What we’re about
You must be a paid member of OCSJ to join this meetup group.
You can find more information on the Club’s offerings and policies on our website http://www.ocsj.org
Meetup is our scheduling tool for all events. Once you have paid, our 3 meetup sites are free to join. Again, your yearly dues include all activities from all 3 meetup groups. (except costs for special events). You must join each meetup group separately (free) in order to RSVP for events.
Our other 2 Meetup sites are:
Hiking/Backpacking/Camping/Trail Maintenance:
https://www.meetup.com/Outdoor-Club-of-South-Jersey-Hiking/
Biking:
https://www.meetup.com/Outdoor-Club-of-South-Jersey/
Trips are open to all dues paid OCSJ members. A paid member may invite a guest one time for each type of activity with leader approval.
Participants on overnight trips must always be an OCSJ member.
We are able to accept payment made on-line at www.ocsj.org with Affinipay. You don't need an Affinipay account to use a credit card. We also accept checks. Go to our website http://www.ocsj.org for more information.
If you have already paid your dues to the Outdoor Club of South Jersey, thank you!
X-C Skiing/Snowshoeing Chair
Barbara Brandt
[bbrandt46@gmail.com](mailto:bbrandt46@gmail.com)
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Cross Country Ski Preview PartyNeeds location
It’s a traditional fun and informational event for OCSJ xc-skiers and would-be skiers to get together to celebrate past seasons and learn about what’s planned for 2026.
This will be an opportunity to hear trip leaders describe trips planned for next winter. Everybody can ask questions, and newer skiers can find out about trips, equipment recommendations, lessons, etc.
John and Ann Palaitis have volunteered their home in Medford, NJ as the site for the event. The party will be outdoors as much as possible. (Raindate, the 28th) Because of the limited space available we ask that you sign up only if you are considering joining a ski trip next winter.
As in the past, each attendee should bring a food contribution, -enough for six people. You can bring an appetizer, salad, side dish or dessert. Also, your own choice of beverage. The OCSJ will provide main course, coffee and tea. Please let Ann know by email if you plan to attend and what dish you will bring (so we don't have too many the same). Email is: Palaitis@verizon.net.
When you respond, the home address will be sent to you as well as instructions for parking.
To sign up for this event it is important that you both email Ann and click the “attend” button on MeetUp so others can see who is going and we can message attendees if necessary. (You will have to join the OCSJ Kayak/xc ski MeetUp if you have not already joined. Just click the “join” button at the bottom of the page and follow the prompts.)
P.S. we reserve the right to remove a RSVP if the person hasn’t contacted Ann about their food contribution and location information.Links to 2026 ski trips:
White Mountains of New Hampshire: January 19-25
Stowe, Vermont: January 25-30
Boonville, NY: February 21-25 - Attention Adventuresome Folks! Paddling & Camping on the Mighty Delaware River!Worthington State Forest Visitor Center, Browning, NJ
Only those interested in adventure should consider this trip!
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, Friday, October 17 through 12 pm, Monday, October 20.
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. One site is reserved that can hold 6 people, including two tents -- this site is now full. Additional sites can be reserved through the state camping portal: https://www.njportal.com/dep/njoutdoors.
Another member of the club (Kenn Coble) will also be camping and hiking throughout the weekend – check out Meetup listings for hiking events. 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
Campsite currently reserved: site 59
Currently confirmed to camp on this site: this site is now full!Paddling Information:
Paddling on Saturday, October 18, 10 am start
Put-in: Bushkill Falls Boat Launch
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mq49H9ojXso3dJHp8
Address: Bushkill Boat Launch, Lehman Township, PA 18324Take Out: Worthington State Forest Boat Ramp
Website: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vApHRBYfExeZAh6U9This 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 19, 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/vApHRBYfExeZAh6U9Take Out: Belvidere Boat Ramp
Address: 45 Front St, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UKsY9AGZh1gwbw1WAThis 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:
- 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.
- This run is clear
- Shuttle will be organized among participants, but it is important to note that it is not part of the club activity.
- 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.comCo-hosted by Erin O'Hanlon
erin.ohanlon @ stockton.edu
(6 0 9) 652+5838Venmo for camping and firewood donations is @ecohanlon.
Please put your questions and comments below.
