You still have a chance to get out and pick citrus at Sumner Peck Ranch this month. The River Parkway Trust is opening the property Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Bring a 5-gallon bucket or cloth shopping bag to pick and carry produce at the flat price of $1 per pound for any citrus variety.

We are no longer requiring advance registration to visit Sumner Peck Ranch. Please continue to follow COVID guidelines including wearing a face covering when you are unable to maintain distance from others, proper hand sanitation, and avoiding gatherings.

Please note there will not be public restrooms available at the site. Keep this in mind and plan your visit accordingly.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Weekend Youth Naturalist Program aims to equip the next generation with skills to be natural explorers and stewards of the Earth. Participants will enjoy a nature hike, scientific exploration activity, game, and sensory or experiential activity along the San Joaquin River Parkway. This adventure requires your child to be between the ages of 6 and 9 years old to participate. The fee is $15 per child and advanced registration is required.

Have you visited Sycamore Island recently? There have been some exciting improvements completed on site. Come out and enjoy the new accessible fishing area which includes a fishing pier and restroom. We've also recently installed new fishing line recycling stations on site to reduce the impacts of fishing line litter on wildlife.

We're also excited to share that the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife will plant trout in the Trout Pond during the week of April 12.

Sycamore Island is currently open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. The day-use fee is $9 per vehicle and $5 per trailer. Annual passes are available for $85. Contactless pass purchases are available through our website. Click here to purchase your pass, print out your confirmation, and have it on your dashboard while visiting the property.

Be sure to follow our Sycamore Island Facebook page for the latest updates and news about the property. https://www.facebook.com/SycamoreIslandPark

The 2021 season of guided Kayak Tours will begin on Saturday, May 1. All available tour dates have been posted on the River Parkway Trust's website, available here.

We will offer two River Tour programs this season. To reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19, the River Parkway Trust is not able to shuttle members of the public between sites. Participants are responsible for providing enough vehicles and drivers to shuttle their group between sites. (E.g. a group of two must have two vehicles and drivers, a group of four must have at least two drivers with vehicles able to seat four people). Please bring a mask to have on hand. Read on for more information.

Begins with exhilarating riffles and includes the natural beauty of an undeveloped section of the San Joaquin River. This tour begins at 8:30 am and will be approximately 6 hours, with 4 to 4.5 hours on the water. Children 12+ are welcome. Click here to register for your selected tour date.

Friday Sunset Kayak Tour - Sumner Peck Ranch to Owl Hollow

Enjoy beautiful views and calm downriver stretches. This tour begins at 4:30 pm and will be approximately 4 hours, with 2 to 2.5 hours on the water. Children 12+ are welcome. Click here to register for your selected date.

Please contact Molly Schnur-Salimbene at mschnur-salimbene@riverparkway.org.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us for the 2021 Parties for the Parkway Virtual Kickoff. In case you couldn't make it, here is a link to view a recording of the event.

There are still tickets available for several of our 2021 Parties for the Parkway. Click here to make your reservations today.

Available art pieces from the 2021 Parties Art Auction are still available on our online auction site. Click here to view the art exhibit and make your bids. Online bidding will be available through April 26, 2021.

More information about 2021 Parties for the Parkway is available by clicking here. Or you may contact Bryna De Fede, Development Associate at 559-248-8480 ext. 216 or via email at bdefede@riverparkway.org.

Thank you to everyone who made our first ever spring break River Camp Rangers at Owl Hollow program a huge success.

Registration for the 2021 summer River Camp programs is now open, and space is filling quickly. Read on for additional info about each program and register today to get your first choice week. Dates and program fee information is available by clicking the links below.

River Camp at the River Center - Campers will enjoy a week complete with all the traditional River Camp activities including wildlife habitat exploration, lively games, environmental education activities, arts and crafts, and time with friends. Each afternoon will include time dedicated to water play activities. Weeks 1-6 are open to 1st through 4th grade campers, and weeks 7-8 are open to 1st-5th grade campers.

Young Explorers Camp - Our pre-school mini-camp program will be held at the Trust's new property Sumner Peck Ranch this summer. Campers will participate in hands-on engaging activities to learn about the plants and animals found along the San Joaquin River. This program is open to children ages 3.5 to entering Kindergarten. Campers must be potty-trained.

River Camp Rangers at Owl Hollow - Building on the fun we had during spring break, we're excited to offer two additional weeks of this leadership, team building, and science day-camp for 6th through 8th grade campers. These sessions will be held during the weeks of August 2-6 and August 9-13.

Junior Leaders Program - High school aged youth are invited to spend a week working with campers, building friendships, learning leadership skills, and enjoying the San Joaquin River. Applications for this program are due by April 30. No late applications will be accepted.

Please click here for complete information about River Camp 2021.

If you have any questions about the 2021 season of River Camp programs please contact Molly Schnur-Salimbene at 559-248-8480 ext. 104 or via email at mschnur-salimbene@riverparkway.org.