** IMPORTANT REGISTRATION UPDATE: The initial six program days of the HERYN Program slated June 21-26, 2021, are now full.  

If you would like to sign your child up for the HERYN Wait list (to be used if an opening happens for the June 21-26 sessions or to be at the top of the list for our next batch of HERYN days to be announced soon, please fill out the form to the right:

    HERYN Program Wait list
The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association was chosen as one of 14 programs within 10 Pennsylvania counties to receive a combined $160,000 in grant money from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's 2020 R3 Grant Program, designed to recruit, retain or reactivate anglers.

The association is using its share of the grant funds to help jumpstart the HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) Program (pronounced "heron"), designed to connect young people with outdoor experiences through hands-on fishing and kayaking instruction in a fun yet safe environment.
​"Our goal is to develop a vested interest in our river-based resources for the next generation of environmental stewards," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association Executive Director John Zaktansky. "I remember the sense of independence I felt when I first started catching fish on my own, and the therapeutic aspect of conquering the fears of first learning to kayak. We want to provide those experiences for other young people who may not have the opportunity to otherwise."

In addition to the grant from the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, this program is benefitting from donations via NuCanoe kayak company, Hall's Marine in Muncy, Bass Pro Shop in Harrisburg, M&T Bank's charitable giving, Clark's Wiggly Worm near Walker Lake in Snyder County and via individuals. Get involved in donating using the platform below.

2021 program days

We are holding six concurrent HERYN Program days on Monday June, 21, 2021, through Saturday, June 26, 2021. Each day, we will be accepting 12 new students aged 10-13 (those who are nine or 14 may be considered on an individual basis). 

The course will be held at the Central Pa. Wesleyan Campground located at 413 Buck Road, New Columbia, PA in northern Union County. The campground is a completely drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free venue and we expect those who participate to follow those expectations.

Instructors for 2021 ...

Our instructors bring decades of experience in both kayaking and fishing throughout the region. In an effort to ensure safety for all our participants, childline clearances are required for each of our instructors. Sessions will be done outdoors with every effort to promote social distancing and other COVID precautions.
John Zaktansky: The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper gained a passion for our outdoor resources through Scouting and thanks to parents who loved to fish, hunt and camp. After earning the rank of Eagle Scout, Zaktansky helped organize and run Junior Leadership Training programs for Scouts and later worked as a counselor at a group home for troubled adolescents. He incorporated therapeutic fishing, hiking, camping and horseback opportunities into the program. Beyond his role as Riverkeeper, Zaktansky currently is the Youth Ministry Director at Port Ann Wesleyan Church and loves camping with his family. You can email him directly here. Check out a radio interview with Zaktansky here.
Jolene Connelly is a middle school English teacher who resides in Selinsgrove, PA. She is a former level 3 America Canoe Association river kayak instructor, with paddling experience ranging from quiet lakes to Class IV whitewater. In addition to being a life-long angler, Jolene teaches Hunter-Trapper Education, Successful Furtaking, and Cable Restraints courses for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. She is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation. Learn more about her via the following interview on the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast:
John "Toast" Oast is the founder of the Pennsylvania Kayak Fishing Association (PKFA.org) and the Williamsburg Kayak Fishing Association (WKFA.org) in Virginia.  He is the publisher of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine, LLC and its online platform, SusquehannaFishing.com.  His popular Fishyaker Youtube video series has received more than 5,500,000 views. “Toast” is a member of the NuCanoe Pro Staff and an Okuma Fishing Tackle Influencer.  When not on or around the water, Oast is a career law enforcement officer, has worked as a youth crime and gang investigator and has served as a Sunday school teacher, Scoutmaster and American Red Cross instructor. Learn more about him via the following interview on the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast:
Casey Magargle grew up in central Pennsylvania fishing with his family in streams, lakes and the Susquehanna River.  Casey attended Temple University majoring in education.  He joined a bass club and was very successful over the next decade competing in events all over the northeastern United States winning titles all over.  Casey started a line of bass fishing baits called Sneaky Hollow Bait Company in 2009.  In recent years, Casey has helped middle and high school students gain a respect and passion for the outdoors while competing in high school fishing leagues. His teams have been successful winning state and national bass fishing championships.  Learn more about him via the following interview on the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast:

Program Day Details

Each program day will introduce 12 young people in the targeted 10-13 age group with hands-on instruction in both kayaking and fishing. The participants will be divided into two groups of six, with each group alternating each hour between kayaking and fishing instruction for a total of three hours in each program area. 

There will be some work during kayaking instruction in the campground's swimming pool. Participants are required to bring appropriate swimwear and parents are encouraged to indicate ahead of time what swimming ability their child possesses so we can plan accordingly.

Closer to the program dates, parents will be sent additional information along with required permission slips and waiver forms. Participants are encouraged to eat breakfast before arriving. Program day registration begins at 8:30 and the first sessions start promptly at 9 a.m. Participants will be finished with their program days by 4 p.m.

Lunch will be provided at noon for all participants and staff. If your child has any food allergies or other special needs in which we should be aware ahead of time, please indicate it in the online registration form.

​Staff and volunteer assistants will be focused on giving students the best possible experience during the day. If there are any emergencies or behavior concerns, parents must be available to come back to the campground for necessary assistance. Parents who wish to stay on site for the program day must register during the program day registration and are encouraged to follow all campground and HERYN program guidelines and rules. We want each student to have time to gain confidence and independence during this program, so we ask parents to keep their distance during instruction to limit distractions.

Our goal is to spark a lifelong interest in our outdoor resources with the hopes that young people who take the HERYN course will eventually become the next generation of stewards for our environment.

If you have any questions about the HERYN program, or would like to contribute via donations or volunteer time, please contact Riverkeeper John Zaktansky via email or by calling 570-768-6300.

As we develop the baseline for this new program, we hope to expand HERYN throughout communities within the 11,000-square-mile watershed that feeds into the West and North branches of the Susquehanna River. If you would like to help us with that expansion in the future in your community, please let us know.

    REGISTER your child

    The HERYN program is available free of cost, thanks to the PA Fish and Boat Commission grant program and generation donors from within our community. 

    ** IMPORTANT UPDATE: We only have two remaining slots. Both are for the Friday, June 25 program day and both are for 10-13-year old girls. 
    If you have any questions about the program before registering your child, please contact Riverkeeper John Zaktansky via email or by calling 570-768-6300.

DONATE NOW TO THE HERYN PROGRAM ...

​Do you want to donate toward some of the equipment or other resources necessary to make sure the HERYN Program is successful and sustainable? Use the following form: