For the third year, MyRWA hosted Canoemobile, an outdoor adventure program led by Wilderness Inquiry, a Minnesota-based nonprofit committed to making the outdoors accessible to all. This year, 471 youth from three local schools participated in a wide variety of activities on land and on the water—from paddling in 24-foot Voyageur canoes to making art with their nature observations, tracing the connection between the Mystic River and whales in the ocean, and more.
A Wilderness Inquiry guide brings paddles with students near Blessing of the Bay. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
On the Water
The centerpiece of the Canoemobile program is Wilderness Inquiry’s “floating classroom”—a fleet of six 10-person, 24-foot Voyageur canoes that bring students onto the water to learn about science, history, geography, and culture. This outdoor education experience allows students to connect directly with the waterways in their backyard.
Canoemobile travels the country in the spring and fall, bringing the program to schools and programs across the US. In the Mystic, students from the East Somerville Community School and the West Somerville Neighborhood School launched from Blessing of the Bay Park, touring up the Mystic River. Unfortunately, due to rain, the programs scheduled for Medford’s Riverbend Park did not make it out on the river this year. However, students from Medford’s Andrews Middle School were still able to participate in land activities.
Students suit up to head out on the water. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
Heading down to the boats. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
Cruising on the river. Credit Isaiah Johnson
On Land
For each session, while half of the students were out on the water, the other half visited land stations hosted by MyRWA and our partners. This year, we were proud to partner with the Cities of Somerville and Medford, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, EPA, Biobus, local artist Carolyn Lewenberg, Friends of the Malden River, and the US Forest Service, who led a wide range of activities.
Students learn to measure water quality with EPA and MyRWA staff. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
Students decorate a map of the Mystic River watershed designed by Carolyn Lewenberg. Credit: Andrews Middle School Student
NOAA staff teach students about wildlife tracking and the relationship between whales, ocean birds, and river herring. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
Friends of the Malden River leads a “Trash Graveyard” activity. Credit: Daria Santollani
Storms late last week rained out Thursday’s program and triggered the Mystic River Boating Advisory on Friday. Despite not being able to make it out on the water, Wilderness Inquiry led Medford students in team-building activities and outdoor skills.
Students practice fire-making in Medford at Riverbend Park. Credit: Andrews Middle School Student
Canoemobile is back in the Mystic every fall. Hear more from Wilderness Inquiry and local teachers about the program below. To learn about all of MyRWA’s education programs, visit mysticriver.org/education.
