MILLERSBURG, MN (5/5/2011) – The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. How much do you know about it?
Twelve students and five adults from Northfield School of Arts and Technology helped restore a 43 ft. river boat, and now know a lot more about the river.
Knowledge the group wants to share, as the boat is available for youth groups to use.
My home farm is less than four miles from the Mississippi River. Yet, as a youth, I was never on the river. It was too powerful a water body for a small fishing boat: We did not own a big boat, nor have friends who did.
Now, as an adult, I have been on the river only a handful of times. So, I share this group's vision: Getting more youth onto the water means having more youth understand the importance of the Mighty Mississippi, and hopefully will lead them to help protect it.
Three years after acquiring the repairable boat, the Northfield School students were finally able to move the craft from land to water. Labor and love of a challenge propelled the students and adults to the finish line.
Along the way, a larger vision was formed, along with a non-profit group.
Restored riverboat water worthy again
The Minnesota Youth Waters (MYW) organization gets young people and families connected to the Mississippi River and its tributaries, experiences that will connect young people to one of the world’s largest and important rivers through:
- environmental education
- river research
- conservation projects and
- building important lifelong connections to the outdoors
(Source: Mn Youth Waters web-site)
Last August I shared the story of how this boat project came to be.
Less than a year later, visiting with the youth right before the boat was to be moved to the water, revealed priceless lessons for teenagers. Lessons it makes sense to discuss with your children.
For example:
How would you like your teenager to gain fortitude? Fortitude is strength and endurance in a difficult situation. Other words like it include:
- Staying power
- Resilience
Without fortitude, the ability to stick with the project, the boat would still be in need of repair.
Or how about acquiring a teenage lesson in perseverance? This is steady and continued action, usually over a long period, and especially despite difficulties or setbacks.
Yes, the boat project had a fair share of these.
Or delayed gratification (happening later than intended or expected)? The boat project took three years, and during each of the initial years, the hope had been to finish it.
Who knew that the ‘boat project’ would reap such lifelong lessons?
What was known is what a rich learning environment the river can be. The official curriculum for May term for ten students in grades 7-12 includes:
- invertebrate studies
- birding
- astronomy
- exploring mussel beds
- learning about invasive species, and more
Eight days of experiential learning. Pride in a job well done.
Participants include: Kate Beiswanger (teacher), Antonia & Arlo Cristofaro-Hark, Mariama Jallow, Caitlin Kelley, Nicktae & William Marroquin-Haslett, Evan Pak, Claire & Olivia Paulsen, and Holden Suave plus other adults.
Would you like to help young people learn more about the Mississippi river? The large floating classroom can be used by other youth groups. You can also donate to keep this volunteer effort afloat. To learn more see the Mn. Youth Waters web-site or call Board Member Mary Jo at 651-208-8301.
Please Comment: Do you think it is important for young people to know more about the Mississippi River?
Read more from Donna Rae Scheffert on the Washington Times Communities and at Online-Leadership-Tools. She can also be found on LinkedIn and Twitter.
-cl- 6/7/11
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