WHITEWATER REGION (Beachburg) — Whether it was whitewater kayaking down the Ottawa River near Foresters Falls, the Valin River in Quebec or the White Salmon in Washington state, Kaden McLaughlin enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime.
As a matter of fact, he enjoyed it so much, he is anticipating enjoying the opportunity of a lifetime again.
The 16-year-old son of Kim and Jeff McLaughlin of Beachburg spent the last school year with the World Class Kayak Academy. This is a school that travels the world allowing the students the opportunity to enjoy whitewater kayaking while earning credits towards their high school diploma.
Based out of Washington, teachers travel with the students as they hold classes in various areas, whether it be in a room or on the bank of a river.
While enjoying what he loves to do – whitewater kayaking – Kaden also studied various subjects, including environmental science, world literature, world history and photography.
“How cool was it to spend Grade 11 in Africa, in Chile,” he said. “Not many kids get to do this.”
A private school, Kaden said it is expensive to attend, but with help from his parents and sponsors and himself working and fundraising, along with a scholarship from the school, he was able to raise the necessary funds.
He explained that one of the reasons the expenses are high is because of the flights home. The school operates in six-week segments, with time spent at their own homes for a few weeks in between.
This past school year, Kaden studied while on the Ottawa River close to his Beachburg home, as well as in Quebec, various states in the US, Chile and Africa. Rivers he was on included Ottawa, White Nile, Fuy, Valin, White Salmon, and Palguin.
Along with the regular high school classes, the students also learned about the various areas they were in, Kaden said.
“Instead of sitting behind a desk, we would have class on the side of a river, the classes were held wherever we were,” he said. “I learned a lot more than I would in a normal school because I don’t like sitting behind a desk.”
Dad Jeff said they know their son’s passion is kayaking, and if he can get an education while enjoying what he does the most, they were going to help him.
“We saw grades we never thought we’d see out of Kaden,” he said after his son’s return. “He’s a totally different kid.”
Explaining, he said his son talks in sentences, not just one-word answers or grunts. He’s excited about learning, Jeff said.
Along with the school-based education, the students also learn life skills, such as cooking, organizing, how to get around, team work and things you don’t think about, such as making your clothes last.
Kaden noted the students, of which there were about 18, were divided into various groups, each having a mentor.
Jeff said the mentors sent an email home to the parents each week. He recalled when Kaden was airlifted by helicopter when he suffered a head injury. While it was difficult knowing they couldn’t be there for their son, his mentor kept the parents informed of exactly what was happening.
“You feel totally helpless,” he recalled. “We were days away and couldn’t help our son.
“But, we were very confident with the school, we knew there were professionals looking after our son.”
The students realized that some of the areas they travelled in were very poor, but instead of taking from their meagre supplies, they brought their own food, much of it rice, pasta and canned food.
“There was no junk food,” Kaden said. “If you wanted junk food, you had to buy it.”
He’s also drinking more water instead of pop and juice.
“Water cures everything,” he said with a laugh.
There were times they travelled for days in a van, stopping along the way to kayak and hold classes. He noted that it was necessary at times to ‘chase the water,’ to find the rapids for kayaking.
Kaden saw how the poorest of the poor lives, but, he noted, they don’t know it. They are as happy with what they have as he is back home, he explained.
Kaden, along with his father, recalls a very special moment during the school’s graduation ceremony. Although Jeff did not attend the event, Kaden’s mom videotaped it on her cell phone and sent it to Jeff.
Kaden said when the students are graduating, a teacher not only talks about the graduates, but each student who attended the school in the past year.
Kalob Grady, who is a first-year instructor and hails from La Passe (the son of Kevin and Brenda Grady), spoke about Kaden. He spoke about his smile, his willingness to learn and help others, his enthusiasm for learning, how great he was at keeping the engine of the van running smoothly, and much more.
“I was honoured and proud people think of me in that way,” Kaden said.
Kaden is looking forward to Grade 12, saying, “I want to go back. I don’t want to sit behind a desk.”
Next year’s classes will in Ontario, Quebec, Washington (where the school is located), Chile (different areas) and Ecuador.
And so, while he continues looking for full-time summer work, he’s working hard at odd jobs, such as cutting lawns, processing wood and gardening/landscaping.
Kaden’s father Jeff agreed it was expensive for his son’s education, but it was worth every penny.
If you have a job for Kaden, whether for an hour, a day or the rest of the summer, call him on his father’s cell phone, 613-585-0037.
