Kayaking
Clinic
All levels & abilities welcome!

The Ludlow Boys & Girls Club will be holding a kayaking course, designed for ALL
LEVELS/ABILITIES. This means this clinic is for you, whether you are wanting to learn
how to perform an Eskimo roll, or you don't even know what an Eskimo roll is!
The course will cover all of the basics: different boat designs, equipment, basic paddle
strokes, wet exits, and basic rescues. But if that is too simple for you, it can be
designed to fit your needs.
 

 

                 Dates & Times:  Saturday, June 28th 1:00 – 3:30 pm
                 Registration:     Registration begins immediately
                 Cost:                 Member rate: $60
                                         Non-member rate: $70
                 Location:         The Pool at the Ludlow Community Center/
                                         Randall Boys and Girls Club

NEW!!! REDUCED RATES

 

                                                                                                                              

Just in time for the July 4^th Weekend!

 

 

                                         
                                    

What: The Ludlow Boys & Girls Club’s challenge course is available for you to schedule
                your group. This experience will include 3-3.5 hours of initiatives, team building
                     exercises and a chance to climb some of the high ropes course elements. Every
               experience is designed specifically to meet the needs and goals of your particular group.
Where: The Ludlow Boys & Girls Club gymnasium

Cost:    Members; $175 (High Ropes Only)
                   $225 (Complete Challenge Course)
                  
                  Non-members; $200 (High Ropes Only)
                                         $250 (Complete Challenge Course)

Maximum Group Size is 15 Participants. “High Ropes Only” groups will be 2-2.5 hrs.

Call now to reserve your place
Contact: Andy Brower (413-583-2072 ext.210 or abrower@ludlowbgc.org)

       The following article appeared in the Wednesday, October 3rd edition of the Register

New adventure program offered at Randall Boys and Girls Club

If you're seeking an adventure that's thrilling, challenging and fun for all ages, Andrew Brower can show you the ropes.
       Brower, the new Adventure Coordinator at the Randall Boys and Girls Club, has, for the past eight months, turned the club's high ropes challenge course into both an educational and recreational success. The ropes course contains eight different elements including the "centipede," the "firecracker ladder" and a high balance beam.
       While his main participants are students involved in the after school program and summer camps, Brower said he also attracts local families for birthday parties, corporate groups and youth-at-risk programs. Brower said he is able to accommodate to each group accordingly. The course can be modified to address the interests and goals of each group. "Some people want mostly on-ground, self-esteem building exercises," he said. "For the youth programs, that struggle with group dynamics, it can be more therapeutic." Brower also said a great way to expand the team-building experience is to include what he calls "trust activities."  He pointed out an area of the ropes course called the "dangle duo," which requires two people to assist each other in order to complete the challenge. Of course, for some it is purely recreational. Brower said he can boost the challenge level with the more experienced participants. He allows them to blindfold themselves or attempt the course using one hand only, for example. The high ropes course, which is located inside the gymnasium, sounds and even looks like a risky activity, yet Brower, who is specially certified to ensure safety in all aspects of the program, insists the most dangerous part of the participant's day is driving home. "The challenge course's greatest ability is increasing the perceived risk while decreasing the actual risk," said Brower. "My first approach with each group is focusing in on the safety aspect. The second approach is to create a fun experience, and the third approach is the learning aspect." Before participants begin, a cord is attached directly to a harness worn by Brower, fed through a pulley system and attached to the participant's harness. If a person happens to lose his footing during the challenge, this safety system prevents the participant from falling to the floor.
       In addition to the high ropes course, Brower, who earned a degree in adventure education from Unity College, uses his seven years of experience with challenge courses and his creativity to develop more innovative programs for the center. Beginning in October, the club will host a new kayaking program. It is geared specifically toward novices who are interested in learning the basics of paddling and safety techniques, including performing exits from the kayak. The program will take place in the Randall Boys and Girls Club pool. "That way it promotes a more controlled environment," said Brower. "The future plan is to do some outdoor paddling as well." Brower said the program is affordable and open to people of all ages. He said the more people begin to show interest, the more he will be able to build the program. Other future programs he hopes to establish to enhance the adventure learning curriculum are a rock climbing program and a hiking and backpacking program. "I'm hoping to be able to bring in a lot of my other experiences," he said.
       Meanwhile, Brower is hard at work planning and meeting with other club members, listening to all the different ideas they. The challenge course also continues to keep him busy. "Its really rewarding to see how participants develop out of the program," Brower said. "Its very exciting to be around."
        For those who are interested in joining in on the excitement, Brower recommends taking a trip to the center to try out the ropes course. Now is also the time to register for the new kayaking program.

By Katie Breault
kbreault@turley.com