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Recreational studies students from universities across North Carolina got an introduction to aspects of their field, Bow to Stern Boating Center in Oriental, Sound Rivers and a (longtime member and former board member) Jim Kellenberger pig pickin’ last Saturday.

Volunteer Coordinator Emily Fritz, along with volunteers Joe and Audrey Carter, Tanner Lilly and Sound Rivers board member Cindy Seymour, joined Jim and Leslie Kellenberger for food prep and feeding the crowd of students.

“Bow to Stern reached out to Jim to feed the students, and Jim reached out to us for some volunteers to help with that — he said if we could do that, he’d donate the proceeds to Sound Rivers, so we were more than happy to help,” Emily said.

The students camped overnight, then were introduced to the basics of kayaking, rigging a sailboat, first aid and vehicle maintenance, and more. Emily introduced them to Sound Rivers’ work protecting the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico.

“As soon as I realized it was a bunch of college students who love being outdoors, I thought, ‘This is perfect,’” she laughed. I was talking to them between classes, and when we were serving food, I was like, ‘Do you want cole slaw? Also, do you want an internship?’ and put my card on their plates.”

Thank you, Jim, for your generous donation and ongoing support of Sound Rivers!

Volunteers are needed for two more Jim K pig pickin’s on the books. If you’d be interested in helping out, email Emily at emily@soundrivers.org.

“It’s super fun, and we always need more people,” she said. “Plus — free food!”