A Floating Classroom on the Canal
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The Erie Canal Tugboat Urger is in Fairport on Saturday and Sunday so visitors can hop on board and get a tour.
The Urger began as a fishing boat before being turned into a tug boat. Now, its main purpose is to serve as a floating classroom for fourth graders so they can learn more about the history of the Erie Canal.
"Fourth graders are probably the best age group in the world. It's fun working with fourth graders, they're fun, they're innocent, their questions are awesome and they really enjoy the tour and as they always tell me, this beats being in math class," said Gary Nelmes, a deckhand.
On Monday, more than 200 students from the Rochester area will visit the Urger.