2005 River Sojourns POWR Webpage
The current Sojourns page for 2005 can be found at the following address:
http://www.pawatersheds.org/sojourn/index.asp
Updates will be taking place continuously throughout the the winter and spring as information becomes available!
2005 River Sojourn Info Coming Soon!!!
The list of 2005 Pennsylvania River Sojourns for 2005 is being developed as of right now. All of the Sojourns from 2004 are expected to once again be held in 2005, with an additional 2-3 Sojourns on the schedule. The dates will be different in 2005, though only slightly in many cases due to the changes in the yearly calendar cycle. Please check back here in March for more information. In the meantime, all of the 2004 info is being kept on the site for your convenience.
Sponsor Partnerships Now Being Sought for 2005
POWR is now seeking Sponsor partnerships for the 2005 Pennsylvania River Sojourns Season. Building on our successful partnering in 2004 with Rocky Mountain Kayaks, which provided our fleet boat and gear for the season, we hope to build a wide-ranging coalition of outdoor companies and organizations who will support River Sojourns in Pennsylvania. For more information, please contact POWR's Watershed Programs Coordinator, Frank Raymond Cetera, at (717) 234-7910 or fcetera@pawatersheds.org
View an informative brochure on this sponsorship opportunity at http://www.pawatersheds.org/2005SojournSponsorOpps.pdf
(Caution: This is a large file and may take 1-2 minutes to download)
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.
History of Over-the-Falls
With the upcoming Over-the-Falls Race event in ohiopyle, where we will be holding our annual Sojourn Organizers networking meeting, coming up soon, I thought you might be interested in learning more about how the event got its start:
"Nov. 13, 1999 American Whitewater Sponsored the first ever Ohiopyle Falls Race. On a sunny
60 degree day with the river running at 1.4 feet, more than 250 participants made more than a thousand runs of the falls. It was agreed by everyone present that there had never been more smiling faces at one time in a Pennsylvania State Park"...Read More Here
Ohiopyle Over the Falls Race / Kipona Fest Canoe Races
Here's the announcement for the Ohiopyle Over-The_falls Race event for next weekend, as it appears in today's Watershed Weekly.
http://www.pawatersheds.org/WWeekly/issue.asp?ID=212#ohiopyle
This is the last Sojourn Sponsored event of the season, and is where the Sojourn Organizers annual networking congress takes place. More info will follow on the congress as well for those who are interested, in a future post.
Make sure to get out a enjoy Kipona Fest this weekend if you are in the Harrisburg or Central PA region. This Labor Day weekend festival has lots going on such as a chili-cookoff, a Pow-Wow, and Arts Fest and the Dick Reese Canoe Races on Monday morning. POWR and DCNR Sojourns will be sponsoring a boat in the races this year once again.
Perfect Weather Supported 2004 Wild and Scenic Allegheny River Sojourn
POWR intern Angela McCracken got a chance to experience her first paddling event while on the final PA Sojourn of the 2004 May/June season. What follows is her report which is pulled from this weeks Watershed Weekly e-publication at:
http://www.pawatersheds.org/WWeekly/issue.asp?ID=206%20#wsspotlight
"Under the direction of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Northern Allegheny Project, and the French Creek Project, the 2004 Wild and Scenic Allegheny River Sojourn was held from July 8-10 with perfect weather to compliment the event.
After a quick lesson on paddling and an informative safety talk, paddlers began the voyage in Tidioute, despite ominous dark clouds and periods of drizzle. Lunch was held seven miles downstream in West Hickory. Charles Bier spoke to the group about the importance of the stream to mussel populations. Of all the rivers throughout PA, the Allegheny River has the most diverse range of mussel species, and supports the most number of species, which reinforced the need to protect this wild and scenic waterway. Bier showed several examples of endangered mussels that he had pulled from the water, providing a hands-on experience for the children and adults alike.
After lunch, seven more miles were paddled, and two dams navigated to get to the Tionesta Recreation Area Campground, where the group rested for the evening. After a delicious meal of lasagna and meatballs, and musical entertainment by Sam Reese and Friends, the group relaxed and enjoyed the cool evening.
By 9am the next morning, canoes and kayaks were back on the water for a long second day, which covered approximately 21 miles. Lunch was served at the homestead of Court Gold, who also spoke about the history of the Oil City area, as well as sustainable practices for the area. Artifacts dating back to Indian civilizations were passed around, again providing a unique experience for participants of all ages.
A mid-afternoon stop gave paddlers a much-needed rest, as well as the opportunity to meet Robert Wetherell from the US Forest Service. Wetherell gave a small talk about the US Forest Service and the different classifications of streams. Paddlers continued downstream, portaging around the Oil City Rapids, and docking at the Oil City Southside Marina, where dinner and entertainment were again provided.
The following morning began a slightly shorter day, with participants looking forward to approximately sixteen miles of river to cover. Lunch was provided at the Franklin Riverfront Park, where the French Creek and the Allegheny River join. Paddlers learned about the history of the area from James Cardamon, including French explorations and George Washington's trip down the river.
The final leg of the sojourn landed paddlers at Fisherman's Cove, where the sojourn concluded. The trip was educational, as well as exciting, especially at the Oil City Rapids. The wild and scenic Allegheny was just that, wild and scenic, and provided paddlers with the opportunity to experience the beauty of this unique waterway."
