Exploring the River: Wilderness Kids Take on the Potomac

Wilderness Kids students work together to fish some creatures out of the Potomac River!

On Saturday, March 21, 14 Wilderness Kids students participated in an immersive, hands-on learning experience led by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). The weather was perfect for boating on the Potomac River, with sunny skies and warm temperatures setting the stage for a memorable day on the water. As part of the program’s “Describe This River” theme, students spent their boat ride observing their surroundings and sharing what they noticed. Students gained a more complete picture of the river through 7 experiments, including tests for salinity, temperature, and chemical composition. Students also had the opportunity to take a closer look at — and even touch — the animals living in the water, giving them their own unique names along the way. 

Left to Right: Sahori and Marlon perform the Secchi disk experiment; Selvin and James read the instructions to measure the water's temperature at different depths; Wilderness Kids Outdoor Educator Tori supports James with an experiment.

CBF educators Emily Burton and Damien Gibbons kept students engaged throughout the trip and demonstrated a passion for environmental education. They also stayed true to the CBF mission to “Save the Bay and its waterways by educating, uniting, and inspiring people to take action.” Students gained a unique perspective of the river, noticing things they would like to change — including the removal of trash littering the water — and worked together to develop a deeper understanding of the ecosystem. This shared learning experience was an important first step toward taking action: building awareness and inspiring stewardship.

Emily Burton engages Wilderness Kids students in discussions about the Potomac River.

Students were fully involved in the day, diving into the experiments and activities while also taking time to enjoy the sunshine and being out on the water. Their curiosity and teamwork made the experience both fun and meaningful. Overall, it was a successful outing filled with discovery and a greater appreciation for the Potomac River.

Left to Right: Selvin and Joel enjoy the breeze, the water, and sunshine; Gibran, Mateo, and Gabi write their thoughts and observations.