Sojourn Overview and General Information
Getting on Board
You may choose to paddle the entire Sojourn or you may register for the section(s) or day(s) of your choice. Spaces are limited, so register early! And remember ... we paddle rain or shine! Should there be unsafe high water, alternate activities will be offered and planned meals/camping will still be provided.
Fees
The Delaware River Sojourn is a non-profit event and is planned and priced as a package. Contributions of time, goods and services from our many sponsors and supporters allow us to keep participant costs as low as possible. Included in the daily registration fee is kayak rental (single or tandem) plus paddle(s) and life jacket, shuttling participants and the boats to and/or from launch and take-out sites, 2-3 meals a day plus some snacks/water, educational programming (about 2-3 programs a day centered around each year's theme), overnight camping fees, and a commemorative T-shirt. Registration fees are by the day and include up to three meals and one night of camping. Extra fees may be incurred if you plan to take advantage of the offer to camp and have dinner the night before your paddle as well as the night after your paddle is over (for example: joining for 4 days/5 nights, instead of 4 days/4 nights).
2011's registration rates were the following:
Registration Rate Starting June 13: $90/day for adults (includes children over 15) and $70/day for children 15 and under
Early-bird (May 2 - June 12) Registration Rate: $80/day for adults (includes children over 15) and $60/day for children 15 and under
In addition to the daily fee, there is a one-time insurance fee of $5 per person. Current American Canoe Association (ACA) members do NOT have to pay this one-time insurance fee since they are already covered under their ACA membership (please provide your ACA membership number and expiration date when you register for the Sojourn). All participants are required to sign ACA waivers.
A BRIEF NOTE ABOUT THE SOJOURN'S FEES - In 2011, the Sojourn Committee realized that we needed to raise registration rates for the first time in 3 years. It typically costs more to put on the Sojourn than what we take in, and in these tough economic times, those costs have increased. The Sojourn Committee is ever appreciative of the donations, grants, and in-kind services that it receives that allows absorption of a portion of these cost increases, keeping fees as low as possible for participants.
By registering, you are granting the Sojourn permission to use your image in future Sojourn promotional and educational materials.
Boating Equipment
You may use your own river-worthy boat (canoe or kayak) or rent one-or two-person kayaks from the Sojourn (shuttle transportation and rental costs are already included in the sojourn registration fee). The registration fee is the same if you bring your own vessel. The shuttling/handling of the boats is costly to the liveries we use, which is why the fee is the same regardless if you bring your boat or not.
If renting a tandem kayak, two paddling participants are allowed per boat. If bringing a canoe, up to two participants are allowed per boat, except that non-paddling children under age 12 may ride as a third person in a parent's canoe. Life jackets and paddles are provided with rentals. All participants must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) at all times on the river. Aluminum canoes are not recommended.
Shuttles and Gear
Leave your vehicle at the rendezvous site each day. Shuttles will transport you and your boat to and from the put-in or take-out. Your camping gear will stay with your vehicle. We paddle rain or shine, so bring rain gear, extra sweaters, hat, sunscreen, eyeglass retainers, sunglasses, and a long sleeve shirt. Wear river shoes, river sandals, or old sneakers. Bring waterproof containers for gear. Bring a camp or folding chair for evening/campfire programs.
New! Check out this list of items to bring on the Sojourn.
Meals and Camping
Two to three meals are provided daily during the Sojourn. Sorry, we cannot accommodate special diets, although we do offer vegetarian meal options. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the river. Camping is provided at commercial and state campgrounds (included in the registration fee). All sites have toilets, drinking water, and emergency access. Some sites may not have showers.
New Jersey Travel and Tourism; www.state.nj.us/travel/wtstay_accomodations.html
New York State Tourism; www.iloveny.com
Pennsylvania Tourism Office; www.visitpa.com
Delaware Tourism Office; www.visitdelaware.net
Upper Delaware Council; www.upperdelawarecouncil.org
Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, Inc.; 1-800-POCONOS; www.800poconos.com
Northwest New Jersey Skylands; www.njskylands.com
Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau; 1-800-747-0561; www.lehighvalleypa.org
Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau; (215) 639-0300; www.buckscountycvb.org
Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau; 215-636-3300; www.pcvb.org
Safety First
Sojourn organizers make every effort to provide participants with a safe trip, and we are insured and sanctioned by the American Canoe Association, Inc. All individuals must sign a waiver and follow the instructions of the safety staff. Failure to follow instructions and/or engaging in unsafe activity will result in termination of your trip without refund. Canoe and safety instruction is provided each morning. Attendance at morning safety instruction as well as a signed waiver form for each sojourn participant is mandatory. Our Safety Team consists of National Canoe Safety Patrol members who go through and maintain yearly swift-water rescue training.