You can make a difference in a young person’s life.
Weeklong Programs * School Day on the Sea * Orphanage Outings
“Summer Course” is a weeklong summer youth program organized by Sea Kayak Baja Mexico. Schoolkids get to know the sea, learn why it matters, and develop practical life skills.
Maria played on the shores of Laguna San Ignacio as a child. A training program opened doors for her career as a kayak guide, SCUBA instructor, and business partner in EdMar SCUBA school in La Paz.
Javier was introduced to the sea through kayaking when he was young and he’s now the harbormaster at Marina Puerto Escondido.
Ramon learned to paddle through a school internship program and built his career around it. He guides, coaches, and repairs kayaks in Loreto, where he teaches the next generation at Curso de Verano.
Your donation will be matched by Jan Campbell and Joan Gregory, the visionary original sponsors of this program. All 24 schoolchildren are from low-resource homes and are given 100% sponsorship. SKBM partners with EcoAlianza and teachers to select deserving kids aged 10-15.
How does Curso de Verano make a difference?
Through education, experiences, and recreation, participants learn and practice the following.
Life Skills. Teamwork. Self-esteem. Responsible habits. Deepening friendships around common interests. Cultivating a passionate curiosity for life.
Practical Skills. Adjust and wear a life jacket, float, swim, use a mask and snorkel, paddle a kayak and paddleboard, practice personal safety on the water, assist others in need.
Environmental Connection. Many Loreto residents don’t know how to swim and fear the sea. With your help, we aim to change this cultural estrangement from the sea one young paddler at a time. Because we as humans will protect what we love, and we will love what we know.
Ethical Behavior. As we learn to respect the sea we also practice awareness and kindness for each other through exercises, games, and conversation.
Exploration and Play. The beloved grand finale is a motorboat trip to Isla Coronados with mask, snorkel, kayaks and picnic lunch on the final day of the course.
Wider benefits
Curso de Verano not only benefits its 24 participants but is designed to develop and mentor others along the way.
Olders teens help out. EcoAlianza’s Esquadrón de la Naturaleza “Nature Squad” includes 16-17 year-olds who’ve demonstrated their commitment to conservation and community. SKBM’s staff trains 4 of them in the months prior to Curso de Verano to assist with the program, a valuable leadership experience.
Curso de Verano is run by coaches who have earned international certifications and/or are in development. Under the mentorship of SKBM’s owner Ginni Callahan, these coaches continue to grow professionally and form the foundation of a paddling community committed to long-term learning and improvement.
