Rowing Camp

Participants learn the fundamentals of sweep rowing (one oar) or sculling (two oars), based on experience and enrollment numbers. Sessions are held on the eastern shore of Orchard Lake at St. Mary’s Prep. Participants begin with a swim test, a thorough review of safety protocols, handling and maintaining equipment, lots of experience learning how to row and steer a 60-foot rowing shell as a team and end with an introduction to racing. Experienced rowers will gain experience sculling and racing in smaller boats. Camp fees cover the cost of the following equipment: rowing shells, oars, and coaches’ safety launches.  

Camp Details

(entering grades 7-10 in the Fall of 2025)

General Information
This camp is exclusively offered to current Cranbrook Schools students and is open to novice, intermediate, and advanced rowers. No experience necessary.

Rowers are constantly supervised on and off the water. Risk of capsizing is minimal, but participants should be comfortable with the water and must participate in the pre-camp swim test. Although the oars and boats are flotation devices, the safety launch is also equipped with personal flotation devices for each rower. The coach is a certified lifeguard. 

Campers bring each day: Athletic shorts, socks, and shoes, a sweatshirt and sunglasses if desired, a water bottle, and apply sunscreen before arrival.

Swim Test: There will be a swim test on the first day of each session.


Tuition and Fees - 2025
  • Tuition
    • $320 per session
  • Cancellation Policy and Refunds
    • All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to the Special and Summer Programs Office and are subject to the cancellation policy below.
      • The $50.00 per week enrollment deposit is non-refundable.
      • Written cancellations received before April 1, 2025, will be eligible for a full refund less the enrollment deposit and any payment processing fees.
      • Written cancellations received between April 1 and May 31, 2025, will be eligible for a 50% refund of total tuition less the enrollment deposit and any payment processing fees.
      • Cancellations received June 1, 2025, or later are not eligible for a refund.
  • Fees
    • Rush Enrollment Fee: $25 after 6/1/2025
    • Late Payment Fee: 10% of balance after 6/1/2025
  • Tuition Includes
    • Snacks
  • Options Available:
    • Monthly Payment Plan: $0
Questions? Contact Special and Summer Programs at summer@cranbrook.edu, (248) 645-3674, or use our Contact Us form.

Dates, Times & Locations

Dates
  • Week 1: June 16 - 20, 2025
  • Week 7: July 28 - August 1, 2025
Times
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location
St. Mary's Preparatory - Wotta Building

Meet Your Coach!

List of 1 items.

  • Kevin VanHouten

    Kevin Van Houten, CK Head Rowing Coach, has coached at Cranbrook for over ten years and has coached at the collegiate and high school levels for over thirty years. He also coached several of St. Mary’s rowing camps. Coach KvH brings experience working with beginning rowers as well as national champions and an Olympian in sweep and sculling.