By Kaitlyn Sorensen, Mid-Atlantic Conservation Policy Manager, Appalachian Mountain Club
Kayakers on the Delaware River
From June 14-20, over 200 paddlers, took part in the 30th annual Delaware River Sojourn. Starting in Balls Eddy, PA, the group paddled over 70 miles, ending the Sojourn in Phillipsburg, NJ. Over the course of the Sojourn, the paddlers got to camp, kayak through class 1 and 2 rapids, and engage in programming, like water quality testing and trivia, that taught them more about the science and history in the region.
This year was especially monumental because the Delaware River was named the 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year. To mark this occasion, the Delaware River of the Year Festival was hosted at Minisink Park, in Monroe County. Hundreds of people attended the Festival, which had live music, food trucks and over 40 different vendors that highlighted the cultural and natural history of the River.
The Delaware River of the Year poster was also unveiled in a ceremony with Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Cindy Dunn, Monroe County Commissioners, and Representatives from the Pennsylvania Statehouse. The Delaware River will continued to be honored throughout the year and this festival kickstarted the celebration. Read more about the Delaware River of the Year Festival: A Community Celebration.
The Delaware River of the Year poster unveiling.