April 6, 2005

Photos

JK takes whitewater to 7th graders in Illinois

Back in November of last year our Production Manager, Don Klein, was given the great oppurtunity to take a month off from building kayaks and go use his 4Fun on a 21 day Grand Canyon trip. On his journey westward he stopped in Carbondale, IL to visit his good friend and paddling compadre Matt Ogburn who teaches 7th grade. Mr. O, as he is called by his students, told his students about the trip so they could track Don's daily progress on the 226 mile adventure. There is little to no whitewater in Southern Illinois so for most of the students the idea of taking a 21 day river trip was totally foreign to them.

Upon his return Don took his boat and gear to Mr. O's class so they could see what this kayaking thing was all about. They viewed slides from the trip, checked out the boat and gear, and had to make a list of all the gear they thought they would need to survive the journey. At the end of the slide show each groups list of supplies was reviewed to see if they would have made it or not.

"It was really cool to talk to almost 100 kids about the whole adventure and what we did. Sometimes it's easy for boaters to forget that most other folks out there have no idea what kayaking or river trips are all about. They did a good job of developing a supply list and most groups came up with the essential gear needed to make it. How we went to the bathroom and used the "groover" got the most questions and comments."

Jackson Kayak is inspiring some future boaters. JK stickers can be found all over the school, on notebooks, and inside lockers. Mr. O has organized a 4 day rafting trip to the Nantahala in early May. Over 80 students who have never ridden a rapid in their life will get introduced to the river. Very cool!

Thanks Eric, I think the kids will get a kick out of going to the computer lab at school and reading the article. Please edit per your requirements. the photos are attached.

:) EJ