Laura's Paddle Along the Ohio River Way

Hello everyone! Welcome to my 2026 Ohio River Way (ORW) Challenge fundraising page. I’m so grateful you’re here and considering supporting ORW.

From May 24–June 1, I’ll be embarking on a trip of a lifetime... paddling and camping along the magnificent Ohio River from Louisville KY to Evansville IN (approximately 189 miles) as part of the ORW Challenge... while raising funds to help ORW continue expanding its impact. ORW has already accomplished so much, and I truly believe its potential is HUGE. 

ORW's mission: help people find adventure, inspire care for the land and water, and boost the economies of vibrant Ohio River communities.

How you can get involved:

Donate: funds raised by our paddlers go to support the Ohio River Way's broader work.  If you're able, please consider donating via my page.

Visit: it would mean the world to me to see you onshore as we visit with local communities. Schedule: May 24 (Louisville KY), May 25 (Louisville - West Point KY), May 26 (West Point - Brandenburg KY), May 27 (Brandenburg - Battletown KY),  May 28 (Battletown- Rome IN), May 29 (Rome to Anderson Island, with stop in Cannelton IN), May 30 (Anderson Island - Little Hurricane Island),  May 31 (Little Hurricane Island - Newburgh IN), June 1 (Newburgh - Evansville IN). A detailed float plan link is below.

Cheerlead: every great adventure needs a team of supporters!  Your encouragement, support, prayers, and good vibes will surround us on our trip.  I promise to give updates as I can during the adventure, and would love to share more about the trip afterwards too!

Thank you for supporting me and the ORW mission!  Follow along via ORW's social media too! @ohio_river_way.  More information about the Challenge is below.

Our crew will be journeying in one 26-foot and two 30-foot voyageur canoes from the nonprofits Paddle Perry and River City Paddle Sports, respectively. Our Floating Lab," an interdisciplinary research hub for our student interns, will be onboard a volunteer-captained, 55-foot houseboat. Plus, we have a small onshore support team. Along the way, we camp in all sorts of places—including riverfront parks, Hipcamp sites, and islands! We typically have one meal per day in a river town, and members of the public are welcome to join us onshore. You can find our float plan here. 

This year, in the wake of our National Water Trail designation, we're especially excited that the National Park Service is sending a documentary filmmaker on the entire expedition!

The logistics of the Challenge are supported through sponsorships, while funds raised by our paddlers go to support the Ohio River Way's broader work. Our mission is to help people find adventure, to inspire care for the land and water, and to grow the economies of Ohio River communities. 

Thank you for your interest in the Challenge and considering supporting my journey here! If you would like to learn more, you're welcome to check out the Challenge's 2025 Trip Report. If you have any questions, would like to join us onshore, or are interested in partnering in another way, please email challenge@ohioriverway.org.