June 2-10, 2023
Water Week Events
Schedule of Events
Since its inception in 2017, Lancaster Water Week has celebrated the many partners, organizations, and volunteers caring for our waterways! Join us during the 7th annual Lancaster Water Week for over 40 events to learn more about their work as we paddle, explore, volunteer, and take action to protect our streams and rivers for the future!
Be sure to click on the links below to learn more and register for events before they fill up!
Photos by Michelle Johnsen
ALL WEEK LONG
CONESTOGA RIVER PADDLES
Follow the course of history and see a side of Lancaster County that most don’t get to. Join the Conestoga River Club on a kayaking adventure down the Conestoga River. Cost: $25
Rock Hill to Safe Harbor
Saturday, June 3, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday, June 6, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday, June 8, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
S. Conestoga Drive to Riegert’s Landing/Lancaster County Central Park
Monday, June 5, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Wednesday, June 7, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Friday, June 9, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday, June 10, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Register
Water Week at the Lancaster Science Factory
Sign up for Water Week-themed workshops led by Science Factory STEM Educators and offered at the reduced price of $5 per student, or participate in a Science Café Activity included with admission to the Science Factory.
Workshop: Healthy Streams and Wildlife (Grades K-3)
Thursday, June 1, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Workshop: Environmental Engineering (Grades 2-8)
Thursday, June 1, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday, June 2, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Workshop: Pennsylvania Biomes (Grades K-3)
Friday, June 2, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Workshop: Weather in a Jar (Grades K-8)
Saturday, June 3, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Workshop: Dragonflies and Butterflies
Grades K-8: Monday, June 5, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Grades 3-8: Tuesday, June 6, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Workshop: Fairy Gardens (Grades K-3)
Tuesday, June 6, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Science Café Activities
Water Cycle Science: Thursday, June 1, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Weather Pinwheel: Friday, June 2, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Milkweed Seeds: Friday, June 2, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM
3-D Printed Macroinvertebrates: Tuesday, June 6, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Register
FRIDAY, JUNE 2
First Friday
5:00 – 8:00 PM
Penn Square
Kick off Water Week at Penn Square in Downtown Lancaster with free native trees, public art, and performances, and learn from the organizations working to protect our waterways.
LEARN MORERiver Connections Exhibit
5:00 – 8:00 PM
Lancaster City Welcome Center
Visit the Lancaster City Welcome Center to view a curated collection of materials from the city’s River Connections project.
STOP BY THE WELCOME CENTER TO CHECK IT OUT!
First Friday at the Lancaster Science Factory
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Lancaster Science Factory
The Science Factory offers free admission for a special Water Week celebration with interactive activities from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and PCA&D.
Register
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
Breakfast on the Farm
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Leon Miller Farm, Paradise
Meet a farm family who is passionate about conservation, get an insider tour of their land, and enjoy a fresh breakfast on a Lancaster Farmland Trust preserved farm! Cost: $25 per adult; $10 per child (ages 3-12); free for 2 and under
RegisterOverlook Park Buffer Maintenance
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meet at 605 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster
Help celebrate Water Week by experiencing the botanical wonders that happen when nature is given a little help in native plant restoration. Join Stroud Water Research Center to explore Overlook Park’s new pollinator garden and streamside forest restoration, and learn some strategies you can use in your backyard. For those wanting to give a little back, we’ll do some simple tasks to help these young plants thrive.
Register
Introduction to Kayak Fishing (SOLD OUT)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Muddy Run Park
Learn from Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission about basic paddling skills and kayak fishing equipment. For ages 16+ (minors must be accompanied), all equipment provided
Join Waitlist
SUNDAY, JUNE 4
Northwest River Trail History Hike (SOLD OUT)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Depart from Falmouth Boat Launch
Join Adam Zurn from Uncharted Lancaster for a Water Week adventure as we journey back in time on a guided history hike along the Northwest River Trail. Cost: $20
Join WaitlistWater Week at Long’s Park Music Series
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Long’s Park
Jam out to some great music by Swingology while you learn about our local waterways and take home a free native tree!
LEARN MORE
Moonlight Float
7:00 – 11:00 PM
Depart from Powerhouse Road, Safe Harbor
Explore Native American petroglyphs on the Susquehanna River under the light of the full moon with the Conestoga River Club. Tickets: $10 per adult (must be 18+) or $50 per adult plus boat rental (limited availability)
Register
MONDAY, JUNE 5
Landis Homes Wetland Tour
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Landis Homes
Join experts from Land Studies and resident group Friends of the Woods and Wetlands for a walking tour of the wetlands and streams restoration at the campus of Landis Homes.
Register
Bright Side Rain Garden Tour
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Bright Side Baptist Church
Join Bright Side Baptist Church for a tour of their new rain garden and learn about different native plants that can help absorb runoff and provide wildlife habitat.
Register
TUESDAY, JUNE 6
Green Infrastructure and Trees Brown Bag Lunch and Walking Tour (SOLD OUT)
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Depart from Musser Park
Join staff from the City of Lancaster’s Sustainability and Environment division for a walking tour and brown bag lunch. We’ll visit rain gardens, permeable pavements, parks, and urban trees as we walk around downtown Lancaster.
Learn More
Water Film Night: “Hidden Rivers”
6:00 – 8:00 PM
The New Main Theatre
Come out to The New Main Theatre in Ephrata for a showing of “Hidden Rivers,” a film that documents the beauty and abundance of life in our southeastern rivers and streams. A panel discussion will follow. Cost: $5
Register
Wednesday, June 7
River Cleanup
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sickman’s Mill
Want to help the world? Want to tube for free? Every Wednesday at Sickman’s Mill, you can do just that! There will be a free float departing at 10:00 AM for anyone who wants to help clean the creek.
Learn MoreGreenfield Stream Exploration
5:00 – 6:30 PM
Greenfield
What makes a creek healthy? Learn how to determine and improve the quality of a stream as you take a guided walk along Stauffer Run at Greenfield to explore and examine the creatures, like macroinvertebrates, living beneath the water’s surface.
Register
Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance 2023 Expo
5:30 – 8:00 PM
Manheim Farm Show Complex
Bring the whole family for an educational evening filled with fun exhibits, activities, tours, and ice cream hosted by the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance.
Free and Open to AllBike Tour: Green Infrastructure, Trees, and Bikes (SOLD OUT – POSTPONED DUE TO SMOKE)
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Depart from The Fridge
Take a bike tour of the City of Lancaster’s rain gardens, bike lanes, and urban tree canopy to learn about the opportunities and challenges of creating safer, greener streets for all users to enjoy.
Learn More
Thursday, June 8
“River, Amen”: Poetry Reading with Michael Garrigan
6:00 – 8:30 PM
Climbers Run Nature Center
Join Michael Garrigan at Climbers Run Nature Center as he reads poems from his newest published collection, “River, Amen” (2023), and guides participants through an immersive creative writing experience in nature. Cost: $10
RegisterCANCELED: Our Ancient Relationship with Water
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Trout Run Nature Preserve
This outdoor event has been canceled due to hazardous air quality.
Register
Building Better Buffers
6:30 – 8:00 PM
S. Dale High Leadership Center
Join Stroud Water Research Center’s Dave Wise at the S. Dale High Leadership Center for tips and tricks on buffer installation and maintenance practices. A panel Q&A will follow the lecture.
Register
Friday, June 9
Safe Harbor Dam Tours (SOLD OUT)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Safe Harbor Dam
Harnessing the power of water into clean renewable energy is just part of what you will learn about on your tour of the Safe Harbor Dam! Join Brookfield Renewable to learn about the dam’s history, grounds management, river access, fish lifts, and more.
Join WaitlistRockin’ on the River Paddle Tour
6:00 – 7:00 PM (Check-in at 5:30)
Shank’s Mare Outfitters
Join the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper for a guided educational paddle, then head to Shank’s Mare Outfitters for “Rockin’ on the River” — an evening of live music. Children 5-10 years old must have a parent/guardian in a double kayak with them. Minors 11-15 years old may rent their own kayak/board but must have a parent/guardian on the water with them. Teens 16-17 years old may rent their own kayak/board and be on the water alone, but a parent/guardian must sign a waiver for them. Cost: $29 with kayak rental, $19 without rental
Register
Water Week Trivia
6:00 – 8:30 PM
Sickman’s Mill
Go head-to-head with fellow crick lovin’ Lancastrians to test your knowledge of Lancaster and its streams and rivers. Prizes (as well as your pride) will be up for grabs at Sickman’s Mill! Cost: $20 per team of 2-8 people, ages 21+ only
Register
Saturday, June 10
Water Week Community Cleanup
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Various Locations
Volunteer with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and partners at multiple locations to help Lancaster County work towards cleaner and healthier streams, rivers, and communities!
REGISTER
Photos by Michelle Johnsen
Thank You, Water Week Sponsors!
