Level Up!
Learn New Skills & Adventures
Level Up: New Skills & Adventures!
Level Up offers new skills, fun and adventures for campers in six activities over the summer: canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, birding and hiking challenges. Campers can choose to participate in Level Up and progress through skill levels to earn certifications and awards.
Here are the 2026 Level Up activities:
Canoeing: Levels 1-5 for beginner through advanced, new Team Challenges and Adventures
Kayaking: Levels 1-3, Paddling Adventures
Fishing: Casting License, Angler Apprentice, and Master Fisher awards
Swimming: Levels 1-6 for beginner through advanced, Junior Lifeguard & Diving
Birding – Levels 1-5
Hiking Challenges: Choose 13 hikes for all abilities from short and easy to the Rim Trail. Explore the Reservoir trails with your camper group!
Fishing Levels & Awards
Roughing It Casting License
Requirements to obtain a Casting License (2nd-10th grade)
- Knows casting rules and safety procedures.
- Makes sure area is clear behind them.
- Calls out “Casting, Casting 1-2-3” to alert people they are casting.
- Has cast 3 times in a row successfully.
New! Fresh Water Fish ID Card
- Find & Identify 7 freshwater fish in Lafayette Reservoir.
Angler Apprentice (3rd-10th grade)
- Has obtained Casting License
- Can bait their own hook (Safely and independently bait a hook without assistance).
- Correctly identify at least three fish species using fish ID cards
- Locate likely fish “hot spot” based on environmental clues (vegetation, depth, etc)
- Can tie a fisherman knot
- Rig a fishing line with appropriate weight
Master Fisher (5th-10th grade)
- Has obtained Casting License and completed Angler Apprentice
- Cast with precision at various distances, adjusting for wind and water conditions.
- Demonstrate proper technique in de-baiting a hook after fishing.
- Catch & Release – If a fish is caught, safely and carefully remove the fish from hook with minimal harm.
- Can demonstrate how to Rig a fishing pole
- Tacklebox Knowledge – Can identify all items in Tackle box & explain uses for each.
- Fished with 3 different types of bait
- Fished for 3 different types of fish (bass, catfish, sturgeon or others)
- Completed Shore Fishing (at the beach at Superchoice)
- Hike & Fish – Fished from 3 different areas at the Reservoir (at Superchoice)
Fishing Helper (9th-10th Grade)
- Knows & demonstrates safety procedures and Basic Fishing Orientation
- Has obtained Angler & Master Fisher skill level
- Helps other campers bait and learn to use fishing pole.
- Helps set up & pack up Fishing Dock.
- Assists with removing a Fish from Hook
- Assist in cleaning a fish
- Assists Fishing Counselor as a Helper for a Fishing activity period.
Fisherman’s Friend (PreK-10th Grade)
- Knows and follows all the basic safety procedures at fishing
- Assists other campers on the dock in leaning the fishing skills including baiting their hook & learning to use their pole correctly
- Helps set up/clean up the dock at end of fishing time
- Is friendly and inclusive of everyone in their group
Canoeing Team Challenges & Adventures
Canoe Levels 1-5 & Team Challenges 2026
This program gives campers canoeing skills for adventures and challenges in Capt’n Rough’s Cove and beyond for exploring all areas reservoir. Campers learn to canoe in Levels 1 – 3 in Capt’n Rough’s Cove. Levels 4 -6 progress to other parts of the lake. Some of the challenges and adventures are for 2nd – 4th grade campers with the counselor in the canoe. There are more advanced challenges for older campers to do first with a counselor, and then independently as a team of campers. See the 6 canoe skill levels and challenges below.
Canoe Levels 1-5 & Team Challenges
Level 1: Canoeing Intro & Safety Orientation
Introduction to canoeing: rules, PFD, & safety orientation. Paddle out and canoe in Capt’n Rough’s cove with team & counselor for a short time.
Level 2: Discoverer – Canoeing Basics
Learn the 4 basic canoe strokes & completes team challenges with group.
Discoverer Team Challenges:
- Beach Team Trip
- Discoverer Obstacle Course Team Challenge
Level 3: Explorer
Stroke Development, teamwork & endurance building team challenges.
Explorer Team Challenges:
- Explorer Obstacle Course Team Challenge
- Princess Row A Boata’s Team Adventure
- Capt’n Rough’s Cove Challenge
Level 4: Voyager
Campers learn how to steer/navigate canoe, lead boat and team on extended canoe challenges.
Voyager Team Challenges:
- Cross The Reservoir Team Challenge: Paddle to L Dock and back with team & counselor
- Pathfinder – Obstacle Course Team Challenge: Navigates / steers with Team a 3-point obstacle course or canoe game with obstacles, *must paddle in all positions.
- Pathfinder – Beach Team Challenge: Canoes independently with team to the beach & back
- Capt’n Rough Cove Expedition Team Challenge (Pathfinder): Paddle the circumference of Capt’n Rough Cove with team independently
- Tower Expedition Team Challenge: Paddle with Team to Princess Row A-Boata’s Tower and back to dock (independently with team)
- Voyage Cross The Reservoir Team Challenge: Paddle to L Dock and back with team independently
Voyager Camper Leadership Challenges:
- Voyager – Beach Trip Leader Challenge: Navigates / steers canoe with team from stern to the beach & back
- Voyager – Obstacle Course Leader Challenge: Navigates / steers a 3-point obstacle course or canoe game with obstacles
- Capt’n Rough Cove Leader Challenge: Paddle the circumference of Capt’n Rough Cove team
- Tower Trip Leader Challenge: Paddle with Team to Princess Row A-Boata’s Tower and back to dock
Canoe Skill Level 5: Pathfinder – Advanced Canoeist
Canoes independently with team in canoe (without counselor) and masters advanced paddling skills.
Prerequisites for Level 5: Campers 5th grade and up
Pathfinder Canoe Leader Challenges: Pre-req: Camper completed all Level 4 Canoe skills & team challenges in positions in stern (can successfully lead / steers their canoe & team)
- Beach Leader Challenge – Pathfinder: Leads team canoeing independently to the beach & back (steers from stern, team of 2–3 campers independently).
- Capt’n Rough’s Leader Challenge – Pathfinder: Paddles the circumference of Captain Rough’s Cove with 2–3 campers (leads and steers canoe from stern position).
- Tower Expedition Leader Challenge: Paddle with Team to Princess Row A-Boata’s Tower and back to dock (independently with team).
- Cross the Reservoir Leader Challenge: Canoes across the reservoir to the L-Dock with team & leads/steers from stern (starts from dock 4 in Capt’n Ruff’s Cove).
For Team Challenges Level 5 : Campers 5th grade & older – Canoeing challenges are performed in a team of skilled campers independently (without a staff member in the canoe).
Kayak Levels 1 - 3
Level 1: Discoverer
Learn the basic kayaking skills that will allow campers to confidently paddle around the reservoir. This includes Understanding Safety & Rules, how to properly load/unload kayak, basic paddling skills, and balance/basic communication with partner. These are key skills that campers should have proficiency in before moving on to level two skills.
Must complete three of the following challenges:
- Cove Obstacle/Skills Course
- Scavenger Hunt/Paddling Challenge in the Cove
- Paddle Across the Reservoir & Back
- Paddle to the West end of the Reservoir
Level 2: Explorer
The purpose of Level 2 is to have campers gain confidence with their paddling skills, maneuvering, working with their kayak partner and communication, and build up their endurance.
Challenges to Complete:
- Paddle around the whole reservoir
- Obstacle course/Skills Course
- Scavenger hunt around the reservoir
Level 3: Guide
This is the most advanced level where CILT Campers begin to hone their kayak skills, leadership, and learn waterfront safety. They would learn how to tow another kayak, plan, and create a route or activity with safety in mind, and how to lead a paddle talk that they could do with a younger group.
Challenges to Complete:
- Learn to Tow
- Create their own voyage!
- Paddle talk-camper can give a paddle talk to the other campers, including key components for safety!
Swimming Levels - Certifications & Awards
Levels 1 – 6 (for Beginner – Advanced swimmers)
Starfish Award- Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
Super Seastar Award- Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Butterfly Fish Award- Level 3: Stroke Development
Yellow Tang Award- Level 4: Stroke Improvement
Barracuda Award- Level 5: Stroke Refinement
Sunfish Award- Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency
The Star Fish: Beginner Swimmers who can put their head under water, blow bubblies, and do a glide.
Sword Fish: Beginner Swimmers swim the width and back of lap pool, independently. This qualifies you to swim in the diving pool.
I Finished The 25!: Advanced-Beginner Swimmers who can swim 25 meters by themselves independently.
Swim to Alcatraz: Advanced Swimmers who can swim 65 laps (1,609m) over the course of your camp session(s).
Diving Awards: 3 Levels— Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Diving
Jr Lifeguarding Certifications: Correctly demonstrate the knowledge and skills to safely respond to aquatic emergencies by passing the skills in this activity.
- Level 1: Shallow Water Rescues
- Level 2: Deep Water Rescues
Hiking Challenge
Camper groups can explore all the trails 10 + trails at the Lafayette Reservoir. There are hikes all ages and levels. From the beautiful vista point to all the way around the rim trail, there are so many amazing things to see!
Hikes at the Lafayette Reservoir
Level 1 – Beginner Hikes
- Hike to your fort
- Canoe Trail Hike
- Hike to the Rally Point
Level 2 – Moderate Hikes for all ages!
- Sunset Trail
- Ranger Station Hike
Level 3 – Extended Hikes
- Extended Sunset Trail Hike
- Lakeside Nature Trail
- Vista Point Trail
Level 4 – More Challenging
- Rim Trail Circle Hike
- Campolindo Trail
- Big Oak Trail
Level 5 – Trail Blazer (for advanced & experienced hikers)
- Rim Trail
Reservoir Hike Information
- Sunset Trail (0.50 miles)
- Vista Point Trail (0.60 miles)
- Big Oak Trail (2.4 miles)
- Lakeside Nature Trail (2.79 miles)
- Campolindo Trail (3.7 miles)
- Rim Trail (4.97 miles)
Birding
Complete the Bird ID levels
- Level 1 – Beginner Bird Watcher
- Level 2 – Intermediate Bird Watcher
- Level 3 – Intermediate Bird Watcher
- Level 4 – Intermediate Bird Watcher
- Level 5 – Coming Next Year!
Find Bird Sightings at the Res to complete the Bird ID Card
Bird Awards:
- The Audubon
- The Novice Tacker
- The Ranger 1
