Summary
This project brings together several partners in Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo River watershed to create and implement a “Kalamazoo River Youth Experience” outdoor recreation-based education and outreach program for low-income youth and their parents/guardians living in the watershed. The goal is to help address inequities in the understanding, use and enjoyment of the Kalamazoo River among all watershed residents. The program includes organized paddle trips, river environment and safe recreation education programming, virtual tours of sections of the Kalamazoo River accessible from a desktop or laptop computer, production of a Kalamazoo River children’s book written by local Kalamazoo author Daphne Len Ben, and diversity, equity, and inclusion training for river engagement and watershed leaders. Our goal is that this project will help establish the foundational relationships, approaches, and support needed to allow the program to be offered every year in communities throughout the watershed.
River Education and Paddle Trips
Our Kalamazoo River Youth Experience education sessions and paddle trips are offered to participating groups at no cost. We work primarily with other programs and organizations serving middle to high school youth. Our goal is to help connect area youth, their leaders, and their families to safe nature and outdoor recreation experiences made possible by the Kalamazoo River. We know that creating positive, educational Kalamazoo River experiences will develop a lifetime of better environmental wellness for individuals and communities, while also fostering a new generation of river stewards. Transportation, food, equipment, and swag is provided. In general, we offer a series of three sessions: one indoor introductory educational session and two paddle trips that can be on local lakes, on different segments of the Kalamazoo River, or a combination of lake and river trips depending on the comfort level of participating groups. Each paddle trip includes a time of instruction and reflection about nature and the river, along with the chance to develop paddling skills and explore our waterways. Our programming is designed to be flexible, however, so we can help meet the unique needs of our participating groups. Safety is prioritized by requiring that life-vests be worn at all time near the water, and by having multiple experienced kayakers and first aid/CPR trained leaders present. Contact us to explore a Kalamazoo River Youth Experience program that works best for your group (contact information below).
Learn more about the program here!
Groups That Have Participated
Open Roads Bike Program, El Concilio, STREET, Escape Ministries, Douglass Community Association
Virtual River Tours
Experience paddling different stretches of the Kalamazoo River through our Virtual Tours made possible our partnership with Fishviews, Inc. (Earthviews).
River St. in Marshall to Ceresco Virtual Tour
D Ave. in Kalamazoo to Plainwell Virtual Tour
M-89 Bridge in Allegan to to Old Allegan Rd. (WaterTrail Ventures) Virtual Tour
Merrill Park in Comstock to Verburg Park in Kalamazoo Virtual Tour
Paddling into the Verburg Park pond Virtual Tour
Video – Things to See On The Kalamazoo River
Partners
In addition to the KRWC, project partners include the Kalamazoo Nature Center, WaterTrail Ventures, Plainwell Kayak Company, the City of Kalamazoo, Books By Daphne Len Ben, Fishviews, Inc. (Earthviews), and the Society for History and Racial Equity (SHARE).
Project Funding
This NPS Pollution Control project has been funded wholly or in part through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Nonpoint Source Program with Watershed Council grant funding under assistance agreement 2023-0244 to Kalamazoo River Watershed Council for the Kalamazoo River Youth Experience project. The contents of the program do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Additional funding to expand the project to more groups was provided by Stryker Corporation.
Program Photos and Testimony
“I had a really great time kayaking. I was very scared at first because of a bad experience in the past, but I am happy that Doug helped me and now I am not scared.” – Angel “Antonio” R
“I learned a lot about the history of the Kalamazoo River on this trip. It was also nice to look at all of the greenery and to ride in a canoe with my younger brother. Thanks for the chance to paddle the river.” – AM
“I very much enjoyed paddling the river with the crew. The guides were very helpful and gave us a lot of interesting information about the role of the river in our lives. Seeing the wildlife, especially the birds, was awesome.” – DM
Interested in Receiving Programming for your Group in 2025?
Please reach out to:
Bela Ballez: programs@kalamazooriver.org
or
Doug McLaughlin: krwc@kalamazooriver.org