Kayakers wait while the other set of doors of Lock 60 are opened during the Schuylkill River Sojourn’s stop in Mont Clare in 2012. Photo by Media News Group.
This year's theme will focus on the 200th anniversary of the Schuylkill Navigation
The 27th annual Schuylkill River Sojourn will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Schuylkill Navigation System with its theme: Canals and Campfires.
The 112-mile trip, run by Pottstown-based Schuylkill River Greenways, will include educational programming about the incredible history of the Schuylkill River canals, joining organizations throughout the region who are marking this milestone with events and programming.
“The Historic Schuylkill River Watershed is home to significant canal features from Schuylkill Haven to Manayunk and this year’s Sojourners will have special access to these features and be part of the bicentennial celebration in a unique way,” Tim Fenchel, deputy director of Schuylkill River Greenways.
A National Heritage Area is designated by Congress for its unique nationally significant qualities and resources. It is a place where a combination of natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources have shaped a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape. Schuylkill River Greenways has earned both the National and State designation.
“The Sojourn experience is like no other,” said Fenchel. “And this year, our Sojourners will learn the deep and important history of the navigation system that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution in America and built the communities we live in today.”
More information about the Sojourn and the Heritage Area can be found on SRG’s website: https://schuylkillriver.org/.
The event draws hundreds each year, with about 75 people completing the full trip and many more choosing to paddle a day or a few days to get the experience of camping and paddling. This year, SRG is offering multi-day packages at a discount as well as the full week and daily rates. Registration for the Sojourn opens for full trip paddlers on April 1, and for anyone who wants to paddle a day or a few days on April 11.
The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA is a non-profit organization with the mission of connecting residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development in order to foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage.
