Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Environmental Stewards
Journey of Water
The Journey of Water: CSI's Youth Education Series
Journey of Water is a hands-on learning series consisting of 12 programs offered each June-September that invites children and their families to explore how water moves through our lives—from local streams and creeks to the tap and back again.
Designed primarily for children ages 5–12 and welcoming to learners of all ages and backgrounds, this series offers fun, safe, and inclusive experiences that spark curiosity, joy, and connection at no cost. Through outdoor exploration, simple science, and real-world examples, participants build an understanding of water systems, strengthen their relationship with local waterways, and begin to see how their actions play a role in protecting the water we all depend on.
JoW Program Goals:
- To create meaningful learning experiences: Offer hands-on programs that are fun, welcoming, and safe—encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging for children and families of all backgrounds and abilities.
- To build water understanding through local connections: Help participants understand where water comes from, how it moves through natural and built systems, and how local landscapes and land use influence water quality and availability.
- To inspire care and action for healthy watersheds: Encourage awareness of human impacts on water resources and empower participants to take simple, informed actions that support clean water and resilient ecosystems.
Why It Matters:
Water connects every part of our lives—from the places we play and learn to the systems that deliver clean water to our homes. Understanding where water comes from, how it moves through natural and built systems, and how human actions affect water quality is essential for healthy communities and resilient ecosystems.
By engaging young learners and families in place-based, hands-on experiences, Journey of Water builds the knowledge, confidence, and sense of responsibility needed to care for local watersheds today and into the future.
2026 Journey of Water Schedule
When registration is open for the 2026 season, you will be able to click on each program picture/title to learn more and register.
Water Quality Monitoring Cruise on Cayuga Lake
Sunday, 6/14/26
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Boarding at Steamboat Landing, Ithaca Farmers Market
Stream Biomonitoring Fun!
Wednesday, 6/24/26
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Robert H. Treman State Park
From Creek to Faucet
Tuesday, 7/7/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
City of Ithaca Drinking Water Facility
Stream Biomonitoring Fun!
Tuesday, 7/14/26
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Down the Drain and Into the Lake
Monday, 7/20/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cayuga Heights Waste Water Treatment Plant
Wild Wetlands, Fantastic Filters
Saturday, 7/25/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Water Quality Monitoring Cruise on Cayuga Lake
Wednesday, 7/29/26
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Boarding at Allen H. Treman State Marine Park
Wild Wetlands, Fantastic Filters
Saturday, 8/8/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Finger Lakes Farm Tour
Wednesday, 8/12/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Laughing Goat Fiber Farm
Down the Drain and Into the Lake
Wednesday, 8/19/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ithaca Area Waster Water Treatment Facility
From Lake to Faucet
Tuesday, 9/1/26
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission at Bolton Point
Finger Lakes Farm Tour #2
TBD: Update Coming Soon!
Weather Policy: JoW programs may proceed in inclement weather, as some activities take place indoors. For those that takes place outside, evaluation will be done on a case by case basis. In the event of cancellation, CSI staff will notify participants by text/phone and email at least two hours in advance. Rescheduling will be determined based on staff availability.
Registration & Cancellation: Space is limited; advance registration is required and will close two days prior to the event. If you need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible by calling or texting (607) 233-0811 or emailing info@communityscience.org.
Age & Supervision: Designed for ages 5–12; older children are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. Flexible structure with opportunities for both group and independent participation.
The JoW youth education series is made possible through the generous support of the Park Foundation and the M&T Charitable Foundation. Their investment allows CSI to offer these engaging, hands-on learning experiences free of charge, removing barriers to participation and connecting young people and their families to local water resources and the systems that manage them. Each year, dozens of children—and the adults who accompany them—gain meaningful, place-based water science learning opportunities at no cost.
