About Sackawa
Sackawa is a non-profit paddling club on First
Lake in Lower Sackville. Established in 1980, our club offers youth the opportunity to learn paddle sport in a safe and fun environment. Our goal is to develop world-class paddlers with a healthy, competitive attitude, that will excel in both sport and life.
Sackawa aims to impart skills development in a physically demanding sport, within the context of social, relaxed and ‘fun’ activities. Athletes are encouraged to build skills to compete in local, national, and even internationally competitions. Many of Sackawa’s High Performance athletes have gone on to represent Nova Scotia at the Canada Games, and represent Canada at Junior & Senior World events.
Summer Programs
Our summer programs are the best way to spend a summer on the lake, hanging out with friends and becoming an athlete in the sport of canoe/kayak.
Programs run from 9am until 4pm, Monday to Friday, with the option to add extended hours by registering for our Early Drop Off - Late Pickup program. Drop-off would start at 7:30am and our late pickup program ending at 5:30pm.
U10-U16 Full Summer
Looking for a fun and exciting way for your child to stay active this summer? Our full summer paddling program is perfect for kids aged 9-15, whether they're brand new to paddling or already have some experience!
Over eight amazing weeks (July 2 – August 29), our friendly and experienced coaches will introduce kids to the joys of paddling in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to try something new and have fun!
Intro to Paddling Two-Week Day Camp
For ages 8 and up
Looking for a fun and exciting way for your child to try paddling? Our Intro to Paddling camp is the perfect way for kids (ages 8-15) to get on the water, make new friends, and enjoy a mix of fun camp activities and beginner-friendly paddling lessons!
This two-week day camp is designed for beginners and those with some experience—no prior paddling skills are required. Our friendly, experienced coaches will guide campers through the basics of sprint canoe and kayak in a safe and supportive environment, helping them build confidence while having fun.
One Week Day Adventure Camp
(Ages 6 - 10)
Our one-week adventure camp is designed for children aged 6 to 10 who love to be active and adventurous outdoors. With an emphasis on team building, water safety, healthy living and introduction of small and big boats, our camp offers a unique and exciting way to spend the summer.
Located at the picturesque First Lake in the heart of Lower Sackville, our campers will have access to the stunning lake and the trails around first lake. Our program offers eight one-week sessions from July 7 to August 29, 2025.
PaddleAll
This program is aimed at introducing athletes with physical or intellectual disabilities to the sport of Canoe-Kayak. PaddleALL is for all ages and skill levels. No experience is necessary.
Early-DropOff / Late Pickup
Regular camp hours are 9am-4pm, if you require extended hours, Sackawa offers supervision from 7:30am-9am and from 4-5:30pm
Cost is only $5/day, so $25/week, and $200 for full summer
Leaders in Training
Welcome to our Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program at Canoe and Kayak Camp! This program is designed for teens aged 15-16 who are interested in gaining valuable skills and experience working with children in a camp setting.
Year-long Paddling
Year-round (summer included) training ranges from $1420/yr to $1920/yr ($110/month to $160/month) and is inclusive of all fees (racing, fundraising, insurance, etc). There are various options for beginners or athletes already in multiple sports (3-5 training sessions per week) and older, more experienced athletes (upto 10 sessions per week, including the exclusive pro-athlete morning sessions).
Summer fees are included, but switch to full-time training at $160/month (July & August).
