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Schools, Camps, & Educational Programs

Create a Fun Paddling Experience for Your Group

We work with schools, summer camps, non-profits and other organizations to create fun, educational, expertly-led paddling experiences for groups of all sizes.  We shape each trip to emphasize the elements that are most important to the group, whether that is outdoor education, team-building, natural history, paddling instruction, just having fun on the water. Most custom trips include a mix of all those elements. Our guides are experts at risk management and outdoor leadership, and many have experience as teachers, science educators, and camp leaders — making them especially well-equipped to create exceptional sea kayaking or paddle boarding experience for youth. 

Our Most Popular Custom Experiences

Sea Kayak Tour in Portland Harbor

2 hours

A sea kayak tour along the scenic Portland waterfront is a perfect option for many groups. Two hours is enough time for your group to receive some basic instruction in sea kayaking and venture onto the waters of Casco Bay and enjoy views of lighthouses, seabirds & seals and historic landmarks.

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SUP Tour in Portland Harbor

1.5 hours

Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a sport that’s incredibly fun and fairly easy to learn, but it’s still new to many people. Give your group the chance to try it out in the beautiful coastline along the Portland waterfront. Our expert staff will start you off with a brief lesson and then take you on a brief paddle, pointing out wildlife and historic sights along the way.

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Sea Kayak Tour to Fort Gorges

3 hours

Fort Gorges, an abandoned 19th-century granite fort on a tiny island, is one of the most popular and exciting paddling destinations in Casco Bay. The trip starts off with a basic paddling lesson and then involves a paddle through Portland harbor and across the open waters of Casco Bay to a small beach by the fort’s entrance. Then the group explores the island and the fort on foot before paddling back.

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SUP & Sea Kayak Combo Experience

2-3 hours

Some people in your group may have a passion for kayaking while others may be dying to try out paddleboarding. Why not give them a choice? You can ask everyone ahead of time which they’d like to try and then we’ll split them up when they arrive. However, the two groups (kayakers & paddlerboarders) generally are not able to paddle together to the same destination because they will move at different paces.

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Kayak Tour at Crescent Beach State Park

4 hours

A kayak or SUP trip at Crescent Beach State Park gives you the chance to paddle along the shores of one of the state’s most beautiful beaches in Maine.  The state park is located in the town of Cape Elizabeth, a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Portland.

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Multi-Day Sea Kayak Expedition

2+ days

Casco Bay is filled with terrific islands for kayak camping. We offer a range of regularly scheduled overnight trips to these islands and we’re always willing to create a customized trip just for your group. You can stay in a yurt on beautiful Cow Island, camp along the cliffs of Jewell Island or island hop for several days all the way across Casco Bay. Visit our Overnight Trips webpage for more information.

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Youth Group Request Form

If you are interested in scheduling a custom tour please submit this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Awesome educational program! School Group Tour with Portland Paddle

Our 8th grade group had a blast! Learned about Casco Bay and they staff kept them all corralled and safe. Won't hesitate to bring a group again. Super easy booking process and great service!

– Emily M., 2018
Excellent wilderness trip experience for our summer campers! Private multi-day sea kayak trip with Portland Paddle

I wanted to reach out to thank you for a successful 2023 season! All of our groups came back with very positive feedback having had a blast kayaking. Our trip leaders were also very impressed with your guides. We would love to have Emily and Joel guide for our groups again! ... Looking forward to our third season with you in 2024!

– Meg, Wilderness Adventures, 2023
Perfect fit for our college class Custom Sea Kayak Tour with Portland Paddle

Portland Paddle is the ONLY sea kayaking business I trust. The specialists know their stuff inside and out. Not only did my group (10 college students earning credit for a class) gain valuable sea kayaking skills, but our instructors also shared the history of the area. I continue to return to Portland Paddle year after year with my Outdoor Recreation Class.

– Holly, Instructor, University of Southern Maine, 2023
Exactly what we wanted! Multi day trip for our Scout Group

Our Boy Scout Troop went on a 3-day sea kayaking tour in Casco Bay. As with any outdoor activity in Maine, it included the full range of weather and sea conditions. Our guides worked with our boys continuously to ensure their safety as well as increase their knowledge of sea kayaking to maximize their enjoyment. From planning to paddling, the staff at Portland Paddle provided valuable support, guidance, and training. The equipment was in excellent condition and appropriate for the type of trip we were taking. I would certainly recommend using Portland Paddle for a multi-day, guided sea kayaking trip for youth groups.

– Todd, Scoutmaster, 2017
We come back year after year! Private tours for large summer camp groups

The girls in our program absolutely love our day at Casco Bay, and working with the Portland Paddle crew every year has been a consistent pleasure!

– Chana, Summer Camp director, 2018
Great experience start to finish Multi-day trip in Casco Bay for our students

2 guides helped me take 8 high school students on a 3 day, 2 night adventure around the islands in Casco bay. Zack was our contact in the months prior and was extremely helpful and accommodating of our needs and on the water our two guides had a great touch working with teenagers with a wide range of paddling skills and abilities. Everyone at Portland Paddle listened carefully to our needs and worked with us to create a magical experience for all.

– Andrew, High School Teacher, Pewaukee, Wisconsin, 2015