 Education Grant Profile: Ohio River Way
Among this year’s recipients of boating education grants is The Ohio River Way, Inc., which is using a $15,273 grant award to host the Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Expo. As part of the annual 2-day Paddlefest celebration, this year’s Expo is being held Friday, June 26, at Coney Island in Hamilton County.
 “This is the largest outdoor water safety and environmental educational program for children in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana,” says Doug Coates, business administrator for Ohio River Way.
Nearly 3,000 children ages 5-16, mostly from inner city neighborhoods throughout the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area, will spend the day learning the importance of protecting the environment. Also included are opportunities to experience paddling a canoe, riding in a whitewater raft, and fishing on Coney Island’s Lake Como.
The Kids’ Expo is intended to teach the importance of properly wearing a life jacket at all times when boating and the importance of protecting waterway ecosystems and to increase appreciation for experiencing nature, including the Ohio River and its tributaries.
 Children attending the Expo also participate in hands-on demonstrations offered by local nonprofit organizations where they will learn about water pollution, Ohio River fish and wildlife resources, the history of the Underground Railroad, the lock and dam system, recycling, and ways that they can become stewards of the environment.
Expo events are scheduled on June 26 from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
The Expo is just one of many other exciting events that make up Paddlefest, June 26-27. Other events include amateur and professional canoe and kayak races, dragon boat races, and the Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival on Saturday, June 27.
 The Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival features a display of vintage wooden boats, canoe and kayak demos, outfitter displays, craft vendors, environmental exhibits, paddling films and much more.
To register and for complete information on event dates, times, location, participant fees and volunteer opportunities, visit www.ohioriverway.org.
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