Summer is right around the corner and Macaroni KID New Iberia loves working with our local organizations to highlight the summer camps, day camps, and other events happening in New Iberia to keep our children thriving over summer vacation.
This summer TECHE Project will hold a “Geaux Paddle” Youth Workshop for ages 10-14 in New Iberia. The workshop is being funded by a Healthy Communities Grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the state’s premier anti-litter and community improvement organization.
The goal of Geaux Paddle is to get kids who have never paddled before comfortable with paddling and then out enjoying Bayou Teche, the first National Water Trail in Louisiana! The TECHE Project has several opportunities throughout the year for paddlers to get out and experience Bayou Teche, including a Paddle Parade and Membership Party in the fall and an Annual Banquet in the spring.
Shake Your Trail Feather Paddle Parade and Festival is a family-friendly event scheduled for Oct. 21, 2023. Paddlers of all ages can float down the Teche from Poche Bridge to Breaux Bridge, ending at Parc des Ponts for live music, food, kids’ activities, a scavenger hunt and more.
Periodic bayou cleanup days are also kid-friendly and encourage youth to become the future stewards of the Bayou Teche National Water and Paddle Trail. The Youth Workshop in June will include trash pickup, a water quality experiment, education on wood duck nest boxes and flora and fauna of the bayou. The program will result in a Chihuly-inspired sculpture made from recycled water bottles that will be on display at George Rodrigue Park and other sites in New Iberia this summer.
 Image via TECHE Project |
“We believe this grant will enable us to further spread our message of environmental awareness and sustainability along Bayou Teche,” says TECHE Project Director Patti Holland. “Our hope is that these kids will take what they learn back to their families, friends, and community and, ultimately, help make Bayou Teche a cleaner and healthier waterway.”
Once completed, the recycled trash art sculpture will be on display in New Iberia. The workshop is free to attend, but participants must register on Eventbrite.
 Image via The TECHE Project |
What is the TECHE Project?
The TECHE, Ecology, Culture, and History Education Project, started in 2008 in St. Landry Parish. The nonprofit, membership-based organization is made up of individuals passionate about making Bayou Teche a healthier waterway for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, tubing, and even swimming. They advocate for improved water quality in the Bayou Teche watershed and have removed almost 59 tons of garbage to date. The TECHE Project encourages everyone to ENRICH, EXPLORE and EMBRACE the Bayou Teche. To find out more about becoming a member of TECHE Project, visit them online at https://www.techeproject.org/about/donate/. As a member you will get the latest news on upcoming events, receive discounts on upcoming workshops, and be invited to the yearly celebration of the TECHE Project Banquet.
For more information about The TECHE Project and these activities, visit techeproject.org or e-mail techeproject@gmail.com.
 Image by Keep Louisiana Beautiful |
Keep Louisiana Beautiful is a non-profit organization dedicated to achieving a cleaner, greener Louisiana through litter reduction and beautification initiatives. To learn about our network of Community and University Affiliates, grant opportunities, educational programs, and ways to get involved, please visit keeplouisianabeautiful.org. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is an Affiliate of Keep America Beautiful.
