Spirit of America Boater Safety Program

Come join the staff of Camp Foster for our annual Spirit of America Boating and Water Safety Camp!  This year, Camp Foster YMCA will be hosting two week long summer camps for Spirit of America program with housing and meals included.  The Spirit of America Youth Boater Safety Program came to Camp Foster YMCA in 2006, and is a national program coordinated by the National Water Safety Congress, the United States Coast Guard and the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council.  Incoming 7th and 8th grade Junior High students from around the Midwest will have the opportunity to participate in this hands-on boating safety experience gaining practical knowledge and experience of how to handle a wide variety of boats. The program gives students real on-the-water training on how to operate a variety of vessels including canoes, kayaks, outboard boats, sailboats, PWC's and powerboats.

After completing the classroom Iowa Boater Education program, students will spend time in the pool and on the lake learning how to safely operate water crafts, learning the rules of the water and spend over 30 hours in a boat on the water!  Spirit of America participants will also have the opportunity to ride and possibly drive the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Rescue Boat, Barge Boats sponsored by Clary's Lake Service and the DNR Lake Patrol boats headquartered at Gull Point State Park.
 
The price for the entire Spirit of America camp is only $350.00, which includes all meals, lodging, staffing and instructors.  Again, we ask that you commit to the entire week and are excited to spend some time on a boat.  The participants will have the opportunity to be involved with Camp Foster activities in the evening and will be on the water both morning and afternoon.  

Dickinson County residents who request financial assistance can attend the Spirit of America camp for a subsidized rate thanks to a grant received from the Dickinson County Endowment Fund.  Please do not let the cost of the camp deter anyone from participating in this valuable educational experience.  
 
To participate in the Spirit of America program contact Patrick Rice at Camp Foster 712-336-3272 or DNR Conservation Officer Gary Owen 712-330-0965.
 
Spirit of America is a nationally accepted Youth Boater Education Program designed to give the young boater hands on experience. Spirit of America is designed for Junior High students who have completed their Iowa Boater Education Certification, which will be sent to you by mail once you register.  Students must have studied and taken the test before arriving at Camp Foster.  At check-in, we will collect the tests and cover the cost for the processing with the state.  Please bring your completed tests with you to camp!  We will grade and process them once you are here.  You DO NOT need to be a resident of Iowa to participate in this program; however, due to Iowa State law, any person under the age of 16 must have completed the Iowa Boater Education Course to legally drive a water vessel.  Spirit of America is open to all incoming 7th and 8th grade students that have a desire to take the next step and gain hands-on-experience with the operation of canoes, kayaks, flat bottom motor boats, runabout boats, sailboats and personal watercraft. You will also have the opportunity to visit Gull Point Lake Patrol, experience what the water patrol officer does, ride one of their patrol boats along with riding the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue boat.
 
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