Events Information
This is a list of both WMCKA and Non-WMCKA events. If you have a question about any WMCKA event, see the officer`s contact page.
Click on any event to see a more detailed description. *Indicates a Non-WMCKA Sponsored Event. Non-WMCKA events are listed in order to help connect you with other paddlers.
- Jul 11, 2009 - Kayak for Light
- Jul 18, 2009 - Snug Harbor Day
- Jul 25, 2009 - Portage Park Paddle Fest *
- Aug 21-22, 2009 - Lake Leelenau - TwinkieFest
- Sep 11-13, 2009 - End-o-Summer Weekend
- Sep 11-13, 2009 - St Joseph Island Rendezvous *
- Oct 9-11, 2009 - WMCKA Annual Meeting
WMCKA requires a PFD (lifejacket) to be worn by all paddlers while they are on the water during WMCKA events.
Want to list your event? Send details to karl[dot]geisel[at]wmcka[dot]org.
We cannot gaurantee the accuracy of the information for non-WMCKA events.
Kayak for Light
Where: Ramona Park, Portage MI
When: Jul 11, 2009
The Kayak for Light event is usually held the second Saturday of July,
at Ramona Park, the site of Long Lake, in Portage, Michigan, from 10 am to 4 pm.
WMCKA and Lee’s Fun and Adventure Store of Portage, Michigan, sponsor this event.
Kayak for Light gives blind paddlers the opportunity to experience the thrill of
kayaking. Lunch is provided for all by WMCKA.
We need WMCKA members (non-WMCKA members are welcome, also) who are interested
in giving a day to help others and feel great about themselves! Even if you
don’t feel comfortable working in the water with a blind paddler, you could
help on shore with various things such as registration, lunch, helping
paddlers with equipment, etc. You do not have to be an experienced kayaker
to assist with Kayak for Light.
Although many kayaks, paddles, etc. will be provided for the day by Lee’s Fun
and Adventure Store, any extra kayaks or extra gear that you could lend for
the day would also be very welcome. We especially need double kayaks, and wide,
stable kayaks with large, open cockpits, and extra-large PFDs.
If you are interested in helping out during Kayak for Light, or if you just want
to find out more about Kayak for Light, contact either:
- Kenneth Nesbitt, TillWeDance[at]acd[dot]net
- Bill and Anne Keith, email elfman[at]netonecom[dot]net
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Snug Harbor Day
Where: Muskegon State Park
When: Jul 18, 2009
We will meet at the west end of the Snug Harbor day use area [Map]. This is on the way to the State park on the South side of the road. We plan on meeting about noon, and we will fix hot dogs about 5 or 5:30. You can bring something that will compliment the hot dogs if you like (beans, chips, watermelon, etc.)
If you want to camp, you will have to make your own arrangements [Michigan State Parks Online Reservation System][Muskegon SP Website][Muskegon Area Camping/Lodging]. Since this is part of the State Park system there will be a day use charge if you don't already have a state parks sticker.
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Portage Park Paddle Fest
Where: Ramona Park, Portage MI
When: Jul 25, 2009
This is not a WMCKA Event.
Portage Park Paddle Fest!
Date: July 25th, 2009
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Place: Ramona Park, 8600 South Sprinkle Road, Portage MI
More info at: http://www.portagemi.gov/living/seasonal_recreation.asp
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Lake Leelenau - TwinkieFest
Where: Leelenau Pines Campground
When: Aug 21-22, 2009
WMCKA Members Jack and Winnie Keyes will host a Paddling Weekend at Lake Leelenau.
This year's dates are August 21-22. The campground nearest to the Keyes is Leelanau Pines
(
We'll meet and decide on paddle to happen on Sat. at 10:30AM. Bring a Mexican dish to pass dinner on Sat. 5:30 at site to be determined. Twinkie to be roasted after. Sun. noon wine tour of Leelanau wineries nearby the site so the tour will be short.
Make your reservations quickly and remember this campgrounds only takes cash or checks.
Please let Jack and Winnie know if you are coming so they can plan some numbers. Email them at jackkeyes[at]charter[dot]net.
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End-o-Summer Weekend
Where: Platte River CG, Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
When: Sep 11-13, 2009
This event is held in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It is timed to hopefully coincide with the running of the salmon up the river, usually the middle of September.
Saturday morning there is typically a paddle which starts by crossing a section of Big Platte Lake, followed by a float down the Platte River to Lake Michigan. At Lake Michigan, you can take out, or paddle the Big Lake if conditions suit you. Afterwards the gang usually goes out to dinner at one of the restaurants in Glen Arbor. For more information, contact any WMCKA officer or Board member.
You can make reservations for this event thru the National Park Service Website (Click Here), however many sites are first come - first serve and if weather is good, you may have to arrive early in the morning to secure a site. Tenters may be able to share a site with other WMCKA members.
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St Joseph Island Rendezvous
Where: St Joseph Island, Ontario
When: Sep 11-13, 2009
This is not a WMCKA Event.
The 5th Annual St Joseph Island Paddler's Rendezvous will take place September 11-13, 2008. Paddlers are welcome to come up on Friday night for a long weekend of paddling the St. Mary's River. The Township of St. Joseph has again offered to allow tent camping at the Women's Institute Park in the Village of Richards Landing.
One Saturday and Sunday, we will be organizing day trips from the park to a number of locations around the island. Bring your canoe or kayak and join your friends on the water for some of the best paddling of the season. Last year, our group was thrilled to see a young bald eagle waiting for us near the lighthouse on Shoal Island.
For more information email Gary De Kock at gdekock [at] gmail [dot] com.
Please email and let us know that you are coming and to give us a chance to tell you more about the paddling opportunities near St. Joseph Island.
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WMCKA Annual Meeting
Where: Mesick
When: Oct 9-11, 2009
The fall outing and annual meeting takes place at Northern Exposure Campground, Mesick, Michigan. Northern Exposure Campground is located north of Grand Rapids, traveling US 131 to M-115, then northwest to Mesick, Michigan. From Grand Rapids, it is approximately a 2-hour drive to Northern Exposure.
The campground is located on the lake formed by the Hodenpyle Dam, which is on the Manistee River. The lake is approximately 6 miles long and about a mile wide. It is surrounded by beautiful pine and hardwood forests. The lake ’s waters are clean and clear.
In addition to paddling on the lake, there is an opportunity to paddle on the Manistee River above or below the dam. This would be an option in the event of extremely windy or inclement weather. For anyone interested in paddling on Lake Michigan, it is approximately 25 minutes to a launch site.
The campground itself will have numerous open sites. During October, very few other campers will be found at Northern Exposure. The campground manger has reserved an entire section of the campground exclusively for the WMCKA event. Each site has piped-in water and electric. For 2008 the price to WMCKA members for the weekend will be $10/night for back sites (most appropriate for tenters), $12/night for waterfront sites, $16/night for pull-through sites. There are excellent launch opportunities at every single waterfront site. This campground has newly paved blacktop access roads, and numerous hiking trails on the camp property, as well as access to the North Country trail nearby. This year, we plan to have a porta-potti on the far west end of the camping area.
Northern Exposure still prefers advance registrations, but will handle last-minute visitors. When you call for a reservation, please be sure to say you are with the WMCKA group so they reserve a site in the WMCKA area for you. Normally, there is a $4 fee for day visitors, BUT this fee has been waived for the WMCKA event. There are no parking restrictions at Northern Exposure, so we should have no problem accommodating any day visitors.
The campground phone numbers for reservations are toll free: 1-800-563-7425, or 231-885-1199. Please refer any questions about the event to Bill and Anne Keith at elfman [at] netonecom [dot] net
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