REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR THE 2019 DELAWARE RIVER SOJOURN: JUNE 15-22
Volunteer River Cleanup Scheduled for June 14

WEST TRENTON, N.J. (May 15) – Interested paddlers are invited to register for the 25^th Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 15-22.

The Delaware River Sojourn combines guided paddling excursions with interpretive programs, camping, and camaraderie.  Participants may sign up for the entire trip or for the day(s) of their choice; all skill levels are welcome.

“This year we are celebrating our 25^th Sojourn, bringing together more public and private partners than ever before to introduce paddlers to conservation topics and educational experiences as we enjoy the Delaware River together,” said Mark Zakutansky, Director of Conservation Policy Engagement for the Appalachian Mountain Club and Chair of the Sojourn Steering Committee.  “This year also marks the 40th Anniversary of the National Canoe Safety Patrol, an all-volunteer group that provides river safety patrols in coordination with the National Park Service and assists us in hosting our program every year.”

Nearly 80 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2019, split into daily trips ranging from five to 15 miles.  In brief, the sojourn will include the following stretches:

Saturday, June 15 – Narrowsburg, N.Y. to Zane Grey Museum, Lackawaxen, Pa.

Sunday, June 16 – Zane Grey Museum to Indian Head/Knights Eddy, N.Y.

Monday, June 17 – Indian Head/Knights Eddy to West End Beach, Port Jervis, N.Y.

Tuesday, June 18 – Dingmans Access, Pa. to Bushkill, Pa.

Wednesday, June 19 – Bushkill to Worthington State Forest, N.J.

Thursday, June 20 – Bull’s Island, N.J. to Lambertville, N.J.

Friday, June 21 – Belle Mountain/Fireman’s Eddy, N.J. to Yardley, Pa.

Saturday, June 22 – Bordentown, N.J. to Florence, N.J. with a stop at Pennsbury Manor

“The sojourn is a family-friendly paddling and learning adventure, a wonderful way to discover the Delaware River and experience first-hand the unique character and diversity of its different sections,” said Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Steve Tambini.  “The Delaware River Sojourn is one of the longest-running sojourn programs of its kind, and DRBC is proud to have been a part of the steering committee since its early years.”

Registration fees in 2019 are $90 per day for adults and $60 per day for children (ages 15 and under).  There is an additional one-time insurance fee of $5 per person for this American Canoe Association (ACA)-sanctioned event, except for current ACA members.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and life jacket), shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites.  Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that neither aluminum nor wooden canoes are recommended.

The Delaware River Sojourn appreciates the support of its donors grantors.  The regional supermarket cooperative ShopRite has sponsored the Delaware River Sojourn annually since 2013; other sponsors include the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and individual donors.  The sojourn also receives grant funding from the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, and PPL. These funds help keep costs as low as possible for participants and support the sojourn’s Youth Paddle and First-Time Paddler programs.

The sojourn’s Youth Paddle Program funds full scholarships for a limited number of student groups and their leaders.  The sojourn’s First-Time Paddler’s Program is another savings opportunity available on a first-come, first-served basis for adult paddlers new to the Delaware River Sojourn.

On Friday, June 14, the day before the paddle trip begins, the sojourn and the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River are hosting a river cleanup from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will clean up a six-mile section of the Delaware River starting at Skinner’s Falls and ending at Narrowsburg, N.Y. Volunteers must pre-register through the Delaware River Sojourn website. Canoes and equipment will be provided.

Registration details, itinerary overview, sojourn partners, and sojourn guidelines are available at https://delawareriversojourn.com/.  Sojourners can register online using Paypal.  Registration-related questions and first-time paddler discount availability inquiries should be directed to Dejay Branch at (646) 205-2724 or info@delawareriversojourn.com.

The non-profit, annual event is planned by a steering committee with representatives from federal, state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers.  DRBC Communications Specialist Kate Schmidt serves as the commission’s representative.

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