Last year, my family took our two children (ages 9 and 11) to Medomak camp in Maine because it was both a family camp and also featured rowing. We wanted the children to have the opportunity to try rowing, but not force them to row all day as would be the case in a normal rowing camp.
Family camp is geared with activities that interest both children and adults. It gives them an assortment of activities to choose from such as crafts, archery, cooking, nature, games, etc. The Medomak camp has all these traditional activities but additionally has rowing. This is where I first learned to row a non-erg.
My daughter and wife tried rowing too. Both of them liked it a lot and are looking forward to returning this year. They didn't spend as much time in the boat as I did, but they aren't finatics either. (Some people are human!) My son didn't want anything to do with rowing and that was OK. This is where it was very nice to have the traditional camping activities to fall back on.
Our family will be returning to Medomak camp this summer for the week starting June 25 and ending July 1. The camp description on the internet,medomakcamp.com, doesn't list rowing as an activity that week, but I called the camp and they assured me that the boats (singles, doubles, and a 4) and the coach will be available.
I plan to bring some of my other water "toys" such as sailboards, canoes, and kayaks. I also plan to bring a prototype of the Girder & Panel Hydrodynamic set and try it out on the children at the camp. I probably will be teaching a basic class on structures and one on fluid dynamics to any 5 to 12 year old who is interested in learning engineering as an activity.
If you want to learn how to row a boat, or just want to spend more time messing in boats, please join me for a week in Maine.
Cheers,
Paul Flack