Image Credit: CFJC Today / Adam Donnelly
PRO-D DAY PADDLE

River expedition aims to show SD 73 teachers benefits of canoe-based learning

May 17, 2019 | 4:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — A group of School District 73 teachers spent their Pro-D day paddling the river this morning as part of a plan to encourage canoe-based learning.

Packed into a few canoes, Recreational Canoeing Association of BC (RCABC) President Keiran Rankin says they took Kamloops teachers up and down the South Thompson River, exploring what students could gain from regular expeditions.

“(Today) we are focusing on how we can connect it to Indigenous culture,” he explains. “We’re also talking about the geology and geography of Kamloops. The plants, and animals, and ecosystems that exist here around the river, and around town.”

Rankin says the push comes from the Thompson Rivers Interior Paddlesports Club (TRIPS) and the RCABC to have canoeing used with existing outdoor and Indigenous education options.

“So there’s already a couple of clubs that run canoe trips in town. So you can go with the canoe and kayak club, and here at TRIPS we’re hoping to run some field trips as well in the near future. And there’s also some private instructors in the area that have canoes as well that you can hire and take your classes out canoeing with.”