Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer lies on the shores of what is arguably the finest venue for whitewater paddleboard instruction in Pennsylvania.  Connoquenessing Creek, known locally as “the Connie,” boasts miles of class I to III rapids, and a river wave as smooth as glass after a good rain.  The camp itself is a stunning sprawl of wooded acreage and beautiful log cabins.  While the whitewater and facilities are ideal, the Connie does have a darker side.  Not long ago, it was considered one of the most polluted waterways in the Country, and still faces many environmental challenges.  To illustrate the opportunities presented by the stream, along with solutions for conservation and education for youth, First Waves’ partnered with the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh and Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer for an inaugural residency expedition to the creek.