Five Ways to Enjoy the Water This Summer in Chatham

Chatham County has plenty of things to do in the summers, including water-related activities to cool off from the hot sun! If you’re tired of June’s high temperatures, take a break by heading to a summer camp, swimming lessons, canoeing adventures or hiking around Jordan Lake. Here are five ways you can enjoy the water this summer!

No 1: Attend the Haw River Summer Adventure Camp:

For younger teenagers, the Haw River can provide a great way to learn about nature in Chatham County!

The Haw River flows through Central North Carolina, running just above Pittsboro before emptying into Jordan Lake. Four miles south of Jordan Lake dam, the Haw River joins the Deep River to form the Cape Fear River, which flows all the way to Wilmington. The river is home to many examples of local wildlife, including blue heron, beaver, deer, otter, and bluegill bream.

This summer’s Haw River Adventure Camp will take place July 20 — July 24, and you can register after July 1 at their site. The Haw River Canoe and Kayak Company hosts the camp, which will focus on teaching campers paddling skills in canoes and kayaks. Campers will be taught paddling techniques, safety and river navigation, as well as river education regarding the history of the river and how to keep it healthy.

Attendees will enjoy more than just paddling! There will be different activities such as hiking different trails along the Haw River, outdoor living skills, orienteering, plant and tree identification, leadership and teamwork.

Camps are open to youth ages 10 to 15, availability is limited to 14 campers per group. Campers will be grouped by skill level and/or age. The cost is $250 per week.

No. 2: Take Swimming Lessons with the Pittsboro Swim Association:

Swimming is the foundation of having a great time in the water! With good swimming skills, your kids can enjoy the summer at the pool or at Jordan Lake State Park. And you, as a parent, can relax, knowing that the whole family can have fun AND be safe.

Managed by Carolina Pool Management, Chatham County is offering swim lessons for a variety of experience levels, ranging from beginner to advanced, throughout the summer. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in an evaluation class before being assigned a class level. Each session will be made up of four 30-minute classes Monday — Thursday throughout the summer.

Depending on your preferred class size (ranging from private lessons to 6-person group classes), prices range from $55 to $110 per session. For more information, head here.

No. 3: Adventure Down the Cape Fear River:

One of North Carolina’s major rivers is the Cape Fear River, which begins just south of Jordan Lake and continues through Eastern NC to Wilmington. Enjoy the water this summer by taking one of the many river trips from Cape Fear River Adventures!

The canoe and kayak company offers river trips to suit every skill level. Choose from a laid back flat water paddling to an exciting whitewater adventure to a two-day canoe camping trip. Non-adventure seekers take heart! The company also offers Lazy River Tubing if paddling is not your thing.

Trips range from an easy one-hour leisure paddling session to an epic overnight adventure. For videos, prices and booking information, head here.

No. 4: Enter a Photo Contest:

If you go on an adventure with the Cape Fear River Adventures company, use the trip to your advantage by entering a photo contest! Cape Fear River Adventures is hosting two types of social media contests this summer:

• Facebook Photo Contests: Every two weeks Cape Fear River Adventures will be giving away a trip for two to the photo with the most ‘likes’ on its Facebook page. Entering is easy! Just submit a photo from one of your trips with the company, ‘share’ it with friends, get ‘likes’ from friends, and the photo entry with the most ‘likes’ will be the winner!
• Weekly #HumpDayContest: You should also be on the lookout for our second summer contest series, the weekly #HumpDayContest. Get you ready for a weekend out with friends on the Cape Fear River by entering to win a a free tube rental each Wednesday. All you have to do is submit the best response to Cape Fear River Adventures’ weekly question, which will be posted on the company’s Facebook page.

No. 5: Splash in the Water at Jordan Lake State Park:

I blogged last year about all Jordan Lake has to offer, and you can get the full scoop here. In case you haven’t been to the lake in a year, remember that you can enjoy TONS of activities, including boating, bald eagle watching, camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, picnicking and more!

Because Jordan Lake is so large, you’ll never be more than an hour away if you live in Chatham County — which means you’ll always be near some of the best summer fun around. My idea of the perfect trip? Hiking in the morning, stopping for a picnic at lunch, boating in the afternoon, and ending with a quick swim. Usually, along the way, I’ll catch a glimpse of those beautiful eagles!