FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2006

CONTACT:
Mark Lynch
A.L. Brourman Associates, Inc.
412-716-0519
mlynch@brourman.com

PITTSBURGH VOYAGER BRINGS RIVER-BASED SCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS TO BEAVER COUNTY

Community River-Ventures Program is in Fifth Year; More Than 1,900 Students Have Participated Since 2002

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh Voyager, the Pittsburgh-based not-for-profit environmental education organization that operates a fleet of floating classrooms on the region's rivers, has launched its fifth year of experiential environmental education programming in Beaver County. Weekdays through the end of May nearly 50 students will participate daily from several districts. In evenings and on weekends Voyager offers public programming, including "It's Alive," a 90-minute river tour aboard a 44-foot houseboat that explores life in and around the Beaver River.

"We are very pleased to be able to bring the program back to Beaver County," said Voyager Director of Education Jeff Jordan. "We always have a terrific response from the school districts and the public in Beaver County."

Schools participating in 2006 are: Dutch Ridge Elementary School; Midland Elementary School; New Brighton Area Middle School; College Square Elementary School; Center Area Elementary School; and Aliquippa Middle School. Jordan said he expects participation by more than 800 students through the end of May. Students split their time between river studies onboard Scout and landside stream studies in Brady’s Run Park.

The public program is appropriate for ages 7 to adult, and is held rain or shine from 5:30 to 7 pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, May 2 to 25; and on Saturday May 13, and 27 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All trips are held rain or shine. Advance reservations required, call 412-231-2712, ext.17. The cost of the public program is $12 per person, with a discount for groups of 10 or more.

Support for Pittsburgh Voyager’s Community River-Ventures programs is provided by: Beaver County Department of Recreation & Tourism; Representative Bill DeWeese, PA House Democratic Leader; Duquesne Light Company; Tuggy’s Island Lane Marina; U.S. Congresswoman Melissa Hart; U.S. Congressman Mike Doyle; U.S. Senator Arlen Specter; U.S. Senator Rick Santorum; and the Beaver County Times.

In addition to its school science programs, which comprise the majority of its programming, Pittsburgh Voyager also offers summer camps, group education cruises, and a range of other public programming; and its vessels are available to individuals, organizations, and corporations for charter. Schools interested in receiving more information about programs should call 412-231-2712, ext. 17 or visit Pittsburgh Voyager's website at www.pittsburghvoyager.org for more information.

About RiverQuest

RiverQuest, formerly Pittsburgh Voyager, is a not-for-profit science and environmental
educational organization providing river-based educational programs for students and teachers, as well as public programs and charters. RiverQuest's mission is to improve science, mathematics and environmental education; generate excitement about learning to inspire academic excellence; and hone critical thinking skills by providing opportunities for students to put classroom theory into practice. RiverQuest also provides a range of public programs, including interpretive cruises and private charters for businesses, organizations, and the public.

Since launching its programming in 1995 RiverQuest has served more than 55,000 middle and high school students through its experiential river-based learning programs. These students represent 200 schools from 65 school districts in 11 counties in western Pennsylvania. Along with students, more than 2,500 teachers and college students, and 15,000 members of the general public have participated in RiverQuest programs.

For more information call 412-231-2712 or visit RiverQuest's website at www.RiverQuest.org.