River Camps and Programs

2025 Summer River Programs and Day Camps

Get ready for summer adventures on the Huron River! The 2025 Summer Camp schedule will be released in early March.

Important Registration Dates:

• River Camp Registration: Opens Wednesday, April 2nd at 8:00 AM.
• All Other River Program Registration: Opens Wednesday, April 9th at 8:00 AM.

For a complete listing of spring and summer classes in Ann Arbor parks, including summer day camps, golf lessons, swim classes, canoe/kayak programs, volunteer opportunities, and more, please visit the REC1 Catalog: Link to REC1 Catalog

Registration is required for all river programs unless otherwise stated.

Special Activities at Argo & Gallup Park Liveries

Most programs require preregistration. Online registration www.a2gov.org/parksregister, more information www.a2gov.org/canoe, or call Gallup Park 734.794.6240.

River Kids – Gallup Livery for ages 2-7 

Fun river programs for children ages 2-7 years with a caregiver. Each session is once per week for four weeks. Preregistration is required. Resident, $70; nonresident, $84 per child/month. Each week you and your little one(s) will explore the river world by paddling a kayak, canoe or paddleboat on Gallup Pond. The children will experience the thrill of catching fish off the dock and discovering our river critters with boats, stories, art and play.

May River Kids Session:

Tuesdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27, 5:30-7 p.m.

June River Kids Sessions: 

Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, 10-11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursdays, June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursdays, June 5, 12, 19, 26, 6-7:30 p.m.

July River Kid Sessions:

Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, 10-11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, 6-7:30 p.m.

August River Kid Sessions:

Tuesdays, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26, 10-11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26, 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursdays, Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursdays, Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28, 6-7:30 p.m.

Canoe and Kayak Auction - Gallup Livery

Saturday, April 26th, noon. This public auction of used and damaged boats features two-person kayaks and one-person kayaks, aluminum canoes and standup paddleboards. We estimate that we will have 5 canoes, 5 SUPs and 25 kayaks for sale and prices generally range from $50 to $150 per boat. Boats will be available to view 30 minutes prior to the auction. Boats must be picked up by end of day.

46st Huron River Day

Sunday, May18th, noon-4 p.m. www.a2gov.org/HRD Come celebrate the wonderful Huron River! Free and fun festival activities include children’s activities, live animal programs, river exhibits, live music, dancing, fishing, and much more. Food trucks will be offering a variety of snacks and meals. 

Recreational Kayak Instruction – Gallup Livery

Mondays, June 2, June 23 or July 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $45/person/one-session course, ages 13 and up. Preregistration required. A kayak class will get you off to a great start on your river adventures. Learn basic strokes, techniques and safety before heading out to explore Gallup Pond. We provide the instruction, kayaks, paddles and lifejackets.

Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP) Instruction – Argo Livery

Tuesdays, June 10, June 24, or July 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $45/person/one-session course, ages 13 and up. Preregistration required. Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is fun, easy to learn and is a great workout out on beautiful Argo Pond. We provide the instruction, boards, paddles and lifejackets.

Kayaking for Seniors - Gallup Livery

Kayaking for seniors allows participants over 50 to kayak on the beautiful Huron River, accompanied by trained support staff. Participants are fitted to a kayak, including minor adaptations if needed, given basic kayaking instruction, and along with trained guides set out for a practice session on the river. We have easy kayak launch docks making it simple to enter and exit the kayaks. Kayaks, single or tandem, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Each session is two classes. Fee: $65/person.

Session 01: Wednesdays, June 11 and June 18, 9-11 a.m.

Session 02: Wednesdays, July 9 and July 16, 9-11 a.m.

Session 03: Wednesdays, July. 30 and Aug. 6, 9-11 a.m.

River Women - Argo Livery

Thursdays, July 17, July 24, and July 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $100/person/three-session course, ages 13 and up. Preregistration required. Explore the Huron River in this ladies-only boating adventure. In each of the three sessions we will try out different types of boats all while having fun on the river.  1st session: Kayak on the pond learning basic strokes and maneuvers.  2nd session: Try out stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) to see the water in a whole new way. 3rd session: Use your new boating skills to kayak the Argo Cascades and on down the river.

Kayak Instruction Level 2 – Argo Livery

Monday, July 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $45/person/one-session course, ages 13 and up. Preregistration required. Have you learned the basics but want to know more? This course is a follow up to our Recreational Kayak Instruction class and will cover river hazards, self-rescue, assisted rescue, and more. Recreational Kayak instruction is recommended prior to taking this class. We provide the instruction, kayaks, paddles and lifejackets.

Kayak Instruction Level 3 – Argo Livery

Monday, Aug 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $45/person/one-session course, ages 13 and up. Preregistration required. Have you learned the basics but want to know more? This course is a follow up to our Recreational Kayak Instruction class 1&2 and will include the Argo Cascades, class II rapids and the trip to gallup. Including transportation back to Argo Recreational Kayak instruction is recommended prior to taking this class. We provide the instruction, kayaks, paddles and lifejackets.   

Adapted Kayaking – Gallup Livery

The Adaptive Kayaking program allows participants with a disability to learn how to kayak and to spend time kayaking on the beautiful Huron River, accompanied by trained support staff and led by a trained, certified instructor. Participants are fitted to a kayak, including time for any adaptations needed, given kayaking instruction, and along with trained guides at a 2 to 1 ratio, try out their new skills on the river. If a participant is unable to kayak independently, they can still participate in one of our tandem kayaks. Each session is made up of two private classes, family and friends are welcome to participate. Additional 3rd session and river trip optional.  Participants can schedule lessons at either our Gallup or Argo locations. Please contact us if you would like to schedule private lessons. Contact: Gallup Canoe Livery, 734.794.6240

River Camps

The river camps at Argo and Gallup Canoe Liveries are licensed by the State of Michigan and we have experienced instructors that understand the safety of on-water activities while balancing the importance of outdoor fun and adventure. Our popular river camps teach kids how to explore and love their natural world all from the seat of a boat! As the river theme and activities repeat throughout the summer, please register your child for one week only.

Gallup River Camp: 8-11 Years old

Explore the Huron River with boats and fishing for a week filled with learning, adventure, and fun!  Experience perfect summer days as we kayak, canoe, paddleboat, raft, tube, stand up paddle board, fish, and play in our wonderful river parks.  Gallup campers paddle boats up and down the river learning new skills and enjoying the great outdoors. The Gallup River Camp is based out of the Gallup Park Meeting Room adjacent to the Gallup Livery.

Camp Fees:  resident, $292; nonresident, $360

Camp Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Gallup River Camp Schedule: June 16-20, June 23-27, June 30 – July 3 (no camp 7/4), July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21- 25, July 28 – Aug 1, Aug 4-8, Aug 11-15, Aug 18-22

Argo River Camp: 12-14 Years old

Friends and fun on the coolest river around! Join us as we journey out each day paddling our boats down different sections of the beautiful Huron River. Our many explorations include kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, tubing, rafting, fishing. Argo River Camp is based out of a cabin and pavilion at the Argo Livery.

Camp Fees: resident $244; nonresident $300

Camp Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Argo River Camp: June 16-20, June 23-27, no camp June 30-July 4, July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21- 25, July 28 – Aug 1, Aug 4-8, Aug 11-15