As a part of Jumpstart DC at American University, each team is required to perform a community service project together. My team, Team Joy, chose to accompany Wilderness Inquiry in a half-day long canoeing adventure down the Anacostia River. Wilderness Inquiry is an organization that travels to cities to introduce communities, especially children, to the outdoors in their own backyards. And that’s what we did! Many of the children had never seen the Anacostia River, let alone ever been in a canoe. My team helped out by fitting the children for lifejackets, sizing them for paddles, and paddling with them in the canoes.
The canoes were monstrosities of over twenty-five feet long that could seat ten adults comfortably. I was intimidated when I first approached one; I can only imagine how the children felt at first! But any feelings of uncertainty disappeared almost instantly once we were paddling down the river. The children of all ages were rowing, singing, and appreciating nature. They saw cormorants and herons, turtles and fish, and even an overly friendly and fat beaver who sat on the embankment the whole day. Most of them had never thought to pay attention to nature or wildlife, but down that river, they were noticing everything in their surroundings. Just imagine the children’s excitement to experience a whole new and unknown world! This canoe trip was a once in a lifetime experience for many of the children, and they all truly loved it.
My team’s core value is joy, and our Anacostia River service project certainly related to our core value. The joy in the children’s faces was so apparent that it was impossible for my team to feel anything but accomplished and joyful as well. And, as one of my team members said to me, “Seeing kids from areas like the one where our preschool center is located take such an interest in these outdoor activities really gave me faith in our efforts at Jumpstart.”
~Maia Plesent
Team Leader
Team Joy 1
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