In the beginning…
About Us
Kids on the Colorado, Inc.
In 2021 a unique blend of community and agency professionals came together to form Kids on the Colorado, Inc., a non-profit corporation designed to revitalize student awareness and education about Lake Havasu and the Colorado River. Mike Peters and Dan Delasantos successfully collaborated on this powerful community support concept and began the search for the right partners to form the corporation.
New working relationships were then developed which included Arizona State Parks, Lake Havasu Unified School District and Thunderbolt Middle School management team with K-12 as a nonprofit supporting entity. After extensive research, a collaboration was formed with local and state agencies to develop this exciting new interactive educational program.
A pilot program was developed and launched in April of 2022. The pilot event was a success with only a few minor changes to be made. After an extensive review and further development was completed, the fully developed program launched with 450 Students in attendance at the Arizona State Parks facility in Lake Havasu City.
The River Educational Program
450 Lake Havasu City students become the most knowledgeable about the Colorado River
At the conclusion of a recent 2021 informal survey, it was discovered that the majority of 7th grade youth here in Lake Havasu City have little to no knowledge of the Colorado River and Lake Havasu environment, water safety, legal waterway terminologies, or even the history of this river. With the support of the Thunderbolt Middle School, a powerful non-profit outdoor learning program was designed to use local educators and river agency resources to educate 450 Lake Havasu City 7th grade students over the course of two days.
Educational resources include Arizona State Parks, Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Sea Scouts, Arizona State University, Lake Havasu City Museum of History, The LHC Marine Association, Arizona Fishing Education and the Chemehuevi Cultural Center to create a unique outdoor classroom environment made up of multiple learning pods which provides a comprehensive and interactive educational program for the 7th grade youth of Lake Havasu City, AZ and Havasu Landing, CA. Also included are LHC School District approved student chaperones, Lake High School Student Assistants and a number of Community Volunteers.
The focus of this dynamic project is the fundamental importance of this ensemble of agencies and their presence on the Colorado River. Students are part of an all-day class where representatives speak on behalf of their individual agencies and how they interact with the river and its recreationists. After rotation through this 12-station classroom environment is completed, students continue their exciting education with a narrated boat tour of the lake lasting approximately 60 minutes providing them with an actual experience on the river to complete the full scope of the course. At the end of the day, a certificate of completion is awarded to students along with a Kids on the Colorado River t-shirt to support community pride in education. The program educates 225 students each of the two days.
This successful program strengthens student safety and environmental awareness along with increasing their awareness of future career opportunities. At the end of 2 days, these 450 Lake Havasu students become the most knowledgeable about the Colorado River. Program coordinators are actively seeking annual sponsors and donations.
Meet the Board of Directors
A group of visionary leaders guiding our organization towards a brighter future
Harrison
Member Position
Dan Delasantos
Member Position
Dan Roddy
Member Position
Jeannette Nangreave
Member Position
The Desert Educational Program
450 Lake Havasu City students become the most knowledgeable about the Desert surrounding Lake Havasu
As a result of the overwhelming success of the River Program, efforts began in 2023 to develop the NEW Desert Program to educate 450 8th grade students. The design of this program is currently underway with local agencies knowledgeable about many of the same aspects the river program provides. Havasu desert environment, trail safety, recreational opportunities, legal desert terminologies and history of the surrounding area are just some of the topics that will be included.
The focus of this dynamic project will be the fundamental importance of this ensemble of agencies and their presence on the Mohave Desert surrounding Lake Havasu. Students will be part of an all-day class where representatives speak on behalf of their individual agencies and how they interact with the desert and its recreationists. After this multi-station outdoor classroom environment is completed, students can continue their exciting education with a narrated walking tour on a closed trail loop at the training site to complete the full scope of the course. At the end of the day, a certificate of completion will be awarded to students along with a Kids on the Colorado River desert t-shirt to support community pride in education. The program educates 225 students each of the two days.
This successful program will strengthen student safety and environmental awareness along with increasing their awareness of future career opportunities. At the end of 2 days, these 450 Lake Havasu students will become the most knowledgeable about the Mohave Desert surrounding Lake Havasu. Program coordinators are actively seeking annual sponsors and donations.
The Desert Program is scheduled to launch in March of 2024
