BCWC River of Words

River of Words (ROW) is an award-winning arts and environmental program that has been adapted and integrated into the local schools by the BCWC Watershed Coordinator, a former poet-consultant for California Poets in the Schools. The students of the Manton, Mineral and Black Butte Schools have participated in the ROW poetry and art contest for the past two years.

River of Words is an art and environmental education program that:

	Nurtures respect for and understand of the natural world
	Promotes literacy in all its forms
	Trains teachers how to integrate the arts into core curriculum subjects
	Gives youth a forum for expressing their creativity and concerns
	Builds community partnerships
	Leverages existing resources in support of education
	Facilitates interdisciplinary teaching methods
	Distributes, publishes and displays children’s are & poetry
	Publishes and Educator’s Guide and curriculum support materials

River of Words, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1995 by then – US Poet Laureate Robert Hass and writer Pamela Michael. Each year, in affiliation with The Library of Congress Center for the Book, we conduct an international poetry and art contest for children in grades K-12.

Each April, eight US winners, one international winner, and a “ROW Teacher of the Year” are honored (during National Poetry Month) at the Award Ceremony at The Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Seventeen states currently award state ROW prizes, as well.

River of Words publishes an annual poetry book of winning submissions, selected by Robert Hass. We also exhibit the children’s painting at museums, libraries, conferences and other venues around the world. Through our website and many workshops and presentations around the country, we provide students and teachers – and their communities – with tools, inspiration and incentive to begin exploring the natural and cultural history of their own home grounds.

The contest is free, and every child is acknowledged with a personalized “Watershed Explorer” certificate. Children may enter on their own or through schools, nature centers, libraries, youth clubs, and other organizations. Girls Scouts can earn their “Water Drop” patch by entering the contest and fulfilling other requirements.

Battle Creek
Watershed Conservancy
P.O. Box 606, Manton, CA 96059

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Revised July 29, 2003