BARRYVILLE — Kittatinny Canoes & Campground began the “Over and Under” The Delaware River Clean Up in 1990. Every summer, volunteers gather on the banks of the Delaware River to collect trash on the water’s surface as well as in the depths. This year’s clean-up, takes place at Kittatinny’s bases in Barryville on July 18 and in Matamoras, PA on July 19 both starting at 8:00 am with complimentary breakfast. Volunteers are offered complimentary canoes and will also receive up to two free camping nights for volunteering one day or up to three camping nights if participating in both days’ events.

The “On and Under” Delaware River Clean-up was started by Ruth Jones, whose family built Kittatinny Canoes in 1941, still one of the nation’s oldest canoe liveries. Fondly known as the “Queen of the Delaware,” the 88-year-old founder will be on hand to greet volunteers and watch as the next generation of river stewards carry on what she started. In addition to founding this annual tradition, Jones is also credited with stopping the government from building a dam along the river.

“You can’t keep taking from a resource without giving something back,” said Jones. “It’s the last free flowing river in the east and we saved it, and now we need to take care of it.” Since its founding, Jones shared that more than 400 tons of trash, including 9,000 vehicle tires, have been retrieved from the depths of the Delaware River’s waters. Such refuse, which is detrimental to fish and other water habitats, is the result of 32 years of annual clean-ups and countless volunteer hours.

The new owners of Kittatinny Canoes, Michigan-based Northgate Resorts, will provide the use of canoes, along with complimentary breakfast and dinner each day. Shuttle buses will be provided for transport up and down the river.

The 32nd annual Delaware River Clean-up takes place in Barryville, NY on July 18 and in Matamoras, PA on July 19. Both events start at 8:00am. For more information and to register as a volunteer for the event, or sponsor the event, visit kittatinny.com/river-clean-up or call (800) 356-2852.