Rivers Connect Us: Georgetown and Howard Students Experience the Canoemobile

On the fine morning of October 18th, Georgetown students set off on a unique adventure. We drove to the beautiful Anacostia Park and walked past families picnicking and enjoying the free roller skating, down to the riverfront. There, we met up with Howard students and were introduced to guides from Wilderness Inquiry to learn how to canoe! Wilderness Inquiry tours the country in their canoemobile, a “floating classroom” that allows students from all over the US to explore their local waterways and learn the basics of navigating a river in these ten-person canoes. Through the National Park Trust, we learned about this excellent organization and were able to coordinate a partnership with them, allowing our students to canoe for free. After Wilderness Inquiry guides taught us how to paddle, our combined group of almost 30 student participants divided into four canoes, with two guides and a mix of students from Howard and Georgetown in each boat. Some students were nervous about the boat swaying or flipping over, but our Wilderness Inquiry guides reassured us and offered us a steadying hand as we climbed aboard.

For me, this trip fell smack dab in the middle of midterm season, the busiest part of one of my most stressful semesters so far. The morning leading up to the trip had also had its fair share of chaos, as Shea – my co-ambassador at Georgetown – and I sorted out some last-minute details. However, as soon as we hit the water, I felt my worries float away. The fall colors, the lapping of the water against the canoe’s sides, and the chatting of participants around me brought me back to the moment. I noticed this change in many of our participants, too. As we paddled further down the river, Georgetown and Howard students began swapping stories about classes, clubs, and campus life. Though there are many universities in DC, it’s often difficult to find time to visit others and connect. So being out on the water in a boat together was a special opportunity to get to know each other. 

On the water, we also started noticing things we hadn’t been able to see from on land. A kingfisher swooped past, a cormorant dove to catch fish, and turtles sunbathed on the side of the river. The Wilderness Inquiry guides educated us on some of the plants and animals present in the river and helped us to paddle in sync. Right before it was time to turn around and head back downstream, we tested out our canoeing skills in a race up the river! Though Shea’s canoe came out the winner, it was great fun to cheer each other on and see just how fast we could go. After returning to land, Shea and I set up a “build-your-own wrap” spread, with hummus, cheese, baby carrots, butter lettuce, and summer sausage, or sunbutter and jam. Our students rested in the sunshine, taking in the sights of Anacostia Park. Eventually, the time came to bid farewell to our new friends from Wilderness Inquiry and Howard University, and we returned home with stronger arm muscles, stronger connections to our local waterways, and a stronger bond to students around DC!