MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Aug. 15, 2014) – Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile – a fleet of six 24-foot Voyageur canoes will roll into Michigan City Sept. 15-20 to educate local youth while paddling Trail Creek. The Canoemobile delivers place-based education on urban rivers and waterways nationwide.
The Canoemobile will tour 24 cities nationwide this year, including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Michigan City, to serve over 7,500 kids. Since its inception in 2010, Canoemobile has served over 10,000 students, addressing nature deficit disorder, summer learning loss, and the achievement gap. Research shows that these experiences help to improve school attendance and facilitate teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
From September 15-19, Wilderness Inquiry staff will lead outdoor, experiential learning activities for area public schools aimed at connecting students to nature and increasing environmental awareness. Activities focus on water ecology, the river’s history, wildlife, water safety and paddling. Participants will experience Trail Creek from 24-foot, hand made voyageur canoes, which seat nine participants and are captained by trained guides.
A public event, open to all, will take place on Trail Creek Sept. 20. Explore the shoreline from the safety and stability of a Voyageur canoe. Wilderness Inquiry provides participants with all necessary equipment. No experience or registration is necessary.
This is the Canoemobile’s third trip to Michigan City in three years. “We are excited to return to beautiful Michigan City and continue to provide programming for the community. It has been a fantastic experience serving the youth and citizens of the area and we hope to do it for years to come,” said Chad Dayton, Director of Programs & Partner Relations at Wilderness Inquiry.
Community members can assist the nonprofit’s efforts by supporting the Michigan City Canoemobile program through the organization’s crowdfunding campaign at www.indiegogo.com. Funds are being raised until Sept. 12 to ensure the success of 2014 programming and to continue the partnership in the future. Community members are encouraged to attend the public event on Sept. 20 if interested in participating.
The Canoemobile is a program of Wilderness Inquiry in partnership with Nature Valley and many federal, state, and local organizations that care about healthy lifestyles for today’s youth. Wilderness Inquiry provides outdoor adventure opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities throughout North America and around the globe. For more information visit www.wildernessinquiry.org.
Additional information about the Canoemobile can be found at www.wildernessinquiry.org. For more information about the Canoemobile program, contact Chad Dayton, Chad@wildernessinquiry.com or call 612-676-9419.
