Join the Friends of the Cheat Snorkel Club and uncover a stunning aquatic world.
written by ALISHA JARRETT
photographed by BETH WARWICK
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FUN AND UNIQUE WAY to beat the heat this summer? The Friends of the Cheat Snorkel Club Program has you covered. Open to aquatic adventurers of all ages, this free—yes, free!—program allows participants to get an up close and personal look at underwater life.
“I started the Snorkel Club in 2018 with my colleagues, Amanda Pitzer and Beth Warnick,” says Madison Ball, Friends of the Cheat’s conservation program director. “It’s an experiential process to familiarize people with what’s happening underneath the stream.”
The program partners with the Monongahela National Forest and holds events in Preston, Randolph, and Tucker counties. Attendees can snorkel in shallow water or use a “viewing cone,” a plexiglass device that allows them to look under the surface without submerging themselves.
“We schedule private events with youth groups such as Cub Scouts and 4-H as well as local schools,” says Ball. “We also set up rotation stations for the kids, such as nature scavenger hunts and water quality testing.”
The Snorkel Club also holds public events at various locations from June through September. All supplies, including wetsuits, are provided. No swimming or snorkeling experience is necessary, and a trained lifeguard is always on site.
“West Virginia is a hotspot for aquatic species,” Ball says. “I love seeing the amazed looks on people’s faces when they discover the beauty beneath the surface.”
Visit Friends of the Cheat’s website for more information on how to sign up for the Snorkel Club Program. cheat.org, @friendsofthecheat on FB
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S SUMMER 2025 ISSUE
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