Friends of the Cheat (FOC) is a local nonprofit watershed group dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and promotion of the Cheat River watershed. The FOC Snorkel Club program was created in 2018 as a way to educate younger generations about the significance of local watersheds.

The goal of the FOC Snorkel Club is to inspire a sense of environmental stewardship while providing an unforgettable and hands-on learning experience. Snorkel Club events offer small, organized youth groups a perfect opportunity to learn about their communities’ rivers firsthand.

Attendees get a chance to explore local underwater landscapes that are rich in biodiversity featuring fascinating fish, aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates or “stream bugs,” and unique geologic features. Each snorkeling adventure becomes a living classroom, allowing FOC to showcase the delicate balance of these ecosystems and why it is important to care for them.

Due to program funding restrictions, FOC can only offer a limited number of Snorkel events each year. However, you can help support this vital educational endeavor by becoming a Snorkel Club Sponsor. If you are a teacher, educator, or organizer of K-12 activities and are interested in signing your group up for a snorkel event with FOC, please contact Lisa at lisa@cheat.org