Canoeing at Camp Barnard

Canoes, paddles and PFDs are available for rent at Camp Barnard. To avoid disappointment, they should be booked when you book your camp. Otherwise, they can be booked by at camp with the Camp Ranger.

Rental Rates:

    Scouts Guides Schools Other
canoe or kayak w. paddles & PFD hour 2.50 2.50 2.50 3.00
canoe or kayak w. paddles & PFD 1st day 10.00 10.00 10.00 12.00
canoe or kayak w. paddles & PFD add'n days 5.00 5.00 5.00 6.00

Our canoes are not available for off-site rental.

Leader Training:

Several Canoeing Courses are offered at Camp Barnard. Please check the Area Calendar for details.

  • Tandem Lakewater Canoe Courses are offered 3 times per year for Scouters, Venturers, Rovers and non-Scouters.
  • Solo Lakewater Canoe Courses are offered twice a year at this time. The Tandem Lakewater Course is a Pre-requisite and you must be able to bring your own solo canoe.
  • A CARE Red Canoe Course is offered only with sufficient registration. This is a time intensive course requiring 2 half days, a full weekend, and a 3-day weekend for an actual trip.

Please check the Area calendar for dates (April to October) and contact Denyse to check for spaces in the classes and to register: canoe@victoriascouts.ca

Scouts Canada - Bylaws, Policies & Procedures re Canoeing

Any group using canoes at Camp Barnard must adhere to the following principles-

10007.15 – Flat Water Canoeing and Kayaking:

  1. Leadership:
    1. Leaders are aware of and comply with legal statutes as well as rules and regulations for PFDs.
    2. Adequate supervision is provided for flat water canoeing and kayaking. Visual supervision is done for beginners and individuals unfamiliar with the activity area, or when participants could inappropriately deviate from the intended route.
  2. Planning And Research:
    1. Adequate instruction is provided for flat water canoeing and kayaking. Some of the strokes include, but may not be limited to: a) power strokes; b) turning; c) corrective strokes; d) braces. Some of the maneuvers may include, but may not be limited to: a) spins; b) forward straight; c) reverse straight; d) sideslips or shifts; e) eddy turns or peelout; f) bracing; g) ferries; h) rolling.
  3. Equipment, Nutrition and Hygiene:
    1. Participants have, or are provided with, a list of appropriate items required for the activity and conditions to be encountered. Factors that determine these items include, but may not be limited to: a) temperature of the water and air; b) the length of time participants may spend in the water; c) the degree of difficulty of the rapid; d) the experience level of the participant.
    2. Leaders and participants have, or are provided with, and use appropriate Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) for each water activity. Leaders are aware that the leading cause of any boating fatality stems from not wearing an appropriate, properly fitted PFD. Requirements for the PFDs include but are not limited to: a) appropriate numbers of PFDs available; b) PFDs meet the standards set by the Canadian Coast Guard; c) PFDs are the appropriate type (e.g. Type I, II, III, or IV PFDs), size, and fit for each user based on the type of activity, conditions and water craft used; d) buoyancy is sufficient to support the particular participant’s weight; e) a safety check is conducted immediately prior to use; f) PFDs are in serviceable condition, including working clasps and zippers.
    3. PFDs are cared for in an appropriate manner. This includes but may not be limited to: a) wet PFDs are allowed to dry thoroughly before storing; b) storage is in a well-ventilated area.
    4. The program follows an appropriate inspection schedule for PFDs. This includes, but may not be limited to a) inspections are conducted prior to participant use; b) all PFDs are tested annually for buoyancy.
    5. The purchase or rental, maintenance and replacement of PFDs is properly conducted and recorded. This includes, but may not be limited to: a) purchaser/renter is aware of the type of PFDs required for the various water activities; b) maintenance is conducted according to manufacturer’s recommendations; c) PFDs are replaced when they no longer perform as intended.
    6. Leaders teach the appropriate use and fit of PFDs. This includes, but may not be limited to: a) participants are taught how to fit and fasten PFDs properly; b) participants are informed as to how their PFD works in the water under the conditions they are likely to experience; c) participants are taught to check PFDs prior to each use; d) participants are taught to bring any damaged PFDs to the instructor’s attention; e) PFDs are not altered or used in a manner for which they are not intended; f) participants are informed of and, when appropriate, practice the methods of swimming while wearing PFDs.
    7. Leaders keep up-to-date on changes in technology for PFDs.
    8. Leaders have checked the participants to ensure that they are adequately equipped and prepared for the activity and the group has appropriate emergency and repair kits. Available rescue equipment includes: throw lines/throw bags, painter lines, grab loops, pulley and rope systems, repair kits.
  4. Conducting The Activity:
    1. Appropriate safety procedures are followed for flat water canoeing and kayaking. This includes, but may not be limited to considering the water
      temperature in relation to the clothing, skills, and abilities of the participants to determine whether to enter the program area or not.