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Allison Harten

Jun 16
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Shaping the Future Through Canal Classrooms

By Canal Classrooms, Volunteer

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, provides experiential learning opportunities to K-12 students at three locations: Great Falls, Williamsport, and Cumberland. 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 are economically disadvantaged and 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 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.

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 to Great Falls and Williamsport 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. 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 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 by NPS

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]

Jun 16
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Make a Difference this Plastic Free July

By Explore Your Park, Nature, Volunteer

What do water bottles, bike parts, snack wrappers, and plastic bags have in common? They all frequently end up as trash in the C&O Canal! To date, the Trust has removed 4,725 pounds of trash and invasive plants from the park with the help of volunteers and corporate partners. As park visitation and discarded trash surges in the summer months, we are challenging visitors and community members to join us in Plastic Free July!

What is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July is a global movement to reduce plastic waste. It focuses on sharing solutions to reduce plastic waste in your local community to create a cleaner and healthier world.  It aims to reduce waste globally by the collective actions of many individuals and communities across the world.

Ways to reduce your plastic waste in the park:

  1. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle

Using a reusable water bottle avoids single-use plastic water bottles that often end up as trash in the park. By planning ahead and identifying refill stations, you can help eliminate this plastic waste. Don’t have a reusable water bottle? You can repurpose a glass jar or bottle for your visit.

  1. Pack lunch in a reusable container

If you’re bringing lunch or a snack to the park, consider packing it in a reusable container. This avoids single-use plastics and wrappers that can get easily left behind and create trash.

  1. Choose canned drinks over plastic bottles

Aluminum cans are more easily recycled than plastic bottles. If you’re bringing a bottled drink to the park, consider choosing something a can over a plastic bottle. Remember to pack out your trash and recycle your can!

  1. Bring a reusable bag

Pack your supplies in a backpack, cloth bag, or fanny pack! Avoiding single-use plastic shopping bags on your trip will help reduce trash in the park.

If you are not able to take any of these actions, that’s okay! The most important thing to remember is to pack out any plastic or trash you bring into the park and dispose of it properly at home. By simply not leaving trash in the park, you are playing a critical role in reducing plastic waste in the park.

Looking to go the extra mile? Consider volunteering with the Trust to amplify your impact! We have many opportunities throughout the year to remove trash and invasive species in various locations along the towpath. Last year, our volunteers removed over 20,000 pounds of trash and invasive vegetation. Check out our volunteer opportunities here: https://www.canaltrust.org/programs/volunteer-programs/

Photos by Trust Staff

Jun 02
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Celebrate Your Independence Project Registration

By Uncategorized

Media Release

May 21
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How to Build a Canal: Engineering in the park

By Explore Your Park, Historic Figure, History, Stories

Photo provided by National Park Service

Building a 184.5 mile canal doesn’t just happen in a day; it requires meticulous planning. Engineers played an essential role in designing, planning, and building the park. With over 1,300 historic structures, a variety of engineers and experts were needed to turn George Washington’s dream into a reality. To unlock the transportation potential of the Potomac River, aqueducts, culverts, locks and lockhouses, a canal prism, the towpath, and more were built. Canal engineers were the masterminds behind the construction and maintenance of such structures.

The Vision of C&O Canal Engineers

United by the goal of connecting the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River, C&O Canal engineers brought their expertise and experience to complete the decades-long construction of the canal. Chief Engineer Benjamin Wright was recruited by the Chesapeake and Ohio Company after his success with the Erie Canal. Known as the Father of American Engineering, Wright learned much of his craft from his uncle who helped train him in surveying techniques. He designed plans for many of the historic structures we love today, including the Monocacy Aqueduct, before stepping down as Chief Engineer in 1831, paving the way for another C&O engineer.

Tower Lock at Great Falls. Photo provided by National Park Service

Charles Fisk rose to the title of Chief Engineer in 1837, after joining the project as an assistant engineer almost ten years prior. Fisk is the only C&O Canal engineer who served throughout the entire construction of the C&O Canal and was heavily involved with the construction, maintenance, and operations of dams. A Yale graduate, Fisk was dedicated to creating high-quality, durable structures and continued to reside in Washington, D.C., even after the canal’s completion.

Before the C&O Company began their work on the canal, the Patowmack Company focused on building navigable skirting canals on the Potomac River around some of its formidable rapids. However, this system incurred excessive costs that proved unsustainable, leading to its eventual abandonment. The skirt canals also required engineers, including supervisory engineer Captain George Pointer. Captain Pointer was a formerly enslaved person who worked for the Patowmack Company. He participated in the first project survey of the Potomac River and continued to work for the company even after he bought his freedom. After he retired, Captain Pointer spent the rest of his life living near Lock 6.

Georgetown Preservation Projects. Photo by Trust Staff

Continuing the Legacy

Today, many engineers honor the legacy of Captain George Pointer, Charles Fisk, and Benjamin Wright. As the C&O Canal approaches the 200th anniversary of its groundbreaking, it requires increased care to remain a safe and beautiful space to recreate and preserve the history of our region and our country. National Park Service staff are currently working on engineering projects throughout the park, including stabilizing Dam 5, rehabilitating the towpath, stabilizing Log Wall, and multiple Georgetown preservation projects. These projects help protect and preserve the structures that the canal’s first engineers worked so hard to build, engraving their stories in the continued history of the park.

To view current and recently completed projects, visit: https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/park-project.htm

May 21
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Celebrate National Camping Month!

By Camp, Eat/Drink, Explore Your Park, MD, Nature, Planning Your Visit

Every June, the banks of the Potomac River come alive with chatter and life as the days warm and lengthen towards summer. Attracted by the cool water and abundant foliage, life gathers to enjoy the pleasures of being outdoors – including us humans! We return to the C&O Canal campgrounds to spend our evenings retelling our favorite park stories and planning the next day’s adventures. As we set up tents and build campfires, it’s time for one of our favorite camping activities: dinner. To celebrate National Camping Month this June, we are sharing some of our favorite campfire recipes to try on your next trip to the park.

For those traveling light, these recipe ideas will require minimal equipment. Delicious meals can be easily achieved with just a bit of foil and a few ingredients. A campfire classic, foil packet meals are made by wrapping your ingredients in foil and placing the packet in coals of your fire. Make sure to bring tongs to safely remove and place your packet. Check out these meal ideas!

Foil Packet Recipes:

  • Ham and Cheese: Looking for a breakfast recipe or want breakfast for dinner? Make campfire ham and cheese hash browns! Use precooked, frozen hash browns, ham and some cheddar cheese for this recipe. Add your preferred seasonings and garnishes and wrap it all together. You can even mix in an egg if you want!
  • Banana Boat: Banana boats can be made many ways. With the peel still on, split a banana down the middle without cutting through the other side and leaving the ends intact. Then add your fillings, wrap in foil, and place in the fire to melt! Some filling ideas are chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers; strawberries, Nutella, and hazelnuts; peanut butter and chocolate chips. Let us know your favorite combo!
  • Pizza Cones: Ice cream cones can be the perfect addition to your next campfire. Layer cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni in a sugar cone, wrap, and stick in the fire. Turn this into a dessert by adding chocolate, marshmallows, and strawberries instead.

Forgot your foil? Try these recipes on a stick!

  • Skewers: Almost anything has the potential to be cooked on a stick. Meat cubes, vegetables, and potatoes all get a smoky camp flavor over the fire. For an extra flavor boost, marinate your skewers and keep them in a cooler until it’s time to cook.
  • French Toast: Have extra bread or rolls lying around? Cut your bread into cubes and soak in your regular egg and milk mixture (cinnamon can be a good addition). Place your battered bread on a stick and roast over the fire.
  • Crescent Rolls: Wrap a crescent roll around a stick for a toasty campfire snack! Elevate your crescent roll experience by wrapping your crescent roll around a stick about the same width as a hotdog. Roast a hotdog and place it in your crescent roll for a sandwich!

      • Honorable mention: the Spider dog. Cut an X on each side of your hotdog, leaving room in the middle to place it on your stick. You should have 8 “arms” on your hotdog. Roast your hotdog lengthwise over the fire. The ends of the hotdog should get crispy and curl. Please note: Our staff has reported mixed results with this technique. While delicious and crispy when executed correctly, there is a strong possibility of losing spider arms if the cuts are not made carefully and evenly. Please use caution with this recipe!

Looking for a place to try out these campfire recipes? Visit a hiker-biker campsite, reserve a spot in a campground, or stay in a Canal Quarters lockhouse. Please remember that fires are only allowed in designated fire rings/pits and pack out all of your trash after your stay. It is the responsibility of every park visitor to recreate safely and to protect the park for future adventures

May 21
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Williamsport Canal Community Days 2025

By Canal Community Days, News, Volunteer

Williamsport Cushwa Basin by Beth Sherwood.

Situated at the meeting point of the Potomac River and Conococheague Creek, Williamsport holds a significant place in American and C&O Canal history. Before it was a Canal Town, Williamsport was used as a trading location and transportation hub for groups of Indigenous people.  As European settlers moved westward, they too recognized the area’s potential to move goods east and west on the Potomac, and north to what would become Hagerstown. The growing nation developed Williamsport into a center for commerce and trade, first through the C&O Canal and later via railroads and trolleys. It remained a critical juncture for moving people and goods through World War II, when its prosperity began to decline. Aided by the establishment of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and new highway systems, Williamsport now flourishes as a vital C&O Canal Town and a hub for tourism. Read More

May 21
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A Story of Continued Resilience

By Nature, News

The C&O Canal is a testament to American ingenuity and commitment, withstanding flooding, heavy visitor usage, and the test of time. To keep the park safe, beautiful, and welcoming, it has taken the dedication of National Park Service staff, hundreds of volunteers, donors, and community partners. Recently, from May 14 to 16, the park faced a significant flood event that caused damage and debris due to high waters and strong winds. Many picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds were affected, including a section of the towpath that washed out. While it’s disheartening to witness the park’s damage, this flood event is just one of many from which we have and will recover.

Read More

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