Rates for Membership and Events

Membership Rates

FOK Family unite! Membership means strength in numbers. Join the ranks of over 500+ people who purchase a membership each year. Just as you count on the dynamic ecosystem of the Kansas River, FOK counts on dedicated individuals like you to become a member of Friends of the Kaw each year. Together, we make a difference by increasing our voice and contributing to something bigger than ourselves.

One-year Individual Membership: $45 join now

One-year Family Membership: $80 join now

Give the Gift of Membership gift now

Membership Perks: Membership starts March 1 and ends February 28. Receive e-newsletter for events and opportunities to participate, volunteer, respond, and donate. Members are THE FIRST to know about paddle opportunities.Attend for FREE Member-Only events presented by experts. Paddle for FREE at Beginner Wednesdays and Themed Education Paddles when you bring your own kayak/canoe. Volunteer for education events, trash cleanups, riverbank restoration projects, and become a Kaw River Guide. Receive a friendly reminder each year to renew your membership. Auto-renew option available online. Don’t want to renew online? Download our Membership Form and mail to: PO Box 1612, Lawrence, KS 66044

Paddle Opportunities

One of the best benefits of FOK is togetherness on the Kaw. We plan the details, assemble a shuttle plan, and you simply RSVP to join. Paddle opportunities are delivered through email. Click here to sign up for our newsletter or see the Event Calendar to enroll. Enrollment opens 6 weeks in advance and no earlier.

Beginner Wednesdays

Join our staff and Kaw River Guides for Beginner Wednesdays. Participants enjoy a guided river paddle experience. If this is your first paddle, thank you for entrusting us to your care. We love being part of your first journey on the Kansas River. Participants receive instructions and paired with a Kaw River Guide. Paddlers explore the river and pause on the sandbar for an educational talk. Bring water to stay cool and hydrated.

Must be a Member to participate. Join now!
FREE paddling for Members who bring their own kayak/canoe.
Need a kayak/canoe? Members can rent.

Rental includes kayak/canoe, paddle, and lifejacket.

Single Kayak: $50

Double Kayak: $75

Canoe: $100

No children age 5 and under. Children ages 6-12 are positioned as a passenger in a canoe (no single/double kayak) and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Children ages 13-18 can paddle in a single/double kayak or canoe and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
FOK does not rent kayaks/canoes separate from our paddle trips.
See More Paddle Information below.

Beginner Camping on the Kaw

Join our staff and Kaw River Guides for an overnight experience. Learn how to camp, choose the right sandbar, watch for weather/wind, and build a campfire. We launch Friday afternoons and paddle 3-5 miles until we find an overnight sandbar campsite. Plenty of the time to set up camp. Then, we paddle on Saturday to our destination. This event is geared towards those who already know how to camp but have not camped on the Kansas River. You must bring your own kayak/canoe, camping gear, food, and water.

Must be a Member to participate. Join now!
$30 per event.
Must bring your own kayak/canoe.
Kayak/canoe rentals not available for Beginner Camping.
No children age 13 and under. Children ages 14-18 can paddle in a single/double kayak or canoe and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
See More Paddle Information below.

Themed Education Paddles

Our Themed Education Paddles include a guided daytrip paddle with knowledgeable experts, staff, and Kaw River Guides. Past themes: Bugs, Biodiversity & the Kaw, Birds of the Kaw, Let’s Paddle the Kaw, and Fabulous Fall on the Kaw.

Must be a Member to participate. Join now!
FREE paddling for Members who bring their own kayak/canoe.
Need a kayak/canoe? Members can rent.

Rental includes kayak/canoe, paddle, and lifejacket.

Single Kayak: $50
Double Kayak: $75
Canoe: $100
No children age 13 and under. Children ages 14-18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
FOK does not rent kayaks/canoes separate from our paddle trips.
See More Paddle Information below.

Student Paddles with Education Professionals

Student paddles are private paddle trips with students, teacher(s), FOK staff, and Kaw River Guides only. If you are an educator, please contact our program manager for pricing and details. Contact Kim Bellemere via email: kim.bellemere@kansasriver.org.

More Paddle Information

Paddles and cleanups can be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Kaw River Guides are experienced volunteer paddlers ready to assist with your needs and safety.

We pledge FOK Members are THE FIRST to know about paddle and cleanup opportunities delivered through email. Check out the Event Calendar to enroll. Enrollment opens 6 weeks in advance and no earlier.

A detailed email will be sent to participants 48 hours before each event. No communication will arrive until that time because of possible changes in the weather and/or river conditions.

View our video “Know Before You Go” to learn what to expect on a paddle.

Bring water to stay cool and hydrated.
No alcohol.
No pets.

To rent a kayak/canoe for your own paddle, click for our river partners.

Events and Ticket Rates

Wild & Scenic Film Festival – every March!

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival was started by the watershed advocacy group, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), in 2003 and has evolved into the largest environmental film festival in the nation. The event kicks off nationwide each January in Nevada City, CA, touring over 140 cities, and Lawrence, KS is one of them. Learn more about the national Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

FOK is proud to host the film festival locally. We think the films are just too good, and the messages too powerful to keep to ourselves. Watch and see for yourself!

This event is a fundraiser with all proceeds benefitting Friends of the Kaw. Purchase a ticket to attend, start/renew your membership, and participate in our special Member-Only raffle.

Ticket to Event: $20 BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY
Renew one-year Membership: $35 *exclusive $10 discount
Renew one-year Family Membership: $70 *exclusive $10 discount
Member-Only Raffle Ticket: $10
Must be a Member to buy a raffle ticket.
See…membership has its perks! Become a member now

Beers of the Kaw – first Sunday of November annually.

Beers of the Kaw is a beer tasting of the breweries in the Kansas River watershed. Ticket price includes entrance to the event, a beer tasting glass, and access to all beer brewers for tasting. You’ll receive a “beer bingo” card. Complete the card by visiting all the brewers (you don’t have to drink it all), then add your bingo card to our drawing for tons of door prizes at the end of the night. Food vendors on site, but the cost for food is not included in your ticket price. Outdoor patio with lovely view of the Kansas River! We also have a silent auction stacked with wonderful items. Learn more Beers of the Kaw.’

Event is on the first Sunday in November every year at Abe & Jake’s Landing in downtown Lawrence, KS.