Shaping the Future Through Canal Classrooms

On Wednesday mornings, Eddie Rivas wakes up early, putting on his uniform — tan pants and a bright orange polo shirt. He grabs his hat, backpack, and lunch, and is out the door before 9 am. Surprisingly, Eddie is not headed to school; he is on his way to the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Since 2016, Eddie has been a member of the Canal Classrooms Corps, teaching countless students about the park’s canal system, ecology, and natural history.

Photos by NPS and Trust Staff

The Canal Classrooms program, offered since 2013 and supported by the C&O Canal Trust, currently provides experiential learning opportunities to K-12 students in Montgomery, Washington, and Allegany Counties in Maryland. This is accomplished via STEAM-based curricula (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) taught by the Canal Classrooms Corps (CCC), a cadre of retired teachers, local educators, professionals, and volunteers. To date, over 70,000 students have participated in Canal Classrooms, including many who attend Title 1 schools.

In the spring of 2025, the C&O Canal education program organized 38 field trips for over 3,000 K-12 students. Eddie is one of 17 Canal Classroom teachers who dedicated their spring to educating students about the park and building outdoor skills. A former special education teacher and Montgomery County student, Eddie was drawn to the Canal Classrooms program because it was reminiscent of outdoor programs he had previously developed.

This past spring, the park introduced a new field trip for 3rd graders in Williamsport, with additional programs set to launch in the fall for 4th and 5th graders. These new initiatives are developed in collaboration with school district teachers and aligned with updated Maryland state academic standards, as well as national academic guidelines.

Field trips to the Paw Paw Tunnel to hike and learn about unique canal and natural features were also highly requested by teachers in the spring, with many groups from Allegany County exploring this iconic Western Maryland landmark.

Eddie Rivas teaching a Canal Classrooms Program. Photo by NPS.

For Eddie, Canal Classrooms is an opportunity to take advantage of the educational experiences that come from being outside. With a national park as their classroom, Eddie guides students through valuable class and life-lessons, such as identifying poison ivy and understanding what to do when encountering a copperhead snake. The curriculum also covers the canal’s history as a transportation system, concepts of weathering and erosion, and geological features.

Eddie teaches in the Great Falls area, where every field trip includes a visit to Olmstead Island. After a series of boardwalks and bridges, Olmsted Island offers incredible panoramic views of Great Falls and Mather Gorge from the overlook.

“The awe that the kids experience that go over the bridge and see the water…and they get all excited about it. That is a standout moment for me every single time.”

Photo by NPS

For additional exploration, Canal Classroom teachers lead students along the Gold Mine spur trail and Lock 19 spur trail, highlighting the natural history lessons along the way. During their hikes, teachers identify local plants and wildlife while teaching outdoor safety skills. These programs extend beyond classroom lessons; they also build confidence outdoors and personal resilience. Eddie shares how he has supported students in overcoming their fears of heights, steep trails, and minor injuries. As each student conquers their challenges, he witnesses their growth and increased comfort in the park.

As requests for field trips continue to increase, the support of the Trust and the Canal Classrooms Corps remains critical to expanding the program. The Trust provides stipends for CCC teachers and offers busing scholarships to help cover transportation costs, facilitating students’ visits to the park. This year, the Trust provided nearly $10,000 to assist with busing expenses. We would not be able to provide this funding without the generous support of the Thai McGreivy, M.D. Memorial Fund, Mary K. Bowman Fund for Historical and Fine Arts, Charles H. Miller Charitable Foundation, and individual donors. With the recruitment of additional Canal Classroom Corps members, the program will be able to continue growing in all locations, as more schools schedule field trips each year.

For some students, their Canal Classrooms field trip marks the first time they’ve experienced a national park or outdoor space as a place of learning. It’s a beginning touchpoint for instilling a strong environmental ethic in our youngest stewards. Canal Classrooms is instrumental to ensuring that a new generation of park stewards continues to protect our local national park for recreation, relaxation, and exploration. When asked about his inspiration for teaching the next generation of environmental stewards, Eddie reflected:

“I think it’s basically instilling in them the love of the park, and the appreciation for the outdoors, the natural history, and trying to both make them love it and make them want to keep it intact for seven generations down. You know, just so that other generations can take advantage of it, especially the underserved communities that don’t have access to parks. That’s what really inspires me more than anything.”

Photos courtesy of NPS

The Trust is committed to continuing to grow support for this important education program for our region’s youth and looks forward to the planned expansion of Canal Classrooms into D.C. schools in 2026. Interested in joining the Canal Classrooms Corps? Learn more about the program and how to apply here: Canal Classroom Corps – Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).   You can also contact the Canal Classrooms Team with questions or to submit an application at [email protected].

Shaping the Future Through Canal Classrooms

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