East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School 6th grader, Brianna, had never been in a canoe before today. “It was amazing!” she said afterward. “It was more difficult to paddle and keep the boat steady than I thought it would be, but so much fun. I’d like to do it again.”
Thanks to a broad coalition of schools, nonprofits, local, state and federal agencies, Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobiles will provide hundreds of students with unforgettable experiences on their local waterways from the seat of a 24’ Voyageur canoe.
An extension of Wilderness Inquiry’s Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures (UWCA), their Canoemobiles travel across America to bring environmental literacy and dynamic outdoor learning experiences to urban youth.
“Our urban waterways are an important—and incredibly effective—teaching tool for kids,” says Geof Benson, Executive Director of Dunes Learning Center. “Whether they are exploring the science below the water’s surface, as with our Riverwatch activity, or touring local lakes and rivers in a 24’ canoe—the learning connections made through these experiences stay with them far longer than anything they might read in books.”
Mary Grezlick, Director of Teacher Leadership at East Chicago Lighthouse is an enthusiastic supporter of these sorts of hands-on experiences, noting that the Canoemobile activity builds upon the Roxana Marsh restoration project her students participated in. “This is an opportunity for students to get out of the building where they can see first-hand, the plants and animals they are protecting.”
This week’s stop in Hammond was the second in northwest Indiana for the Canoemobile, which will spend a total of 3 weeks in the area.
An avid paddler himself, Hammond Clark High School principal, Rob Wilson was excited to provide his students with this new experience. “It was neat to see them overcoming their fears and enjoying nature. More than one student mentioned how peaceful it was out on the water.”
After his first time in a canoe, 12th grader Rayshawn Rice, was ready to turn around and go right back out. “Can I get a job doing this?” He asked. His boat captain, Meg answered, “we can talk.”
Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile will visit Gary and Portage before departing northwest Indiana on September 30th. A public program is planned for Sunday, September 28th from 1 to 6pm in Gary’s Marquette Park. Free canoe rides will be offered. Learn more at www.duneslearningcenter.org.