Canoe group to visit community this September

The Minnesota River is an underutilized asset. That is the message Natalie Warren and Mike Ryan shared with a group of tourism officials Thursday afternoon.

Warren learned that firsthand in 2011 when she and Ann Raiho traveled through the river valley by canoe as part of a trek they made from Fort Snelling to the Hudson Bay. Now Warren is coming back to the river to help others learn what she did through a program she and Ryan helped to establish known as Paddle Forward.

Later this summer Ryan and Warren are leading a trip down the river, with a stop scheduled at Redwood Falls in September.

According to Ryan, the Paddle Forward program includes varied elements.

Those who make up the canoeing delegation include college students who are not only going to be learning on their own, but they are also going to be sharing what they have learned via blogs and vlogs.

Ryan and Warren said one of the aspects they are currently working on is the addition of schools who want to be involved in the program.

Teachers of those in Grades K-12 interested in following the group may sign up on the Paddle Forward Web site, said Warren, adding the investment by teachers can be as simple as watching the daily videos being produced to taking some of the educational offerings and expanding on them in the classroom.

While Warren said teachers of all subjects can be involved, those with science and history classes might benefit the most.

“We are currently accepting applications from all teachers,”?said Warren.

Ryan added there is a simple form on the Paddle Forward Web site that can be filled out and submitted to get involved.

During the trip, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 28 and conclude Oct. 13, there are going to be chances for other water enthusiasts to join the group on the water.

Through a collaboration Paddle Forward has developed with the Friends of the Minnesota Valley, people are going to be able to get in a canoe and float down the river seeing and learning along the way.   Click here to read the full story!