Thank you to PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) for supporting our Sojourn through their Mini Grant program. Our sojourn is over for 2024, but check out these other sojourns happening around the state.
Registration is now open for the 2025 Swatara Sojourn
Our 35th 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. Breakfast and lunch are provided. There will be an educational speaker after lunch.
When: May 3rd, 2025 8:30 AM
Where: Launch – Jonestown Borough Access 313 W Market St, Jonestown, PA
Take Out – Swatara Watershed Park, 1929 Blacks Bridge Rd, Annville, PA
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 [email protected], cocoakayak.com)
Itinerary (subject to change):
Registration and Equipment drop off at Jonestown Access (8:30 -9:00 AM) Please drop, boat, equipment and all non-drivers at Jonestown Access.
After dropping equipment, Drivers take vehicles to Swatara Watershed Park. A shuttle will be provided to take drivers back to Jonestown Access. (The last shuttle will leave Swatara Watershed Park at 9:30, please be prompt)
Enjoy breakfast
Introduction and Safety Briefing
Launch (10:00 AM)
Paddle the Swatara, view wildlife, pick up litter
Restroom break and trash drop off at Water Works Access
Take out at Blue Rock for lunch
Eat lunch and listen to Educational Presentation
Launch and continue paddle
Restroom break and trash drop off at Harpers Tavern
Take out at Swatara Watershed Park (estimated take out 5 -6 pm)
To register, complete the online form below and submit payment on PayPal. Or print the pdf form below and mail the form with a check. Please complete one form per participant.
Sojourn Registration
Sojourn Online Waiver – available soon
Printable Registration and Waiver Forms (Only complete printed forms if you choose not to register online.) – Coming soon
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 the most affordable Sojourn in the State of Pennsylvania. In appreciation for your support, we can add your decal to our banner. Email [email protected] 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