Fishing for Knowledge Newport Aquarium Camp Helps Kids Learn About Ohio River Post staff report, Jason D. Geil/The Post Laura Butler, 10, of Edgewood, and Sidney White, 11, of Erlanger waded in the water with their nets in hand to catch plankton and other organisms to examine with microscopes. The Newport Aquarium is helping some area kids learn more about the Ohio River as it launched the first Finstitute Summer Camp this week.

There are 29 students participating in the week-long camp, with numerous activities geared toward increasing their awareness and appreciation for aquatic animals and habitats.

Organizers plan to make the camp an annual event.

Tuesday, the students got their feet wet with the help of a guided tour of the Licking and Ohio rivers, hosted by the Ohio River Foundation.

Students used nets to catch plankton and other organisms, then viewed them using microscopes at a nearby outdoor laboratory.

Laura Taphorn, the Ohio River Foundation’s education program coordinator, talked with the group after they had tested water collected at the mouth of the Licking River.

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