Delaware River Steamboat Floating Classroom

Quick Facts

Now is the time to plan an exciting trip on the steamboat SPLASH. We offers special activities for school, camp or youth groups, such as an interactive watershed model, water testing, water physics and safety, bird-spotting and historical role-playing. A trip that takes advantage of these opportunities requires advance planning.

The 2-hour trip must be arranged in advance. The steamboat operates May through October. It is the same size as a sternwheeler that operated here in 1850-1900, but we burn home-heating oil instead of coal. You can travel a mile north on the river with steam power, as they did 150 years ago. Come experience the river and animals that live here. The Delaware River is your drinking water supply. SPLASH:

• Seats 49 passengers on covered and open decks
• US Coast Guard certified with a licensed Captain and crew
• Requires life jackets to be worn by children, 12 and under
• Welcomes all to visit the engine area
• Asks you to wear rubber-soled shoes
• Boards in Lambertville, NJ, behind Lambertville Station Inn
• Educational programs can be tailored for any group
• Also available for special occasions, or just a good time

Follow the guidelines below and then call Bart, Cindy, or Valerie Hoebel at (609) 921-6612 for more information.

Prices

The cost is $19.00 per person, with a minimum group charge of $695.00 (a nonprofit organization discount is available for fund raisers). A deposit is usually required. Deposit is refunded if we have to cancel due to bad weather. It is advisable to schedule a rain date.

For additional information or to make reservations contact the Hoebel family by phone at (609) 921-6612 or by e-mail at hoebel@princeton.edu or info@SteamboatClassroom.org. See you on board!

Forms & fliers

Forms to download: download here, or request by mail

• Reservation Form (PDF, 30 KB)
• Contract for Schools (PDF, 35 KB)
• Parental Permission Form (PDF, 28 KB)
• Boat Rules for Kids (PDF, 52 KB)
• Trip Evaluation Form (PDF, 28 KB)
• WET Workshop Form (see below)

Fliers to download: Attractive fliers are available for schools, organizations, hotels, stores and tourist information offices. Please call for copies, 609-921-6612. Press releases are also available on request (see sample below).

• Notices for your newsletter
• 100-word blurb (PDF, 30 KB)
• 320-word blurb (PDF, 39 KB)
• Scout notice (PDF, 31 KB)
• Announcement of SPLASH program (PDF, 54 KB)
• Press releases
• Press release (PDF, 18 KB)
• Sample newspaper article (PDF, 21 KB)
• Fliers
• Rack-size flier: 1/3 page, two sides (PDF, 773 KB)
• Full-page flier: one page, one side (PDF, 232 KB)
• Photo Page: Pictures worth a thousand words; people enjoying the steamboat (one page, one side) (PDF, 1.5 MB)
• Newsletter: (coming soon) History of this steamboat, river and program

Maps & parking

Maps, directions, parking and restrooms: The steamboat classroom is 30-60 minutes by bus or car from Bucks, Mercer, Hunterdon and Somerset counties. Busses from Trenton (30 min.), Philadelphia (1 hour) and New York City (1.5 – 2 hours) make the trip with ease.

At the bridge in Lambertville, drive south along the river behind the Inn at Lambertville Station (big hotel on the river); find the steamboat at the boat-launch ramp; turn left and drive 20 yds up the hill to park free in the D & R Canal State Park behind the big brick building. Public restrooms are in the little brick building. Wear rubber-soled shoes, and if it is a rainy day, bring a raincoat. Download and print the maps and directions for more details.

• Maps: State, county, town (PDF, 221 KB)
• Directions and parking (PDF, 48 KB)

Tour companies

Tour companies can assist you: For help in planning a steamboat tour or hiring a bus, you can engage a tour guide. We have companies that are experienced in the New Hope / Lambertville area. Contact Bob and Linda Barth of Canal Tours and More, Inc. (908) 722-7428, barths@att.net, or the Bucks County Convention and Tourist Bureau, www.buckscountycvb.org and ask for help with a Steamboat trip.

Teacher preparation course

A Special teacher preparation workshop will be held on the Delaware River in association with SPLASH. Kevin Kopp will offer “Get WET on the River” on May 19, 2006, and other times to be announced. Kevin Kopp, of environmental Youth Education Services, Inc, is a certified Project WET facilitator, NJ K-8 teacher, and recipient of the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education’s 2003 Outstanding Environmental Educator Award. Each participant will receive a copy of the 500-page Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide and either NJ or PA continuing education (Professional Development) credit. This is an excellent opportunity for preparation combined with outdoor fun in the charming New Hope–Lambertville area before bringing a class to the boat trip. Call Kevin for more information and to reserve a place, (215) 240-4469.

WET Workshop Form

1. Go to www.state.nj.us/dep/seeds/wetsched.htm
2. Make a note of the COURSE CODE for the next workshop that takes place aboard the steamboat.
3. Click on the “Workshop Registration Guidelines” link at the top of that page to access the PDF registration form.