Today, Carol Shields wanted to find out what it meant to a group of students attending the summer sessions of System of Care's Families Supporting Families on Roanoke Avenue.

“Young people are the future of the preservation of the river,” Shields, executive director of Roanoke River Partners, told the group.

The children immediately associated the river with fun, fishing, rocks and boats.

The children prepare to draw pictures from what they learned during the program.

They were not as familiar with the livelihood the river provides. “When people say the river doesn't affect them — if you use lights and power, the river is helping you.”

Shields explained to the children the river is a source of food and the reason Roanoke Rapids came to be founded. “It is a source of food. There was the transportation of goods and the mills were built around the river.”

She told the children that people from 40 of the 50 states as well as those from 13 foreign countries come to river and its paddle trails.

Asking the children why more locals don't take advantage of the river, one child said, “I think a lot of people just don't know.”

Said Shields, “When you go you get a chance to see things you normally don't get to see.”

Gathering information from the children, “May help people learn more about it.”

Doris Mack, executive director of System of Care, told the children, “You have to be aware there are opportunities on the river. Many people don't know other things may be available to them.”

Shields said the partnership is trying to find ways to make the river more accessible and is looking for businesses that would allow people to rent out boats.

Today was the first day the partnership began reaching out to youth. “We want them to see the opportunities and want more of the local youth to learn about the river,” Shields said.