Photo - J. Yankura

Aucocisco Paddlers: Ages 9-12

Now in its seventh year, this day program is offered in Introductory, Alumni, and Intrepid sessions weekly throughout the summer. From 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, our young paddlers explore the fundamentals of sea kayaking, investigate the marine habitat, and tackle facilitated group challenges both on and off the water – from the home base of our Island Classroom, Cow Island!!! Rippleffect provides transportation to Cow Island, our Island Classroom, from which programs will embark on their adventures.

Youth Program Curriculum

Our Curriculum is broken into the following categories:

• Sea Kayaking
• Outdoor Living
• Environmental Education
• Arts & Creativity
• Teambuilding
• Spirit

In pods of three to ten, students will paddle the waters of Casco Bay, building confidence, making new friends, and enjoying the Maine outdoors. Rippleffect provides transportation to Cow Island, our Island Classroom, from which programs will embark on their adventures. Students are responsible for bringing their lunch each day (a gear list will be provided upon registration); Rippleffect will provide all necessary Kayaking equipment (including, but not limited to: kayak, PFD, spray skirt).

Price per week of programming…$375.00

Introductory Students
For youth who are new to kayaking and to Rippleffect programs and who are intrigued by the world around them! We cover kayaking basics, including the parts of the kayak, entering and exiting the boat on land and in the water, and mechanics of paddling. We also talk about safety, group dynamics, and the importance of communication while actively enjoying Maine's summertime!

• Intro sessions include parent paddle. Read about it below.

Aucocisco Introduction Dates, ages 9 -12 :

June 30 - July 4
July 7 - 11 Parent paddle
July 14 - 18
July 21 - 25 Parent paddle
July 28 - Aug 1
Aug 4 - 8 Parent paddle
Aug 11 - 15
Aug 18 - 22 Parent paddle

Alumni Students
For youth who have some kayaking experience or who have participated in one (or more) week of Rippleffect programming and are very comfortable in their kayak. We take the basics and expand on them, including new techniques and more difficult group challenges and games.

• Intro sessions include parent paddle. Read about it below.

Aucocisco Introduction Dates, ages 13 - 14 :

July 14 - 18
July 18 - Aug 21 Parent paddle
Aug 11 - 15

Intrepid Paddlers
For our more experienced paddlers.
Recommended to have completed at least 1 week of Rippleffect Alumni Programming. For our committed alumni students who have visited many of the inner islands of the Bay, we offer this expanded curriculum. Students will focus on more advanced paddling technique, wind, weather, and navigation skills, and adventures in ecosystem and conservation management through stewardship projects. From Cow Island, students will paddle to outer islands, (weather dependent), and may spend up to 2 overnights on Cow Island (group dependent) each week. Overnights will occur on Thursday nights, unless otherwise scheduled.

NEW!!! Aucocisco for ages 13-14 For the older students who would like to explore more of Casco Bay without an overnight component! This program has an introduction an alumni component Offered for three weeks only…

Rippleffect provides Financial Assistance to all people who apply! Rippleffect is committed to providing affordable, accessible programs for youth. We believe that participating in an adventure should not be deterred by financial limitations. Download a .pdf printable application now!

We have three tiers of financial assistance for participants:
Aucocisco: ($ off) Tier 1 - $50; Tier 2 - $75; Tier 3 - $100

Parent Paddle: An opportunity for parents and guardians of Intro and Alumni students to engage in their child's learning experience on Cow that generally takes place on Thursdays. These happen on either Thursday and Friday, depending on parent's schedule. A boat will depart for Cow from the mainland at noon and return at 4pm. This is also an opportunity for role reversal, where the students employ their new skills by teaching their parents the basics of sea kayaking.
Monday, when the student is dropped off, guides will connect with parents about the parent paddle later in the week. If it's determined that more parents can make it on Friday, the schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

Aucocisco Alumni Dates, ages 9 -12 :

July 7 - 11 Parent paddle
July 14 - 18
July 21 - 25 Parent paddle
July 28 - Aug 1
Aug 4 - 8 Parent paddle
Aug 11 - 15
Aug 18 - 22 Parent paddle

Aucocisco Alumni Dates, ages 13 - 14 :

July 21 - 25
July 28 - Aug 1 Parent paddle
Aug 11 - 15

Aucocisco Intrepid Dates, ages 9 -12 :

June 30 - July 4
July 14 - 18
July 21 - 25
July 28 - Aug 1
Aug 4 - 8
Aug 18 - 22

Our trip desinations include, but are not limited to:

• The Brothers Islands
• Cow Island
• Great & Little Diamond Islands
• Peaks Island
• Long Island
• Little Chebeague Island
• Crow Island
• Hope Island
• Sebago Lake
• Otter Pond

Your kayak is your key to discovery – never stop exploring!

• Pick-up and drop-off times may be adjusted by Rippleffect in order to most efficiently shuttle our students to Cow Island; YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED one week in advance if this is the case!