May, 2025 update: Mill River Adventure Backpacks for young children and elementary school children are now available to borrow from Lilly Library in Florence, Meekins Library in Williamsburg, and The Botanic Garden of Smith College.
Mill River Greenway “River Guides” Wendy Stein and Karen Bryant, partnered with Sarah Johnson, Forbes Library Head of Children’s and Young Adult Services, to present to the community MRGI’s Mill Riverwalk Adventure Kit for the Young Child.
As you can see from the story unfolding in pictures above, the children enjoyed reading river related stories, as well as creating their own boats to float on a makeshift tin foil river. John Sinton, one of the MRGI founders and author of Devil’s Den to Lickingwater: The Mill River Through Landscape and History, inspired developing an educational component. Wendy and Karen, inspired by John and other MRGI educators, collaborated in designing Riverwalks for families in the community to access from the public library.
The Mill Riverwalk Adventure Kit for the Young Child is geared loosely for children pre-k through first grade and is the first of two experiential self-guided pilot programs being introduced.
Written by Wendy Stein
MRGI River Guide and former Preschool Director