Kent State University students grabbed their paddles, boots and waders to help clean up the Cuyahoga River. The service trip was put together by the Kent State's Recreation and Wellness Services’ Adventure Center, which holds adventure trips, service trips and team-building programs.
The Adventure Center hopes to hold at least one service trip each semester allowing students the chance to give back to the environment. Chris Lukas, assistant director of outdoor adventure and operations, put together this semester's event with the environment as the top priority.
“In the past we’ve done a lot of river cleanups because we use the river a lot for our kayaking program,” Lukas said. “We feel like it’s a natural resource that we want to take care of for future generations.”
The trip was offered to all Kent State students free of charge, with a free dinner at the end of the trip. Seventeen students met on Sept. 1 at Tannery Park, ready to help. The afternoon began with an introduction speech that went over the service guidelines expected for the trip, followed by a walk to Kramer Field. Students then got in kayaks and canoes and began to go down the river, cleaning as they went. The trip concluded at Brust Park in Munroe Falls, with free food and a closing statement discussing the impact of the clean-up.
“I think it's responsible stewardship of our natural resources,” Lukas said. “The adventure center uses the outdoors so much, and we want to teach people how to use it in a way that has an effect and leaves no trace.”
The adventure center plans to hold another service trip during the spring semester.
Check out the Recreation and Wellness Center website for info on future service trips.