Benscreek Canoe Club

March Club Meeting
2026-03-18 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States
BCC meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

2026 Beginners Trip (NEW DETAILS)
2026-03-22 12:00 - 15:00 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
The BCC will host a beginners trip Sunday, March 22nd (March 29th rain date). Running Greenhouse Park to Johnstown. Meetup will be noon at Greenhouse Park. Paddlers will need to have a wet exit, and appropriate gear. Contact the BCC if you hope to join but need to potentially borrow gear.
NOTE: This event was originally scheduled for March 15, but has been rescheduled for March 22nd, with a rain date of March 29th.

2026 Red Moshannon Race (Headwaters Series)
2026-03-28 | Moshannon Creek, PA, United States
Held on a remote 7.5-mile section of Moshannon Creek between Peale Bridge near the town of Grassflat, PA and the Route 53 Bridge near the town of Moshannon, PA. At moderate levels this section of creek is rated Class II+ on the International Scale of Difficulty. High water significantly increases the difficulty. Extra flotation in boats is highly recommended. Most years there are numerous swims and bent boats! Cold water paddling clothing is highly recommended. The water & air temperatures are usually very cold.
Time & Location
Race Day: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Schedule of events on race morning:
Please set your shuttle prior to racer check-in in the morning
9AM to 11AM: Racer check-in and bib pickup at Start Location.
11:30 AM: Racer Meeting at the Start Location.
Noon: Race Starts
Start Location (Peale Bridge):
40.993389, -78.081111
Finish Location (Rt. 53 Bridge):
41.036778, -78.057778
Awards Banquet & Additional Vehicle Parking (St. Severin’s):
41.028857, -78.107834

April Club Meeting
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States

2026 Slip Fest & Race (Headwaters Series)
2026-04-17 - 2026-04-19 | Breakneck Campground, 1757 Cheeseman Rd, Portersville, PA, 16051, United States
Get ready to paddle hard, play harder, and celebrate the wild spirit of whitewater at Slip Fest 2026! Join us this April at McConnells Mill State Park, Pennsylvania, for an action-packed weekend of whitewater racing, camping, vendors, and gear raffles.
Whether you’re a racer, paddler, or outdoor enthusiast, this festival is the perfect way to kick off the spring paddling season. Don’t miss the excitement, community, and adventure—mark your calendars now for Slip Fest 2026!
For quick updates follow our Facebook page
Friday Night: Potluck dinner featuring a main dish provided by Keel-haulers, and a community bonfire.

Saturday: Whitewater race on Lower Slippery Rock Creek, breakfast and dinner available, gear raffles with the award ceremony, and a community bonfire.Sunday: Independent whitewater trips on Upper and Lower Slippery Rock Creek & other local rivers.

Event hosted by the Keel-Haulers Canoe Club

April 18-19 Stonycreek Release (First Release of the Season)
2026-04-18 - 2026-04-19 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
2026 Scheduled Whitewater Releases from Quemahoning Lake are scheduled and listed below. Releases during May and June are highly likely to occur as scheduled (unless maintenance or repairs are needed); releases after the beginning of July are dependent on reservoir levels. Also, releases in September and October are very rare! Also note: the valve can only release up to 500 cfs; and the maximum flow (in the river, measured at the Ferndale gauge) that a release can provide is 1,350 cfs, (which is around 3’ at Foustwell, 4.5’ at Ferndale). If the natural flow is 1,000 cfs, we will ONLY RELEASE additional 350 cfs. If natural flow is over 1,350 cfs, there is NO RELEASE. Any changes in the schedule will be posted here and on our Facebook page ASAP!
Note: If water level at the Quemahoning Reservoir is between 1626.0 and 1626.5 on the Sunday before a planned release, then a release will be made on the following Saturday only; if the water level is greater than 1626.5, then the release will be held on both thefollowing Saturday and Sunday. And if the level at the Quemahoning Reservoir is below 1626 ft above sea level on the Sunday before the scheduled release: the release is cancelled. This may effect late summer releases. Watch here for updates. Also, note that on non-release days, the Stony is boatable when the Ferndale Gauge is above 500 cfs. This is likely accurate. Again, watch here for any possible changes.
2026 Release Schedule

April 18-19 First Release of the Season
May 2-3
May 15-17 Stonycreek Rendezvous
May 23 Special Release (one day only) Memorial Day weekend
May 30-31
June 13-14
June 27-28
July 11-12
July 25-26
August 8-9
August 22-23
September 5-6
September 19-20
October 3-4
October 17-18

2026 River Cleanup
2026-04-18 09:00 - 13:00 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
Join us April 18th at 9AM at Greenhouse Park for our annual river cleanup. Groups will be divided up to the locations below for time efficiency. Gloves & garbage bags will be provided.

Greenhouse Park
Carpenter’s Park
Foustwell
Que

2026 Cheat River Festival (Headwaters Series)
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-02 | Cheat River Festival Fair Grounds, Albright Rd, Albright, WV, 26519, United States
The annual Cheat River Festival is a celebration of the rebirth of the Cheat River watershed. Cheat Fest is Friends of the Cheat‘s annual fundraiser which helps us advance our watershed projects and supports the organization’s administrative costs. Rain or shine, Cheat Fest is always a good time!
From 5:30pm ’till 10:00pm on Friday, May 1st, and 11:30am ’till 11:30pm on Saturday, May 2nd, the festival grounds in Albright, West Virginia will once again transform into a haven for boaters, music lovers, and families. Bands from all over Appalachia will entertain crowds with live music, while Fest goers browse the Art Market, learn about other non-profit organizations that share the FOC vision, buy from a variety of food and merchandise vendors, and above all, help support Friends of the Cheat. Please consider bringing a non perishable food item for our Cheat Fest Food Drive!
Another reason to love Cheat Fest: kids under twelve are free! Kids of all ages can congregate at the ever-growing Kid’s Tent from noon ’till 5:00pm on Saturday for a host of hands-on activities.
The Cheat River Festival is the primary fundraiser of the year for Friends of the Cheat. All profits from Cheat Fest are used to support our projects and programs that experience shortfalls during the year.

May 2-3 Stonycreek Release
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-03 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
2026 Scheduled Whitewater Releases from Quemahoning Lake are scheduled and listed below. Releases during May and June are highly likely to occur as scheduled (unless maintenance or repairs are needed); releases after the beginning of July are dependent on reservoir levels. Also, releases in September and October are very rare! Also note: the valve can only release up to 500 cfs; and the maximum flow (in the river, measured at the Ferndale gauge) that a release can provide is 1,350 cfs, (which is around 3’ at Foustwell, 4.5’ at Ferndale). If the natural flow is 1,000 cfs, we will ONLY RELEASE additional 350 cfs. If natural flow is over 1,350 cfs, there is NO RELEASE. Any changes in the schedule will be posted here and on our Facebook page ASAP!
Note: If water level at the Quemahoning Reservoir is between 1626.0 and 1626.5 on the Sunday before a planned release, then a release will be made on the following Saturday only; if the water level is greater than 1626.5, then the release will be held on both thefollowing Saturday and Sunday. And if the level at the Quemahoning Reservoir is below 1626 ft above sea level on the Sunday before the scheduled release: the release is cancelled. This may effect late summer releases. Watch here for updates. Also, note that on non-release days, the Stony is boatable when the Ferndale Gauge is above 500 cfs. This is likely accurate. Again, watch here for any possible changes.
2026 Release Schedule

April 4-5 First Release of the Season
April 18-19
May 2-3
May 15-17 Stonycreek Rendezvous
May 23 Special Release (one day only) Memorial Day weekend
May 30-31
June 13-14
June 27-28
July 11-12
July 25-26
August 8-9
August 22-23
September 5-6
September 19-20
October 3-4
October 17-18

May Wave Wednesday
2026-05-06 17:30 - 19:30 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
The 1st Wednesday of each month (May-September) 5:30-7:30PM.
Description
A monthly gathering intended for paddlers to socialize with other club members, coordinate river trips, discuss upcoming events, sell / swap gear, and to learn basic paddling skills.
Featuring

A fun social gathering vibe w/ music, fire pit, & friends. (think rendezvous on a smaller scale)
Informal learning session for newer boaters (see below)
Club information & registration for both new and existing members

Learning
In an informal setting boaters will have the option to join a club lead hour of training. Training concepts include.

Ferrying, peel outs, & catching eddies
Rolls
Basic wave surfing
Basic play boating
Squirts

2026 Stonycreek Race (Headwaters Series)
2026-05-15 - 2026-05-16 | Cheat River Festival Fair Grounds, Albright Rd, Albright, WV, 26519, United States
DOWNRIVER RACE
Friday, May 16th – Time 6PM – Carpenters Park to Greenhouse Park
Racers check in Time 4:30-5:30PM at Carpenters Park
Spectators can watch from the finish line at the GHP wave.
$25 Registration
On Friday evening we will be running our annual Downriver Race as part of Immersion Research Headwaters Racing Series. This is a downriver sprint race covering 3.5 miles of pool drop whitewater (Class II+ – Class III). The put-in is at Carpenter’s Park which is the normal takeout for the Stonycreek Canyon run with the finish line at Greenhouse park at the beach on river left after the playpark wave. The race will be divided into categories based upon the type of boats entered into the race and the number of participants. We will typically have classes for SUPs, long and short kayaks, solo and tandem open boats. Any length boat is allowed to enter and we reserve the right to group different types of boats should there not be enough for a separate class. Awards will be presented at Greenhouse Park about 1 hour after the last competitor crosses the finish line. Note: due to liability issues, if the Ferndale gauge is 5 feet or over the race will be cancelled.

2026 Rendezvous
2026-05-15 - 2026-05-17 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
The 2026 Stonycreek Rendezvous brought to you by the Benscreek Canoe Club.
Friday 05/15 – Sunday 05/17

May 15-17 Stonycreek Release (Rendezvous)
2026-05-15 - 2026-05-17 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

CANCELED: May Club Meeting
2026-05-20 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States
This week’s scheduled club meeting (Wednesday 05/20) has been canceled.
Following a very successful and well-attended Rendezvous weekend, the club is taking this opportunity to give members a well-deserved break after several days of events and volunteer effort.
We appreciate everyone who contributed to making the Rendezvous such a great success. Regular club meetings will resume again in June.

BCC meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

May 23 Stonycreek Release (Memorial Day, Sat Only)
2026-05-23 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

May 30-31 Stonycreek Release
2026-05-30 - 2026-05-31 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

June Wave Wednesday
2026-06-03 17:30 - 19:30 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

2026 Stony Kiski Conemaugh Sojourn
2026-06-04 - 2026-06-07
Our sojourn showcases the entire river valley in a spectacular four day, 44-mile float on the Stonycreek, Conemaugh, and Kiskiminetas Rivers. From Johnstown to Apollo, we’ll paddle through breathtaking vistas each day and camp each night. The sojourn will take us through deep river gorges, with views of historic canal remnants and wildlife along the way. All skill levels are welcome!
After registering, all participants will receive an information packet with detailed itinerary, directions, and everything you need to know to participate. Register for just one day, or join us for a weekend in the great outdoors!
Schedule
Thursday, June 4, to Sunday, June 7
Day 1: Thursday: Johnstown to Seward
Day 2: Friday: Packsadle Gap
Day 3: Saturday: Conemaugh Dam through Saltsbrug (Canal Days festival) to Avonmore
Day 4: Sunday: Avonmore to Apollo.
Registration Fees
Non-Members:
$55 per person / per day
CVC Members:
$50 per person / per day
Saturday Only Kid’s Pricing:
$10 per child / up to 14 years old
CVC memberships are just $25 and include your entire household. Become a CVC Member today to protect our rivers and support conservation in the Kiski-Conemaugh River Valley and check out our other event discounts.
Prices do not include boat rental.
Register Early! Registration is limited to the first 50 per day, so please register early to guarantee your spot.

Additional Information
No experience necessary. Family friendly.
Registration is limited to the first 50 per day.

2026 Slip Clinic
2026-06-06 - 2026-06-07 | Breakneck Campground, 1757 Cheeseman Rd, Portersville, PA, 16051, United States
June 6th and 7th, 2026Save the Date, more information available early spring.
The Slip Clinic is a great opportunity for beginners, practiced beginners, intermediates and youth to improve their paddling skills and techniques. It is also a great opportunity for more experienced paddlers to get involved by instructing, assisting, safety boating or just coming out for dinner and fun on Saturday night!The clinic’s philosophy is to teach paddlers on water where they feel totally comfortable, with progression to more difficult skills and water after mastery of basic skills has been demonstrated.
Adult ClinicThe adult clinic is offered to all adults 18 year old and older. Use the button below register online for the Slip Clinic. Children 16 years old or older may also participate in the adult clinic as well.
Youth ClinicThe Youth clinic will be offered for children who are at least six years old. It runs concurrently with the adult clinic. Children 16 years old or older may participate in the adult SLIP CLINIC clinic.

June 13-14 Stonycreek Release
2026-06-13 - 2026-06-14 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

June Club Meeting
2026-06-17 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States

June Middle Yough Trip
2026-06-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, 15470, United States
There will be a Middle Yough Trip on Sunday, June 21st. Meet at RamCat Parking Lot at 10 AM to set shuttle. We will aim to launch around 11:30. Boats do not need to be registered. PFDs are mandatory and must be worn. Bring lunch for on the river. Take-out at Ohiopyle around 3-4.
This is a beautiful stretch of river with sections of flatwater but also class I-II rapids that are great for beginners learning how to handle moving water with waves and rocks. It is also a great paddle for experienced boaters as well. This trip is mainly for BCC members or folks planning on joining our club.

June 27-28 Stonycreek Release
2026-06-27 - 2026-06-28 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

June Full Moon Paddle
2026-06-28 20:00 - 23:00 | Quemahoning Family Recreation Area
Join the Benscreek Canoe Club for an enchanting full moon paddle, where the shimmering moonlight guides your journey across serene waters. Experience the magic of night paddling while surrounded by nature’s tranquility, perfect for all skill levels. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening under the stars! Meet around the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area boat launch, roughly 8-11PM.

Beach availability after 8PM.
You must pay the $5 parking fee.
8:20PM Moon rise

July Wave Wednesday
2026-07-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

July 11-12 Stonycreek Release
2026-07-11 - 2026-07-12 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

July Club Meeting
2026-07-15 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States
(Updated Tuesday, July 15th) Due to poor weather forecasts; July’s BCC meeting is, again, being relocated back to the Crow’s Nest. 6:00 PM. Please help spread the word.
BCC meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

July Middle Yough Trip
2026-07-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, 15470, United States
There will be a Middle Yough Trip on Sunday, July 19th. Meet at RamCat Parking Lot at 10 AM to set shuttle. We will aim to launch around 11:30. Boats do not need to be registered. PFDs are mandatory and must be worn. Bring lunch for on the river. Take-out at Ohiopyle around 3-4.
This is a beautiful stretch of river with sections of flatwater but also class I-II rapids that are great for beginners learning how to handle moving water with waves and rocks. It is also a great paddle for experienced boaters as well. This trip is mainly for BCC members or folks planning on joining our club.

July 25-26 Stonycreek Release
2026-07-25 - 2026-07-26 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

July Full Moon Paddle
2026-07-26 20:00 - 23:00 | Quemahoning Family Recreation Area
Join the Benscreek Canoe Club for an enchanting full moon paddle, where the shimmering moonlight guides your journey across serene waters. Experience the magic of night paddling while surrounded by nature’s tranquility, perfect for all skill levels. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening under the stars! Meet around the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area boat launch, roughly 8-11PM.

Beach availability after 8PM.
You must pay the $5 parking fee.
7:04PM Moon rise
