b" explorationLearning from a riverTo reach the rivers source, the teens kayaked in murky water, climbed over beaver dams, and walked with big, heavy water boots. They snacked on berries they found along the river.When we went through Blueberry Hill, we ate mulberriesthey look like raspberries but theyre black, Jermaine says. They were really good. The explorers say they were shocked to see so many different animals on the Cooper River, including leopard frogs, green-striped frogs, wild turkeys, deer, eagles, egrets, beavers, and foxes.The water around Camden was more polluted, Jermaine says. When youre in Camden, the smell is almost rancid because . of things that are dumped in the water.The nearer they got to the rivers source, By Healthy Courier staffothers.It isa nonprofit organization thatthe clearer the water became. They even Catholic Partnership Schoolsconnects people to nature. tasted it. They say it was earthy. Four Camden County teenagers and a halfMs. Liu says the expedition shows thatEach day, after the explorers reached dozen adults explored the entire length ofthe river is a place worth preservingtheir checkpoint, they returned to their the Cooper River in New Jersey last June.and where people can enjoy nature. Incampsite at Camden County Parks They kayaked, hiked, and adventured foraddition, she says, they wanted the kids toDepartment.six days. They journeyed 16 miles withobserve how the river changes as it windsJermaine and Jaycel say the best part one goal in mind: To reach the riversits way to the Delaware River. Accordingof the trip was being on an adventure source, the place where the river begins. to the teens, the changes includetogether with the other explorers. The improved water quality and more animalworst was dealing with thorny plants and Their journey is documented in a film,life at the rivers source. They also saw thewalking with heavy overalls.Search for the Cooper: A River Hidden inimpact of the Earths warming climate.Plain View, which was produced by SandyThe trip also affected the way they see Cannon-Brown and filmed by Dave Harp. We saw erosion from previous storms,the environment and the connection sand, and dirt that had fallen into thebetween it and peoples health. There is To find out about their experience, theriver, Jermaine says. There were moremore to life than video games, Jaycel says. Healthy Courier reporters intervieweddown trees closer to the source. A singleGo out into nature more often, he advises, two of the student explorers, Jermainetree can block the whole river.and take care of it.Brown-Gourdine and Jaycel Santos, both high school seniors at Camdens Urban Beavers liked it because they wereYou're basically taking care of Promise Academy, as well as Olivia Liu,building dams behind where trees hadyourself when youre taking care of the the program and communications directorfallen, he says. It was pretty warm(inenvironment, Jaycel says.for Upstream Alliance. The AllianceJune). The water should be warming up organized the expedition along withbut it shouldnt be that warm. Page 8 illustration by Cynthia Rojas, 8th grade, local government officials, scientists, andCatholic Partnership Schools Healthy Courier |Page 9 illustration by Thabata Velazquez, 8th DID YOUgrade, Catholic Partnership Schools Healthy Courier; photo by Erica Baugh, Upstream AllianceKNOW?ing water is one o s people do to take care of their health, according to Megan Ca dDrink f the most important thing rrier, a registeredietitian at Einstein Healthcare Network. Water helps protect the body's organs. It also helps with digestion an intaining bodyd matemperature, she says. Kids orts or are very active need even mo er than the average person, Ms. Carrier says. who play sp re wat8B Y K I D S , F O R K I D S | S p r i n g 2 0 2 3"