For Immediate Release

June 7, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the 17th annual Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from Saturday, June 18 through Saturday, June 25. Furthermore, early bird registration savings of $10/day has been extended for individuals registering by June 12.

The Delaware Sojourn is a guided paddling, learning, and camping adventure on and along the wild and scenic Delaware River. Participants may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice.

Split into daily trips ranging from nine to fourteen miles, close to 85 miles will be paddled, including a 10-mile journey on the Lackawaxen River, a tributary to the Delaware River. From the pristine wilds of the upper section, through the tranquility of the Delaware Water Gap, to the suburban lower section and transition to the tidewaters, the Sojourn offers a full experience of the river to paddlers of all skill levels.

This year's theme of River of Life will focus programming on the river’s ecology and the vast variety of life that the river sustains. Educational topics include water quality monitoring, freshwater mussels, fly fishing, Native American storytelling, paleontology, and archaeology. Also featured will be recognition of individuals and organizations that are working to protect the river and its environs for future generations, for example, The Lackawaxen River Conservancy, the Brodhead Watershed Association, the N.J. Green Acres Program, and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

In 2011, the Delaware has the distinction of being Pennsylvania’s River of the Year. This title has been bestowed on a Commonwealth river annually since 1983 and helps raise awareness about the importance of rivers, their conservation needs, and their recreational and economic impact on watershed communities. Sojourn programming will also highlight this honorary designation.

The cost for Sojourners who register by June 12 is $80 per day for participants 16 and older and $60 per day for ages 15 and under. An additional one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event. Registration fees cover the guided river trip, kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and overnight camping sites. Add $10 to the rates for registrations made after June 12.

Additional information, including registration details, daily plans, event guidelines, and more, is available on the sojourn web site www.delawareriversojourn.org. Individuals can register online with PayPal until the day before they wish to paddle or they can mail in the downloadable registration form with payment; mail-in registrations must be received by June 17. A limited number of “walk-in” registrants will be accepted on the morning of each sojourn day, provided that space is still available on the trip.

Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, at (646) 205-2724 or info@riversojourn.com.

The Delaware River Sojourn aims to promote stewardship of the Delaware River Watershed and its resources. The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers. This year's committee is co-chaired by Rich Egan, volunteer with the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and Kate O'Hara of the Delaware River Basin Commission. 

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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