Canoeing for Kids

05/05/2026

Hello friends! Today is Midlands Gives - please consider making a donation to help get kids on the water this summer!

https://www.midlandsgives.org/organization/canoeingforkids

12/23/2025

Thanks to WIS TV for highlighting our tree lot and the work that it helps to fund. We have a few great-looking trees left. It's not too late - come get a deal on a beautiful tree!

The Christmas tree lot on Trenholm Road may look average, but its purpose runs deeper than spreading holiday cheer. The lot serves as the main fundraiser for Canoeing for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Lexington.

Story below.

11/22/2025

Our Christmas tree lots are open for business! (Please don't judge us for getting into the holiday spirit before Thanksgiving 😅)

Two lots to choose from:
1 - Canoeing for Kids Headquarters (114 Riverchase CT, Lexington)
2 - Trenholm Road United Methodist Church (3401 Trenholm Rd, Columbia)

Monday - Thursday*: 11am - 7pm
Friday and Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 12 - 7pm
*Thanksgiving Day: 3 - 7pm

Come see us!

08/25/2025

Enjoy this colorful glimpse of .
In what has become one of our favorite traditions, CFK hosts the entire freshman class of South Carolina Honors College at the beginning of each fall semester for an icebreaking float down the Saluda River. This past Saturday, we took nearly 300 new college students down our home river.
We're grateful for this ongoing partnership with the University of South Carolina and for all of our staff and extra volunteers who spent their Saturday making sure this gargantuan undertaking was safe and fun for all involved.
We hope these new Gamecocks have a great first semester, and we're already looking forward to next year. Go C***s!

*Canoeing for Kids is a registered nonprofit, and our mission is to provide free canoeing and kayaking experiences to underprivileged children. Large trips like this help fund our mission. Please see our website - www.canoeingforkids.org - for more information about the uplifting work we do in our community.

06/18/2025

In support of Canoeing for Kids alumni and long time friend Andrew Grizzell , kids today at Camp Adam Fisher for Juvenile Diabetes went "sq**rt boating".

Andy is in Plattling, Germany today competing in the International Canoe Federation Worlds Freestyle Championships in the "sq**rt boat" category - these are boats designed to do tricks and maneuvers in -and *under* whitewater !

A sample of what he is up to - or rather *down* to :
https://youtu.be/nZXeJoA9C68?si=cQ1TfrcmbGsWZZGr

05/14/2025

It's on! Book your Raft Day trip for May 17!

* 10:00 am trip $55
* Lunch provided
* 2:00 pm trip available on request $65

Call or Text Jay at 803-348-0348 to hold your seat!

Only 40 seats left!

05/02/2025

Midlands Gives day is Tuesday, May 6th - please consider taking this opportunity to support Canoeing for Kids! Early giving is open now and there are still matching funds available!

https://www.midlandsgives.org/organization/canoeingforkids

05/02/2025

Book your Raft Day trip for May 17!

10:00 am trip $55
Lunch provided
2:00 pm trip available on request $65

Call or Text Jay at 803-348-0348 to hold your seat!

04/23/2025

Canoeing for Kids Raft Day May 17, 2025 - or maybe a Kayak Day…

Just like last year :

We hope to have Raft Day May 17th, but… this depends on factors beyond our control - namely the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in Lake Murray. If the DO level is too low, we can't get the release flows that provides the whitewater rafting fun that the Saluda can offer. Low DO levels can kill fish. Can't have that.

We should know on May 13th if we will have a rafting release on May 17th.

Watch this space for more details.

03/20/2025

Please support our friends at the Gills Creek Watershed Association with their fundraiser next week!

If you’ve attended this annual event in the past, get excited for some upgrades to help us properly celebrate our 25th anniversary:

Venue: City Roots (1005 Airport Blvd) is a beloved outdoor event venue with plenty of covered gathering space, ambiance galore, a fire pit, and bonus points for being in the Gills Creek watershed.

Live Music: Rock out while certified-SC-grown Danielle Howle and her full band play original tunes and help us share the importance of clean water and environmental conservation.

Catering: Gather ‘round the table for piping hot low country boil, chicken bog, and jambalaya (it’s vegetarian!) prepared on the spot by Barrel and Vine Productions.

Full Bar: In addition to supporting a fabulous local nonprofit, your ticket includes an open bar with curated wine selections, local beer, and - new this year - spirits!

Raffle Prizes: Event tickets for GCWA members will include 3 raffle tickets! You decide the best strategy… place all your tickets in one pot or split them up amongst various prizes. Extra raffle tickets can be purchased during the event.

Silent Auction, Interactive Tables, and Games: And in the spirit of carrying on traditions from previous years, we’ll have a silent auction, interactive watershed games, and Wine Bottle Bingo!

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 25 years of restoring and protecting the Gills Creek watershed. Buy your tickets today! (Link in comments.)