Note: Floating Classroom programs are set for five of our eight summer cruises. We are still working on finalizing details for the remaining three, to run 10-11 a.m. on Aug. 8, Aug. 22 and Sept. 19. Check back for updates soon!

    REGISTRATION for FLoating Classrooms

    Registration for our Floating Classrooms requires TWO steps. First, filling out and submitting this form in full, including the names and ages of the young people you plan to bring (to help us in planning and preparation). You can select which classes you want to sign up for in this form. Secondly, you will need to pay for your tickets. The ticketing platform will be added soon for each of our floats as soon as presenters and themes are finalized. Seats are reserved in the order of ticket sales received. If you have any questions, email midsusriver@gmail.com
    ** Note: Your attendance on each of the Floating Classroom sessions is only official after payment for tickets is received.

June 13, 2023: Rocks on the River

SOLD OUT. ​Central PA Rocks and Minerals Club president Andrew "Rockhound" Eppig will head up the program with two presentations ... one on the geology of our region and how it has historically impacted the Susquehanna and the other looking at specific types of rocks you can find along our river. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.

July 11, 2023: Insects of our Waterways

SOLD OUT. Join Leslie Rieck and her helpers from the Lycoming College Clean Water Institute as they share information about common adult insect species found along our waterways and how their presence (or lack thereof) indicate potential water quality concerns. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.

July 18, 2023: Plants and PFAS

On one level of the boat, ​USGS biologist Vicki Blazer leads discussions on PFAS (forever chemicals) as emerging contaminants in our watershed. Program will include what are they, where do they come from and what do they do? Perfluorinated compounds are an emerging environmental and potential health issue.  On the other, summertime intern Peyton Johnson will discuss aquaponics and hydroponics, how they are used both in large-scale and at-home scenarios and include innovative examples of how people can raise plants at home in a self-sustaining environmentally conscious way. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.

August 8, 2023: Artifacts & Logging History

SOLD OUT. On the lower level, Kim Mattern, an advocational archeologist and curator for the Snyder County Historical Museum, will be talking about Native Americans that lived along the river, bringing some of his huge collection of artifacts and discussing what can still be found today and what to do with artifacts you may find. People are encouraged to bring artifacts they have found for him to identify after the cruise. The upper level will feature an overview of the logging history along the river.

August 22, 2023: Bird calls of our Watershed

SOLD OUT. On the upper level, Bonalyn Mosteller and others from the Lycoming Audubon Society will do a presentation on common bird calls of our region, how to identify them, etc. On the lower level, Riverkeeper John Zaktansky and IT specialist Doug Fessler will discuss our BirdNet program, how we will use bird calls to monitor stream health and offer some hands-on experience with some of the tech behind the project. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.

Sept. 5, 2023: Secret life inside our Fish

​SOLD OUT. USGS biologist Vicki Blazer will demonstrate how they euthanize, take a blood sample and collect tissue samples from fish to assess fish health as indicators of environmental stressors. Parasites are commonly found in fishes but can also be indicators of environmental stress. We will dissect parasites from fish, examine them under the microscope and discuss their life cycles. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.

Sept. 12, 2023: EELS and our RIVER

​SOLD OUT. Susquehanna River Basin biologist Johanna Hripto will lead discussions about eels and the Susquehanna. This will include an overview of the importance of eels in our watershed, how their migratory patterns have been impacted by dams and what is being done to tackle that issue. Will include interaction with live elvers collected the day before from the Conowingo Dam region. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.

Sept. 19, 2023: Trout, Drought & Habitat

Matt Wilson and others from the Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute will provide a program looking at research they have done about trout habitat and impacts of drought on the species. This will include interactive programming for all ages to better understand the conditions trout need to thrive in regional waterways.

Floating Classroom 09/19/23: Trout, drought and habitat

$0.00 - $10.00

Only a few left!

Matt Wilson and other members of the Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute will provide a program looking at research they have done about trout habitat and impacts of drought on the species. This will include interactive programming for all ages to better understand the conditions trout need to thrive in regional waterways. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.
Buy Tickets

Oct. 3, 2o23: Raptors on the River

Megan Lehman of the DEP will offer a program on peregrine falcons on one level of the boat while Fallon and Tammy Emert, of Mama T's Homestead, will discuss differences in talons and beaks among different raptor species and will offer a fun raptor-related craft project. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.

Floating Classroom 10/03/23: Raptors on the River

$0.00 - $10.00

Megan Lehman of the DEP will offer a program on peregrine falcons one one level of the boat while Fallon and Tammy Emert, of Mama T's Homestead, will discuss differences in talons and beaks among different raptor species and will offer a fun raptor-related craft project. Session runs from 10-11 a.m. aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport.
Buy Tickets

Looking back to previous FLOATING CLASSROOMs

A variety of Floating Classroom programs have been held over the past couple summers. Looking back at some of the more recent ones:

June 13, 2023: Rocks and Geology of the River
July 11, 2023: Insects of the Watershed
July 18, 2023: PFAS and Plants
August 5, 2023: Artifacts & Logging History
August 22, 2023: Bird Calls & Birdnet

June 28, 2022: Aquatic mammals
July 12, 2022: Mining heritage & AMD concerns
July 19, 2022: Microplastics and fish anatomy
August 2, 2022: Bats of the watershed
August 16, 2022: Invasive invaders
August 19, 2022: Bird species and watching
September 10, 2022: Photography and videography
September 13, 2022: Flooding and Agnes' anniversary
September 27, 2022: Freshwater mussels