On Water Activities & SNHA Updates

AMERICA'S 55 TH

NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Connecting People to the River

August 2019

Learn About Our Work | Find Our Visitor Centers | Plan Your Adventure

River Discovery Tours Launched!

Our River Discovery Boat Tours have been outrageously popular! This season's tours have been offered free of charge for all participants thanks to grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Heritage Areas Program and the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Gateways Program. We are so grateful for DCNR & NPS support of our vision to get people on the water through these boat tours. We have engaged Long Level Marina to provide the tour boat and operator. It took years of planning and coordinating and the massive outpouring of interest from everyone was more than we could ever have imagined. We are working on ways to expand our schedule and enhance our communications process for the future.

This season's tours will continue through September. We are compiling an email list of everyone that is interested in coming for a boat tour but has not been able to get a ticket in the first two rounds. Our plan is to inform everyone on this list in advance of the public release. We plan to make the remaining September boat tour dates available in mid-August. So if you'd like be informed first about new ticket availability please send an email to [email protected] to be added to our list.

SUSQ Camp Connects Local Kids to the River

This summer, Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) hosted its first ever summer camp session at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center. SUSQ Camp was created to get kids and teens ages 12-15 out and onto the river. SNHA partnered with Chiques Rock Outfitters allowing 17 campers to enjoy four days kayaking on the river, each day building on their skills to become more confident and comfortable with paddling. Along the way, they learned about water quality, history of the bridges, the wildlife, all while making new friends and having fun. When all was said and done, this group of kids and teens all felt more confident in their kayaking skills, and they all felt more connected to the river. We can't wait to get more campers out onto the Susquehanna next year. Check out our News Blog to learn more and see photos of our first summer camp.

Susquehanna Heritage Paddle

Saturday, September 14 : 10 AM - 1 PM

Registration is open for the Susquehanna Heritage Paddle Experience! Discover the Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) from the water as we paddle from Columbia Crossing to The Zimmerman Center for Heritage to see and experience this corridor of the Susquehanna river, learn about history and ecology of the river, and explore the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. For ages 12 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Kayaking experience is not necessary but expect moderate physical exertion. Dress for the weather. $ 10.00 per person - includes your kayak, paddle, PFD, transportation, and guided tour from SNHA staff. Light refreshments will be provided at the end of the paddle. Option of single or tandem kayaks available. Personal kayaks not permitted.

Tadpole Time:

New Registration System Available

You can now register for Tadpole Time through our Event Calendar. You'll find the Tadpole Time ticket at the bottom of the event description. Click the ticket then simply choose the date and number of children you plan to bring. You can pay online or opt to pay at the door. An order confirmation will be sent to you after checkout.

Free Sunday Activities

at Columbia Crossing!

Free Yoga - August 18

SWAY Yoga will lead a relaxing beginners yoga class at 1 PM on the deck overlooking the Susquehanna River. Bring your own yoga mat and water.

Live Music - August 18

Crossfire3 is a n all female classic rock and blues trio boasting beautiful, blended vocal talent. They'll be rockin' the deck from 3 PM - 5 PM.

Reptile Show - August 25

Jesse Rothacker from Forgotten Friends Reptile Sanctuary will present this interactive animal show featuring his real, live critters at 2 PM on the deck.

Bicycle Tours continue in to Fall Season

Enjoy the sights of Lancaster County's Northwest River Trail on a 2-hour bike tour in the company of a local guide from Susquehanna National Heritage Area. At a number of stops, your guide will tell you about the history of the sites. Learn about the Cenozoic-era Chickies Rock Formation, the abandoned pig iron furnace complex, and the Chiques Creek among other things.

Tours will take place on the third Wednesday of August, September and October at 1 PM. Bring your own bike or rent one from on-site outfitter, Chiques Rock Outfitters. Pre-registration is appreciated. Tour is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors.

In This Issue

Boat Tours Launched

Camp Recap

Heritage Paddle Scheduled

Tadpole Time

Sundays at the Crossing

Quick Links

SNHA Facebook

Columbia Crossing Facebook

Susquehanna Riverlands

NW River Trail Map

Susquehanna Stewards!

Susquehanna Heritage asks you to be a good steward of our river and its history. Each month we'll share one way you can help the river or protect its heritage. Try it out, be a river steward!

This Month:

Buy it Used!

Shop 'til you drop has become as American as Apple Pie. Creating all these new items - especially clothes - takes thousands of gallons of water, millions of kilowatts of energy and pounds of waste. If everyone bought just one used clothing item instead of new this year, we would save almost 6 billion pounds of carbon emissions. Shop at your local thrift or consignment shop or check out an online retailer like ThredUp.

Last Ranger Hour

for this season

at Columbia Crossing

Join us on Thursday, August 15th for a special Ranger Hour at 10 AM. Ranger Curtis Sherwood will lead us through a fishing activity along the waterfront.

PA Outdoor Corps improves trail to Native Lands Park

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps braved the heat and rain in July to remove invasive plants from our woodlands and perform maintenance on the Trail leading to Native Lands County Park from the Zimmerman Center.

Check out the project.

New Exhibit Opens at Columbia Crossing

WATER ER is an educational, multi-media traveling art exhibit focusing on the Susquehanna River - one of, if not the oldest river in the world and the longest river on the east coast of the US. The exhibit features over 15 different artists and their works related to the health of the river. A variety of pieces are included from paintings and drawings to sculpture and mosaics. Drop by Columbia Crossing during visitor hours to explore this amazing collection now through September 30th.

Rent Our Facilities
Host your next family or business event at Columbia Crossing or the Zimmerman Center. All rentals support our important work along the River.