Registration is Open for the 2026 Swatara Sojourn
Our 36th Sojourn!
About: Join the Swatara Watershed Association for a day of paddling, education and litter clean up. The Swatara Sojourn is a guided paddle and creek clean up. A light breakfast and lunch are provided. There will be an educational speaker after lunch.
When: May 2nd, 2026 8:30 AM
Where: Launch – Swatara Creek Park (Union Deposit) 151 S. Hanover St, Hershey PA 17033 (40.28804, -76.67785)
Take Out – 100 Fulling Mill Road, Middletown, PA 17057
(40.22986, -76.72719)
Total trip – approximately 10 creek miles
Bring your own boat (no inflatable or folding boats please, this section of creek has many shallow sections and these craft will not fare well) or rent a kayak from Cocoa Kayak (717-756-5766 or cocoakayak@gmail.com, cocoakayak.com)
Itinerary (subject to change):
Registration and Equipment drop off at Swatara Creek Park (8:30-9:30 AM) Please drop, boat, equipment and all non-drivers at Swatara Creek Park.
After dropping equipment, Drivers take vehicles to Fulling Mill Rd Access. A shuttle will be provided to take drivers back to Swatara Creek Park. (The last shuttle will leave Swatara Watershed Park at 9:30, please be prompt)
Enjoy a light breakfast
Introduction and Safety Briefing
Launch (10:00 AM)
Paddle the Swatara, view wildlife, pick up litter
Lunch provided by Forrests Feed Co. and Educational Presentation at Schiavoni Park
Launch and continue paddle
Take out at Fulling Mill Rd (estimated take out 3-4 pm)
To register, complete the online form below and submit payment on PayPal. You will receive additional information to help you prepare closer to the event.
Register Here
Sojourn Online Waiver
If you would like to pay by check, send payment to Swatara Watershed Association, 20 Black Walnut Ln, Annville, PA 17003.
Please call 717-821-1681 or email info@swatarawatershed.org if you are unable to complete the online registration.
What is the Sojourn?
The Swatara Sojourn, held since 1988, is a guided paddling event that covers a chosen section of the Swatara Creek. It alternates between a Northern Section of the creek, between Pine Grove to Swatara Watershed Park, and a Southern Section, between Swatara Watershed Park to Middletown. During the paddle, participants learn about the creek and conservation and clean up the creek as they go.
Sponsors
Sponsors help to keep this one of the most affordable Sojourns in the State of Pennsylvania. In appreciation for your support, we can add your decal to our banner. Email info@swatarawatershed.org for more info.
Municipal Proclamations are a great way to show your support of Clean Water, and you may point to the proclamation as education for credit on your MS4 requirements.
I paddled for 30 years straight, and each year, had a different lusty tale of adventure to share with family, friends, and the press. You could see deer, a bear, a helicopter doing search and rescue, eagles flying over head or over 100 turtles in a day. Make your own memories this year.
Jo Ellen Litz