Sound Rivers and the City of Washington are working to get children out on the water.

As part of Sound Rivers’ summer day trips, children ranging from 7-10 years old learned about the Pamlico River, its role as an ecosystem and the animals it supports, as well as how to kayak over the course of three weeks.

Liz Houde, outreach and education coordinator at Sound Rivers, said the organization has hosted the day trips for the past three or four years, but this is the first year partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department.

Sound Rivers also hosted similar day trips for children in Kinston. Washington’s parks and recreation provided two staff members and transportation for the Beaufort County group, and Care-O-World provided lunches.

“We try to focus on the river as a resource,” Houde said. “It’s trying to be fun and educational.”

The highlight of the program was teaching the children how to kayak. Houde said she taught them about safety procedures and how to navigate the kayaks, along with guiding them through exploration of the river.

“These kids were happy and excited on the water,” Houde said. “They’re excited if there’s stuff to see. … They like when they can find stuff.”

She said her favorite part of the day trips was giving the participants an experience they may not have had otherwise, and seeing their faces when a concept makes sense.

By learning how to kayak and what all the river has to offer, Houde said she hopes to spark some interest, just as kayaking with her own father did years ago.

“If we start working with them now, they’ll want to do something in the future,” she said. “For most of them, it was their first time (kayaking).”

Houde said the first-time partnership with parks and recreation went smoothly, and she hopes it can continue next year.