Location
3001 N White River Parkway W Dr
Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
United States
Date & Time
Friends of the White River Water Connection Academy
Connect. Paddle. Learn. Lead.
Five afternoons. Five ways to experience the river.
Water Connection Academy is a five-day after-school outdoor education experience designed to connect young people with the White River through paddlesports, environmental education, leadership, and hands-on learning.
This is not a traditional summer camp. It is a small, immersive experience that gives participants the opportunity to spend five consecutive afternoons on and around the river—building confidence, trying different types of watercraft, learning from local experts, and developing a deeper connection to the water and their community.
No previous paddling experience is required.
The Five-Day Experience
Each day, participants will experience the White River in a different type of watercraft while exploring a new theme.
Monday — River Foundations
Friends of White River Rafts
Teamwork, river safety, and an introduction to the White River.
Tuesday — Confidence & Independence
Solo Kayaks
Building personal confidence, responsibility, and foundational paddling skills.
Wednesday — Communication
Tandem Kayaks
Learning how communication, cooperation, and trust matter on the water.
Thursday — Leadership
Tandem Canoes
Practicing decision-making, navigation, teamwork, and stewardship.
Friday — Balance & Celebration
Stand-Up Paddleboards
Building confidence, having fun, reflecting on the week, and celebrating the experience with family.
Learn From River Mentors
Each afternoon will also include time with a River Mentor—a local expert or community leader who will help participants see the river from a different perspective.
Potential topics include:
- Fishing and river recreation
- River ecology, invasive species, and bank restoration
- River safety and emergency response
- Green spaces, parks, and public places
- Environmental justice and equitable access to healthy outdoor spaces
River Mentors for the pilot program are currently being finalized.
A Typical Afternoon
- 4:00–4:20 PM — Arrival, check-in, snacks, hydration, restroom breaks, and gear preparation
- 4:20–4:40 PM — Daily safety briefing and introduction to the day's theme
- Approximately 4:40–6:40 PM — Guided on-water adventure and hands-on learning
- Approximately 6:40–7:05 PM — River Mentor presentation and discussion
- Approximately 7:05–7:45 PM — Reflection, cleanup, transition, and parent/guardian pickup
Daily activities and timing may be adjusted based on weather, river conditions, transportation needs, and the needs of the group.
Do Participants Need to Know How to Swim?
No. Participants do not need to know how to swim.
All participants will wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD/life jacket) during on-water activities, and Frank's staff will provide safety instruction before entering the water.
The program is designed around guided and structured paddling experiences. Participants will not be expected to swim as part of the program.
Participation & Physical Requirements
Because Water Connection Academy includes active outdoor and on-water experiences in five different types of watercraft, participants should be able to safely take part in the physical activities involved in the program.
Participants should generally be able to:
- Follow verbal safety instructions and respond appropriately to staff direction
- Safely enter and exit a boat or watercraft, with assistance when appropriate
- Sit or maintain an appropriate position in a raft, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard for the duration of the activity
- Hold and use a paddle to participate in guided paddling activities
- Tolerate several hours of outdoor activity, including varying weather conditions and uneven natural terrain
- Participate safely in a group environment around and on moving water
Water Connection Academy welcomes conversations with parents and guardians regarding individual needs, accommodations, and questions about a participant's ability to safely take part. Families are encouraged to contact the program before registering if they would like to discuss a specific physical, developmental, sensory, dietary, or other participation need.
Participation requirements and individual needs will also be addressed through the program's parent/guardian information and health questionnaire.
Safety
Participant safety is the foundation of Water Connection Academy.
Frank's Paddlesports Livery will provide:
- Trained river guides and program staff
- At least two staff members supervising the program
- Boats, paddles, and required safety equipment
- Properly fitted PFDs
- Daily safety instruction
- Guided route and activity management
- Ongoing monitoring of weather and river conditions
PFDs will be required during all on-water activities.
If weather or river conditions do not support safe on-water programming, staff may modify the day's activities or substitute an appropriate land-based educational or outdoor activity.
What Is Included?
The $100 registration fee includes participation in all five days of Water Connection Academy, including:
- All paddling equipment
- Personal flotation devices
- Paddling and safety instruction
- Guided river experiences
- River Mentor programming
- Water and snacks
- Friday Family Celebration
- Pizza for participants and attending family members on Friday
- Friends of White River stickers
- A Frank's Paddlesports Livery iron-on patch
Friday Family Celebration
We will finish Water Connection Academy with a Friday Family Celebration.
Parents and family members will be invited to join us as participants celebrate what they learned and experienced throughout the week. Pizza will be provided, and participants will have an opportunity to share their Water Connection Academy experience with the people who supported them.
Important Program Information
Water Connection Academy is an outdoor program, and participants should expect to get wet, spend time outside, and participate in active, hands-on experiences.
Final registration will require a parent or guardian to complete participant information, emergency contact information, required acknowledgments and waivers, and the program's health and participation questionnaire.
Space for this pilot program will be limited.
Dates: 9/14 - 9/18
Location: The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis
Daily Drop Off/Pick Up: 4pm / 7:45pm
Let your teen discover the White River, uncover their leadership potential, and explore possibilities for their future!
Friends of the White River Water Connection Academy
Connect. Paddle. Learn. Lead.
Five afternoons. Five ways to experience the river.
Water Connection Academy is a five-day after-school outdoor education experience designed to connect young people with the White River through paddlesports, environmental education, leadership, and hands-on learning.
This is not a traditional summer camp. It is a small, immersive experience that gives participants the opportunity to spend five consecutive afternoons on and around the river—building confidence, trying different types of watercraft, learning from local experts, and developing a deeper connection to the water and their community.
No previous paddling experience is required.
The Five-Day Experience
Each day, participants will experience the White River in a different type of watercraft while exploring a new theme.
Monday — River Foundations
Friends of White River Rafts
Teamwork, river safety, and an introduction to the White River.
Tuesday — Confidence & Independence
Solo Kayaks
Building personal confidence, responsibility, and foundational paddling skills.
Wednesday — Communication
Tandem Kayaks
Learning how communication, cooperation, and trust matter on the water.
Thursday — Leadership
Tandem Canoes
Practicing decision-making, navigation, teamwork, and stewardship.
Friday — Balance & Celebration
Stand-Up Paddleboards
Building confidence, having fun, reflecting on the week, and celebrating the experience with family.
Learn From River Mentors
Each afternoon will also include time with a River Mentor—a local expert or community leader who will help participants see the river from a different perspective.
Potential topics include:
- Fishing and river recreation
- River ecology, invasive species, and bank restoration
- River safety and emergency response
- Green spaces, parks, and public places
- Environmental justice and equitable access to healthy outdoor spaces
River Mentors for the pilot program are currently being finalized.
A Typical Afternoon
- 4:00–4:20 PM — Arrival, check-in, snacks, hydration, restroom breaks, and gear preparation
- 4:20–4:40 PM — Daily safety briefing and introduction to the day's theme
- Approximately 4:40–6:40 PM — Guided on-water adventure and hands-on learning
- Approximately 6:40–7:05 PM — River Mentor presentation and discussion
- Approximately 7:05–7:45 PM — Reflection, cleanup, transition, and parent/guardian pickup
Daily activities and timing may be adjusted based on weather, river conditions, transportation needs, and the needs of the group.
Do Participants Need to Know How to Swim?
No. Participants do not need to know how to swim.
All participants will wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD/life jacket) during on-water activities, and Frank's staff will provide safety instruction before entering the water.
The program is designed around guided and structured paddling experiences. Participants will not be expected to swim as part of the program.
Participation & Physical Requirements
Because Water Connection Academy includes active outdoor and on-water experiences in five different types of watercraft, participants should be able to safely take part in the physical activities involved in the program.
Participants should generally be able to:
- Follow verbal safety instructions and respond appropriately to staff direction
- Safely enter and exit a boat or watercraft, with assistance when appropriate
- Sit or maintain an appropriate position in a raft, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard for the duration of the activity
- Hold and use a paddle to participate in guided paddling activities
- Tolerate several hours of outdoor activity, including varying weather conditions and uneven natural terrain
- Participate safely in a group environment around and on moving water
Water Connection Academy welcomes conversations with parents and guardians regarding individual needs, accommodations, and questions about a participant's ability to safely take part. Families are encouraged to contact the program before registering if they would like to discuss a specific physical, developmental, sensory, dietary, or other participation need.
Participation requirements and individual needs will also be addressed through the program's parent/guardian information and health questionnaire.
Safety
Participant safety is the foundation of Water Connection Academy.
Frank's Paddlesports Livery will provide:
- Trained river guides and program staff
- At least two staff members supervising the program
- Boats, paddles, and required safety equipment
- Properly fitted PFDs
- Daily safety instruction
- Guided route and activity management
- Ongoing monitoring of weather and river conditions
PFDs will be required during all on-water activities.
If weather or river conditions do not support safe on-water programming, staff may modify the day's activities or substitute an appropriate land-based educational or outdoor activity.
What Is Included?
The $100 registration fee includes participation in all five days of Water Connection Academy, including:
- All paddling equipment
- Personal flotation devices
- Paddling and safety instruction
- Guided river experiences
- River Mentor programming
- Water and snacks
- Friday Family Celebration
- Pizza for participants and attending family members on Friday
- Friends of White River stickers
- A Frank's Paddlesports Livery iron-on patch
Friday Family Celebration
We will finish Water Connection Academy with a Friday Family Celebration.
Parents and family members will be invited to join us as participants celebrate what they learned and experienced throughout the week. Pizza will be provided, and participants will have an opportunity to share their Water Connection Academy experience with the people who supported them.
Important Program Information
Water Connection Academy is an outdoor program, and participants should expect to get wet, spend time outside, and participate in active, hands-on experiences.
Final registration will require a parent or guardian to complete participant information, emergency contact information, required acknowledgments and waivers, and the program's health and participation questionnaire.
Space for this pilot program will be limited.
Dates: 9/14 - 9/18
Location: The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis
Daily Drop Off/Pick Up: 4pm / 7:45pm
Let your teen discover the White River, uncover their leadership potential, and explore possibilities for their future!
Getting There
The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis
3001 N White River Parkway W Dr
Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
United States
Location
3001 N White River Parkway W Dr
Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
United States