The programs teaches kids to canoe. (Photo courtesy of  Navesink Maritime Heritage Association. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Navesink Maritime Heritage Association has cancelled its 2016 River Rangers canoeing program for kids over concerns about clinging jellyfish and bacterial pollution in the Navesink River, the organization announced Tuesday.

From an NMHA statement:

Over the past twelve years of successful River Rangers programs on our local waters, we have made child safety and well-being our #1 priority.

In the last weeks we have had to acknowledge two issues that impact our duty to keep River Rangers children safe – the Navesink River pollution and an invasive Pacific Ocean jelly fish that, although very small, has a poisonous sting. Local media reports and the latest report by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection have highlighted these dangers to swimming in our local rivers.

Because the River Rangers program is as much about being in the water as on it while studying our environment and having a good time, these reports led us to the decision to cancel this year’s program.

The annual five-day program encourages kids aged 10 to 14 to explore the river in colorful wooden canoes.