Sojourn to explore river territory

HANCOCK, NY — Nearly 100 non-contiguous miles of the river and its tributaries will be explored by canoe or kayak during the 2005 Delaware River Sojourn from June 19 through 25 on the East Branch of the Delaware River, one of the most historic and scenic rivers in the United States.

This year’s theme is “Introducing the Delaware River Water Trail,” in recognition of the four-year project to develop a recreational waterway on the 220 miles of non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, NY to Trenton, NJ. Participants may sign up for one day or multiple days with overnight camping provided. The $65 daily registration fee ($45 for children ages 12 and under) includes the guided river trip, boat rental if needed, shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals and a souvenir hat. The Delaware River Sojourn is sanctioned and insured by the American Canoe Association. Space is limited to a maximum of 100 paddlers per day and the registration deadline is Friday, June 10. Registrations postmarked after June 10 will be accepted on a first-come basis with a $20 late fee added.

The Sojourn kicks off on Sunday, June 19 with a 10-mile afternoon paddle from Fish’s Eddy to Hancock. Participants can begin checking in at 10:30 a.m. at the Hancock Firemen’s Park, which will be that night’s camping location. A buffet lunch by the Hancock Ambulance Squad will be served at 12:00 noon.

Paddlers and boats will be shuttled up to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Fishs Eddy access for the expected 2:00 p.m. launch following an orientation and safety briefing. The guided river trip back to Hancock should take approximately 4 hours. A 7:00 p.m. chicken barbecue by the Hancock Fire Department will be served as part of the Steering Committee’s kick-off day program at the park pavilion.

On Monday, June 20, parking and registration will take place at the Equinunk Historical Society’s Calder House Museum in Equinunk, PA starting at 7:00 a.m. and shuttles will depart for the Hancock Firemen’s Park at 8:00 a.m. Boaters will launch from the Hancock Firemen’s Field at 10:00 a.m. and paddle for 6 miles to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Buckingham access for lunch. The afternoon paddle resumes to Lordville, with a shuttle back to Equinunk. Sojourners continuing on to Day 3 will drive south to the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort for dinner and to set up camp.

This year, cost savings are available for first-time adult paddlers thanks to the establishment of a memorial scholarship. Stipends valued at $40 will be awarded to 10 individuals to encourage participation by new boaters of the Delaware River. Applicants are asked to explain in 100 words or less why they are interested in paddling on the Delaware River Sojourn and a committee panel will judge the applications, which must be received by June 10. To request an application form, call 570/729-8251.

The Sojourn is organized by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the American Canoe Association, D&R Greenway Land Trust, Delaware Canal State Park, Delaware River Basin Commission, Delaware River Greenway Partnership, National Canoe Safety Patrol’s Lower Delaware Chapter, National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, National Park Service Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, National Park Service Lower Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Open Space Partnership for Bucks County, Palmyra Cove Nature Park, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, Silver Lake Nature Center and the Upper Delaware Council.

For more information call 570/729-8251 or 570/828-2319 or visit delawareriversojourn.org or email mikebru@peec.org.