Over the past decade, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) has proudly partnered with the Providence After School Alliance’s (PASA) summer program, “AfterZone,” to deliver the engaging and educational 5-week River Adventures program. Designed to foster a deep appreciation for nature and the river’s ecosystems, this camp immerses young people in the health of the Woonasquatucket River through a variety of fun and interactive activities.
PASA, serving 1,500 young people annually, offers the AfterZone program to middle school youth, providing access to nearly 100 programs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), the arts, and sports. These programs are delivered by 70 Providence organizations, teachers, and community-based educators, and take place in five Providence middle schools and throughout the city. AfterZone’s multi-week sessions allow youth to engage in deep learning and build lasting relationships with their instructors.
The WRWC’s River Adventures Environmental Educators work with students aged 11-14 for 5-weeks, Monday through Thursday, from 1 PM to 3 PM. The program includes both classroom learning and off-site nature explorations, incorporating games, crafts, experiments, and outdoor adventures. The goal is to immerse students in nature and ignite their enthusiasm for science and the outdoors.
“Witnessing these young people’s curiosity about the natural world is simply fun! Our hope is that what they’ve learned here will continue to spark interest in the sciences for the rest of their lives,” says Colleen Keenan, WRWC Environmental Educator and River Adventures Coordinator.
Each week of River Adventures centers on a specific theme, such as water quality, insects, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Activities and crafts range from dissecting owl pellets and plants, building water filtration systems, and installing birdhouses to creating cyanotype art prints from plants. Participants also enjoy canoe rides offered by the WRWC Recreation Team and learn about native and invasive plant species from the River Rangers. The program strives to bring kids to the Woonasquatucket River as often as possible to see these themes in action.
During their explorations, River Adventures participants create their own field guides to document their findings, take notes, journal, and draw. This hands-on approach not only enhances their learning experience but also helps them connect with nature on a personal level.
Heartfelt thanks to PASA and everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s AfterZone summer experience. We can’t wait until next year!