2026 Summer Program

REGISTER HERE

NEW for 2026: Sibling discount

Please contact registrar@cheema.ca BEFORE registering for promo code and registration assistance. Discount applies to full summer program registration only.

SUMMER PROGRAM 2026

Our primary objective is to keep kids active, having fun and enjoying all that the outdoors has to offer during the summertime.

Under 6

This full day program is designed for 5 and 6 year olds who will enjoy a largely outdoor movement experience for summer vacation. Like Cheema's After-school program that runs September to June, participants are provided with childcare where they play outdoor games, swim under the supervision of a trained lifeguard, experience Dragonboating and mini kayaks/canoes, and spend time in the beautiful McDonald Sports Park adjacent to Cheema. At times, the fun moves indoors where crafts, snacks and free play time is supervised.

Our experienced coaches will teach our participants all about outdoor and water safety in a fun, supportive, age appropriate environment. We have paired the morning with an afternoon full of fun and adventure that takes place in our beautiful and secluded property on Lake Thomas.

Participants are required to bring Lunch, Snacks and a full water bottle at the start of each day, towel, sunscreen and a change of clothes. There is a canteen onsite and a tab/account can be established for your child.

Each participant also requires a certified PFD and should arrive each day with their bathing suit on.

The program runs from June 29th to August 21st, with no programming on July 1st and August 3rd.

Full summer: June 29-August 21
One month: June 29-July 24
One month: July 27-August 21

REGISTER HERE

Under 8

This full day program is designed for 7 and 8 year olds who will enjoy a largely outdoor movement experience for summer vacation. Like Cheema's After-school program that runs September to June, participants are provided with childcare where they play outdoor games, swim under the supervision of a trained lifeguard, experience Dragonboating and mini kayaks/canoes, and spend time in the beautiful McDonald Sports Park adjacent to Cheema. At times, the fun moves indoors where crafts, snacks and free play time is supervised.

Each participant also requires a certified PFD and should arrive each day with their bathing suit on.

The program runs from June 29th to August 21st, with no programming on July 1st and August 3rd.

Full summer: June 29-August 21
One month: June 29-July 24
One month: July 27-August 21

REGISTER HERE

Under 10

The U10 program offers coached sessions in singles, crew boats, war canoes and our Dragon boat complimented by a variety of land-based activity. Our goal is to make kids comfortable in the boats and learn to love the sport. For those sessions in challenging single canoes and kayaks we will group the kids according to their ability levels so that they experience a similar level of success as their friends and are capable of practicing as a group. Over the course of the summer, participants will be re-grouped frequently based on their acquired skills and fitness.

Our U10 boys and girls annually work towards having a competitive war canoe at all local regattas. This group activity is usually the highlight of the summer. Participants will also learn how to paddle tandem and four person boats and have racing opportunities at Cheema or other clubs. The kids round out their water activities, spending lots of fun time in the McDonald Sports Park playing games.

Other aspects of the program include:

boating and water safety/education
becoming comfortable playing in, on and around water
learning the FUNdamentals of canoe/kayak in age-appropriate canoes and kayaks
becoming confident in movement skills, coordination and balance
learning teamwork through land games and crew boat activities
building skills and confidence in all forms of canoe/kayak
learning to care for canoe/kayak equipment
learning to respect others and become part of a team

Full summer: June 29-August 21
One month: June 29-July 24
One month: July 27-August 21

REGISTER HERE

Under 12

The U12 program offers coached sessions in singles, crew boats, war canoes and land-based activity. For those kids who have the interest, our goal is to provide them with all the tools they need to pursue competitive paddling. For our less stable and more challenging single canoe and kayak sessions, we will group the kids according to their ability so that they experience success relative to their peers and are able to paddle together. Over the course of the summer, participants will be re-grouped frequently based on their acquired skills, fitness and group dynamics.

Our U12's typically have separate boy and girl groups that will develop team activities on and off the water, although they may be grouped together for some activities. Crew boats and war canoeing are central to our program and there will be lots of team sport activity at the McDonald Sports Park.

Other components:

boating and water safety education and awareness
physical literacy (competent in fundamental movement skills)
basic canoe/kayak boat steering skills and general boat control
ability to paddle continuously in a single and team boat
build technical skills in all forms of canoe/kayak
introduction to racing singles and team boats
learning to respect others and become part of a team

The program runs from June 29th to August 21st with no programming on July 1st and August 3rd.

REGISTER HERE

Under 14/16

Our U14/U16 program can be transitional for participants. Some of our U14 and U16 paddlers are on their way to highly competitive careers, while others simply want to enjoy the outdoors and a summer on the water.

For two of the three daily blocks, the U14 and U16 program is designed to accommodate those different interests. Those kids pursuing year-round training, who are more committed to racing at a high level and have a burning desire to develop into a high-performance athlete - they will have dedicated coaching during their daily singles and crew blocks.

Those with more of a recreational bias will have specifically designed opportunities that they can influence. Activities include extra war canoe time, basketball, swimming, recreational canoe excursions, fitness/strength training, team sport activities and racing canoe/kayak paddling at their desired pace, with appropriate instruction.

The U14/U16 program is for participants ages 13 to 16. The program consists of the following:

learn to paddle with proper technique - racing or recreational
opportunity to specialize in either canoe or kayak
develop speed and strength and build general and specific strength, speed and endurance conducive to racing
introduction to nutrition and recovery skills, as well as lifestyle and basic goal setting skills
learning to respect others and become part of a team

The program runs June 29th to August 21st with no programming on July 1st and August 3rd.

REGISTER HERE

Weight: