Please note pricing does not include tax, service charge ($10/person/day) or other additional fees, please see application for full price list.

2021 Big Water Week Sunday June 13 - Saturday June 19

2021 Session 1 Sunday June 20 - Saturday July 10      -  16 spots left

2021 Session 2 Sunday July 11 - Saturday July 31        -   9 spots left

2021 Session 3 Sunday August 1 - Saturday August 21 - 12 spots left

2021 Competition week Sunday August 22 - Saturday August 28

Click Here For 2020 Online Application

Click Here For 2020 PDF Application

The 2020 Keener Application is available online please contact us at 1-888-723-8669 or via email at raft@wildernesstours.com if you have any problems with the form.

Track the day to day activities of our keener program at http://okskeeners.blogspot.ca/

Over a dozen years ago Anita, an Australian teen kayaker, enrolled in the Keener Program for her 3 week school break. We asked her "Anita, surely there must be kayak schools in Australia so you wouldn't have to go around the world for a kayak program". She replied there are excellent instructional programs but she wanted to be surrounded by teens her own age passionate about paddling. We have had Keeners from Costa Rica, Britain, Australia, Mexico and the US. Just recently we took our first booking from Spain. The reason is simple. The Keener Program has no equal in the entire world.

7 Keeners competed in the 2005 World Championships. Keeners dominated last years North American Championships taking 5 of the 6 top spots. It keeps getting better. 15 Keeners (keeners, graduates or keener instructors) competed in the 2007 World Freestyle Kayak Championships held on the Ottawa River April 29, 2007 - May 5, 2007 with 6 ascending the podium. In Switzerland in 2009, 24 Keeners competed and 7 ascended the podium. In Senior Men's, Keener Graduates and now instructors, Nick Troutman and Joel Kowalski placed first and fifth respectively. 2011 and 2013 saw lots of Keeners competing and Keener Instructors Claire O'Hara and Clay Wright came away with gold. In 2015, almost 30 competitors came from the Keener Program - pretty good for a small kayaking program whose primary goal is youth development.  

WHAT IS THE KEENER PROGRAM?
The Keener Program is Wilderness Tours' top "youth development through kayaking" program focusing (in order of priority) on:

• Graduating fine young men and women
• Producing world class junior paddlers with the ability to compete and win internationally (the 2015 World Championships held here at Garberator 30 Keeners compete with 7 making the podium)
• Providing Keeners with the skills (first aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue) to paddle safely
• Prepare Keeners for future work in the whitewater industry as river guides, kayak instructors, video boaters etc.
• Providing senior Keeners with an opportunity to earn compensation working part time within Wilderness Tours as they train

KEENER HISTORY
Wilderness Tours' keener program was founded in the late 1980's by paddling legend Jerry Marquis. Jerry was a high school teacher in Tupper Lake, New York (near Lake Placid). Jerry managed Wilderness Tours' nearby Hudson River operation and spent his summers with Wilderness Tour' as River Manager. Jerry loved kayaking and he would hand pick his best students to come to the Ottawa as "Jerry's Kids" or "keeners" (for keen and enthusiastic). Originally, Keeners were Jerry's students but the program expanded to include other applicants. Some of the best paddlers and skiers in the world were keeners - World kayak champion Ken Whiting, Wilderness Tours' Kayak School Director James Roddick, extreme skiers extraordinaire Scott and Robb Gaffney and more. It was a great program but ended with Jerry's death in 1994.

Because the legend of the Keeners still lived on, several years ago, parents of children in our Teen Resident Camp asked if we would bring back the program. In response to their request, we resurrected the program a few years ago. The program was a tremendous success in regard to youth development through kayaking. It is also a success on the river with Keeners dominating junior kayaking. In 2004, the top Canadian, American and Mexican junior kayakers were Keeners. In 2009 21 Keeners competed in the World Championships in Thun, Switzerland and 7 made their way to the podium. The goal of the program is to turn out fine young men and women. That they just happen to dominate junior paddling is just a bonus

WHO CAN AND SHOULD BECOME KEENERS
Keeners are young people between the age of 12 and 17 who are "keen" about kayaking and have a positive attitude about life. Younger paddlers (age 12 and 13) are welcome provided they are mature and physically able to kayak. A strong whitewater kayak roll is required. Parents who are not sure their teens are "keen" on kayaking can put their child into Wilderness Tours' Teen Resident Camp which is a week long kayak program starting Sunday evening and ending late Friday afternoon. Parents can then decide at that time whether to enroll their son or daughter into the Keener Program. Please keep in mind Keeners is not a traditional summer camp. It's sole purpose is youth development through high performance kayaking.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Keener Program focuses on the following:

• Personal Demeanor, Attitude, Work Ethic, Conduct, Youth and Character Development
• Leadership
• Public speaking - ice breaker speeches on Sunday night and formal speeches every Monday
• Written communication - Keeners must post at least weekly to web log www.okskeener.blogspot.com
• Skill Development
• Competitive Training - Keeners compete weekly
• Cross training
• Kayak Swiftwater Rescue Training
• First Aid, CPR Certification
• All aspects of becoming a PRO Boater
• Movie making - Keeners have access to movie making equipment and cameras
• Travel to other rivers (at extra cost)

WHEN AND WHERE
Keeners will be accommodated at "Keener Heaven" at the base of McCoy Chute and in cabins at Wilderness Tour's when appropriate. The program operates June through Labor Day Weekend. We prefer Keeners arrive and depart on Sundays but we can be flexible.

COST
The program includes instruction, coaching, competition training, supervision, meals, cabin, bedding, local transportation and traveling to other rivers (shared expense). Keeners are also required to purchase the clothing/gear package.
A minimum of three weeks stay is required for the keener program.

A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking, 85% is refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip date. At 120 days prior the balance payment is taken automatically from the card on file and the total becomes non-refundable.

We strongly recommend the purchase of cancellation insurance outlined on the application.

TRAVEL TO OTHER RIVERS
Training involves traveling to other rivers. Keeners must have a credit card on file to cover the cost of the trip. Trip cost is approx $50 - $95/trip depending on distance and time away. Trip schedule is tentative based on water levels on other rivers.

INSTRUCTION
Keeners are under the daily supervision of the Keener Coach Stephen Wright and his assistants. Guest instructors are a big part of the training and include Tyler Curtis, Claire O'hara, Eric Jackson, Bren Orton, Dane Jackson, Tyler Fox, Clay Wright, etc. Rounding out the Keener instructional team is our Keener graduates and now instructors are Nick Troutman and Joel Kowalski.

COMPETITIONS
Keeners are encouraged to compete. Keeners are responsible for their own entry fees or have a credit card on file with Wilderness Tours (for Wilderness Tours to enter the Keener in the competition). Keeners run their own competition (with supervision) each week on the Ottawa. What if your long term kayaking plans don't involve competing. No problem! The weekly competitions are friendly and serve the dual purpose of providing valued practice for those Keeners who plan to compete and valued training for those Keeners who don't.

SUPERVISION
Keeners are supervised 24/7. Smoking, drinking, drug use, profanity, disrespect and "conduct unbecoming" are grounds for immediate dismissal without refund. Off river supervision is provided by our Keener Coordinator, Anna Bruno.

FOOD
Keeners are well fed with a vegetarian alternative at every meal. Keeners share household chores including dishes, housecleaning, bathrooms, grass cutting etc. Any allergies or special requirements should be included in the notes on the application or provided to the Keener supervisors on arrival.

SAFETY AND LIABILITY
Safety is our #1 concern. Keeners are always supervised on the river during instruction and are not allowed to paddle on their own without written parental permission in the Keener application. A signed release is required of all participants. Note that all keeners must have CPR/First aid and SRT (swiftwater rescue) certification, keeners who have it from another company can supply their certificate, keeners who have not taken the training can either take the classes prior to arrival or will need to take the classes avaialble during their session, the cost per class is $229 plus tax.

A TYPICAL KEENER WEEK
Sunday - arrival 3 pm; 6 pm dinner and meeting
Monday - Friday - formal kayak training from about 9-5
Formal kayak training takes place Monday through Friday with about 6 hours on the river. Each evening there is an activity session. Sometimes it's kayaking related, sometimes just going to the movies. Depending on water levels and features, training can be at 6 am or after dark with glow sticks on helmets. Keeners have high speed internet access as well as movie making equipment for video analysis.
Another weekly highlight is the Friday afternoon "Keener Competition" where the Keeners organize, judge, scribe, time and compete.
Saturday - departure day - free paddling/chores

We operate a 2 day First Aid/CPR Red Cross Certification Program as part of every 3 Week Session, usually on the first weekend. The certification is valid for 3 years and is required for all river guides and kayak instructors. We also operate a Swiftwater Rescue Course, usually in the second week. Both courses are mandatory for Keeners not possessing the certifications.

COMPETITION TRAINING
With a stated goal of dominating international junior kayaking, Keeners participate each week in the weekly Ottawa Kayak Pro/Am competition. This competition is operated by the Keeners. Not only do Keeners compete but they judge, scribe and time the event (under OKS supervision).

WORK TRAINING
A goal of the keener program is to graduate kayak professionals ready for work in the paddle sports industry as river guides, kayak instructors and video/photo boaters. Keeners progress to Senior Keeners and Keener Instructors. Senior Keeners are compensated if appropriate and Keener Instructors are compensated less room and board.

KEENER LIVING
Keeners live in several cabins at the base of McCoy Chute, the best location on the Ottawa River. The cabins have bunk beds, mattresses, pillows and sheets. Keeners bring a sleeping bag. Keeners have high speed internet access, telephone, TV - DVD/VHS, monitor and computer. Keeners have a camcorder and digital camera.

PADDLING SAFETY
With written parental permission and head coach permission, Keeners can "paddle on their own" under certain conditions:

NO ONE BOATS ALONE
No one leaves the Keener area without signing out and back in
Keeners "paddling on their own" follow a safety protocol from the head coach

SPENDING MONEY
While little is required, parents can provide money to their children by emailing Joe with the amount. Wilderness Tours' accounting department will advance the money and the amount will be debited to the parents on file credit card. We also have a new RFID wristband program, you can authorize a specific amount available to spend on the wristband, monitor it online from home and increase the limit if required from your login. This should be set up in advance if you prefer this option.

USEFUL INFORMATION

• Keeners can add sessions on site if space is available
• Parents who are unsure about their child's enthusiasm for kayaking can enroll their child in the Teen Resident Camp. If the child is "Keen", he or she can then be booked into the Keener Program (if space is available)
• Space for the Keener Program is limited and is on a first come, first served basis with reservations required
• Cabins include mattress, sheets and pillow (bring a sleeping bag)
• Parents are welcome to visit and may rent a cabin or campsite at Wilderness Tours.

Contact keener coordinator Joe Kowalski (joe@wildernesstours.com) for information and request a keener application form to make your reservation or use the online application on this page.

Subject to service charge of $10/person/day