River Classroom: A Day of Science and Adventure

One of the most memorable experiences any child will have is River Classroom®, our canoe-based, day long adventure that teaches young people about our rivers, their history and ecology, and the capacity of humans to impact the health of our waterways, for better or worse. For most children, and for many parent chaperones, this will be their first time in a canoe and their first time on the river, which sets the stage for their unforgettable River Classroom day.

This outstanding program, offered for nearly two decades, has received the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Environmental Education, presented by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.

How does River Classroom® work?

River Classroom involves a collaborative partnership between the participating school, the Nashua River Watershed Association, and Nashoba Paddler. The program is offered spring, summer, and fall, primarily on the Nashua River in Groton and on the Squannacook River in West Groton. On occasion, other locations may be used.

In preparation for their trip, students, teachers, and volunteer parents view an introductory visual presentation on the Nashua River, its history, and the story of its remarkable recovery, including the inspiring message of our founder, Marion Stoddart, that it is within the power of every single individual to make a difference in our world.

On River Classroom day, each class will first receive basic paddling and safety instruction on the banks of the river. Participants spend half of the day canoeing on the river while conducting wildlife field studies and joining in geology and history discussions led by River Classroom guides. The students are challenged to use their observation skills on the river and make connections with their own lifestyles, including the continuing effects of non-point source pollution generated by elements such as lawn care, road run-off, pet waste, and recreational use.

Students spend the other half of the day along the river banks completing an Aquatic Insect Investigation with River Classroom staff, using specialized equipment to capture, observe, identify, and release macro-invertebrates such as various insect larvae, fish, and crayfish. They will use their data to determine the water quality and general health of the river ecosystem.

We currently offer two variations of our basic River Classroom structure. Our most popular program, “Habitat and Adaptation in the River Ecosystem”, is designed for grades 4-8. We also offer a more in-depth program for grades 7-12 titled “Nutrient Cycles and the Fresh Water Ecosystem” providing scientific activities that lead to a closer look at the important nutrient cycles and molecular components that support healthy river and pond systems.

When developing a program for a new school, we offer a River Classroom Teacher Training Workshop to help the staff become familiar with the river, the program, and our curriculum resources. Taught by River Classroom staff, the workshop involves curriculum brainstorming and development, aquatic insect investigations, and a canoeing trip for all teachers participating in the program. This can be scheduled on a weekday or weekend day to accommodate the teachers’ schedules. Teachers can make use of our curriculum resources as well as pursue their own ideas and materials for classroom development.

The NRWA offers our River Classroom program to non-school youth groups such as homeschoolers, summer youth programs, church youth groups, and others.

To schedule River Classroom, or for more information on fees and details of this program, please contact Stacey Chilcoat, NRWA River Classroom Director, at (978) 448-0299, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Environmental Education: Connecting People to Nature

We believe that people protect what they love. Connecting people with nature and helping them to understand local environmental issues leads to better decision-making and greater engagement in preserving our natural landscape. Education studies have found this to be true. That makes environmental education and outreach programs a key strategy to forwarding our mission to protect water and land. The NRWA offers education programs and workshops for all ages—from pre-school through adult—as well as professional seminars and training for teachers, foresters, and municipal officials.

Children and young adults learn best by active participation. Our environmental education programs encourage all youth to become “citizen scientists” through observation, development of hypotheses, data collection, analysis, and sharing of information. It’s also important to give children free time to explore and interact with the river and the local landscape, allowing them the opportunity to connect with nature in a way that will last their lifetimes. Memorable experiences are created by this mix of hands-on science and free exploration.

We deliver our programs in schoolyards and classrooms, on conservation properties and at local streams or parks. Our award-winning, canoe-based River Classroom® combines scientific research and data collection with a day of outdoor paddling adventure. Schools can also participate our award-winning Scientist-in-Residence, a multi-visit program that assists teachers with curriculum development that meets the requirements of Massachusetts and New Hampshire standards for science and technology at a variety of grade levels. We tailor programs to the needs of homeschoolers, scouts and other youth groups, as well as those looking for Service Learning opportunities.

Our professional educator/naturalists are the trusted guides for children as they explore the natural world during our Eco-Adventures, including our afterschool programs, and summer and school vacation week programs. Throughout the year, the NRWA takes the whole family outdoors for our family workshops on animal tracking, maple sugaring, and nocturnal wildlife.

Our programs for adults feature presentations by leaders in wildlife biology, forest management, land use planning, and notable authors; environmental film screenings; guided walks; and workshops on a wide range of topics, from building bluebird boxes to best pasture and barn management practices for horse owners.

We invite you to explore all of our education program options, encourage your school or groups to participate in one of our programs, and join us for one of our upcoming presentations.

If you would like to schedule a program, or would like more information about any of our education programs, please contact Stacey Chilcoat, NRWA River Classroom Director, at (978) 448-0299, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Environmental Education for Schools and Youth Groups

Active, engaging, fun…that is how children and young adults will experience our education programs for schools and youth groups. Educators, administrators, and youth leaders know that our programs are science-based and designed to meet their needs—tailored to their curriculum, their district requirements, and the standards set forth in the Massachusetts and New Hampshire frameworks for science and technology.

Our professional educators have the flexibility to lead our programs on the school site, at a conservation property near the school, or at other outdoor locations. We teach in-class lessons, such as Wildlife Adaptations or the Water Cycle, and outdoor lessons, such as Tree Circumference, Plant Adaptations, and Maple Sugaring, as well as topics that involve both an indoor and outdoor component.

We can teach a single lesson or a series of lessons, lead a field trip and field study, organize a Service Learning project, or help you develop environmental education curriculum, even one that integrates with other subject areas such as language arts and history. If you review our program offerings and don’t see the topic you’re interested in, contact us and we can design a new lesson to meet your need.

If your school needs funding assistance, the NRWA may be able to work with your school or district to find financial support through grants or other funding opportunities.

To schedule a program, or for more information about any of our education programs, please contact Stacey Chilcoat, NRWA River Classroom Director, at (978) 448-0299, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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