This past weekend, volunteers participated in the 18th annual Symmes Creek Canoe Caper to assist in far more than just cleaning up trash and debris.

This event, organized by the Symmes Creek Restoration Committee, is more about taking pride in our natural resources and working to ensure the community will place to enjoy in the future. This also serves as a valuable opportunity to promote civic involvement for our youth.

Additionally, this project allows for volunteers and event organizers to get out and enjoy and help keep a vital part of our region clean.

The event also afforded those in attendance with some camaraderie with the other volunteers during lunch and raffle drawings for a variety of prizes like a canoe donated by the National Wild Turkey Federation, fishing poles and a framed photograph donated by Carson Hunt.

Art Ferguson, who founded the preservation group and a cause that he held dearly, would be satisfied to see where the environmental event has come and continued to thrive each year. Boy Scout Troop 115 of South Point, where Ferguson was the Scoutmaster, continues to be a volunteer staple of the event.

Ultimately, these projects will ensure future generations to enjoy the wonderful natural resources our region offers.