Date: Fri Sep 11, 6:30 PM EST - Sun Sep 13, 5:00 PM EST
Category:
- Outdoor
Level:
- Ambassadors,
- Volunteers
Please read this entire column for additional information BEFORE selecting your number of girl and/or adult participants in the right-hand column on the registration page.
Members Only
Event Description:
Swim Test - All Watercraft Training class participants are required to pass a basic swim test upon arrival. The swim test demonstrates your comfort in the water and consists of:
* Swim approximately 20 yards without a life jacket.
* Tread water for 1 minute without a life jacket.
* Put on life jacket while treading water.
* Swim approximately 20 yards with a life jacket.
Blended Learning: All Watercraft Training classes use a blended learning format. Participants MUST complete online coursework prior to the in-person skill session.
Accommodations and Meals: All Saturday and Sunday meals and sleeping accommodations (platform tents) will be provided for overnight courses. Please identify any special dietary (food allergies/sensitivities) or facility needs (medical equipment, c-pap) during registration so that we can do our best to accommodate them.
Physical Activity: All waterfront training programs are active and physically strenuous programs. Come prepared to be busy the entire time (7-10:00 pm Friday, 8 am-9:30 pm Saturday, 8 am- 5:00 pm Sunday) including meal breaks and evening classroom sessions. In addition to the paddling skills, participants will be required
* to re-enter an upright canoe or kayak from the water following a capsize,
* to empty a capsized boat and rescue the boater, and
* to carry and clean the boats.
These courses include both online and in-person training that must be completed to be considered certified. Certifications are valid for five years from the completion date. See this link for more information on courses: https://files.constantcontact.com/5cd077f7001/42e5beed-abda-4431-bc5d-7b96cbb5fedc.pdf?rdr=true
SESSION 1:
Combination Basic Skills Plus Watercraft Leader: Council Properties -Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboard
Description:
- This class is for registered adult volunteers and Ambassador Girl Scouts age 16 and over. There will be one class for both Ambassadors and Adults, with both groups expected to meet the same criteria.
- Learn all of the basic boat handling and rescue skills for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding covered in both the Basic Skills class and in Paddling Watercraft Leader: Council Properties (see above).
- Participants may go from beginner to" take girls out" on council properties.
- Successful demonstration of both paddling and rescue skills, and completing all portions of this class, meets the Safety Activity Checkpoints for leading paddling activities at GS-NCCP council properties for adult volunteers, and meets the criteria for Qualified Assistants/Co-Boating Leader for Ambassadors Girl Scout age 16 and over. Ambassadors who complete certification may transition to Boating Leader Council Properties without further training upon graduation from high school, turning 18 years of age, and registering with GSUSA as an adult member.
- This class is a mandatory prerequisite for the Watercraft Leader - NC Waterways training.
Fees: $50.00
SESSION 2:
Watercraft Leader: NC Waterways - Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboarding
Description:
- This class is for registered adult volunteers and Ambassador Girl Scouts age 16 and over. There will be one class for both Ambassadors and Adults, with both groups expected to meet the same criteria.
- This weekend-long class is intended for experienced volunteers who are interested in "taking girls out" beyond the boundaries of GS-NCCP council properties in canoes, kayaks or paddleboards.
- This is an advanced level class. You will be required to demonstrate basic paddling and rescue skills.
Mandatory prerequisites:
1) Prior boating experience and leading girls in boating activities;
2) Completion of Watercraft Leader: Council Properties training (or documented equivalent);
3) Demonstrate proficiency upon arrival by navigating a figure-8 course in both a solo canoe (paddling on only one side of the boat) and a kayak.
4) Participants must have the stamina to paddle a distance of 2-4 miles, to practice more advanced skills for an extended period, and to execute multiple styles of rescues.
- In this class participants will learn and develop trip planning skills, emergency preparation, and advanced rescue techniques.
- Successful demonstration of both paddling and rescue skills, and completion of all portions of this class, meets the Safety Activity Checkpoints for leading paddling activities on flat water within the state of North Carolina for adult volunteers, and meets the criteria for Qualified Assistants/Co-Boating Leader for Ambassador Girl Scouts age 16 and over. Ambassadors who complete certification may transition to Boating Leader Council Properties without further training upon graduation from high school, turning 18 years of age, and registering with GSUSA as an adult member.
Fees: $50
SESSION 3:
Express Day Watercraft Leader: Council Properties -Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboard
Description:
This class is for adults only.
- This one day "express" training event is designed for experienced paddlers who are already proficient in canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards (e.g., you can name and use specific steering strokes to go where you intend to go).
- This is an intermediate-level class; no basic paddling skills will be taught.
- Class participants must demonstrate proficiency upon arrival by navigating a figure-8 course in both a solo canoe (padding on only one side of the boat) and a kayak.
- Successful demonstration of both paddling and rescue skills, and completing all portions of this class, meets the Safety Activity Checkpoints for leading paddling activities at GS-NCCP council properties.
- Note: If you are not an experienced paddler, the weekend "Basic Skills plus Watercraft Leader: Council Properties" class (offered in June, July and September) is a better option.
- Successful demonstration of both paddling and rescue skills, and completing all portions of this class, meets the Safety Activity Checkpoints for leading paddling activities at GS-NCCP council properties.
Fees: $20.00
Location: Camp Graham, Henderson, 27537
Registration: February 17, 2026 - September 1, 2026
Event Confirmation Packet/Details: All the details that you need to attend this event can be found in the event confirmation packet. Once it is finalized, you will see it when you go to the My Events page of your My GS account and select the event from the list. All registered participants will also receive a copy via email closer to the event date and after registration closes for the event. Please review the packet at least several days prior to the event so you will have time to adequately prepare for the event and to ask questions, if needed.
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations received by August 27, 2026, we will refund to original method of payment.
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For cancellations received between August 28, 2026 and September 10, 2026, we will refund to original method of payment minus $20 cancellation fee.
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In case of illness or family emergency, cancellations received by September 21, 2026 will be refunded to original method of payment minus cancellation fees and costs as applicable.
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Please send all cancellation requests to helpdesk@nccoastalpines.org. Requests will be processed based on the date received.
