805 Central Ave. Suite 800
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Rivertrek 2020
The Cincinnati Recreation Commissioned submitted its application in February 2020 for its Rivertrek program, which the Dater Foundation had supported annually since 2002. The Foundation made a $20,000 grant. As the impact of Covid-19 was assessed, the Commission made the decision to cancel the program for 2020. The Foundation told the Commission to keep the grant proceeds for use for Rivertrek 2021 or on some other program that would benefit young people.
RiverTrek is a week long program of self-discovery that accepts 50 teen participants (ages 12-17) for a 5 day, 4 night, 65-mile canoeing journey down the Little Miami River. One all day mandatory training helps prepare the group for their adventure with emphasis on canoeing, kayaking, camping, first-aid and team building skills. The program designed to enhance the confidence, understanding and leadership skills of Cincinnati area youth, and youth-at-risk, and give them an opportunity to re-envision themselves on neutral turf, away from the normal influences of their personal environment, so that they can practice making different choices in their lives, while they are exposed to the natural world surrounding them. Many participants are new to the outdoors which makes their accrual of camping and canoeing skills all the more rewarding. Veteran participants are selected to serve as Peer Leaders for RiverTrek. As Peer Leaders, they have the responsibility for specific tasks; i.e.: erecting tents, cooking, clean-up, organizing equipment, packing food and water, etc. They also serve by modeling behavior for other RiverTrekkers and fellow Peer Leaders.
Stephen Gerth
Regional Supervisor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
P 513.352.4043
C 513.235.9125