Schuylkill River Sojourn

In the past, the Sojourn has begun the first week of June. Schuylkill River Greenways is moving the dates two weeks later this year because we want families, teachers, and people tied to the academic calendar to be able to participate. Because of the Pandemic, the 2021 Sojourn was moved to August, resulting in an increase in new, first-time Sojourners. Schuylkill River Greenways has received feedback from many participants that they were finally able to participate with the later start date, since the event traditionally overlapped with the school year. Schuylkill River Greenways hopes the new start time will allow more opportunities for first-timers to join this year's Sojourn.

Organized by the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, the Sojourn has evolved into a popular paddling event that has allowed more than 4,000 people from 25 states and four foreign countries to paddle the revolutionary river. Sometimes it's wet and wild. At other times it's peaceful and inspiring.

There are rapids, calm water, plenty of laughs, songs at campsites, and celebrations in river towns. There is a little bit of everything for paddlers throughout the week-long sojourn. And though the same route is paddled every year, a different river greets us every June.

Please Note: The 2021 Sojourn event was altered because of COVID-19 guidelines. These details describe a normally scheduled Sojourn and do not necessarily apply to the 2020 or 2021 event.

About 215 people embarked on an unforgettable water adventure during the in-person 2021 Schuylkill River Sojourn. The 23rd Annual Sojourn was a 5-day guided downriver paddling trip. This year’s event began from Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on July 31 and ended at the iconic Boathouse Row in Philadelphia on Aug. 4.

The 2021 Schuylkill River Sojourn had a later summer start since adjustments were made because of the pandemic. A drawback to starting later is the Sojourn had to start further downriver since the headwaters tend to have a decreased water flow in late July. A benefit of starting later is schools are out of session, which made it easier for families to join the incredible experience. Children ages 8 and up are welcome to join the Sojourn if they can properly fit a life vest.

Photo provided by Glen Tompkinson

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area invited the public to watch more than 100 colorful boats make the 5-day journey by viewing when paddlers passed underneath bridges along the river route.

The 22nd Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn went virtual for the first time in 2020 and featured two evening video live streams on August 9 and 16, hosted by longtime Sojourn Guide Matt Stan of Bad Adventures. About 150 people participated in the 2020 Sojourn.

The virtual Sojourn included a Schuylkill Trivia tournament, video interviews and a live auction of Schuylkill River water trail signs. An in-person guided paddling experience was offered on three separate days: Aug 14, 15 and 16. The paddle began at Pottstown Riverfront Park and ended in the Phoenixville Area. Participants received boxed lunches, practiced social distancing, and used masks.

For the first time, a Schuylkill Selfie Contest was embedded into the 2020 Virtual Sojourn. People took pictures of their individual paddling trip on the Schuylkill River (or any body of water) and entered the contest for a chance to win a free day on the 2021 Sojourn. People were asked to submit their most ridiculous, silliest, and outlandish paddling photo taken on a waterway. The funniest photos were chosen for the Top 10 Countdown, revealed during the Virtual Sojourn video live stream on Aug. 16, 2020. Although different from previous years, the 2020 Sojourn was an unforgettable and adventurous journey of the river.

Overview

The Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) is providing a full-week scholarship ($1,035 value) for an enthusiastic individual who is interested in documenting their experiences while traversing the Schuylkill River.

Click Here to Watch the 2021 Sojourn Steward Presentation on YouTube

Paddling and social media experience are preferred but not required. All materials are provided by the SAN, including Sojourn registration, kayak rental (with boat, paddle, life vest, and dry bag), and photography supplies. The steward will be asked to present their findings to other Sojourners. 

Sojourn Steward Responsibilities:

1. Participate in the entire Schuylkill River Sojourn (Starting in Schuylkill Haven on June 18 and ending in Philadelphia on June 24). Please click the links for details on the itinerary, packing list, and general Sojourn information and policies.
2. Document the "River of Refuge" theme via photographs and video reels highlighting organizations offering outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the watershed. You can use either your own camera or the waterproof cameras provided. 
3. Create & Post social media updates via posts, reels and stories to the SAN's Instagram during lunch and evening breaks. Use the hashtags #ExploreTheSchuylkill #SojournSteward and #SchuylkillSojourn, and tag Schuylkill River Greenways and the Schuylkill Action Network.
4. Interact with Sojourn participants.

Application Deadline is May 10, 2022

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & APPLY NOW

For questions, please contact Meghan Rogalus at MRogalus@DelawareEstuary.org.

Overview

The Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) is providing racial diversity scholarships to Sojourn participants including people who identify as African American, Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Latino/Latinx, and/or Asian & Pacific Islander. Participants will be chosen based on application questions displaying interest in the Schuylkill River and outdoor recreation.

Scholarships will include costs for Sojourn registration fees and kayak rental (includes paddle, life jacket, dry bag) for a participant, and a friend for however many days of the Sojourn the applicant is available/interested in participating. This scholarship aligns with the SAN's values and mission that the Schuylkill River, clean water, and outdoor recreation is for all, and to prioritize connecting underrepresented or systematically excluded communities to the Schuylkill River.

Application Deadline is May 10, 2022

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & APPLY NOW

For questions or concerns, please contact Meghan Rogalus at mrogalus@delawareestuary.org.

In memory of Bill Trace, a longtime sojourner and devoted member of Schuylkill River Greenways, a fund has been established through the generosity of his family and friends enabling us to offer a free one-day trip on the annual Schuylkill River Sojourn to a pair of two people who have never before been on the Sojourn.

If you are awarded the scholarship, you are invited to bring someone along with you to paddle a day of the Sojourn. This scholarship is only open to those 18 years and older. To apply, you will need to fill out a one-page application. For questions or additional information, please call 484-945-0200. 

Application Deadline is May 6, 2022

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & APPLY NOW 

The Reading Recreation group and Schuylkill River Greenways Heritage Association celebrates a day on the Schuylkill River Sojourn. From left, seated in front, Michelle Hnath; seated second row, Ronda Morrison, Jeiliz Vega, Amanda Wilson; standing, Niyah Morales, Nora Haefele, Mark Cholewa, Shaylynn Bailey, Debby Wyatt, Olivia Wilson, Garrett Redmond, Danielle Russell, Ayanna Rodriguez, Amanda Russell and Daphne Klahr.

This program was established during the 20th Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn in 2018. It allows several young adults to join the Sojourn for their first kayaking experience. The youth paddle the river from Allegheny Aqueduct Park to Pottstown Riverfront Park. Each youth participant (mentee) has a mentor to help guide them on the river, as they experience first-hand the historical evolution of water trail. 

Participants of the 2021 Youth Mentorship Program were featured in a Reading Eagle article. Below are some quotes from the participating teenagers published in the article. 

• “My mentor told me a lot about his life and where he’s traveled, and he showed me the different types of birds, and I learned that the water’s current will do most of the work for you.” - Danielle Russell, 15
• “Wear old clothes, bring water shoes, and be prepared to learn new things and experiences. I learned that if I were to fall off my kayak, to lie on my back and float with the river.” - Ayanna Rodriguez, 16
• “My advice to someone who has never kayaked is to have faith, we’re going to make it because though it feels long it’s worth it!” - Jeiliz P. Vega, 14

• PBS WHYY – Exploring the Schuylkill River: The 2021 Sojourn was featured in the “You Oughta Know” Segment. Start from the 11:45 time stamp
• Reading Eagle – Reading teens among the first-time kayakers on the 2021 Schuylkill River Sojourn
• The Pottstown Mercury – Schuylkill River sojourners return year after year for fun and fellowship
• Berks Weekly – Schuylkill River Sojourn begins Saturday, watch from the Buttonwood Street Bridge
• PENN Live – Here are 13 river sojourns across Pennsylvania you can join
• Times Herald – COVID shortens and delays this year’s Schuylkill River Sojourn
• Sanatoga Post – For 23rd Year, Schuylkill Sojourn Starts Saturday
• ACCESS NEPA – Schuylkill River Sojourn returns this month in condensed version
• TODAY – Experience Summer from a Kayak: The 2021 Schuylkill River Sojourn is Here
• Republican Herald – Schuylkill River Sojourn set for summer, but won't launch in Schuylkill County
• Berks Weekly - Photos: Hundreds of Colorful Boats of the 23rd Schuylkill River Sojourn arrive in Reading

• National Park Service - Schuylkill Sojourn Goes Virtual
• Circuit Trails - 22nd Schuylkill River Virtual Sojourn 
• Daily Times - Schuylkill River Sojourn goes virtual with a paddling twist
• Times Herald - Schuylkill Sojourn paddling days postponed by tropical storm

• The Mercury – Paddle on the Schuylkill River Sojourn for free
• The Mercury – More than 200 sojourners to paddle the Schuylkill River
• Reading Eagle – Schuylkill River Sojourn embarks in Schuylkill Haven
• Republican Herald – Schuylkill River Sojourn unique “summer camp”  
• Republican Herald – Sojourners launch annual voyage down Schuylkill River
• 69 News WFMZ-TV – Kayakers stop in Berks during 21st Schuylkill River Sojourn
• Reading Eagle – Schuylkill River Sojourn stops in Reading to honor one of its scouts
• The Phoenix – Montgomery County commissioner among Schuylkill River Sojourners
• The Post – Schuylkill Paddlers’ Arrival Expected Tonight
• Times Herald – Local representatives and paddlers celebrate new Bridgeport water landing during sojourn
• Philadelphia Inquirer

Schuylkill Soaring Film

The SRG produced “Schuylkill Soaring,” is an original short film celebrating recreation on the river through stunning imagery from land, water and air. The film premiered during the 2020 Virtual Sojourn. Starting in the lush landscapes of the headwaters in Schuylkill County, the film included a virtual journey through both rural and urban communities in Berks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties, with a paddler’s arrival at the picturesque Philadelphia skyline.

Rock Climbin' Grandma Joins the 2021 Sojourn 

Riel Bilto was the Schuylkill Action Network's 2021 Sojourn Steward. Riel is an avid adventurer with her own YouTube channel called "Rock Climbin' Grandma." Bilto created a video about her Sojourn experience and posted it on her YouTube channel. 

Spring-Ford Spotlight Schuylkill River Sojourn

Thank you to the Spring-Ford Area School District Ram Country TV Station for creating this video about the 2019 Sojourn stop in Royersford.

2017 Schuylkill River Sojourn

Public Outreach Project Award

In 2016 the Sojourn was honored with a national Public Outreach Project Award from the American Society for Environmental History. Since its inception in 1999, the sojourn has introduced about 4,000 people from 25 states and four countries to paddling the river.