About us
Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club information included below:
--Membership Quick Link
--About Us
--Conservation
--Club Meetings
--Finding Our Events on Meetup
--Waiver Information
--Paid Club Member Benefits
--How to Become a Paid Club Member
--Newsletter and Club Emails
--Leadership Positions
--Discussion Board
--Photo Gallery
--Contact Us
MEMBERSHIP QUICK LINK:
Ready to join or renew for 2026?
You can click on our Electronic Membership Form:
PBPP 2026 E-Membership Application
Membership is $20 for individuals and $25 for households.
Quick Link Payment Options:
Zelle: palmbeachpackandpaddle@gmail.com
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/wpbpnp
Please note: More membership information is below.
ABOUT US
The Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club, founded in 1975, plans numerous events each month for exploring and appreciating nature and conservation.
Trips last a few hours, a day, a weekend, a week or longer. They are local, within Florida and long-distance. Our major activities include camping, kayaking and canoeing, backpacking and hiking, bicycling and snorkeling.
We also hold picnics at parks and beaches, visit interesting area attractions, take part in pot luck dinners, ice cream socials and trivia events, hold a weeklong Thanksgiving Festival full of events in November and host a holiday party in December.
Most of our events are open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. But some expert instructional sessions and special events and most long-distance camping trips are for paid members only.
Come join the fun!
CONSERVATION
Members have dedicated countless hours to conservation efforts since 1975 and participate in many conservation projects and fund-raising activities throughout the year, including participation in the Great American Cleanup and other cleanup events throughout Palm Beach County.
Funds raised from events and donations benefit the club’s Conservation Fund. Each year funds are disbursed to community conservation and environmental organizations.
CLUB MEETINGS
Club meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month from September through May each season at the Okeeheelee Nature Center, located in Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach.
Meetings feature guest speakers on nature-related subjects and other topics of interest, a raffle, and information on upcoming events.
All are welcome!
FINDING OUR EVENTS ON MEETUP
Join our Meetup page:
It’s easy! Just go to: www.meetup.com/Palm-Beach-Pack-Paddle
A special request: We encourage visitors to sign up for events on Meetup. But if you learn later that you cannot attend, please contact the trip leader in advance.
Trip coordinators are unpaid volunteers. They will help you with what to bring and where to go. You are responsible for yourself, your gear, your food, etc. Don't forget your first aid kit!
WAIVER INFORMATION
By participating in any activity listed on the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club’s Meetup page, you are acknowledging and understand that there are certain risks involved in participating in outdoor activities.
In addition, your participation means that:
--You agree to accept personal responsibility for yourself, your family, and/or your guests at the activity and are legally responsible for all minor family members.
--You agree to hold harmless and free from blame, the Club, its officers and board members, for any accident, injury or illness, which might be sustained while participating in the activity.
Please note that travel to and from activities on the club’s Meetup page is not part of the activity.
We look forward to seeing you at our events!
PAID CLUB MEMBER BENEFITS
Paid club members receive the following emails to keep them informed about
club activities:
--Club Newsletter, during the week before club meetings
--Meeting Publicity, two to three emails during the two weeks prior to club meetings
--P&P: The Week Ahead, an events preview email prior to each week
--Twice-Monthly Event Flyers, on the 1st and 15th of each month
--P&;P Insider, during last week of each month
Paid club members are also eligible to:
--Attend some special events that are for paid members only.
--Attend long-distance camping trips, most of which are for paid members only.
--Take part in our 101 classes to learn more about kayaking, paddleboarding, camping and
other outdoor activities.
--Receive a membership badge to display at club meetings.
Special note: After March 15, those who have not paid for that calendar year are
no longer eligible for club benefits.
HOW TO BECOME A PAID CLUB MEMBER
Are you an official paid member?
If you become a member of our page on Meetup, or sign up for a club event on Meetup, you are NOT YET a paid member of the Pack & Paddle Club.
But don’t worry, it’s easy to join!
Here is where to find a membership application, how to turn in your form and how to make a payment:
****Where to find a membership application****
--ELECTRONIC MEMBERSHIP FORM:
Just click on our new Electronic Membership Form:
PBPP 2026 E-Membership Application
--IN PERSON: Pick up a membership application at a club meeting or event.
--ON MEETUP: If you are on Meetup, find a printed form at this link:
2026 Printed Membership Application
--ATTACHED TO MEETING PREVIEW E-BLASTS: Find the membership application attached to meeting preview e-blasts.
****How to turn in your form****
--VIA ELECTRONIC MEMBERSHIP FORM: Just fill out the form and hit the SUBMIT button at the end of the form.
Here is the link:
2026 PBPP E-Membership Application
--IN PERSON: Bring your completed form to one of our events or meetings. Payment is required at this time.
--VIA U.S. MAIL: Send the completed form (with check payment enclosed) to this address: Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club, Inc., P.O. Box 16041, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
--VIA EMAIL: Send the completed form as an email attachment to:
palmbeachpackandpaddle@gmail.com
****How to make a payment****
--IN PERSON: Bring a payment in check or cash (along with your membership form) to one of our events or meetings.
--VIA U.S. MAIL: Send a check (along with the completed form) to this address: Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club, Inc., P.O. Box 16041, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
--VIA ZELLE**: Make a payment by Zelle to:
palmbeachpackandpaddle@gmail.com
--VIA PAYPAL**: Submit the form in person, via email or mail, then pay by PayPal at this link:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/wpbpnp
**Important note: Please include your name and phone number in the memo or message field when submitting your Zelle or PayPal payment.
We look forward to you joining the Pack & Paddle Club!
NEWSLETTER AND CLUB EMAILS
The club’s Newsletter is sent via email to paid members during the week prior to monthly club meetings during the season.
Club members also receive:
*Meeting Publicity: Two to three emails during the two weeks prior to club meetings
*P&P: The Week Ahead: An events preview email prior to each week
*Twice-Monthly Event Flyers: On the 1st and 15th of each month
*P&P Insider: During last week of each month
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
As with any club, our volunteers are very important in helping the club to maintain important services and continue to grow.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact us via text at 561-312-2765 or 804-869-6228.
We would love to have you become part of our outstanding leadership team!
DISCUSSION BOARD
Join our Discussion Board:
https://www.meetup.com/palm-beach-pack-paddle/discussions/
PHOTO GALLERY
View our Photo Gallery:
https://www.meetup.com/palm-beach-pack-paddle/photos/
CONTACT US
Club email: palmbeachpackandpaddle@gmail.com
Club President: 561-312-2765 (voicemail or text)
Membership Chair: 561-582-3653 (leave voice message); cell: 561-602-7502
Newsletter Editor: 804-869-6228 (voicemail or text) or email: newsletter.pbpp@gmail.com
We would love to hear from you!
Upcoming events
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non hosted FPTA Paddle Fest @Camp Kiwanis Silver Springs
Camp Kiwanis, 19300 SE 3 St, Silver Springs, FL, US# Non hosted event posted as FYI FPTA PaddleFest 2026 Registration
from $150.00
# PaddleFest & CT Reunion
## April 16-19, 2026
## Camp Kiwanis
## Silver Springs, FL 34488
### Water Events
- Guided Paddles from 2 to 11 miles. Plus a self-guided 20-mile option for ambitious paddlers.
- Paddle Strokes and Rescue Classes with Venture Outdoors’ Astrid Jackson at Mill Dam Lake
### Land Events
- Self-guided tours of local attractions -
- SWAP MEET: Participants are welcome to bring gear including kayaks they wish to sell or exchange. Please affix name, contact information and price to items.
- CIRCUMNAVIGATIONAL TRAIL EXHIBIT: Story boards and mementos from CT Hall of Famers will be on display.
- UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY EXHIBIT: Find out more about how the USCGA helps boaters.
- FPTA STORE: Get FPTA merchandise including a variety of shirts, books and stickers.
### Catered Meals
- Dinner (Thursday, Friday and Saturday Night)
- Continental Breakfast (Friday and Saturday Morning)
- Farewell Breakfast (Sunday Morning)
### Social Gatherings
- We are kicking off the 2026 PaddleFest/CT Reunion event in the Recreation Hall inside the Camp. Meet the volunteers, guides, sweeps and friends (Thursday night) along with our Guest Speaker.
- VENDOR EXHIBIT AND SOCIAL AREA: See the latest and greatest in paddling gear and vessels. Come meet your vendors at the daily social hour (5:00—6:00 pm daily).
- CT Reunion and FPTA Annual Awards (Saturday night)
### Lodging
- Camp Kiwanis has plenty of room for tent camping,
- Camp Kiwanis has 10 RV sites with electrical hookups only (no water or septic) - first come first serve.
- For lodging outside Camp Kiwanis, we highly recommend making your reservations now
### Cancellation Policy
- Before April 1, 2026- $50 Donation towards Taylor Howard Youth Paddling Fund
- April 1, 2026 or after - No refund
### Helpful Links
2026 PaddleFest Webpage -
2026 PaddleFest Brochure -
PaddleFest Schedule -
Paddle Descriptions -
Class Descriptions -
Insurance Waiver -### Registration
- $150 for Current FPTA Members
- $175 for Non-Members (Includes a FPTA Membership)
- The optional half day Strokes and Rescue Classes with Astrid Jackson are $20 each
- Please register each PaddleFest attendee individually
### To Register:
Select Registrant, optional Classes and Quantity of 1. If signing up for one or both Astrid’s Classes, you will choose the class and time in the next step. Click green [Add To Cart] box.
Fill out the Form- Name, Address, etc. Choose your paddles and/or classes. Click black [Add to Cart] box
Click green Shopping Cart in upper right corner of webpage.
Click green [Checkout] box.
Fill in Email and Payment Information
Review and Click black [Purchase] box
The last screen will be your receipt and you will receive an email Confirmation
Screenshots explaining the Registration Steps### Problems with Registration?
2 attendees
Peanut Island Snorkel and picnic...(and walk 1 mile around island ?)
Riviera Beach Marina Village Event Center, 190 E 13th St, Riviera Beach, FL, USJoin us on Monday April 20 th, 2026 for snorkeling, eating, and socializing at this beautiful tropical island The refreshing waters are crystal clear and you can swim inside schools of fish as you snorkel at high tide (11:05 AM) Then, work your way down to the southeast corner, just before the lagoon, to see even more tropical fish. The variety of electric-colored fish is impressive. Also Brick 1 mile path around the island we may walk.
Where:
Peanut Island is a beautiful 80-acre tropical island created in 1918 from the spoils of dredging. It was intended as a hub for receiving and distributing peanut oil from Haiti, which is how it got its name. When that failed, it was left wild, but in 2005, Palm Beach County refashioned the island to include a round-the-island sidewalk, pier, campsites, pavilions, tiki-huts and man-made reef. The old Coast Guard building is being refurbished as is President John F. Kennedy's Cold War bomb shelter, neither of which is yet open. No alcohol is allowed on the island except in the camping area.How to Find Us on Peanut Island:
We will have a pavilion, hopefully, just to the south of the ferry dock (N.E. corner). If you are coming by ferry, turn left when you get to the sidewalk. Look for P&P and RFAR signs at the end of the dock. There is a restroom across the sidewalk and an outdoor shower on the beach-side of the sidewalk. WE WILL HAVE PACK & PADDLE SIGNS on the pavilion posts. If we don't get this pavilion, we will be further south with our signs. If we have the pavilion we will have someone there so you can leave belongings while in the water.Getting There:
There are 2 ways to get to the island.- Paddle over with your own paddleboard or kayak, or rent one at Nautical Ventures, 561-612-7076, or Get Wet Watersports, 561-2GETWET, both located north of the ferry dock at Riviera Beach Marina...Meet Betsy Savitt at Jim Barry Light Harbor Park at 1800 Broadway (US #1) in Riviera Beach.
to launch from there 9 AM . contact her if you are going.
561-573-1292
Savittennis@gmail.com . Please RSVP to her Phone if you are paddling and want to go in a group. Paddlers are requested to come early 9 AM . Also look for Betsy B. on a paddleboard too. see photo below. - Ride the Peanut Island Shuttle Boat (ferry) located at the ferry dock at the south end of Riviera Beach Marina, 200 E. 13th St, Riviera Beach. The first ferry leaves at 10 AM( but has left earlier before) and the last one leaves the island at 5 PM. This gives you the option of leaving any time you wish. The ferry does not take reservations; it's first come, first served. It runs every 20 minutes and costs $25 round-trip. If you have a partner, you may wish to drop off your gear, then go park. Arrive by 9:20 to park, walk to ferry and buy ticket. They will check your coolers for alcohol before they let you board. Note there is now a charge for parking ..pay by phone.
- What to Bring:
- snorkel equipment, sun protection that does not hurt sea creatures
- lunch & non-alcoholic beverages
- towel, cover-up
- optional at this site: dive flag and line Bring your good humor too
Parking:
Is now pay by phone @ Riviera Beach Marina .)
Hope you can make it. Ben bbsdob525@aol.com 561 425-3077
Paid Club Membership Option:
If you would like to become a paid member of Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club for only $20 yearly, we will have applications at our destination. Your fees pay for this meetup site and other club expenses. We have a 501.c* status and contribute to various local environmental charities including Friends of Okeeheelee, etc., and, under normal circumstances have sent kids to summer environmental camp. We would welcome your participation and support.54 attendees- Paddle over with your own paddleboard or kayak, or rent one at Nautical Ventures, 561-612-7076, or Get Wet Watersports, 561-2GETWET, both located north of the ferry dock at Riviera Beach Marina...Meet Betsy Savitt at Jim Barry Light Harbor Park at 1800 Broadway (US #1) in Riviera Beach.
Past events
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