When summer starts to sizzle, consider cooling down with a Forest Preserve District paddling program. 

The kayaking season kicks off with a Kayak Kollege class on June 3 and keeps cruising into a Morning Paddle on Aug. 19. In between are kayaking programs that feature rivers, lakes, moonlight, music, shooting stars, sunsets and more. Exploring the preserves by kayak is relaxing, a good workout and a wonderful way to see nature up close and personal. 

If you have never kayaked before, consider signing up for a Kayak Kollege program to get your feet wet. Kayak Kollege workshops are taught by American Canoe Association certified instructors and all equipment, including personal flotation devices, is provided.

Online registration will be available as the programs are added to the Event Calendar. (If you don't see a program listed now, check back in the weeks to come.) Here is the June, July and August lineup:

• Kayak Kollege: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Monee Reservoir, Monee Township; ages 12 or older, $35 per person. 
• Full Moon Paddle: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Monee Reservoir; ages 12 or older, $20 per person. 
• Kayak Kollege: 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 16, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove, Channahon; ages 14 or older, $35 per person. 
• Summer Kick-off Paddle: 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 17, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove; Ages 14 or older, $20 per person. 
• Welcome Summer Paddle: 10 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, June 21, Monee Reservoir; ages 18 or older, $20 per person.
• Kayak Kollege: 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 30, Monee Reservoir; ages 10 or older, $35 per person. 
• Doughn’t You Want to Paddle?: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, Whalon Lake, Naperville; ages 16 or older; $20 per person. 
• Surf-N-Turf Concert: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, Monee Reservoir; all ages, free. (Take in the concert from the lawn or the water.)
• Kayak Kollege: 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, July 15, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove; ages 14 or older, $35 per person. 
• Kayak Kollege: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 20, Monee Reservoir; $35 per person.
• Rivers of Color – Sunset Paddle: 6:15-8:15 p.m. Friday, July 21, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove; ages 18 or older, $20 per person. 
• Sunset Paddle: 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 21, Monee Reservoir; ages 18 or older; $20 per person. 
• Sunset Paddle: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, Monee Reservoir; ages 18 or older, $20 per person. 
• River Kayaking 101: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove; ages 18 or older, $20 per person. 
• Rivers of Color – Birding by Boat: 10 a.m.-noon, Friday, Aug. 11, McKinley Woods; ages 14 or older, $20 per person.
• Family Paddle and Fire: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, Monee Reservoir; ages 6 or older, $10 per person. 
• Shooting Star Perseids Paddle: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, Monee Reservoir; ages 21 or older, $20 per person. 
• Paddle Rock Run Rookery: two sessions, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, Rock Run Rookery, Joliet; ages 12 or older, $20 per person. 
• Morning Paddle: 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Aug. 19, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove; ages 18 or older, $20 per person. 

In addition to the Forest Preserve District’s kayaking programs, kayaks can be rented at Monee Reservoir Visitor Center through Sept. 30. Canoes and kayaks are rented on a first-come, first-served basis and life vests, oars and paddles are included with rentals. 

Also, kayak rentals are being offered by The Forge through a concessions license at the Forest Preserve’s Whalon Lake in Naperville.  A maximum of 30 rented kayaks will be allowed at one time on the lake, which has an 80-watercraft limit.

For more information on paddling in the preserves, visit the Canoeing and Kayaking Page.