Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – About 150 Presque Isle Middle School eighth-graders traded their desks and chairs for canoes and kayaks recently as they went on an excursion up the Presque Isle Stream.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
KENEDY JARVIS, left, and Rebecca Maxwell, eighth-graders at Presque Isle Middle School, were among the 150 students who paddled up the Presque Isle Stream recently as part of a learning adventure. Teachers felt the outing would be an opportunity for students to learn about the historical importance of the stream, as well as experience an outdoor activity to become physically fit.
“The group of eighth-grade teachers wanted to give the students an experience out in the community where they can appreciate what we have here locally,” said science teacher Lisa Gordon. “As an eighth-grade team, we all enjoy the outdoors and the Presque Isle Stream, and decided that this would be an opportunity for our students to find out the historical importance of this stream, as well as experience an outdoor activity to become physically fit.”
Gordon said the historical aspect of the Presque Isle Stream is significant.
“People settled around here – in part – because of the stream,” said Gordon, noting that a trolley was once located near the stream. “We talked about ice harvesting, why people chose to settle here, and where things were built here.
“In the eighth-grade, we study the history of Presque Isle and Maine,” she said, “and the kayak adventure was meant as a kick-off for that unit. Plus we want them to be physically fit throughout their lives.”
The eighth-grade team began organizing the event in August, and each homeroom made its trek individually.
“Many of the kids have said they will remember this,” said Gordon. “There were many kids who’ve never ever kayaked or canoed or even been on the Presque Isle Stream, so it’s been kind of an eye-opener for them as far as what is available to them here, as well as an appreciation of Presque Isle.
“As a science teacher, the connection for me to the stream is the watershed,” she said. “… The idea that everything that we do to the land obviously dumps into the stream, and that stream carries on to another stream which carries onto a river and so on.”
Meredith Stewart and Levi Simpson were two of the students who paddled up the Presque Isle Stream last Wednesday.
“We paddled up the Presque Isle Stream in kayaks and canoes to see the boundaries and what is still here from the past,” said Stewart. “When Mrs. Gordon first told us about the trip, I thought it was going to be cold and I really didn’t see the point, but now that we’ve done it, I know the purpose was to learn the history of the Presque Isle Stream and the watersheds. It was a good experience and I’m glad we did it.”
“We learned that they harvested ice right up the stream,” Simpson said. “They cut the ice into blocks, packed it in sawdust to store it, and shipped it to Florida. We learned about how many trestles are on the stream, the watershed and where it leads into. It was pretty fun.”
Simpson said he enjoys kayaking and was able to stay dry.
“I’ve canoed and kayaked before, so it wasn’t hard for me at all,” he said. “I paddle at our camp in Portage, so I really enjoyed it. There was a lot of bumping, but I tried to stay out in front of everyone so I didn’t get wet. I didn’t want to take a swim in the cold water.”
The watercrafts were borrowed from the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Outdoor Adventure Program International (OAPI), Mojo’s and many of the eighth-grade teachers.
Mike Smith and Amanda Morin served as the students’ guide.
“My brother-in-law is one of the eighth-grade team teachers,” said Smith, “and when they decided they wanted to try something like this, I got involved and helped throw ideas around as far as logistics.
“I think it’s gone really well,” he said. “I’m pleasantly surprised with how receptive the kids are and cooperative they are being out in the water … despite the very erratic weather.”
The students paddled about one mile.
Smith visited PIMS prior to the adventure to discuss with the students what they should wear and what they needed to do to prepare.
“We also talked a little bit about the watershed that we’re in,” he said. “Part of my interest in this is that Presque Isle is here because there is a stream and a river, so there’s a river valley and there’s good soil and good farming, and that’s how this whole community came about.
“It’s been a lot of fun, and really successful,” he said. “With all the rain this fall, we’ve had good water level, and the weather’s been nice. It’s been great.”
Gordon said she hopes the kayak adventure will become an annual event.
“We’re very fortunate to live in the community that we live in and that we can experience these opportunities, and that we have people that pull together and help us provide this opportunity for our students,” she said. “Hopefully this will be something they’ll remember forever.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE MIDDLE SCHOOL eighth-graders recently paddled up the Presque Isle Stream as a way to learn more about the historical importance of the waterway. Here, Amanda Bagley, left, and Allissa McDougal paddle along in an Old Town canoe.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Gordon
EIGHTH-GRADERS at Presque Isle Middle School recently went on an excursion up the Presque Isle Stream. According to science teacher Lisa Gordon, the eighth-grade teachers wanted to give the students an experience out in the community “where they can appreciate what we have here locally.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
GUIDE MIKE SMITH helps Cody Burnham, an eighth-grader at Presque Isle Middle School, out of his canoe during a recent outing on the Presque Isle Stream.
