​Our Kids Camps are fun, educational, and safe, perfect for children looking to develop new paddling skills, build confidence, or simply enjoy an exciting way to spend weekends or school holidays. Activities are based primarily on the flat water at our base, with the option for more advanced kids to progress to whitewater.

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Camp Options

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1. Star Award-Focused

• Designed for kids who want structured coaching and clear skill progression.

• Work step-by-step through our Star Award scheme

• Primarily flat-water skills, with the option to progress to whitewater for skilled participants

• Small group coaching and skill-focused challenges

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2. Star Award + Land Activities

• A balanced mix of kayaking skill development and off-water fun.

• Kayaking with Star Award progression

• Land-based activities such as village walks, coffee tours, drumming and dance, bracelet making, campfires, and local fishing

• Optional extras like first aid mini-courses

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3. Fun-Focused Water + Off-Water Activities

• Designed for kids who want a playful, adventure-oriented experience.

• On-water activities: kayaking, paddleboarding, and flat-water river runs

• Off-water activities: crafts, cultural tours, games, campfires, and fishing

• Emphasis on fun, exploration, and enjoyment rather than structured skill progression

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Day Structure & Evening Activities

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Half-Day Camps

• One on-water session, which can start any time up to 2:00 PM

• Perfect for a shorter, action-packed introduction to kayaking and paddleboarding

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Full-Day and Multi-Day Camps

• Split into morning and afternoon sessions with a lunch break in between

• Camp Option 1 – Star Award-Focused: Two Star Award sessions per day, focusing on skill progression and coaching

• Camp Option 2 – Star Award + Land Activities: One Star Award session on the water and one land-based activity session

• Camp Option 3 – Fun-Focused: One fun kayaking or paddleboarding session and one land-based activity session

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This structure allows kids to balance learning, adventure, and downtime, while giving flexibility for both skill-building and fun.

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Evening Activities

• Campfire Fun: We can arrange a cozy evening campfire, with optional marshmallows for toasting

• Group Meals & BBQs: Available upon request, separate from the Explorers River Camp menu, perfect for a relaxed meal after a full day of paddling and activities

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Groups and Activities

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At our camps, we aim to make sure every child is comfortable, happy, and having fun. Children are usually grouped based on age, ability, and friendships, so friends and family can stay together whenever possible. For larger or mixed groups, we take a thoughtful approach to ensure that everyone is with peers who match their ability, so they get the right support, guidance and skill progression. Sessions include learning, games, challenges, and environmental exploration, all tailored to the group.

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Meeting Time and Location

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We meet at the Kayak the Nile office at 9:30am, located inside Explorers River Camp, Bujagali. Search Kayak the Nile on Google Maps for directions. From Kampala, an early start makes arrival manageable.

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Activities for Parents and Younger Children

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Sit-on-top kayaks (with kids’ seats) and stand-up paddleboards are available throughout the camp. Parents may join sessions or relax while the kids enjoy the activities.

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Star Award Program

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The Star Award program includes 15 Star Awards, each made up of smaller, manageable skills to help kids progress steadily. The skills have been carefully chosen to ensure easy learning, steady progression, and lasting abilities.

• At the start of each Star Award, students receive a Progress Chart showing the skills they will learn and practice.

• As they master each skill, progress is tracked on the chart. When all skills for a Star Award are completed, the chart is signed and stamped, marking the achievement of that Star Award.

• Advanced kids can also progress to whitewater skills, with additional fees for off-site or whitewater trips to cover transport and extra safety.

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First Aid Training

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We offer fully qualified first aid courses: First Aid at Work, CPR, Paediatric First Aid, Oxygen Therapy, and Anaphylaxis Management. These can be included in Kids Camps or booked separately and are suitable for kids and adults.

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School Group Sessions

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School Group sessions include sit-on-top kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on calm river sections. Expert guides teach paddling basics, explore safely, and include paddlesport games.

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Whitewater Safety and Transport

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For advanced campers ready to progress to whitewater skills or off-site locations, additional fees may apply. These fees help cover the cost of extra transport and additional safety kayakers, ensuring all children remain safe while enjoying more challenging water experiences.

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Larger groups naturally require more safety staff and vehicles, but the cost is shared across the group, making it more manageable. Safety is our top priority, and these measures allow children to develop their skills confidently while exploring new sections of the river.

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