For Immediate Release

June 8, 2015

(West Trenton, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the 21^st Annual Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from Saturday, June 20 through Saturday, June 27. Individuals who sign up by June 13 can take advantage of a registration fee discount of $10/day.

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

"Our theme for 2015 is Birthplace of America, celebrating the rich history of the Delaware River and the surrounding area," said Ian Kindle, Environmental Educator with Delaware Canal State Park, Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, and co-chair of the 2015 Sojourn steering committee. "Sojourn educational programming will highlight the Lenape Native Americans, the history of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Washington Crossing, and the Delaware River's important role in timber rafting and the U.S. Navy, to name a few," he continued.

Split into daily trips ranging from eight to 13 miles, nearly 75 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled over the entire event. This year's sojourn will also visit Crosswicks Creek, a New Jersey tributary to the Delaware River. From the pristine wilds of the upper basin, through the tranquility of the Delaware Water Gap, to the suburban lower Delaware and urban tidewaters around Philadelphia, the sojourn offers a full experience of the river to paddlers of all skill levels.

"In addition to enjoying the fun on the water and the camaraderie of your fellow paddlers, the sojourn provides a great opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of this exceptional resource up close and personally," said Steve Tambini, Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC).

The cost for sojourners who register on or before June 13 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. Add $10 to the daily rates for registrations after June 13.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and life jacket), shuttle transportation, all educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended. 

"This year, the Delaware Sojourn received generous donations from many individuals and several corporations, including ShopRite, S.J. Shrubsole, and PPL, as well as grants from the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers and the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program," said John Mauser, Director of the Martins Jacoby Watershed Association and co-chair of the steering committee. "The sojourn is also grateful for its many partners who are providing livery and shuttle service, camping locations, catering, the 2015 T-shirt design, programs, and safety and logistical support," he continued.

Registration details, daily plans, event guidelines, and more are available on the sojourn web site at 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 13. 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.

By getting individuals out on the river to experience it first-hand, the Delaware 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. The Delaware River Basin Commission has proudly served on the steering committee since the sojourn's early years; Communications Assistant Kate Schmidt has served as DRBC's representative on the steering committee since 2006.

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Contact: Kate Schmidt, Kate.Schmidt@drbc.state.nj.us, (609) 883-9500 ext. 205

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