps meet high standards in areas such as staff training, program quality, health and safety, and camper well-being. They also advocate for the benefits of camp experiences. This includes personal development, teamwork, and a connection with nature. The association offers accreditation programs that help camps maintain excellence and comply with industry standards. 

              The Tri-State CAMP Conference

              This Tri-State CAMP Conference is the largest gathering of camp professionals in the world. With a community of over 3,300 that comes together to learn at over 170 educational sessions, find new products in the 313 booth exhibit hall and spend lots of time with like-minded people who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children.

              Calleva Leadership staff gain networking opportunities, professional development, inspiration, innovation, problem solving skills, and marketing and branding techniques. Overall, the ACA conference is a great opportunity for Calleva Leadership members to gain fresh insights, grow professionally, and continue to deliver high quality experiences for their campers. 

              Professional Growth: Learning from the best

              At the conference, a few of the sessions we attend are focused on camp trends, leadership skills, and program development. Camp trends are important for the Calleva Leadership to know because they challenge the traditional norms, inspire creativity, and foster inclusivity, all while leaving a lasting impact on popular culture.

              There are also sessions focused on safety, inclusion, and mental health in camp settings. Making sure that the Calleva Leadership Team has knowledge in these areas helps staff handle sensitive situations, improve camper and staff experiences, and ultimately create a camp culture of trust, empathy, and growth. 

              Some hands-on learning opportunities that staff might bring back to enhance Calleva’s programs may include, new camp games, new games and ideas to enhance leadership and development in staff training, strategies on What Not To Say And How Not To Say It, and behavior management strategies. These learning opportunities help staff create more well-rounded, accessible, and engaging programs at Calleva, ultimately enriching the campers’ experience. 

              Building the Calleva Leadership Team

              The ACA conference is a team-building experience for the Calleva Leadership staff every year. When we attend, we aren’t just attending the conference. We are gathering for the first time as the “Leadership Team” for that summer. We are one of the largest groups that attend this conference. I think that is one of the things that sets us apart from all of the other camps. 

              Building the Calleva leadership team involves intentionally strengthening connections and fostering collaboration outside of the camp setting. By creating opportunities for staff to engage in team-building activities, both professionally, and socially, a strong sense of camaraderie and trust develops.

              These shared experiences, whether they are in workshop sessions or community events, allows staff members to form deeper bonds and build a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. This cohesion not only enhances team effectiveness, during the summer season, but also contributes to a positive and supportive camp culture that benefits both staff and campers alike. 

              Wellness & Play: More than just meetings

              While we do go to Atlantic City for the Camp Conference, we also make sure we are having fun. Often we initiate and/or participate in ACA wellness activities. For example, each year the ACA puts on a 5k run on the boardwalk. Many of our staff either run or walk! We also initiate our own activities like volleyball and yoga.

              This year, we reached out to camp friends at River Valley Ranch, who also attended the conference and played some beach volleyball one day after attending sessions. Our very own Dolly Lee also led us in a great yoga meditation one morning of the conference! These are just a few of the fun wellness activities we’ve adopted over the last few years of attending the conference. 

              ACA has been something that leadership staff look forward to each year. It’s like a family gathering except instead of younger cousins running around, it’s adults sharing their love for camp. For other camps, ACA might feel like a vacation, but not for Calleva. We are always on the move. While we were there to attend sessions and gain new information, we also competed with each other in challenges created by our very own Olivia Murphy and Jesse Pulliam.

              This year’s conference challenge was CallevACA Jeopardy. The goal was to collect as many points as possible. Points were earned by completing challenges listed on our jeopardy boards. The jeopardy boards had different categories with challenges that were worth different amounts of points. We could choose to scratch off any box we wanted, however once the box was scratched, we HAD to complete that challenge or lose the points assigned to that box. We had to send pictures and videos of each challenge being completed and text it to Olivia and Jesse.

              Some of the challenges included, taking selfies with session speakers, DIY backboard challenge, teaching the Calleva song to another camp, and facilitating minute to win challenges with strangers- just to name a few! This Jeopardy challenge lasted all three days. It got intense! We are one of the largest groups that attends this conference and then on top of that we are constantly running around doing ridiculous things grabbing everyone’s attention. It’s very laughable and sometimes embarrassing, but everyone around us is always so curious and intrigued about what we are doing. In my opinion, we are demonstrating what camp should be! 

              Along with the challenges, we also have group meals. These meal gatherings become some of the best memories from ACA. Each year, we plan meals for each day, and one night is “fancy night”. We all get dressed in our best and have dinner at one of the lovely restaurants that the Tropicana Hotel has to offer. We sit down, have a lovely meal and make some memories. 

              Networking AND Community: Connecting with other Camps

              Going to Atlantic City gives us so many opportunities to network and connect with other camps in the tri-state area. Meeting other camp professionals is important for fostering teamwork, sharing expertise, and creating a more enriching experience for campers and staff. Collaborating with other colleagues allows our camp staff to share ideas and learn from each other’s experiences and strengths and come together to achieve common goals.

              It also helps create a supportive and positive work environment, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and retention. It is also a great opportunity for us as Calleva staff to share our ideas with other camps, discuss some challenges we’ve experienced and share solutions with like-minded people. Attending the ACA conference is one of the best opportunities to strengthen Calleva’s presence in the larger camp community. 

              Bringing it back to Calleva

              ACA inspires innovation in Calleva’s summer and year-round programs in many ways. Attending this conference impacts us with new ideas, stronger leadership skills, and a new and refreshed perspective on how we can better ourselves as leaders at camp. Parents and future staff should care that Calleva invests in its leaders so they can provide the best experience for campers. 

              Attending the ACA conference is a call to action for potential staff. It’s an opportunity to join a team that values growth, community, and fun. With all of these skills and experiences, we encourage parents to know that their child’s camp experience is being shaped by passionate well-trained leaders. With all that being said, we invite you to follow the Calleva ACA journey through social media updates and recaps!  

              Alexa Simon

              Virginia Assistant Camp Director

              Alexa has been with the Calleva team since Summer 2017. She joined the team because she needed a summer job while she was majoring in Education and wanted to be outdoors! Alexa loves that she’s teaching kids in ways that they would never learn in a traditional school setting. She also really enjoys challenging herself in ways that she never would be able to in a school classroom.

              Alexa likes to dabble in all Calleva activities, she enjoys being both on water and land. But, if she had to choose, her favorites would be SUP, Rock Climbing, and Caving. Alexa loves how she gets to work with a wide variety of ages and how she gets to do something different every day!

                Let’s Go Kayak Canada! S’il Vous Plait!

                By The Boofslinger (The Dogg’s alternative nom de plume)

                kayaker goe over honeypot on Valin River
                The Boofslinger on Honeypot on the Valin River. Photo by Jesse Pulliam

                The Quebec region boasts some of the best kayaking in the world. It also has reliable flows all summer long for some impressive Class 5 whitewater! You can imagine how excited the Dogg was when planning a trip up there for late July for Calleva Advanced Canada High Adventure Camp! I had been crossfitting my summer away. I was getting as jacked and ripped as I possibly could. It was time to get back in a kayak and use those muscles for a good purpose.

                Joining me on this trip were Calleva staff Jesse and Levi, Sebastian. Along with the Calleva Youth: Patrick, Ian, Andrey, Kublai, Noah, and Silas. The Dogg was to be the on-water lead for the trip. Oh yea! I was the Boss like Tony Danza! The group was under my tutelage, the Boofslinger, and I was to guide my Ka-Tet to become boofslingers themselves. To continue their journey from once small acorns to mighty oak trees! We are one from many, sharing our water, our lives, and our quest for boofing nirvana. We were going to put in the work, pour the concrete, lay the foundation, and build a mansion! I like nice things! Let’s go!!!

                Calleva Sprinter van ready for the trip
                The Calleva Van all loaded up! Photo by Jesse Pulliam

                Canada High Adventure Itinerary

                We had a lazy day 1. We made the long drive up from Calleva’s facility to Canada. With boats finally loaded, we embarked on our journey. The cream was in the coffee, the candy was on the cane, the corn was on the cob! Soon into the trip, the usual amusing antics of a van full of teenagers ensued. Within 20 minutes, the smell of fart had permeated the van like a full portajohn on a hot summer day. Jesse thought it would be funny to lock the windows and crank up the heat. The stench that ensued could bring a tear to a glass eye! In spite of the foul odor, there was high anticipation for the trip and I was swinging for the fences with the agenda of top notch whitewater I had put together!

                There was nothing mid on this list, all the runs were fire! We were going to find our tower, breach it, and climb to the top! To break up the drive, we hit a late evening Ausable Chasm lap before crossing the border.

                We were running short on daylight so we needed to get on the river tout de suite! This unfortunately didn’t leave enough time to run Rainbow Falls at the put in. I had run it years ago and it was very disappointing to not be able to run it on this trip. I was so upset that I was spinning around in the parking lot like Scarface at the end of Texas Chainsaw Massacre! Jesse eventually calmed me down and we put on the main Chasm section.This little bit of whitewater through an amazingly beautiful gorge wet our whistle for the stouts to come! 

                The Youths enjoying the beautiful Ausable Chasm
                The Youths enjoying the beautiful Ausable Chasm. Photo by Bobby Miller

                Once over the border into Canada, our first mission was to spot a Canada goose. For those unaware, the Canada goose is the envy of all ornithology with its majestic barrel chest! We finally spotted one the morning of day 2, which brought an omen of good luck for the trip! I wanted to kick start the trip with one of Quebec’s best, the Neilson.

                This is a tough one to catch in the summer but there would be water if Ka willed it. We went over to check and the water was low but just enough for a fun run! W! The river was dropping so time was of the essence. We needed to run the Neilson today! Aujord hui! The level was good in the way that Taco Bell is good: you know better, but it’s fun and the heart wants what it wants! The Neilson starts placidly but soon has boulder drop after boulder drop in a veritable donnybrook fight to make it through in one piece.

                The kayaking summer camp group on the Neilson
                The group on the Neilson

                You better come into these rapids with a cocked judy if you want to survive! Most rapids had enough flow to weave through without scraping but some of the more sieved out ones required the paddler to raw dog it over wet rocks to bounce through. This pace continued for mile after mile so we decided to take a lunch stop to take a breather. I had packed a ham sandwich with extra dijon mustard. I like to poupon my sandwich to give me extra energy to deal with any challenges that come my way.

                We reached Island Rapid, which is a stout 8-10 foot water boof over a large hole with a slide below. Unfortunately, a tree was laying across the drop at chest level so we had to walk. L! Good thing we scouted! Hitting that tree full speed would really knock the barnacles off your dingy! Jesse hopped out at the end of the upper section to go get the car while the rest of us continued. 

                Levi Edelstein on the Neilson
                Levi Edelstein on the Neilson

                The lower part kicks it up a notch with steeper drops and dangerous sieves throughout. The final rapid is the Pothole Drop and is particularly stout. It has a tight double drop into some intense boils and a large hole at the bottom backed up by a rock! The line was definitely sus: the approach was rocky and it was hard to get speed to jump the boil. I lost some speed coming to the lip but was able to launch out well enough to clear it and skip over the bottom hole.

                Timing the launch on the Pothole Drop!
                 Timing the launch on the Pothole Drop!

                What a day! It may have been a little low with a little pinch of pepper, but I always enjoy battling it out in the mank! Anyone who has a problem with low water Neilson has a problem with me. I suggest you let that one marinate a little! We celebrated our sweet day on the river with Au Joli chocolate treats and Diet Coke, a staple of Quebecois dirtbags!

                The Pothole Drop.
                The Pothole Drop. Photo by Levi Edelstein
                Celebratory Brown Claw!
                Celebratory Brown Claw! Photo by Levi Edelstein

                The next morning, we scouted the Batiscan for some park and huck action. However, it was a little too high for our liking. L! We told that river to pound sand and we continued our path toward the Matawin River. The Matawin is an incredible run and, if nothing else, is a grand adventure in the Canadian wilderness. While the amount of reward for your effort can be debated, the Matawin is one of my favorite runs in Quebec. Anyone that has a problem with the Matawin has a problem with me. I suggest you let that one marinate!

                The shuttle is long. So we decided to stop by the rafting outfitters to see if we could pay someone to help us out. We found a really nice guy named Conrad who was willing to drive our shuttle for us. The raft guides told us that the river was high and warned of deadly hydraulics to watch out for. They were adamant that we should reconsider for fear of getting stuck on the river after dark. These grave warnings threatened to stomp the brakes and send our plans right through the windshield! That would be such an L to not do the run and possibly not even paddle.

                Sure, there were legit concerns about water level and daylight. However, the sun never sets when you’re a bad @ss! I assured them that we would be ok and did my best to get us away from negative energy and keep the train moving down the tracks! Nobody was gonna yuck our yum! Fear does not exist in this dojo! Defeat does not exist in this dojo! Apparently, news of the Dogg’s supreme paddling skills had not spread this far north, but that was water off a dogg’s back. I didn’t take offense and proceeded to push our group confidently forward.

                scouting the High Falls of the Matawin
                The Dogg scouting the High Falls of the Matawin. Photo by Jesse Pulliam

                We put on and soon hopped out to look at the first rapid. It was definitely higher than the previous time I had run the river and there were several large holes strewn throughout this long rapid. Running the middle would require threading the needle through gigantic holes that would stop you like a lightning bolt when you go off the big jump in Wario Stadium! We determined that running left would keep us out of the worst of the holes so that was the way we went. The run is gorgeous and features many more big, fun rapids before we reached the crux of the run, a 30 foot waterfall, Chute de la Haute (High Falls of the Matawin). 

                Boofing into the maw of the High Falls of the Matawin!
                Boofing into the maw of the High Falls of the Matawin!

                At lower flows, you can run it in the middle of the falls. But the high water allowed for lines on the right and left. I was eyeing up the left line where the falls plummeted the full height into a chaotic pocket. When I get nervous, I breathe deeper and expel some air out of my ears. Now, I like to think that I keep my ears pretty clean but sometimes in this situation, I’ve been known to push a tater out of my ear. I started getting self conscious so I decided it was time to run the drop. I felt the left side calling my name. The large hole in that pocket over there was unsettling. Sometimes, like Mario, you need to punch that question box, claim your super mushroom, and put on your big boy pants! I lined up and launched out, clearing the boil and landing softer than a Cinnabon sampler! Oh yea! It was so FIRE!

                Since it went so well, I decided to carry back up and run the right side. I found a nice trail that took me easily back to the top! W! I was going to have my cake and eat it too! What? Isn’t the whole point of cake to eat it? The right side of the falls is more of a cascade and given the high volume, I melted as I went down the drop, only to reemerge well downstream!

                Two SIK runs of the falls gave me an indescribable elated feeling of je ne sais quoi! The group was all smiles heading downstream of the falls as we finished out an overlooked but very cool river. We arrived at the mosquito ridden takeout with some time to spare and loaded quickly to head on to the next destination. I made sure to pass along a beautiful picture of me running the waterfall to our raft guide friends. *

                Matawin water fall kayaker
                Matawin Raft Guides – “The river is high and you’re all going to die!”
                The Dogg’s Response below – Mic dropped! Photo by Jesse Pulliam

                We hit the Mistassibi the next day for some big waves, holes and lots of fun. Before leaving the area, we scouted a few nearby park and hucks. None of them looked appetizing enough to suit up for. We told the park and hucks to lug ice and headed to the local town to hit up PFK (Poulet Frit Kentucky)! Who would have dreamed that the Colonel with his 11 herbs and spices would have made its way up into Canada?

                PFK

                I think we all need to take a good look in the mirror and wonder where we would be without the Colonel and his famous chicken recipe! Truth be told I hate the Colonel with his wee beady eyes and that smug look on his face! Oooo! You’re gonna buy my chicken! Ohhh! But I digress.

                Kayaker on the Mistassibi
                The Mistassibi and PFK: a winning combination! Photo by Jesse Pulliam

                The next day, we ran the Valin River with long time friend turned Quebecois fur trapper David Carey! Beta was sparse like all the other runs so we were glad to have him along to steer us to the correct spot for the put in. For those of you who are unaware, the Valin is hands down the best run in all of Quebec! The crème de la crème! There I said it! I regret nothing! Though short, there isn’t a dull moment on the run with awesome drops throughout!

                Given the placid appearance at the takeout, you would never guess the river would be playing a trick to hide a more treacherous personality. It was like Bing Crosby before White Christmas when he was on the bottle and a mean drunk! To get ourselves prepared for the challenge, Jesse cooked a special breakfast of ostrich eggs. The ostrich is a descendant of the velociraptor so we were fueling our bodies with prehistoric alpha predator protein! I was stoked to do a new run that I had heard so much about! There is always something more to learn, even for a master! Let’s go!!!

                We started with a 25 foot waterfall called Honeypot Falls. It has a beautiful smooth entry to a nice launch curler and a freefall into a clean pool below.

                launching a SIKy off Honey Pot
                Sequence: The Boofslinger of launching a SIKy off Honey Pot! Photos by Jesse Pulliam

                I encouraged the youths and made sure they had a strong plan for how they were going to run this drop. It was time to fire it up and this was a time of growth and maturation.

                launching a SIKy off Honey Pot

                The boys were progressing nicely in their transition from timid pullers into seasoned $hit runners and there was no going back! They had chosen the path of the Boofslinger when they made the decision to come on this trip.

                launching a SIKy off Honey Pot

                Now was the time to step up and put their skills to the test. There ain’t no such thing as halfway crooks! If you only do what you are used to, you will never be more than you are now. Aim, accelerate, lean, crank, launch, celebrate! Boofslingers live to boof! We put in a good long session here with tons of runs of the waterfall before continuing on. Everyone had great lines here and we were all stoked for what else we would find downstream! 

                launching a SIKy off Honey Pot
                Sequence: The Boofslinger of launching a SIKy off Honey Pot! Photos by Jesse Pulliam

                The next drop on the Valin below Honey Pot is called S Turn. It has a fun slide that leads into a steep slope with a roostertail part of the way down. Then a large hole at the bottom. The two lines were either to run it down the meat in the center to take on the hole. Or, raw dog it down the shallow rocks on the left. Both looked fun and I decided to fire up the middle with most of the group running left. Soon, we hopped out for a portage around an unrunnable gorge and took a quick lunch break while looking up at this monstrous series of falls.

                Several fun rapids carried us to Airbag. It was a steep 10 foot drop into a tall boiling hole before cascading down another 10 footer. It was a weird level that was juicy for the left line over the hole and too low for the right line that sneaks the rapid so we portaged. After two steep boulder drops, we hopped out to scout Triple Drop. It is a complex rapid with holes to get over and steep drops to negotiate. The entry was a fun double drop followed by a 5 foot ledge with a big backwash to get over.

                Then the river went down a 15 foot cascade into a small pool above Blind Date. Blind Date is a fun 12 foot slide into a nice hole for skipping over and catching air! More steep rocky drops carried us to the lake and the takeout. There we had an awesome dinner of Cheddar Goblin mac and cheese and sausage cooked by none other than Master Chef Jesse! What an incredible day on an amazing river! 

                kayaker at top of waterfall
                kayaker over waterfall
                kyaker celebrating waterfall
                Aim, accelerate, lean, crank, launch, celebrate! Photos by Levi Edelstein

                We took a light day on the Tewksbury section of the Jacques Cartier River and visited Quebec City. We had a sweet evening before heading to the Malbae River to finish our trip with a bang. The group was tired and needed some coaxing to go. But I swore to Celine Dion, the greatest singer in the world, that we would not be disappointed! So, with hope in our hearts and bricks in our hands, we set off to smash one more section of drops!

                The Malbae has probably the highest quality drops out of the Quebec runs but also the roughest shuttle. We were given warnings that we needed 4 wheel drive but we had faith in the Calleva Sprinter van and its ability to handle rough roads. The run meanders along through beautiful scenery for several miles before it narrows and gets steeper. Once the rapids start, they gradually build until you reach a clean 10 foot waterfall. From here, every drop is fantastic and most of them are friendly and have a high fun to danger ratio. Soon, looming in the distance is an ominous horizon line foreshadowing the Malbae’s piece de resistance, Gatineau Falls! 

                boof stroke on the right line of Gatineau Falls.
                The Boofslinger trusting his boof stroke on the right line of Gatineau Falls. Photo by Jesse Pulliam

                Gatineau Falls is a clean 30 footer with a sheer drop on the right and a slope to kicker on the left. The level was high enough to be stout for the right side line. The backwash was formidable and a blown boof could definitely result in a serious beatdown. Luckily, being the Boofslinger, I have a deep trust in my boof and I knew it would not let me down. I follow the Boofslinger’s Creed! I do not aim with my hand, I aim with my eye. I do not launch with my paddle, I launch with my mind. I do not boof with my kayak, I boof with my heart! It was go time! The honey was in the hive, the jelly was in the jar! I gained speed coming through the approach and launched out, clearing the boil, celebrating with my Ka-tet afterward.

                I encouraged the group to fire up the left line. We discussed the line so they had a clear understanding of where they needed to place their boat and the confidence to do it. After all, your mind is like water. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. If you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear! One by one, the whole group of youths ran the falls with excellent lines! Let’s go!!! I was so proud of the guys and their ability to face their fear and hit the line on the falls!

                view dropping into the left side of Gatineau Falls
                The view dropping into the left side of Gatineau Falls!

                The Malbae has several fun rapids after this. We made our way down sweet drop after sweet drop! We reached the takeout but our adventure was far from finished. Jesse jogged back to get the Sprinter while we waited. Once loaded, we headed up the rocky, rutted out road and hoped that we would make it. There were sections where we got the group out to walk so Jesse could have a light van to navigate the rock gardens and eroded spots. Things were dicey for sure but the Sprinter made it up and out of there, rock crawling and testing the limits of the suspension and skid plates!

                firing up Gatineau Falls
                Jesse firing up Gatineau Falls. Photos by Bobby Miller

                The Sprinter may have made some sounds like a window closing on a tonkinese cat’s tail but it proved to be a trail boss on this route dangeuse! W! Anyone who doubts the stoutness of the Sprinter can kick rocks! The Malbae was the perfect way to end the trip. It definitely was not the toughest run we did but had some of the highest quality rapids of the week! 

                We stopped by a local restaurant to sample some exquisite Canadian cuisine! What’s moist and warm and close to heaven in earthly form? Poutine! Although delightful, you do have to be careful because a bad batch of poutine will give you the scoots for a week! I couldn’t help myself and ate tons of it with my gut giving the appearance of a boa constrictor who swallowed a combat submarine!

                We drove straight through for 14 hours and arrived back at the Calleva camp for pick up. What an awesome trip! We spent the week running some of the best and most challenging whitewater that Quebec has to offer and had a ton of fun doing it! We may not have seen all that Quebec has to offer but we saw more than some men see in a lifetime! We ran the gnar and had no ragrets! Not even a single letter! Whenever I pass a row of portajohns, the strong scent will always make me think of the Calleva Sprinter and the many wonderful memories I made on this year’s trip to Quebec! Au revoir! Long days and pleasant nights!  

                Summer Kayaking camp group below High Falls
                The group below High Falls of the The Dogg with the Youths (Ka-Tet). Photo by Bobby Miller
                Kayaking summer camp group in Canada. Teen travel camp to kayak Canada
                photo by Sebastian Jilke
                * The raft guides on the Matawin are really nice guys and excellent kayakers. I hung out with them at BeaverFest and hope to catch up with them again on my next trip to Quebec. 
                The portage on the Valin River.
                The portage on the Valin River. Photo by Bobby Miller

                Kayak Canada Video

                Make sure you check out this video included with this article for free! There is no charge for awesomeness! A bientot!

                Join the Kayak Canada fun!

                register for this year’s trip

                Bobby Miller

                Calleva River School Instructor

                Here at the River School, Bobby Miller is a main component of the instructor team. Bobby leads Fall Training, Cheat Training, Yough Training, Green Training…. whatever you want to train for, the Zone Dogg turned elementary school teacher, can get you there!

                If you’re still not impressed, Bobby is a pro athlete ⎯ sponsored by Team Calleva, Accent Paddles, Immersion Research and Astral. He also has multiple first descents on rivers, creeks, and waterfalls throughout the United States.

                  The New Kid On The Block : The Helectron

                  red Helectron kayak sitting on the shore of the river.

                  Meet the New Kid

                  Pyranha and Guigui Prod have combined forces to bring a new playboat to the market with awesome performance characteristics and added comfort not generally found in the playboat world! Unfortunately for me, being 6 feet tall (32 inch inseam, size 11 feet) but only 175 pounds, I am generally too tall for medium sized playboats, even with the seat back, and too light for large sized playboats.

                  With my only option appearing to be amputation of my feet, I am very excited to see a slightly longer medium sized playboat enter the market! I knew that if I just continued “hanging tough” that a playboat would eventually come along that I could fit in!

                  Not only is the Helectron fairly roomy where my feet sit, I can actually paddle it with the seat in the center position! This is very important because a balanced playboat will allow you to tap into the peak performance of the kayak!

                  kayaker wearing a helmet, kayak skirt and New York Knicks jersey is holding a red Kayak in front of a river.

                  The Helectron Outfitting

                  The Helectron comes with the new Pyranha outfitting. Which is phenomenal. The thigh hooks curve nicely to hold your legs and “never let you go.” The backband uses ropes that you can pull to tighten and then lock into place. The seat holds the backband high up. Which prevents it from sliding under you and lifting you off the seat. The seat is super easy to adjust since it sits on a track. Just unscrew the nut, lift, and move the seat to your desired location.

                  The hip pads have straps that loosen easily so you can slide in extra shims for your hips. The foot block comes in two parts that fit together like puzzle pieces. There are lines painted on to help guide you as you trim to the proper size for your feet. “Step by step” you will quickly get your boat outfitting and ready for the water in no time! But wait! “Please don’t go girl” because there’s more! An overthruster is included with the boat to help you get ever more air on your loops! 

                  kayaker in red Helectron kayak is upside down in rapids on river

                  Once on the water, you will instantly see that the Helectron has “got the right stuff!” The boat is easy to throw around, spins quickly on waves, and loops huge! It is a high performance machine that will have you asking your friends, “Didn’t I blow your mind?” after each cool trick you throw! 

                  Helectron kayak trick in whitewater

                  The Helectron has got it all: comfort, performance, and user friendly outfitting. All it takes is one time on the water and you’ll be saying, “I’ll be loving you forever!” Contact Calleva River Store to demo or check out the boat for yourself!

                  Author’s note – The New Kids On The Block were a popular boy band in the late 80’s/early 90’s and their songs are referenced throughout this article.

                  kayaker Bobby Miller in Helectron kayak on river with big smile.

                  The New Kid on the Block in Action ⎯ Playboat review

                  Bobby Miller

                  Calleva River School Instructor

                  Here at the River School, Bobby Miller is a main component of the instructor team. Bobby leads Fall Training, Cheat Training, Yough Training, Green Training…. whatever you want to train for, the Zone Dogg turned elementary school teacher, can get you there!

                  If you’re still not impressed, Bobby is a pro athlete ⎯ sponsored by Team Calleva, Accent Paddles, Immersion Research and Astral. He also has multiple first descents on rivers, creeks, and waterfalls throughout the United States.