Outdoor Club of South Jersey Paddling/Cross Country Skiing

Host: Debbie Mento.
Email artsyed60@gmail.com (subject line: Dragon Boat)

This is a PADDLING and CAMPING trip on the Delaware, with some potential for HIKING thrown in....A camping site in Worthington State Forest (HC 62 Box 2 Old Mine Road, Columbia, New Jersey 07832) has been reserved for 12 pm, Thursday, October 8 through 12 pm, Monday, October 12. This is over Columbus Day Weekend.

There will be organized paddling trips on both Saturday and Sunday on the Delaware. Saturday will be from Bushkill Boat Launch (Address: Bushkill Boat Launch, Lehman Township, PA 18324) to Worthington State Forest, and Sunday will be from Worthington State Forest to Belvidere Boat Ramp ( 45 Front St, Belvidere, NJ 07823).

Anyone who is interested is encouraged to camp, though camping is NOT required -- anyone is welcome to paddle one day, both days, and camp as available or not at all!
Additional sites can be reserved through the state camping portal: https://www.njportal.com/dep/njoutdoor.

Additional hiking leaders may be organizing hiking trips as well. If you are interested in one day of paddling, two days of paddling or a combination of hiking and paddling, this is the trip for you. There are also lots of interesting things to do nearby in the town of East Stroudsburg, PA, including wonderful book stores and antique stores if camping is your primary interest.

Everyone is encouraged to bring food for one meal (Saturday night) to share as part of potluck-style eating, but it is not required. We will be having camp fires each night and encourage anyone interested in staying for that to bring a chair.

Anyone interested in camping from Sunday to Monday is welcome to do so.

Folks who are planning to camp are encouraged to bring the following equipment:

• tent
• sleeping bag
• cots/air mattress/sleeping pads
• personal care items
• cooking gear and additional food
• chair for the campfire
• hammocks or car camping are welcome

Camping Information:
Worthington State Forest
Website: https://www.njportal.com/DEP/NJOutdoors/Park/Details?locationId=20
Address: HC 62 Box 2 Old Mine Road, Columbia, New Jersey 07832

Paddling Information:

Paddling on Saturday, October 10, 10 am start
Put-in: Bushkill Falls Boat Launch
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mq49H9ojXso3dJHp8
Address: Bushkill Boat Launch, Lehman Township, PA 18324

Take Out: Worthington State Forest Boat Ramp
Website: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vApHRBYfExeZAh6U9

This trip is a lovely, lazy trip along the Delaware with a few ripples. It is a gentle run and good for beginners. The leaves should be at or near peak during this time of year. It may be cooler, so dress accordingly. We will meet at Bushkill Boat Launch at 10 am, drop all boats and equipment and coordinate the shuttle back to Worthington. It is approximately a 5-hour run, and we will be stopping along the way to view wildlife, see the leaves, and experience nature. We can eat lunch and experience the Delaware with all its flora and fauna.

Paddling on Sunday, October 11, 10 am start
Put-in: Worthington State Forest Boat Ramp
Address: HC 62 Box 2 Old Mine Road, Columbia, New Jersey 07832
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vApHRBYfExeZAh6U9

Take Out: Belvidere Boat Ramp
Address: 45 Front St, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UKsY9AGZh1gwbw1WA

This trip is an intermediate trip with a few more rapids. It passes beyond the beautiful Kittatinny Ridge (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/pennsylvania/kittatinny-ridge/) and the Appalachian Trail and ends in the lovely town of Belvidere. We will be meeting at Worthington Boat Launch at 10 am to drop off the equipment, and then a volunteer shuttle will be organized to Belvidere Boat Launch. This is typically a 4 hour-run, which allows for the working people to pack up and make it back for work on Monday. Anyone interested in camping from Sunday to Monday is welcome to do so.

Anyone new to these locations in the paddling shuttle is encouraged to join the middle of the shuttle (it reduces lost vehicles) AND put the destination into GPS for minimum confusion. Communication about any of this, as always, is welcome in advance or on the day of the event.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PADDLE:

• water
• sunscreen
• hat
• lunch
• pfd (life jacket) -- this is mandatory!
• change of clothes
• Bug Spray

PLEASE REVIEW:
There are specific rules for attending, including updated rules for shuttling.

Your attendance on the trip indicates you have reviewed and agreed to these rules.

OCSJ Guidelines include:

1. Paid members are given priority. Guests can come for their first trip but may be bumped to the waiting list. You will receive an email if that is the case.
2. This run is clear
3. Shuttle will be organized among participants, but it is important to note that it is not part of the club activity.
4. If you have RSVP’d to attend and can not, please be courteous and cancel so others can attend. Do this at least 24 hours before activity start time.

Contact for More Information:
Charles Keys, (6 0 9) 742+7932 (call or text -- it is the best way to reach me)
cekeysiii @aol.com

Co-hosted by Erin O'Hanlon
erin.ohanlon @ stockton.edu
(6 0 9) 652+5838

Please put your questions and comments below.

Please join us for the Annual Soup Sharing Tailgate!
1. Sign up on the Hiking group if you are a paid member to secure your spot for the soup event.
https://www.meetup.com/outdoor-club-of-south-jersey-hiking/events/316531656/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=58468062
2. Sign up on one of the hikes that will be posted in the next few months. All levels.
3. Bringing soup? Let me know, drop off before the hike at the pavilion.
4. Not bringing soup? Please bring a dessert or bread/butter to share.
5. We will need propane stoves to heat the soup- let me know if you can bring one.
6. The event will begin around 12pm.
7. Rain date is Sunday, January 10.
8. Reach out to me with any questions
**Gail- fstulb@verizon.net**