Annual Pennsylvania River Sojourn Congress Held in Ohiopyle
Sojourn Organizers from around the state gathered in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania last Friday for the annual Sojourn networking congress hosted by POWR. Twelve participants representing the Alle-Kiski-Connie Rivers Sojourn, Schuylkill River Sojourn, Stonycreek-Kiski-Connie Rivers Sojourn, Susquehanna River Sojourn, Allegheny River Sojourn, and Ohiopyle Over-the-Falls Festival Sojourn event discussed a variety of subjects intended to support and improve the Sojourn program for coming years.
DCNR representatives Terry Hough from the Harrisburg central office, and Tracy Robinson from the Pittsburgh office, were also on hand to discuss future funding and year-end reporting topics. Hough gave everyone reason to be cheerful by stating that the Bureau is committed to the PA River Sojourn program, and that it would continue to be funded as fully as possible.
In an effort to provide additional monies for leveling out funding fluctuations and timing concerns, POWR introduced an idea to pursue a statewide sojourn financial sponsor. A Sponsorship Opportunities Kit will be released early this fall to prospective sponsors. This will build upon last year’s initial sponsorship efforts that resulted in the donation of a Riot Voyager Kayak from Rocky Mountain Kayaks, which was paddled as the 2004 PA River Sojourns Fleet Boat upon the Juniata, Schuylkill, Delaware, and Susquehanna Rivers this year. The boat is currently being auctioned off as a part of the Ohiopyle Over-the-Falls Festival (rescheduled to October 1-3 as a result of Hurricane Frances). Visit www.fallsrace.com for more information on how to place a bid.
Additional talking points included investigating new activities such as night paddling, paddling certification, and swapping days between different river sojourn in cases of inclement weather, all to encourage repeat sojourners and increase the variety of experience available. Organizers also discussed how they overcame high water and bad weather days that required shifting plans to off-the-water activities, and vegetarian meal options including how to keep accurate records of vegetarian requests to ensure vegetarian meals do not empty out into the hands of non-vegetarians.
