The Pathfinders of the Waters Network
Who are the Pathfinders of the Waters
The Pathfinders of the Waters represent the group of children who have built, with their own hands, life-size wooden boats, with which they explore the waters of the localities they belong to in order to learn as much as possible about these natural spaces. In years to come, with their passion for nature and accumulated knowledge, they will be able to become capable guides for visitors. The guides come from Mila 23, Drobeta Turnu Severin, Eșelnita, Sfântu Gheorghe, Sulina, Piscu, Chilia Veche, and Comana. They built their canoes and paddles in “meaningful learning” workshops, in 4-week sessions, under the guidance of the carpenter Viorel Gheorghe of the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association.
These groups of apprentice carpenters now form the club we have named together “The Pathfinders of the Waters”.
What did the Pathfinders of the Waters set out to do
– to protect and promote the natural and cultural values of the locals
– to encourage tourists to discover natural landscapes with care for the environment and living things
– to raise interest in local culture, multiculturalism and cultural diversity
– to encourage tourists to explore the local cultural heritage
– to be good citizens, to make rational and responsible choices towards the environment and the community
– to document their information from verifiable sources and look for creative opportunities for local development
The Pathfinders of the Waters have the opportunity to:
– acquire new skills, useful for personal growth and to be able to contribute to the development of the community
– discover local opportunities (activities friendly to nature and the environment, which capitalize on the local specificity: gastronomy, cultural tourism, ecotourism, crafts and design, agricultural activities that can rationally capitalize on resources)
– access volunteering and internship opportunities in cultural, social, educational projects
– connect to a national network of children with common interests and goals
Values
As Pathfinders of the Waters with apprentice carpenter skills, the actions of the children in the network consider:
the environment and limited natural resources
special attention to waters
diverse local culture and multiculturalism
community and people
potential for local growth by cultural tourism & ecotourism
News from the Pathfinders
Patrimoniul românesc premiat la Veneția
Lansarea la apă a unei canotci realizate de copii din Timișoara
European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2023 pentru proiectul Călăuzele Apelor al Asociației Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23
Lansarea la apă a canotcii construite de copiii din Mila 23
Atelierul Mobil – Apele Unite ale României, Mila 23 - prima săptămână
Start-ul atelierului canotca-școală de la Mila 23
Preview Atelier canotca-școală de la Mila 23
Invitație la lansarea la apă a canotcii copiilor din Comana
Start-ul atelierului canotca-școală de la Comana
Lansarea rețelei naționale Călăuzele Apelor
*currently the Pathfinders of the Waters’ news are available in Romanian only
ABOUT
The platform is developed in the context of the United Rivers of Romania project – practical education for natural heritage, run by the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association and the Department for Sustainable Development. The project draws citizens’ attention to the significance of water as a common global resource, recommends responsible behavior, strengthens, and activates a water community.
ONLINE LESSONS
The children who worked on the Piscu canotca are the protagonists of an educational video series. They were accompanied by teachers of mathematics, physics, geography, social education, and specialists in sustainable development, art, and computer-aided design. From the practical lessons at the workshop, we created an interdisciplinary teaching material, a series of open educational resources, available to students, teachers, and education specialists from all over the country.