Philadelphia Tribune
July 22, 2011
Nicole Lockley, Tribune Staff Writer

Jonathan Ward, 16, grew up in South Philadelphia with his mother, younger brother and younger sister. In 2006, his 4-year-old brother drowned in a swimming pool. Since that day, Ward has tried his best to stay away from swimming and away from large bodies of water.

Last year though, he was taken out of his comfort zone when participating in Conflict Resolution Theater/Teen Leadership Camp, which is hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation. As one of the summer activities, the group of teens was taken to Penn’s Landing Marina to participate in Paddle Penn’s Landing.

“I just kept thinking about falling in that water,” he said.

That day he chose to paddle in the large swan boats, which seemed to be a lot more secure than the tiny kayaks.

Only five minutes went by before he decided he would give the kayaks a try.

This year, Ward was one of the first people to raise his hand to volunteer to ride in the kayaks, and was one of the last riders to dock.

“It gives them the chance to do things they’ve probably never gotten the chance to do,” said Jessica Anderson, communications director and project manager for the Pennsylvania Environment Council (PEC). This is the second year the PEC is collaborating with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) and Parks and Recreation to provide kayaking for city youth. “They’re usually very nervous. They freak out when they hear there’s fish in the water,” said Anderson. “But there’s a transformation that happens in such a brief amount of time.”

Anderson said many of the youth decide to ride the swan boats just as Ward did, but then decide to kayak. The same thing happened to Kayla Joyner, 16, who chose to ride a swan boat before wanting to try a kayak.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t want to be in the boat alone. Plus, I don’t know how to swim.” said Joyner. “After seeing everyone else, I saw it wasn’t that bad.”

Before the group was taken onto the water, they were taught about the Delaware River.

“When they’re in the river and they see the litter in the river, it’s a great teaching moment,” said Anderson.

In addition to teaching the youngsters how neighborhood trash ends in the Delaware River, she also teaches them about the fish and birds that live in the area, and how much of the Philadelphia water supply comes from the river. This takes place before a tour of the Seaport Museum.

“It teaches young people three things that are important that they might not normally encounter,” said Tom Corcoran, president of DRWC, “the history of the Delaware River, they get that through the time they spend at the Seaport Museum, teaches them about the ecology, and they actually get on the water and learn to paddle a kayak.”

Corcoran said he grew up in Chicago and was never exposed to an experience like kayaking. When the PEC brought the idea of the program to the DRWC, Corcoran was on board from the beginning.

“To me it seemed like a great program for kids, especially urban kids,” he said. “They experience the fun and beauty of being out on the water.”

Philadelphia recreation centers sign up through the Department Parks and Recreation and at least 30 youth, 10-years-old and older, participate every Thursday and Friday.

“I think it’s a great opportunity because a lot of kids have never kayaked before, been on the water before and a lot have never been at Penn’s Landing before,” said Terri Kerwawich, program director for Parks and Recreation. “The goal is to get them outside and see what’s out there. Get them aware of the environment and grow respect for the environment.”

Life vests are provided for the youngsters and professional kayaking instructors from Hidden River Outfitters are present.

Paddle Penn’s Landing is also open to the public on weekends.