Virginia high school students and teachers are camping out and gearing up to paddle 100 miles as part of the James River Expedition, according to the news channel WVIR-TV.

The students will not only be physically worked, but they will be taking samples of the river to study later on while also identifying various wildlife, according to the media outlet. Approximately 11 students from surrounding towns are taking part in the James River Challenge.

"I think that they're having a blast," Jessica Templeton of the James River Association told the news source. "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."

According to The Associated Press, the Upper James segment was launched near Covington the first week in July, and it ended on Saturday in Lynchburg. The second group left last Saturday from Lynchburg and will reach Richmond this Saturday. Finally, the last group will take off on July 21 and end their journey in Hampton a week later.