Don’t miss the 2008 Delaware River Sojourn to be held June 22 to 28. The Sojourn combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more. It’s one of the oldest river sojourns in the nation.

The theme for this year's journey, “Conserving Our Wild and Scenic River,” commemorates the 40th anniversary of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which protects certain rivers and their immediate environments for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

This law made possible the Upper and Middle Delaware's Wild and Scenic designation, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, as well as the action taken in 2000 to add key segments of the Lower Delaware to the national system. In all, three-quarters of the non-tidal Delaware River, along with portions of several tributaries to the main stem river and bay, are currently designated wild and scenic.

The purpose of the sojourn is to heighten awareness of, and appreciation for, the ecological, historical, and recreational significance of the Delaware River, which is the longest, un-dammed river east of the Mississippi. The Delaware stretches 330 miles from the confluence of its East and West branches in Hancock, N.Y. to the mouth of the Delaware Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2008, the sojourn is pleased to announce that it has formed a media partnership with WDIY 88.1 FM Lehigh Valley Community Public Radio. It is hoped that this partnership to promote the sojourn will encourage more people to get out on the river and discover its natural beauty first-hand, as well as foster environmental stewardship for this great resource.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is chaired by a representative from Pennsylvania's Delaware Canal State Park.

The sojourn is suitable for people of all ages and with varying paddling skills. Participants may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice.

This year, over 60 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled, split into daily trips ranging from six to fourteen miles, and will include the following stretches:

June 22: Narrowsburg, NY to Ten Mile River, NY; June 23: Callicoon, NY to Narrowsburg; June 24: Milford Beach, Pa. to Dingmans Ferry, Pa.; June 25: Smithfield Beach, Pa. to Driftstone, Pa.; June 26: Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area Access, Pa. to Giving Pond, Pa.; June 27: Giving Pond to Point Pleasant, Pa.; and June 28: Quaker Penn ark, Pa. to Matinicunk (a.k.a. Burlington) Island, NJ.

An early bird fee of $60 per person per day is being offered to participants 16 and older ($40 for children 15 and under) if they are registered prior to June 1; after June 1, the daily price for participants 16 and older is $70 per person ($50 for children 15 and under).

As a way to encourage more families to participate, the pricing schedule has been changed this year allowing paddling children 15 and under to be eligible for the reduced fee. Previously, only non-paddling children 12 and under riding in their parents’ canoe were entitled to receive the discount.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, canoe or kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, certain meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. In addition to the daily fee, a one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event.

A limited number of scholarships are available for first-time paddlers. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

Space is limited, so please register early! Detailed information, including registration materials, itineraries, and more, is available on the sojourn website hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission.

Registration-related questions may be directed to the Pocono Environmental Education Center at 570-828-2319; scholarship inquiries may be directed to Bonnie Tobin by sending email to: btobin@state.pa.us.

5/23/2008