Paddling, Bonding & More!
The Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn will return in June 2020. The 7-day, 112-mile guided paddle begins from Schuylkill Haven and ends seven days later in Philadelphia. Participants can register for one day or the entire week. 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.
The 21st Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn Took Place From June 1 – 7, 2019
More than 200 paddlers participated in the 21st Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn, with about 70 making the entire 112-mile journey from Schuylkill Haven to Philadelphia. The sojourn is summer camp, a regional history exploration, and bonding experience all rolled into one. People of all experience levels participated in this year’s event including several beginners who paddled the river for the first time.
In addition to paddling on the water, sojourners learned more about the national heritage area through educational programming provided at all lunch and evening stops. This year’s sojourn theme was “Our Working River.” The river played an important role in the Industrial Revolution. The abundant natural resources and the fast moving waters of the river and its tributaries fueled the nation’s economic engine for centuries.
For the fourth year, Schuylkill River Greenways teamed up with the Schuylkill Action Network to hire a Sojourn Steward who researched historic, industrial places along the Schuylkill River and shared how those places have changed and impacted the river. Check out the Schuylkill Action Network Instagram page for recaps and photos from this year’s steward Julia Aguilar.
Thank you to the Spring-Ford Area School District Ram Country TV Station for creating this video about the 2019 Sojourrn stop in Royersford.
2019 Sojourn In the News
- 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
Special Thanks to Our 2019 Sojourn Sponsors
Gold Paddler Sponsor: Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Company
Silver Paddler Sponsor: Tompkins VIST Bank * The Lewis Group
Bronze Paddler Sponsor: PA American Water * The Bad Adventure Company * Take It Outdoors Adventures * Trace Pheasantry, Inc.
Kayaker Sponsors: Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau * Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation * O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C. * Tooth of the Lion * Wrigley’s Business Products & Services LLC * Aqua PA * Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission * Philadelphia Water Department
Patrons: Warrick Jewelers * Traffic Planning & Design, Inc * Main Line Sail and Power Squadron * Montgomery County Community College * Rodger Krause CPA Incorporated
Donors: Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania, PC * Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Association * Toll Brothers * Boyer Engineering LLC * Spotts Insurance Group Inc. * DESCCO Design & Construction * Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust * DBA The Swisher Studio * Chester County Ciders
Friends: Pottstown Parks & Recreation * Bause Catered Events
The Sojourn is also made possible through funding from the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) and the National Park Service.
The Schuylkill River Sojourn is financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
About the Sojourn
The Schuylkill River Sojourn is an annual 112-mile guided canoe/kayak trip on the Schuylkill River that begins in rural Schuylkill Haven and ends seven days later in Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row. Participants paddle 14-18 miles per day and can register for the entire trip or as little as one day.
Sometimes it is wet and wild. At other times it is peaceful and inspiring. There are a few rapids, calm water, plenty of laughs, songs at the campsites, and celebrations in the river towns. There is a little bit of everything for paddlers throughout the week-long sojourn that begins the first weekend of June. And though the same route is paddled every year, a different river greets us every June.
FREE Sojourn Opportunities
There are opportunities for people to participate in the Schuylkill River Sojourn at no cost to them. Click on the tabs below to learn about the Bill Trace Scholarship and the Sojourn Steward position, both ways to paddle in the sojourn for free.
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 three people who have never before been on the sojourn. This scholarship is only open to those 18 years and older. To apply, please CLICK HERE and fill out the one page application. The application deadline is May 1, 2019.
Overview
The Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) will provide a full-week scholarship ($700 value) for an enthusiastic individual with paddling, photography, and social media experience to photo-document and help identify plants and wildlife along the river during the week-long sojourn excursion. The steward will be asked to present his or her findings on the final evening.
Sojourn Steward Expectations
- Participate in the entire Schuylkill River Sojourn (Sat, June 1 – Fri, June 7, 2019).
- Research historic, industrial places along the Schuylkill River. Be prepared to share how those places have changed and what impacts they had/have on the river.
- Take photos of the historic places now. You can use either your own camera or the waterproof camera provided.
- Post social media updates to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during lunch and evening breaks. (E.g., show "then and now" side by side photos; click here for an example)
- Interact with sojourn participants - teach them about industry along the Schuylkill River over the years, how it's changed and what impacts it has had on the environment.
- Present at the end of Sojourn about your experience.
All materials and supplies will be provided to the Sojourn Steward by the Schuylkill Action Network (SAN).
Application Deadline is May 1, 2019
For questions, please contact Virginia Vassalotti at vvassalotti@delawareestuary.org or 302-655-4990 x121.
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.
Sponsorship Opportunities
