Voice of the Rivers 2011: Reflection and Appreciation

Voice of the Rivers (VOR) is an expedition-based program focused on the interdisciplinary study of a river from its source to its end. Student team members paddle the river and earn six hours of college credit while taking two academic courses and interacting with a variety of leaders and program managers that support the river, media organizations and conservation groups. This summer Brevard College is once again sponsoring the Voice of the Rivers program. From May 15th-June 2nd thirteen Brevard College students and two faculty members will follow the Rappahannock River from the Blue Ridge Mountains near Front Royal, Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay at Deltaville, Virginia. The VOR Team will travel approximately 184 miles by foot, canoe and sea-kayak with primitive camping each night. VOR students—whose majors include Art, Religious Studies, Environmental Science, Exercise Science, Psychology, Business and Organizational Leadership and Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education—will post daily journal entries, photos and videos of their travels and experiences online using Facebook, blogs and the Brevard College Web site. Expedition faculty leaders are Dr. John Buford and Dr. Resa Chandler.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Reflection and Appreciation

Home safely.

Over 3 weeks and 184 miles we followed the river’s course from Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay, experiencing the richness of its human and natural history. The river basin is home to Colonial American heritage, Civil War battlefields, fisheries, wildlife refuges, and ever expanding urban development. Within the basin over the course of centuries cultures have clashed, natural habitats have evolved, been destroyed, and regenerated, wars have been fought and resolved, and dams and bridges built and removed. In large part the river’s watershed represents many of the issues present in today’s society and was fertile ground to study and reflect upon the complexities of today’s diverse world.

The Rappahannock River is truly a remarkable gift—one that has made an impact on us all. Our sincere appreciation goes out to all the wonderful people along the Rappahannock River who educated, encouraged, and supported our journey.