High School Students Take on James River Challenge - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather

A group of high school students is spending part of their summer taking on a tough physical challenge. They are paddling more than 100 miles down the James River in just eight days as part of the James River Expedition.

Eleven students from Albemarle, Goochland, and Varina high schools are paddling and camping along the river. They are going down a section of the James River called the middle James, starting in Lynchburg and going down to Cartersville which is about 107 miles.

Thursday, we met up with the group as they launched from Scottsville on a bateau.

Jessica Templeton of the James River Association said, "I think that they're having a blast. I think that more than anything we're having a great time on the river and really just loving the James and everything it has to offer."

The floating classroom offers a chance to learn about the river's history and water conservation.