Schuylkill River Sojourn Connects Paddlers New and Old to "Our Working River"

Schuylkill River Sojourners enjoyed both the river and the beautiful landscape of Pennsylvania around them.

Schuylkill River Valley Greenways NHA

Pottstown, PA (June 14, 2019) – Last week, more than two hundred paddlers of all experience levels took to the water in colorful kayaks as part of the 21st Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn in Pennsylvania.

A signature event of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, the Sojourn is a weeklong river adventure, summer camp, and history exploration all rolled into one. Participants this year came from all over the United States—and one from Switzerland—to participate in the 112-mile journey. While most joined for only a day or two, more than a quarter made the entire journey from Schuylkill Haven to Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, just upriver from where the Schuylkill joins the Delaware River. In river communities all along the way, locals gathered on bridges and overlooks to watch the sojourners pass.

Paddlers enjoyed the natural beauty of the river on water, and learned about its history on land.

Schuylkill River Greenways NHA

In addition to the experience on the river, paddlers stopped along the way for meals and educational programs about the history, nature, and cultural heritage of the river. This year’s theme was “Our Working River.” Programs revolved around the Schuylkill River Valley's industrial history. For example, participants stopped in Valley Forge National Historical Park to learn about the historical iron production of Valley Forge. A designated “Sojourn Steward,” sponsored by Schuylkill Action Network, helped identify wildlife and draw attention to the natural resources of the river, a source of drinking water for more than 1.5 million people.

College and high school students from Reading joined the Sojourn as part of a mentorship program. Most had never been in a kayak before, so each one was paired with a seasoned paddler.

Schuylkill River Greenways NHA

To help open up this opportunity to a wider audience, scholarships allowed four people to participate for one or more days. A group of college and high school students from Reading, many of whom had never kayaked before, also joined the Sojourn with experienced mentors, thanks to a partnership between Schuylkill River Greenways’ and Make the Road Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization that works in Latino communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, community leadership and survival services.

Schuylkill River Greenways Executive Director Elaine Paul Schaefer explained, “Our mission is to introduce new people to this historical river with the hope that after experiencing this resource, they are inspired to protect it so future generations can enjoy it just as much as they do.”

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Schuylkill River Sojourn participants gathered at Schuylkill Haven, PA, prior to their first launch. Many of them had camped there the night before.

Schuylkill River Greenways NHA

Sojourners were cheered on by local residents at Lock 60 in Mont Clare, PA.

Schuylkill River Greenways NHA