Adaptation - A Recap of First Waves 2020

The endeavor of running rivers, especially ones strewn with whitewater, is a practice in adaptation.  The best looking lines don’t always work out, and plan B or C are often called on for relief.  Something as small as a light bump with an unseen rock can alter a smooth descent into a sideways and backwards gauntlet like ballet in combat boots.  While style and grace are admired, the important thing is getting to the bottom in one piece.  In the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, education and youth experiences edged beyond a light bump with a stone.  In many cases, it was as if the entire river disappeared beneath them.  For the First Waves program to continue working with youth in the Johnstown area, the mindset of adaptability needed to be fully embraced.

As education and interactive experiences were changed to remote or eliminated altogether, youth in underserved communities suffered the most.  In a survey of the Greater Johnstown region, 37% of households did not have an Internet connection and 42% did not have an Internet connected device.  Moreover, places that would typically have offered online access and resources were shuttered under statewide shelter-in-place orders.  With the traditional outlets for students blocked, First Waves provided an alternate route – a pivot from the classrooms and screens into the realms of whitewater, conservation, and the art of filmmaking. 

First Waves students have the chance to surf their first river waves on the Stonycreek River in Johnstown, PA. Photo: Rishi Sethi

At the first workshop, the students contributed in a stream biology and water sampling training with instruction from the Indiana County Conservation District.  They conducted a macroinvertebrate survey from a rapid on the Stonycreek River and worked together to analyze and record the results.  They also worked alongside instructors from the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media to learn filmmaking and photography skills to document the study.  The workshop culminated in a river surfing and whitewater adventure with SurfSUP Adventures.  First-time participants experienced the thrill of catching their first river waves while some returning students assisted others and got back in the water for the first time in more than a year.

First Waves students analyzing the contents from their macroinvertebrate sampling. Photo: Rishi Sethi

Getting ready to plant native tree species at Greenhouse Park, Johnstown, PA.

In the second workshop, the students continued their conservation work with a native tree-planting program led by Tree Pittsburgh.  It was the third consecutive year for the initiative, which has resulted in more than a dozen native trees being planted along the heavily used riparian area of Greenhouse Park.  The students’ work has resulted in significant erosion control, storm-water interception, and the beautification of the park for the benefit of the community and everyone downstream.  This year, the group planted and learned the benefits of specific species including the fruit-bearing pawpaw.  They also learned how they could contribute to the environment by removing invasive species such as knotweed and purple loosestrife, which have become pervasive throughout Pennsylvania watersheds.

First Waves’ third consecutive native tree planting event in conjunction with Tree Pittsburgh.

Throughout the on-water programs, First Wave’s mentors and instructors were committed to both water safety and new protocol to adapt the program for the pandemic landscape.  For example, each student was designated their own camera for the documentary work instead of sharing with a partner.  Furthermore, masks and social distancing were continually monitored.  Although ultimately deemed necessary, one adaptation proved uncomfortable and contrary to the ethos of First Waves.  Normally, the group advocates against single-use plastics and strives to provide zero-waste meals for the students, volunteers, and staff.  This year, however, they had to use disposable gloves, plates, and cups.  

To turn the situation into a learnable moment, the students participated in a river cleanup at the end of each workshop.  As they analyzed the contents of the trash, they found that a large majority of it was the result of single-use plastics.  While the group wasn’t able to practice zero-waste, they were able to showcase the dichotomy through filmmaking and, hopefully, inspired others in the process.  It was the final workshop, however, that proved the most difficult adaptation for First Waves in 2020.

First Waves students participating in the art of filmmaking workshop to create their own documentaries. Photo: Rishi Sethi

In normal years, the students would congregate in the Black Box Theater of Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center for a filmmaking and editing experience to finalize their projects.  Equipped with Macbooks, the students would learn to use Adobe Premiere to compile their videos and interviews into documentaries.  Under the guidelines for Covid-19, the workshop needed to be altered drastically to proceed.  To meet this challenge, First Waves launched a new version of the editing phase - the Mobile Media Lab.

Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media leading First Wave’s Mobile Media Lab - filmmaking instruction program on the rooftop of Bottleworks. Photo: Rishi Sethi

To start, the group relocated the experience to the sustainable rooftop of Bottleworks Art Center.  The new venue maintained an outdoor setting with ample space for social distancing and still provided an inspiring ambiance and the amenities needed for a digital media lab.  The group even watched an osprey and bald eagle circle overhead.  Furthermore, students were each equipped with their own iPads in place of laptops.  The adjustment allowed them to safely complete their own short films in the open air overlooking the Stonycreek River, just downstream from where they surfed river waves and planted trees.  A final benefit to the Mobile Media Lab setup was the ability to provide a drone-flying exhibition for the students directly from the rooftop.  The event showcased an adaptation that transcended the confines of Covid-19.  It proved that the best line might be found looking over the shoulder while cascading sideways and backwards beyond any obstacles in the way.

A First Waves student working on his documentary using the Mobile Media Lab. Photo: Rishi Sethi

This project is made possible by: