Our Chicago River Action-Adventure Pocket Guides are 22-page booklets that have basic infomation about the Chicago River, including how to get to the river, how to appreciate and enjoy the river, and how to protect the river.  The educational activities are designed to be done as a family before, during, and after a trip to a river site.

Pocket guides are available upon request through the generous support of the Wrigley Company Foundation. If you would like bound versions of the guides (5.5 x 4.25 inches) for your family or school, please contact our education staff.

You may also download versions of the guides to print on 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

K-4th Grade   |   5th-8th Grade   |   9th-12th Grade

Answer Pages:

K-4th Grade

Getting to the Chicago River pp.3-4
Canoe the Chicago River p.4
Track Matching p.6
Stick Race p.13
Get to Know a Tree p.15
Make An Animal Mask p.16
Vote for your Favorite Animal pp.19-20
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum p.22

5th-8th Grade

Getting to the Chicago River pp.3-4
Canoe the Chicago River p.4
Detailed History and Climate p.5
Chicago River Map/Puzzle p.6
Track and Scat Matching pp.7-8
Tree Identification p.11
Arbor Day Tree Identification p.11
Downtown Landmark Hunt p.15
Chicago River Day p.17
Vote for your Favorite Animal pp.19-20
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum p.22

9th-12th Grade

Getting to the Chicago River pp.3-4
Canoe the Chicago River p.5
What is Your Watershed Address? p.6
Illinois Watersheds Map p.6
Invasive Species p.7
Threatened & Endangered Species p.7
Downtown Landmark Hunt p.12
River Journal p.14
Calculate Your Eco-footprint p.15
Chicago Home Composting p.15
Chicago River Day p.17
Vote for your Favorite Animal pp.19-20
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum p.22

“The river program offers hands on opportunities for students and a way for them to feel success in non-conventional ways.”

Gail Slowinski, Schurz High School