Extended Camp Hours Available: Great for Working Parents
Morning Drop off 7:30am - 8:45am. Afternoon Pick up 4:15pm - 5:30pm.

Please use the links below to sign in or register to attend this session.

Biography: Originally from Paraguay and currently based in Pittsburgh, Vera is a violinist, educator, and composer with an international career spanning Europe, South America, and the United States. He has performed with orchestras such as the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Asunción and has been recognized with awards including the Gindroz Prize and First Prize at the International Golden State Music Competition. Vera completed his Master’s in Music Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a member of the Honors String Quartet in Residence.

Fluent in Spanish, Guaraní, Portuguese, and English, Vera brings over eight years of experience teaching violin and leading youth orchestras in underserved communities, including rural areas. His teaching philosophy emphasizes expanding access to high-quality music education and fostering strong community ties through music.

Extended Camp Hours Available: Great for Working Parents
Morning Drop off 7:30am - 8:45am. Afternoon Pick up 4:15pm - 5:30pm.

Please use the links below to sign in or register to attend this session.

Biography: Originally from Paraguay and currently based in Pittsburgh, Vera is a violinist, educator, and composer with an international career spanning Europe, South America, and the United States. He has performed with orchestras such as the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Asunción and has been recognized with awards including the Gindroz Prize and First Prize at the International Golden State Music Competition. Vera completed his Master’s in Music Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a member of the Honors String Quartet in Residence.

Fluent in Spanish, Guaraní, Portuguese, and English, Vera brings over eight years of experience teaching violin and leading youth orchestras in underserved communities, including rural areas. His teaching philosophy emphasizes expanding access to high-quality music education and fostering strong community ties through music.

Extended Camp Hours Available: Great for Working Parents
Morning Drop off 7:30am - 8:45am. Afternoon Pick up 4:15pm - 5:30pm.

Please use the links below to sign in or register to attend this session.

Biography: Originally from Paraguay and currently based in Pittsburgh, Vera is a violinist, educator, and composer with an international career spanning Europe, South America, and the United States. He has performed with orchestras such as the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Asunción and has been recognized with awards including the Gindroz Prize and First Prize at the International Golden State Music Competition. Vera completed his Master’s in Music Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a member of the Honors String Quartet in Residence.

Fluent in Spanish, Guaraní, Portuguese, and English, Vera brings over eight years of experience teaching violin and leading youth orchestras in underserved communities, including rural areas. His teaching philosophy emphasizes expanding access to high-quality music education and fostering strong community ties through music.

 

Please use the links below to sign in or register to attend this session.

Day 1: June 19, 2026: Leisurely Paddle and River Clean-up, Bethlehem - Easton

Enjoy a guided 7-mile journey through the metro-wilderness of the Lehigh Valley, from Bethlehem to Easton. This beginner-friendly paddle experience will treat guests to views of wildlife, the iconic Steel Stacks, and several islands. Each guest will be issued a canoe, paddle, and life jacket with registration. Guests may bring their own watercraft if preferred, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. If choosing this option, please note that it is your responsibility to drop off your boat at the Sand Island Boat launch prior to 8:30 registration at the Rt. 33 boat launch. Breakfast and lunch are provided, courtesy of Roasted and St. Luke’s Health Network. Check-in features 5-minute morning yoga with Miss Melanie Yoga and outreach provided by Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards. Together we’ll show our love for the Lehigh with a river cleanup near the end of the trip. Free overnight camping and entertainment available at Walnutport Canal Association. Please view the detailed day plans for more information. 

Boat Rentals:
Need a boat? Be sure to choose the “Adult Ticket with Canoe Rental” ticket below. 

• Canoes accommodate two paddlers.
• Exceptions are made for families with small children 8-10 years old.

Join us for this relaxed yet scenic adventure through the Lehigh Valley, where you'll connect with the river's industrial history and natural beauty. Register now to secure your spot and enjoy this peaceful float down the river!

Camping Options for the 2026 Lehigh River Sojourn

Join us for camping during the Lehigh River Sojourn! Whether you’re staying for one or two nights, camp at your convenience and immerse yourself in the full experience of the Sojourn.

Registration is per person, so be sure to select each night you plan to camp. Please note that camping gear is not included with registration. If you plan to camp, please bring your own equipment.

Camping Locations and Pricing

Day 1 (Friday Night Camping)
June 19 – June 20, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 AM
Location: Walnutport Canal Association
309 Lehigh St, Walnutport, PA 18088
Cost: Free

Day 2 (Saturday Night Camping)
June 20 – June 21, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 AM
Location: Walnutport Canal Association
309 Lehigh St, Walnutport, PA 18088
Cost: Free

**Please note: both evenings will feature potluck dinners. Participants are asked to bring a shareable food item for the Sojourn Camping experience.
Camp with us near the beautiful banks of the Lehigh River, under the stars, and wake up ready to continue your Sojourn adventure! Register for your camping nights and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow paddlers while immersed in nature.

 

 

Day 2: June 20, 2026: Wake Up and Ride the D&L Trail, Walnutport - Weissport (alternate title: Bikes and Bites)

Wake up - or meet us! - at Walnutport Canal Association (WCA) for a delicious tour of the D&L Trail. Our day begins with a hot breakfast at WCA where guest speakers from Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Trek will be on hand to orient us to the possibilities of the trail and bicycle. After breakfast, you’ll embark on a guided bike trip to Weissport, with two mileage options: one-way trip to Weissport (10 miles), out-and-back (20 miles). We’ll move at a social pace, and stop at points of interest along the way, like the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. In Weissport, you can enjoy bites and beverages crafted by local trail-friendly eateries. Those joining our guides for the ride back will be treated to a double dose of wildlife and river views, along with a stop at the Slatington Farmers Market. Bikes and helmets included with registration. Free, overnight camping and entertainment provided at WCA.

Participants are welcome to bring their own bikes (Helmets required).

Tune ups will be offered at a discount by participating partners.

Bike Rentals:
Need a bike? Be sure to register for a bike rental in advance.

• Bikes are avaliable for people 12 years and older.

Join us for this unforgettable journey along the Lehigh River’s historic and natural landscapes. Whether you're participating for the day or the entire sojourn, don’t miss this chance to peddle, connect, and explore! Register now to secure your spot.

Where:
Hickory Run State Park – Hawk Falls Parking Lot
2812 PA‑534, Albrightsville, PA 18210
GPS: 41.01074, -75.63407

Date: June 20
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Length: 1 to 3 miles
Duration: Approximately 2 hours

Join Wildlands Conservancy for a guided hike through one of Hickory Run State Park’s most scenic destinations—Hawk Falls. We’ll begin by walking through a beautiful tunnel of rhododendrons, leading to multiple viewpoints of the park’s natural 25‑foot waterfall. Please note that swimming and picnicking are not permitted at the falls.

The main trail to Hawk Falls is rated “more difficult” due to uneven and rocky terrain. Participants who prefer a shorter outing may return on the same trail to complete a 1.2‑mile hike.

For those who want to explore further, we’ll continue from the base of the falls onto the Orchard Trail, creating a 3‑mile loop. Although this trail is rated “most difficult,” it is lightly traveled and offers peaceful views—including glimpses of Mud Run as we duck beneath low rhododendron branches. The trail climbs gradually before winding back to the falls, where we will return to the parking area together.

What to Bring

• Water and snacks
• Insect repellent
• Layers appropriate for the weather
• Sturdy, comfortable shoes (expect rocks, roots, and the possibility of getting your feet wet)
• Sunscreen
• Strongly recommended: hiking poles
  • Wildlands will have poles available to borrow.

Pets: Welcome, but must be kept on a leash.

Restrooms:
No bathrooms are available at the Hawk Falls parking lot. However, restrooms are located at the Hickory Run State Park Visitor Center, 3.1 miles farther along PA‑534.

Directions

From I‑476 North (toward Scranton):

• Take Exit 87 for PA‑903 toward Jim Thorpe/Lake Harmony.
  • This exit uses an automatic license plate reader for tolling—no cash accepted.
• Continue 0.3 miles, staying in the right lane for PA‑903 N.
• Travel 3.2 miles, then turn left onto PA‑534 W.
• Continue 2.5 miles to the Hawk Falls Parking Lot.
• We will meet in the lot on the left, near the trail leading down to the falls. Additional parking is available on the right.

 These programs are possible thanks to generous funding from Jefferson + LVHN.+ LVHN

Questions: Nicole Landis at Nlandis@wildlandspa.org

 

Day 3: June 21, 2206: Raft the Rapids of Lehigh Gorge State Park

End Sojourn with a splash at Lehigh Gorge State Park. Whitewater raft 10.5mi from Drakes Creek to Glen Onoko with the experienced staff of Pocono Whitewater. Get ready to experience a landscape defined by steep slopes, rocky escarpments, and side streams that surge into waterfalls as you raft through the rapids of Lehigh Gorge. Registration includes a light breakfast, lunch, outreach, and the opportunity to support conservation and recreation in the Lehigh River Watershed.

For additional details, visit Pocono Whitewater Rafting at Pocono Whitewater.

Don’t miss out on this adventure—register now to secure your spot! Minimum age for rafting is 8 years old.  

Be aware that paddle and gear must be carried about half a mile to the river put-in.

Summer Solstice Forest Bathing for Wellness and Recovery
In collaboration with Stacey Vinci, LMFT

Celebrate the first day of summer with Summer Solstice Forest Bathing for Wellness and Recovery, the final program in our seasonal forest bathing series.This guided program is designed to support healing, mindfulness, and personal growth by aligning with nature’s transitions throughout the year.

Led by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Stacey Vinci, you’ll slow down, quiet the mind, and engage your senses through gentle, intentional activities inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”). Immersed in the fullness of summer, the warmth, vibrant colors, and lively sounds of the season invite a deep connection with yourself and the natural world.

Held at a Wildlands Conservancy's Dorothy RIder Pool WIldlife Sanctuary, the peaceful setting offers a restorative space for reflection and renewal. The program includes:

• A meet and greet with one of our resident wildlife ambassadors before entering the forest
  
  
• Sensory-based forest immersion activities
  
  
• A light snack to enjoy in community
  
  

This program is open to individuals from all walks of recovery—whether from substance use, trauma, grief, mental health challenges, or life transitions. No prior experience is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to be present.

This program is offered free of charge thanks to funding from the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape Mini Grant Program.


Questions? Contact Nicole Landis at Nlandis@wildlandspa.org