Idaho Teens Channel Social Media Success into Boise River Cleanup
August 18, 2026
During a summer filled with outdoor exploration, a group of Idaho teenagers found an unexpected mission: cleaning up the Boise River. The teens from Treasure Valley, consisting of high school and college students, initially created an Instagram account titled 208 Boys to chronicle their summer escapades, never anticipating their journey would lead to environmental advocacy.
The group’s Instagram account, initially aimed at reaching 10,000 followers, unexpectedly surged to nearly 200,000. “We didn’t even think we were going to hit that,” remarked Caleb Slee about their viral success.
As they delved into the waters of the Boise River, the group hoped to find underwater treasures like sunglasses or watches. Instead, they encountered a troubling amount of litter, including beer cans and other debris. Austin Drake expressed his dismay: “It’s pretty upsetting to see.”
Landon Jones, familiar with the river, was equally taken aback by the level of pollution. “I didn’t even know how much trash was on the river,” he stated.
Motivated to make a change, the friends began removing the trash themselves, sharing their cleanup process through a video on their Instagram. The community’s response was overwhelming, with the video garnering extensive engagement and gratitude.
“We didn’t realize it would take off,” Slee shared, reflecting on the community’s support. Inspired by the positive feedback, the group returned to the river regularly to continue their cleanup efforts, promoting a personal responsibility for litter among their followers.
For Slee, the initiative holds personal significance as a lifelong Boise resident. “The Boise River means a lot to me,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community resource they frequently enjoyed.
The teenagers urge others to join in preserving the river, advocating for personal accountability. Their message to the public is clear: enjoy the river but ensure to clean up after oneself. “Have integrity while you are floating,” they advised. “Don’t let someone else deal with it, take care of it yourself. And take care of the river that we love.”
What began as a simple summer project for fun has transformed into a movement of environmental stewardship. The 208 Boys have harnessed their social media influence not just for personal milestones but to inspire change and highlight community issues, leaving a lasting positive impact on their surroundings.
“We just can’t believe where we are at today,” Slee concluded. “It’s really a true gift from God, we are so grateful for it.”
