April 22, 2006
Earth Day Paddle
Host: National Road Heritage Corridor
Sojourners will meet in Brownsville – all will bring own kayak or canoe, safety briefing and welcome from Brownsville officials. A 4.5 mile padlle to California Earth Day Cleanup. Food, water and soda. Shuttle back to Brownsville.
Contact: monrivertowns.com and nationalroadpa.org
May 13 – 15, 2016
Heritage Sojourn
Host: Endless Mountains Heritage Region
This event will include 60 students from Bradford County. The group of paddlers will start out at Riverfront Park in Sayre PA, camping in Hornbrook Park in Towanda, padding to French Azilum to camp and then ending in Sugar Run PA. This paddle will focus on environmental stewardship and heritage education. There will be three programs a day to enhance students experience along the river. The students will be giving presentations of what they learned on the trip at Wyalusing High School on Sunday May 15th.
Questions: Hillary Robinson, Program Coordinator hrobinson@emheritage.org (570) 265-1528
Stay Tuned: endlessmountainsheritage.org
May 19th – 22nd, 2016
The 19th Annual Canoe Sojourn
The course for this year’s sojourn has been updated and there will be a some new educational programs to make the weekend a enjoyable time for all to be a part of. We hope to see you and don’t forget to invite family and friends to join us on this unique experience.
The sojourn planning committee would like to thank Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers & Watersheds for their continued support of the Alle-Kiski-Connie Sojourn. If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring this year’s sojourn please call the Armstrong Educational Trust at (724) 543-2599.
If you are interested in being a part of this year’s sojourn, please complete the event application on our website and send it to the Armstrong Educational Trust at 81 Glade Drive, Kittanning, PA 16201 or fax it to (724) 545-6127.
May 28, 2016
3rd Annual Loyalhanna Sojourn
Host: Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Inc.
The Third Annual Loyalhanna Sojourn is a one-day event planned to generate excitement and coordinate efforts of several area organizations to promote the positive changes occurring on the Loyalhanna Creek and surrounding communities. Participants will paddle a nine-mile section of the creek from Latrobe to New Alexandria. The day will include shuttle transportation, refreshments, boater safety, environmental education and a free community event with food and live music at the take out venue.
Contact: www.laurelhighlands.org
June 2 – 5, 2016
Stony-Kiski-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn
The Sojourn is appropriate for both new and experienced paddlers, and is a great way to learn about the rivers, history, culture and recreation resources in the Kiski-Conemaugh corridor. Participants can register for one, two, three, or all four days. Primitive camping is available at locations along the route for those who wish to travel with the group. Participants must bring and set up their own camping equipment. Help with shuttling is provided, and participants can bring their own paddling gear or rent from area outfitters. A detailed packet is provided to registrants that includes directions to all access areas, a preparation checklist, outfitter information and more.
Contact: conemaughvalleyconservancy.org
June 4 – 10, 2016
2016 Schuylkill River Sojourn
Host: Schuylkill River Greenway Association
The Schuylkill River Sojourn is a 7-day, 113 mile guided kayak and canoe trip on the Schuylkill River. Explore Pennsylvania’s first scenic river as it changes from a narrow waterway gently dropping out of the mountains in Schuylkill Haven to a wider and slower river through urban settings of southeastern Pennsylvania. Along the way you will encounter people, groups and communities that care about the river, share in its story and each year welcoming sojourners to their region.
Contact: schuylkillriver.org
June 12 – 17, 2016
River of the Year Susquehanna Sojourn – Upper Section
Host: Endless Mountains Heritage Region
Questions: Hillary Robinson, Program Coordinator hrobinson@emheritage.org (570) 265-1528
The sojourn will begin at Camp Lackawanna with dinner and a paddling demonstration and river orientation program to follow. Participants will be given the opportunity to paddleboard the river and try out different types of kayaks. Camp Lackawanna and the Howland Preserve will be open for participants to hike and/or bike. There is also be an evening program focusing on the history of the Susquehanna and how it became a National Historic trail. Paddlers will also enjoy various education programming throughout the sojourn.
Stay Tuned: endlessmountainsheritage.org
June 17 – 19, 2016
River of the Year Susquehanna Sojourn – Lower Section
Host: Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
Questions: Kassia Janesch, Program Assistant kjanesch@SusquehannaGreenway.org (570) 522-7229
Break out the paddles, get your campfire tales organized, and join the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership for an exciting trip through some lovely and scenic sections of the lower North Branch of the Susquehanna River during our 3-day educational paddling trip. You can paddle the entire trip or a just few days. Its a special year for this section of river, as it has been named 2016 PA River of the Year! The sojourn will explore the area’s wildlife, history, river towns, parks and riverside trails. The North Branch Susquehanna Sojourn is a 3-day educational paddling trip that highlights the beautiful scenery and special places along the river and Greenway.
Stay Tuned: www.SusquehannaGreenway.org
June 18 – 25, 2016
2016 Delaware River Sojourn: Find Your River: Celebrating 100 Years of the National Park
Host: Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition
The Delaware Sojourn gives people of all ages and experience a chance to have a truly “hands-on” river adventure that includes a guided kayak (or canoe) paddle, camping, and educational programming. What makes the Delaware Sojourn unique is the combined efforts of local, regional, and federal partners, as well as individual volunteers, that come together to plan, host, and lead a very special eight days on and off the Delaware River. The Delaware Sojourn is an annual reunion of individuals who come together every year to celebrate the river, participate in a fun, outdoors event, and learn a little bit about our region, history, and environment and how to give back.
Contact: delawareriversojourn.org
June 17 – 19, 2016
French Creek Summer Solstice Sojourn
Host: French Creek Valley Conservancy
The French Creek Summer Solstice Sojourn will take place June 18-19. This year you can enjoy two days of paddling on beautiful upper French Creek between Cambridge Springs and Meadville. You will be stopping along the way for educational presentations, to visit some Creek Town communities, and camp overnight Saturday at Grotto Park in Saegertown. You will enjoy some great meals featuring some of the best local independent restaurants. And all of that is included in your registration fee!
Contact: frenchcreekconservancy.org
June 19 – August 28, 2016
First Waves
Host: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh
First Waves is a multi-day (non consecutive) program that uses standup paddleboarding (SUP) and river surfing as a catalyst to inspire conservation of local waterways and mentorship for at-risk youth. Throughout the program, youth participants learn to become proficient paddlers, ultimately utilizing their acquired skills to conduct a conservation effort on a local watershed. Through the use of standup paddleboarding and river surfing, First Waves offers a unique approach that attracts, inspires and retains participants while providing an education and hands-on experience in the conservation of watersheds in the region. Furthermore, First Waves workshops help participating youth to step outside their comfort zones, overcome challenges, and work together among their peers. More information about First Waves can be found at: http://www.firstwaves.org.
Contact: firstwaves.org
June 25 – 29, 2016
Lehigh River Sojourn
Host: Wildlands Conservancy
The 20th annual Lehigh River Sojourn is Wildlands Conservancy’s 54.5-mile guided paddling trip on the Lehigh River. The event begins in the Pocono Mountains and ends in Easton. Sojourners travel through our region’s metro-wilderness – treasuring scenic views, visits from resident wildlife and a shared appreciation for preserving the Lehigh River.
Contact: wildlandspa.org
July 15 – 16, 2016
Community River Day & River Performance Project
Host: Invisible River
Day one of this event will feature an immersive dance and music performance; audiences travel on the river seeing aerial dance hover above its water as classical songstresses illuminate the nightscape with their ethereal voices, creating a haunting and memorable summertime river experience. Community River Day will begin on day two and is a fun family event, targeting the residents of Strawberry Mansion, an East Fairmount Park neighborhood adjacent to the Schuylkill River. The event kicks off at Mander Recreation Center with a drum line processional to Kelly Drive. Upon arrival at the river, participants can try boating on the river, IndeGo bikes, yoga, fishing, participate in interactive activities that address fears about the river, and enjoy local food vendors. The event concludes with a performance on the river by our outreach program and local Stand Up Paddle Board dancers. Residents learn about the river’s importance as a local watershed and reconnect to it through fun activities and events throughout this family fun event.
Contact: invisibleriver.org
July 19 – 22, 2016
Outdoor Stew
Host: Presque Isle Partnership
The Presque Isle Partnership is proud to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Erie and the DCNR Environmental Education Specialists at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to sponsor Outdoor Stew. Youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Erie participate in a four day camp that focuses on four principles: Leave No Trace, I Conserve, Get Outdoors, and Environmental Stewardship. The first day, campers participate in a welcoming ceremony and begin to learn all about Presque Isle and its rich history before they spend time exploring the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. The second day will start with the kids embarking on a research vessel where they will operate underwater ROV’s to investigate shipwrecks on the floor of Lake Erie. Later that day the kids will fish, learn how to cook fish, and learn water safety before kayaking in the lagoons of Presque Isle. They will then be transported to Erie Bluffs State Park where they will kayak Elk Creek into Lake Erie and camp overnight. The campers hike, learn how to set up camp, sing camp songs, and learn how to clean up camp the next morning practicing ‘Leave No Trace’. Outdoor Stew concludes with kids taking a walk on the beach, and reflecting on everything they learned.
July 21, 2016
Kids Paddle on the Schuylkill River
Host: Pennsylvania Environmental Council
The Phoenixville Kids Paddle Series will get kids out on the river and canal for what is likely to be the first time they have ever paddled; it is hosted by the Schuylkill River Town Program (SRTP). SRTP is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) with the goal to connect residents and visitors to the Schuylkill River and Trail and the benefits of outdoor recreational activities. The Kids Paddle series is directed at middle school‐aged children and is an opportunity to introduce children to healthy lifestyles and on‐river experiential environmental education. The opening ceremony will occur at Lock 60, the only operable lock along the Schuylkill Canal. Sojourn participants will enjoy various educational programming throughout the event.
Contact: schuylkillrivertowns.com
September 30 – October 2, 2016
Ohiopyle Over the Falls Festival
Host: American Whitewater Inc – (Friends of the Yough)
This is a regional event, if not a national event that attracts paddlers from throughout the country. Whitewater paddlers nationwide will gather to race, freestyle or just go over the spectacular eighteen-foot waterfall in the picturesque mountain village of Ohiopyle. Spectators are invited to watch paddlers sprint and cartwheel, end-over-end, off the waterfall. Other event features include the Falls Under Lights, Town Party, Live Music and Silent Auction. The area also offers biking, hiking, camping, magnificent scenery, photographic opportunities, history and cultural activities.
Contact: FallsRace.com
