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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3rd Annual Gopher Tortoise Gallop 5K is Saturday, March 21 in Okeeheelee Park
Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd, 26.657729, -80.161718, West Palm Beach, FL, USThe Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center is proud to host its 3nd Annual Gopher Tortoise Gallop 5K on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach.
The 5K will run/walk through beautiful Okeeheelee Park, starting and finishing at Micanopy Pavilion, and new for this year, passing by Okeeheelee Nature Center.
The event celebrates the gopher tortoise. Although gopher tortoises are not known for their speed, they play an integral role in the ecosystem.
As a keystone species they create burrows that support the lives of more than 360 different types of animals, including the burrowing owl, opossum and pine snake.
The 5K is a chipped timed event and will provide awards to the top three overall (male and female) and top three in each age group plus an award for the largest group/team registered together.
Each participant will receive a personalized bib with RFID timing chip, event shirt, finisher medal, plus all the post-race activities.
Participants are encouraged to bring their families and friends.
The Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club will be on-site at the 5K race to share with the community its mission and the opportunities available within the organization. Stop by the table for tickets to our DRAWING FOR PRIZES! You do not have to be present to win, drawing will take place just before the awards.
The Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center, South Florida Herpetological Society, Florida Trail Association and Palm Beach County Wood Turners will also be on-site at the race.
Following the award ceremony, race participants, friends and guests are invited to go to Okeeheelee Nature Center for additional activities and educational opportunities at their Gopher Tortoise Day Shell-a-Bration until 1 p.m. The Shell-a-Bration will be open to the general public at 10 a.m.Another very unique aspect of the event will be the amazing snakes and tortoises present for the community to interact with and learn about.
The race is sponsored by the Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center with all proceeds going to support Okeeheelee Nature Center.
Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides support to Okeeheelee Nature Center, its staff, volunteers and animal ambassadors. It accomplishes this by raising funds to enhance exhibits, trails, facilities and educational programs to provide an enriching experience for Nature Center visitors.
Okeeheelee Nature Center features 2.5 miles of hiking trails winding through 90 acres of flatwood forest and wetlands. It promotes an appreciation of our natural world and fosters a deeper understanding of Palm Beach County's ecosystems through hands-on-exhibits, animal encounters, educational programs and a nature themed gift shop.
For more information about the race, call the Okeeheelee Nature Center at 561-233-1407.
Additional information about the race and registration is available at https://victorysportsmgt.com/gophertortoisegallop5K/
GOPHER TORTOISE 5K SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, March 21, 2026
3nd Annual Gopher Tortoise Gallop 5K
Okeeheelee Park
Micanopy Pavilion
7715 Forest Hill Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33413Note: Micanopy Pavilion is on the west side of the park. Arrive early for closer parking.
6:30 a.m.: Park gates open
Registration and Packet Pickup Open6:30 a.m.: Music and entertainment begin
6:45 a.m.: Meet the Race Ambassadors: Sparky, Okeeheelee Nature Center’s Gopher Tortoise ambassador, and Oakly, the PBC Parks and Recreation Department mascot
7:10 a.m.: 5K Fitness Warmup
7:25 a.m.: Announcements and National Anthem
7:30 a.m.: Start of the Gopher Tortoise Gallop 5K
8:00 a.m.: Healthy snacks after you complete your 5K
8:25 a.m.: Dancing and Partying with DJ Petey
8:45 a.m.: Awards Ceremony
9:00 a.m.: Shell-A-Bration (Nature Center)
GOPHER TORTOISE DAY SHELL-A-BRATION
After the race, the Okeeheelee Nature Center will hold its Gopher Tortoise Day Shell-a-bration,
Activities will promote awareness of environmental protection and wildlife conservation.
Here are the details:
--Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
--FREE to participate (No reservations/registration required)
--Educational talks and tortoise habitat hike to view burrows
--Gopher Tortoise themed crafts, resources, and activities
--Meet-and-greets with “Sparky” -- our ambassador gopher tortoise
EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE BUSINESSES
To learn more about event sponsorships, call the Okeeheelee Nature Center at 561-233-1400 and leave a message for Teresa Zabik, 5K Co-Chair and ONC volunteer.
Several area businesses are sponsors of the event, which supports the environmental efforts of Okeeheelee Nature Center. The early list of sponsors/in-kind donors include: Wellington Whole Foods, BnA Wellness, Ideal Nutrition, Celsius Energy Drinks, Body20, Trader Joe’s, College Admissions Counseling Group, PDQ, Bolay and the Florida Panthers.
ABOUT THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department is recognized nationally for excellence in park and recreation management and provides organized recreational programs and services for people of all ages and abilities.
Residents and visitors can learn more at www.pbcparks.com and follow @PBCParks and #pbcparks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress.
4 attendees
Past events
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