Summer activities and events!
Play, learn, and volunteer on and off the water with Catawba Riverkeeper this summer!
Can you believe it’s already July?! Don’t let the rest of your summer slip away. Make plans to get out and do something fun! Catawba Riverkeeper has 20+ programs, activities, and events for you and your family.
On-the-Water Opportunitites
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Kayak Rentals at The BoathouseList Item 1
Rent a kayak, canoe or standup paddle board for a 90-minute paddling experience on the South Fork River!
You will launch from The Boathouse and can easily paddle upstream for half a mile until you reach the rocky shoals and will then float back. After your trip, grab a snack and beer and relax at the picnic tables (or inside with A/C)!
No reservation required! Walk-up rentals are $25. Catawba Riverkeeper members get a 10% discount!
Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM - 4 PM
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Kayak Rentals at ConfluenceList Item 2
Start at Centennial Launch in Cramerton and choose your adventure! You can paddle:
- Upstream towards McAdenville and back (1.5 miles)
- Around Goat Island Park and back (1.3 miles)
- Downstream to Riverside Park and back (2 miles)
No reservation required! Walk-up rentals are $25. Catawba Riverkeeper members get a 10% discount!
Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM - 4 PM
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Eco ToursList Item 4
Go on a guided tour with an expert from Catawba Riverkeeper's team! BYO Gear or rent from us. Beginners, intermediates, and experts all welcome!
July 15 - First of the Lakes!
Get on the free-flowing river of the Upper Catawba as it flows into the mouth of Lake James. This paddle brings all of the elements of a river trip into one experience from rocky shoals, to gently flowing streams to a secret cypress swamp and into the first reservoir of our 11 lakes in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.
August 5 - The Confluence of Conservation and Recreation
We’ll meet at Catawba Riverkeeper’s Boathouse and shuttle up to the start of our trip in Spencer Mountain. We’ll paddle through 3-shoreline miles of conserved land that is home to the endangered Big Lead Magnolia and threatened Schweinitz's Sunflower. We’ll pass a historic hydroelectric power station and remnants of the Pinhook Mill while enjoying short sections of possible Class 1-2 rapids.
Eco Tours are sponsored by Recover!
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Full Moon Paddles
Paddle under the full moon’s glow and have fun with animals of the night, full moon rituals, folklore, and spooky stories!
Join us for our Full Moon Paddles where we will paddle under the full moon’s glow and have fun with these fantastical topics. These programs are hosted in Cramerton or Gastonia, North Carolina.
You can rent a kayak and accompanying gear or bring your own!
Dates: July 3, August 1, August 30, September 15
Full Moon Paddles are supported by CaroMont Health
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Moonlight Paddles
Experience the wonders of the South Fork River….AT NIGHT! Join us for a 2-hour guided experience that includes a 1.5-mile paddle from McAdenville to Cramerton.
We’ll meet at Confluence in Cramerton and shuttle up to the McAdenville Greenway and Blueway Launch to start our evening river journey. Each Moonlight Story & Paddle will present a different tale woven from the night sky.
You are welcome to bring your own kayak, canoe or SUP or rent a kayak and accompanying gear from us!
Dates: August 10 and Septembr 21
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Intro to Kayaking ClassesList Item 3
Interested in getting into kayaking but not sure where to start? We've got you covered. Learn the basics of kayaking on a slowly flowing river. This class is hosted in McAdenville or Cramerton in North Carolina along the South Fork River and will cover all the basics for you to feel more confident on the water.
This 2-hour class will include the basics of kayaking and water safety along with a guided paddle around the area on the South Fork River hosted by a Catawba Riverkeeper Kayak Instructor. We'll meet at one of the Riverkeeper's locations - Confluence in Cramerton or The Boathouse in McAdenville. While on land, we'll go over anatomy of a kayak, proper life vest fitting and paddle management. You’ll be assisted into the water where we’ll continue instruction of kayaking techniques, water safety and self-rescue in a comfortable setting and at a relaxed pace. You’ll try out your new skills paddling around the area with the kayak guide for the remainder of the class. This kayaking lesson is a great paddling experience for first time paddlers or families with children at least 8 years of age.
Dates: July 8 and August 5
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Private Kayaking Lessons
Learn basic river navigation and become a more confident paddler!
Kayak lessons are hosted by our professional kayak instructors. We offer private 1-1 and group instruction to improve your paddling technique, water navigation and overall comfort to enjoy different types of water environments in your boat.
You can provide your own kayak and equipment or use ours.
Learn something new!
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Lab Tours
Have you ever wondered what the Riverkeepers do for the Catawba River?
Well, now is your chance to find out! Participants will tour our back-of-house lab with our lead Riverkeeper and learn how our staff determine water quality.
Topics will include culturing pathogen indicating bacteria, identifying harmful algal blooms, and measuring several other water quality parameters.
Included in the tour is a draft beer of your choice!
Dates: July 21 and August 11
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Rain Barrel WorkshopList Item 4
Join us for a Rain Barrel Workshop at Confluence in Cramerton, NC!
This workshop includes a 45-min presentation on the creation, care, and use of your rain barrel. Along with in-person guided instruction on how to install the retrofit kit on your barrel.
Date: August 20
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Riverkeeper Learning SeriesList Item 1
July 8 - Brewery Tour - Legion Brewing
Good beer needs good water, and the breweries in the Catawba River Basin utilize water from the river in the making of their beverages. And what better way to learn about the brewing process than with a brewery tour?! Join us at Legion Brewing on West Morehead for a behind the scenes tour of their brewery. The brewery will also be open after the tour if you'd like to stick around and enjoy a beverage.
August 26 - Envision Charlotte's Innovation Barn Tour
Innovation Barn is a combination of entrepreneurial businesses, zero-waste initiatives, and a space to convene groups in order to learn more about and implement circular projects.
On the tour learn about how Envision Charlotte is turning plastic waste into usable materials, explore their aquaponics space, check out their black soldier fly composting, and so much more!
Registration is required.
The Riverkeeper Learning Series is presented by Xylem Watermark.
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For the Kids - Science SaturdaysList Item 3
Games, crafts, and educational activities for kids ages 6-13!
Presented by: TIAA
July 8 - Movement of Nature
July 22 - All Things Trees
July 29 - Beavers
Volunteer!
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Cleanup on Mountain Island LakeList Item 1
Join Catawba Riverkeeper to remove trash from in and around Mountain Island Lake at Riverbend Boat Ramp in Mt. Holly, NC!
Mountain Island Lake is an important watershed for the Catawba River and provides essential urban natural habitat, recreation through trails and parks, and becomes the drinking water source for our neighbors in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County.
Date: July 15
Our monthly cleanup series is sponsored by Recover!
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Cleanup of Moores Chapel LoopList Item 2
Join Catawba Riverkeeper to remove trash via land from around The Catawba River on Moores Chapel Loop. The Catawba River provides essential urban natural habitat, recreation through trails and parks, and becomes the drinking water source for Charlotte-Mecklenburg County.
Date: August 5
Our monthly cleanup series is sponsored by Recover!
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Ambassador TrainingList Item 3
Do you love the work Catawba Riverkeeper is doing in the community? Have you been looking for a way to get more involved with the organization? Ambassadors serve as an extension of the organization to promote the mission and initiatives of Catawba Riverkeeper at promotional tabling events throughout the year. Take the Ambassador Training to learn how you can spread our mission of protecting the Catawba-Wateree River Basin at local events in the area.
Date: Thursday, July 13
Time: 5:30-8 PM
Location: In-person at The River Room and virtually! Choose what works best for you.
Live music & other fun!
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Jam at the Dam!List Item 1
The Catawba Riverkeeper’s live music summer event series is back! These family and pet friendly Saturday nights at The Boathouse are a great way to unwind from the week, spend time with folks you love, listen to good music, and support the Catawba Riverkeeper!
Bring your lawn chair, dancing shoes, and your appetite! Firehawk Brew Pub will be onsite at each Jam at the Dam with items from their delicious menu for sale!
Dates and Bands:
- July 8 - David Childers
- July 29 - The Eyebrows
- August 19 - Featherpocket
- September 2 - Nathan Dowdy & The Hwy
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Christmas in July
Join Catawba Riverkeeper in Christmastown, USA for a "Christmas in July" themed fundraiser! We're decking the halls at the River Room for one special night! Wear something festive and fun! We want to see your Christmas spirit - summer style!
Buy your VIP tickets in advance! $50 gets you two drink tickets, 5 raffle tickets, and a food truck meal!Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase for $5.
Proceeds from this event will support our work to preserve, protect, and restore the South Fork Watershed.
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Fork FestList Item 2
Join us for a 2-day music festival benefitting our work to improve the South Fork River!
Don't miss the floating concert Friday night, indoor shows, and outdoor stage on Saturday!
Dates: August 4 & 5
