05/26/2026
🌊🛶 Voice of the Rivers is about far more than paddling from one point to another, and Day 15 was a powerful reminder of that.
The crew launched from Wilmington Marine Center and headed toward Carolina Beach directly into a relentless headwind. After an early stop at Shark Tooth Island, where students explored a landform created through 1800s dredging and connected it to conversations about environmental change and river systems, the team pushed back onto the water into increasingly difficult conditions.
Facing sustained winds of 13.6 miles per hour with gusts up to 25 mph, the crew worked together more effectively than ever before. Boats stayed in formation, communication between lead and sweep paddlers remained constant, and students continued encouraging and checking on one another throughout the challenging paddle. As conditions worsened, Dr. Jennifer Kafsky checked in with students individually, and she and her teaching assistant and OLEE senior, Kaden Simon, consulted about turning back. Ultimately, the two made the mindful decision to stop short of the original destination and prioritize the wellbeing of the team. The moment became an important lesson in leadership, adaptability, communication, and trust.
Then, the team did something they never thought they would on this trip: called an Uber to retrieve the van and trailer. Once the group loaded the van and reached Carolina Beach State Park, they were met with a wonderful surprise as BC MBA professor Dr. Josh Wilkey appeared and welcomed the team with snacks, drinks, and a campfire alongside his son, JD. 🔥💙
The evening’s fireside debrief centered on personal and group growth, giving students the opportunity to reflect on how much they have developed since May 11th, not only as paddlers, but as teammates, leaders, communicators, and friends.
Voice of the Rivers is an environmental studies experience and an outdoor adventure, but it is also a lesson in collaboration, resilience, and personal growth that extends far beyond the river itself. 🌪️
