A Penobscot elder in the early 1600s stated “through education comes understanding, and from understanding comes respect.” A riverine people, the Penobscot Nation lived and traveled along the Megunticook Watershed for thousands of years. This territory continues to offer their history via stories and memories.

Several years ago on a Spring weekday morning, I was sitting on a bench on upper Harbor Park. Along came a teacher with her “classroom” of Camden middle school students. Each eager student carried a clipboard with a pad of paper and a pencil or pen and received the following instructions: “Take 30 minutes. Walk down to the waterfall at the head of the Megunticook River and write three paragraphs of what you experience.”

Off they went!

I immediately turned to the teacher and said “You were born to do this!” She told me that the previous Spring she had her students complete the exact same assignment and stated that they had written the most detailed, exciting, and genuine stories she had ever received about any topic. Every student had carefully read their stories aloud to the class over the next several days.

The teacher acknowledged that being outside and having the freedom to write whatever they encountered contributed to the students’ heartfelt descriptions. The students expressed a sense of wonder each in their own way. The sounds, sights and feelings of awe were vivid and thorough.

Per the teacher, some students reflected on what they knew of the dam’s history and purpose and planned to seek more information. Many described with delight the bobbing waterfowl at the base of the falls, along with the cleanliness and vibrancy of the churning water, while others observed the water careening alongside the strong- shouldered granite wall. Several students recounted being engrossed in their experience as though an environmental awareness had taken hold of them.

Many students had never actually visited the falls to hear and feel the rush of the water and looked forward to returning and sharing the sense of both calm and exhilaration with others. To the teacher’s surprise; most of the students’ work reflected a sense of pride and newfound responsibility in having this waterfall site right in their own backyard!

The students were drawn in and shared their experience and newly obtained knowledge with each other. They educated themselves and knew that the Penobscots, having traveled this river, shared their history to those who were willing to take the time to absorb it. When you recognize your town’s history, you make wiser decisions about its future.

Through education comes understanding and from understanding comes respect. You do not destroy what you respect and inspires you.

Jennifer M. Healy lives in Camden