Camp Matoaka aquatic departments are split up into the following:

Each camper regardless of her age or ability will have swimming, waterski, and smallcrafts automatically programmed into their schedule.

Swimming

You can tell a lot about a camp by the design of its swimming program. At Matoaka, our swimming program is carefully planned to assure complete safety and provide just the right balance between instruction and fun.

Camp Matoaka has two swim areas: the first is located on the lakefront, it is a 10,000 square foot swim area. This area includes three fully enclosed cribs of varying depths and a diving area with springboard. The second part to our swim program: a 25 meter outdoor-heated swimming pool. The pool is at a constant depth of 4 1/2 feet throughout, thus allowing all levels of swimmer to use this pool. There are also three 200-foot waterslides that empty into the pool, which make this swimming program one of the best in camping.

Each camper's schedule includes three instructional swim periods per week, however campers may add more instructional swim classes to their schedule if they wish to do so. All campers during instructional classes will follow the American Red Cross curriculum. As a camper completes a level, her progress is certified and recorded and she is awarded the official American Red Cross card. back to top

Small Crafts

The small crafts department is made up of a number of different activities including: sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and paddle boating. East Lake is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and safe lakes for boating in Maine.

Once campers have demonstrated their competence in near shore practice, they may participate in our day canoe trips and sailing excursions to Matoaka's secluded island preserve at the northern end of East Lake. Campers will also be given instruction in basic canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. Small crafts is a mandatory activity. Each camper will be scheduled to attend a minimum of two classes per week; however, they may add more classes to their schedule if they wish to do so. back to top

Waterski

Waterskiing is the most popular activity in camp! We stress both fun and learning while encouraging all campers to become comfortable and confident skiers. The Camp Matoaka Waterski Department has a unique program that provides individualized instruction and caters to every level of skier; from the beginner to tournament competitor.

Campers first receive pre-ski instructions that include camp rules, USA Waterski safety hand signals, dry land pulls, selection and sizing of skis and personal floatation vests, and practice putting their skis on in deep water. When their dry land pulls are perfected and all their questions answered they are assigned a boat and begin their on-water instrutctions. They progress up through the two-ski skills to the one-ski skills, after which they can try any of the following disciplines: slaloming, trick skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and barefooting. Campers will be automatically scheduled to ski twice per week and also have the option of scheduling additional activity periods.

Many campers progress rapidly and enjoy inter-camp waterski tournaments which are offered to 13 and under and 15 and under competitors. Competitions are held in wakeboarding, slalom skiing, and trick skiing.

Along the way, for pure fun, they can dabble in tubing or take advantage of our ten-person banana boat.

The Waterski Department has five Master Craft ski boats (three Pro Star 190's, one Pro Star 195 and one X-9), all equipped with ski booms for beginners, with the latter two equipped with towers for wakeboarding. Additionally, Matoaka uses one Boston Whaler in the ski program. Matoaka has its own accu-float slalom course and a wide array of brand name wetsuits, ski vests, barefoot suits, skis, kneeboards, and wakeboards.

Safety is #1 and stressed at all times. Camp Matoaka has 16 waterski counselors with an average of 5 years of camp experience in teaching waterski and driving ski boats. Each waterski instructor must possess a current CPR and First Aid certification and undergo the USA Water Ski Association's Level I Instructor Course, Water Safety Course, and Boating Safety Course. In addition, each new instructor must pass a Practical On-Water Driving Exam that is administered by a certified USA Waterski Trained Driver each summer during Counselor Orientation.