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Canoeing, Fishing, Geocaching and More for Kids & Teens

Free Outdoor Program by NORDC

By Nicole Provosty September 29, 2016
Though we live in the city full of streets bustling with cars, tall buildings, and lots of people, New Orleans does have lagoons, canals and lakes that offer fun outdoor activities we can expose our kids to. Study after study shows that our kids need to be outside as much as possible for their physical and mental health.  

According to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foudnation, which included 2,000 2nd - 12th graders, the average American child spends 53 hours per week (more than 7 hours a day!) staring at some kind of electronic screen. Yowza!

Turn off the electronics and get outdoors! NORDC has wonderful programs in canoeing, fishing, geocaching and more for your child starting at 7 years old. You can just go check out one of the activities on a Saturday in what they call "open canoeing" or "open fishing" or make more of a commitment by signing up for an ongoing class in canoeing, fishing or geocaching which occur over several Saturdays this fall. And the best part is everything is free! See below for all the details.

Canoeing
Learn basic paddling skills and safety instructions, then enjoy a tour of the lagoon and canal system at Joe W. Brown Park. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets are all provided. Canoeing is free and open to ages 3 and up, no prior knowledge or experience required. FAQ

• Open Canoeing -  Every Saturday, through November 5.  Come join us for a free paddle around the Joe W. Brown lagoon, every Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. No experience necessary. Open to ages 3 and up. All equipment, including life jackets, is provided. First come, first paddle. Check in with NORDC staff at the lagoon behind the Joe W. Brown Rec Center.

Fishing
Learn the basics of baiting, casting, and catching along the banks of the lagoon in Joe W. Brown Park. All equipment is provided including gear and baits. Instruction is offered to those who are new to fishing.

• Open Fishing - Every Saturday, through November 5. Come join us for fishing around the Joe W. Brown lagoon, every Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. No experience necessary. Open to ages 3 and up. All equipment, including fishing poles and lures, is provided. First come, first cast. Check in with NORDC staff at the lagoon behind the Joe W. Brown Rec Center.  Fishing license required for anyone over age 15.
 
Guided Group Activities
Available to groups of eight or more. Reservations required. For more information, call (504) 658-3082, or email NORDCoutdoors@nola.gov.

Group Nature Walks 
Experience the wonders of Louisiana in our own backyard. Professional outdoors enthusiasts will introduce you to the various natural environments in and around New Orleans. Locations include Joe W. Brown Park, Couturie Forest in City Park, and Bayou Sauvage. Nature Walks are available Tuesday– Saturday, 9am – 6pm, for groups of 8 or more.

Basic Survival Skills
Learn the basics of map and compass use, shelter building, fire building, and water purification in a simple class at Joe W. Brown Park. Classes are available Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm, for groups of 8 or more.

Teambuilding
Inspire group bonding, problem-solving, and good communication, all while having fun! Great for teams, clubs, organizations, or even those you share your office with. Classes are available Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm, for groups of 8 or more.

Geocaching
Groups of more than 8 can make reservations to learn the history and skills of geocaching, and try to find every geocache on our Joe W. Brown Park treasure hunt!  Reservations required.

Group Canoeing
Reservations are available Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 6pm through November 26 for groups  of 8 or more. 

Group Fishing
 
Reservations are available Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 6pm through November 26 for groups of 8 or more

Outdoor Program Classes
Reservations required for all classes.  Click here and scroll down to register online. For more information, call (504) 658-3082, or email NORDCoutdoors@nola.gov.

Geocaching Class - 
Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, November 12 – December 17
Learn about the worldwide treasure hunt that inspired the newest video game craze. In this 5-day class, you’ll learn about triangulation, the satellite global positioning system, and how to find and hide secret caches around the world. Geocaching is for ages 7 and up, and is a great family activity that can become a lifetime hobby. Register for the class independently or as a group; children under 10 require an accompanying adult.

Canoeing Classes - 
Saturdays, September 3 – October 1
A beginner’s 5-day canoeing course, participants will learn canoe safety, how to self-launch and self-disembark, basic canoeing strokes, and test their skills in both solo and tandem canoeing scenarios. A great way to learn and build new skills, get exercise, and enjoy the great outdoors. Participants will receive five progressive canoeing lessons at the Joe W. Brown Park. Maximum capacity 12.
• Teen Canoeing Class - 2:15 PM - Ages 13 – 17
• Adult Canoeing Class - 3:30 PM - Ages 18+

Fishing Classes - 
Saturdays, October 8 – November 5
A beginner’s 5-day fishing course, participants will learn knot tying, fishing safety, basic line setting including hook, weight, and bobber, baiting hooks, casting, and identifying and unhooking fish. This program is catch-and release and great for kids who enjoy trying new things and being outside. Participants will receive five progressive fishing lessons at the Joe W. Brown Park.
• Kids Fishing Class - 2:15 PM - Ages 7 – 9
• Kids Fishing Class - 3:30 PM - Ages 10 – 12
 
Certs for Service
Certs for Service is a program at NORDC that allows qualified candidates to earn a lifeguard certification in exchange for only 24 non-consecutive, volunteer hours at a NORDC Outdoor program. For more information, please call (504) 658-3082 or email Shannon at smburton@nola.gov.