MILTON - The evening sun shone on the Mersey River as Milton Canoe and Camera Club members went out onto the water for a weekly canoe and kayak school that’s held all summer long.
Before heading out, canoe school attendees got some instructions form David Lewis, club secretary, and Steve Oliver, club treasurer.
The club, which has been around since 1949, operates across from Morton House Inn on Highway 8 in Milton, on the inn’s property.
Recently, the club applied to the Region of Queens Municipality for assistance with replacing old personal flotation devices (PFDs) “to ensure the ongoing safety of their participants.”
Staff recommended the council of the Region of Queens approve a Community Recreation Assistance Program grant in the amount of $300 to the club to be funded from the Community Grants and Programs budget line of the Recreation and Healthy Communities Department.
Adam Leuschner, a physical education teacher at Dr. John C. Wickwire Academy in Liverpool, has had a lot of involvement in the volunteer-run club.
“They provide canoeing opportunities for people of various ages,” said Leuschner.
The summer canoe school teaches paddling basics, canoeing techniques and safety, among other things, he said. Since members need no prior experience, anyone can join and participate.
Leuschner, an avid paddler, became involved with the club after reading about it in a Region of Queens pamphlet. He contacted one of the organizers, explained his situation and started to volunteer as an instructor.
His experience with paddling and job as a physical education teacher coincided perfectly.
School partnership
“Often times in the school system, the biggest barrier to outdoor education is a financial one,” said Leuschner.
Canoes, PFDs and other necessary paddling equipment are costly, so the partnership between South Queens Middle School, Dr. John C. Wickwire Academy and the Milton Canoe and Camera Club made sense.
This past school year, developing a canoe and paddle club at Dr. John C. Wickwire, called the Eagles Canoe Club, allowed Leuschner to take 12 Grade 5 students on the water to learn canoe safety, terminology and strokes.
“A big part for me as a physical education teacher is ensuring all abilities have the opportunity to participate in outdoor education, whether it’s canoeing or walking or hiking,” he said.
This past spring was the first step in the partnership, and Leuschner would eventually like to get more students out on the water.
The partnership could also mean the Milton Canoe and Camera Club is able to grow its membership.
“Just getting out on the water and sharing my knowledge with other people, that’s the best part of it,” said Leuschner about why he likes being part of the club. “It’s something I’m really passionate about, so I can pass along that passion to other people.”
Lewis also got involved with the club from being a longtime paddler. Though nothing is official, Lewis says the club is considering an option for a new location, possibly on the west side of the river. Lewis says if they can get the new clubhouse, he envisions a multi-use space.
“It’s got to be a benefit to the community,” he said.
