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Deer Crossing has consistent wind patterns that make it a great place to learn to sail.
Sailors practice running, tacking, jibing, rigging, 360 spins, captaining, man overboard rescue, and capsize recovery drills. Advanced sailors can sail solo (under supervision, of course) and participate in lake races. Advanced sailing theory and racing tactics help give motivated captains the edge.
As part of newcomer orientation, campers receive instruction in the basics of canoe handling. Each paddler starts with his own boat, learning to paddle solo before advancing to tandem paddling.
Skills include paddle strokes such as draw, scull, J, and sweep as well as water rescue, deep water resuscitation, and capsize recovery drills. We play lots of canoe games. Beginners start out in our protected lagoon, eventually graduating to open lake.
Upon becoming a certified canoeist, overnight island camping, trolling for trout, and dinner on the lake are added to your choices. Loon Lake has several picturesque islands and the island camping out-trip is one of the favorites of Deer Crossing campers.
Deer Crossing kayaking courses start on the flat waters of Loon Lake. The lake course covers strokes, wet exits, bracing, sculling, turtle swimming, Eskimo rolls, hand rolls, and rescue skills. In addition to instruction, there are many opportunities for kayaking games. "Pirates and Galleons" and kayak water polo are favorites.
Campers who reach a certain proficiency level in kayaking have the opportunity to paddle a kayak on the canoe camping out-trip. Kayakers can also continue to develop their skills and train for the white-water kayak trip on the South Fork of the American River.
I really wanted to learn to kayak. Silvia taught each of my lessons and this year I successfully completed turtle swimming. After all my hard work and Silvia's encouragement I am going to come back next year and beat the 12 and under record of kayak rolls (250).
Simone Spenner, California
Our windsurfing program is hot. Loon Lake's unique location results in consistent wind patterns. Combining the power of sailing with the balance of surfing, windsurfers at different skill levels have access to a full range of sail sizes and boards to match. Campers start on our dry-land simulator, learning how to rig a board, read the wind, uphaul the sail, balance, tack, and jib.
Then campers move to leash classes on the lake. In leash classes, students practice water skills while being monitored by an instructor who has a tether to the board. When a student needs advice, instructors reel the student in and talk about technique.
Upon completion of leash, windsurfers move on to "triangle" classes where they learn self-rescue techniques and practice skills in a controlled area off our beach.
Advanced windsurfers move out onto open lake. This is when campers can take trick classes where they learn sail spins, 360's, helicopters, and other stunts. There are also chances to race, take long-distance windsurfing trips to the islands, and play trick tag with instructors.
Recreational swimming, known as "open beach" at camp, is usually offered several periods each day. Campers can swim in our crystal-clear water or relax on the warm granite that makes up our beach. The beach is supervised by certified lifeguards with advanced open water training.
Other activities available at open beach include snorkeling, training for the one mile lake swim, and inner tube water polo.
Deer Crossing does not offer instructional swimming. Campers must know how to swim prior to coming to camp.
Strong swimmers at Deer Crossing may participate in the lake swim, which usually occurs in the third 2-week session of camp. Campers swim from the Deer Crossing lakefront to Loon Lake's "second dam," a distance of roughly a mile.
Each swimmer is trailed by a canoe or rescue board for safety. Campers prepare for the lake swim by practicing in lake swim prep classes.
Whitewater rafting is an exciting optional one or two day out trip on the American River with Chili Bar Outdoor Center (CBOC). All rafting trips are staffed by the professional white water guides of CBOC in addition to Deer Crossing instructors. .
Our one day trip takes us down the upper South Fork of the American River through class 2 and 3 rapids. If you haven't rafted before, you won't want to miss it. Many of our returning campers sign up for this trip every year!
We also offer a two day overnight rafting trip (first two week session only). This trip is twice the rapids and twice the fun. We run both the upper and lower sections of the South Fork of the American River. We sleep under the stars alongside the river. Great food, too! This special trip has a ten camper maximum. Sign up early!
Remember, whitewater rafting is an optional trip at extra charge and requires prior consent and waiver forms.
To go to CBOC's web site, click here.
