Happy summer, which seems to get hotter each year! Campers’ Group’s new leaders have created a schedule of trips for you that includes parks we haven’t visited in decades, such as Swartswood and Wawayanda, and a completely new event--the bicycle/hostel trip to Nantucket--that the former dictator had tyrannically suppressed. Campers’ Group is free at last! Hail to the new regime!
To reserve a space on a weekend trip or a day event, call the leaders during the listed time period. If you need information earlier than the dates listed below, call David at 718-897-1448. You can mail us your dues or pay it at the trip or event. One year’s membership costs $12 for an individual or $18 for a family ($8/individual or $12/family if you receive the newsletter by e-mail). Make your check payable to Campers’ Group and mail it to David Levner, 63-36 98th Place #5J, Rego Park, NY 11374.
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June 22-24, Camping Trip, High Point State Park, Sussex NJ Swim, boat, fish, hike the Appalachian Trail, ride your mountain bike or just relax at this private group site situated far away from other campers. Hiking to the Monument at the highest point in NJ will award you with the most expansive 360 degree view of PA, NY and NJ in the area. A visit from our friendly black bears will make this trip one to remember. Pit toilets on the site, hot showers and flush toilets at the lake. Limited to 30 people. NO CALLS BEFORE JUNE 15. Theresa 917-836-7003 |
July 6-8, Camping Weekend, Swartswood State Park, Newton NJ We have reserved wooded sites very close to the large lake in this beautiful park. Established in 1914 as New Jersey’s first state park, Swartswood is well known for its great fishing and tranquil surroundings. Rent a canoe, kayak, peddle boat or even a small sailboat in the park. Swimming, bicycling and hiking are also popular activities. Water, showers and flush toilets are within walking distance. NO CALLS BEFORE JULY 1. Joan 718-373-5782 |
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July 13-15, Camping Weekend, Buttonwood Hill Campsite in Wharton State Forest, Batsto NJ We have this campsite all to ourselves in the middle of Wharton State Forest, the largest park in New Jersey. Wharton is in a pine barren where the soil is sandy and pine trees predominate. There’s excellent canoeing and kayaking nearby on the Batsto and Mullica Rivers. You can also walk to Crowley’s Landing and swim in the Batsto River, or hike and pick blueberries on the trails leading directly from our campsite. The restored village of Batsto is a few miles down the road. Outhouses at the site, flush toilets at Crowley’s Landing. NO CALLS BEFORE JULY 8. Evelyn 718-423-4860 |
July 27-29, Camping Weekend, Worthington State Forest, Columbia NJ We’ll camp on a river site by the Delaware. Hikers can climb the Appalachian Trail to Sunfish Pond, an unspoiled glacial lake, or visit the Mohican Outdoor Center nearby. Chemical toilets by the site, and hot showers and flush toilets in another part of the park. NO CALLS BEFORE JULY 22. Walter 516-466-8623 |
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August 10-12, Camping Weekend, Promised Land State Park, Canadensis PA Camp on the shore of Promised Land Lake. You can swim at Pickerel Point, a short walk from the site, or take a hike and come back with a bucket full of blueberries. We’ll probably rent a canoe for 24 hours, moor it near our site, and everyone can take turns using it. You can also explore the Bruce Lake Natural Area and Conservation Island. Outhouses at the site, flush toilets nearby, hot showers at the bathhouse that you can drive to. NO CALLS BEFORE AUGUST 5. Terry 718-933-9807 |
August 18, Day Hike/Swim/Paddle, Dinner & Night Stargazing, Voorhees State Park/Spruce Run Reservoir, Glen Gardner/Clinton NJ (rain date August 19) We’ll have the choice of hiking on trails in this secluded park, or swimming/boating in the nearby popular reservoir. After the day’s activities, we can enjoy Mexican food at Casa Maya’s other location. (Muy bueno!) Finally, the park’s observatory will be open to the public between 8:30-10:30 PM, and those who can make it a late night will be able to find planets and constellations on a high power telescope! Camping sites may be available if some of us decide the drive home is better done in the daylight. NO CALLS BEFORE AUGUST 12. |
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August 31-September 3, Labor Day Camping Weekend, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven PA Join us for the long holiday weekend at this heavily wooded site. Tranquil Mud Run is less than a mile away, and Hawk Falls is just a little further. For a longer hike, you can go to Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark that was created by frost heave during the last ice age. The aquatic set can swim in Sandstone Lake or float their boats in the nearby Lehigh River. And we’re sure to have at least one all-you-can-eat pancake meal at the Hickory House just outside the park. Outhouses at the site, flush toilets and showers by the lake. NO CALLS BEFORE AUGUST 24. Athmane 917-378-4677 |
September 14-16, Camping/Fair Weekend, Wawayanda State Park/Renaissance Faire, Hewitt, NJ/Tuxedo, NY Join us for a weekend of camping, and experiences from centuries ago. We will camp in a primitive group site with quick access to great hiking trails, swimming and boating, in a secluded park near the NY State border. On Saturday and/or Sunday a short drive will take us to the NY Renaissance Faire. Tales of Honor, Treachery, and Intrigue are woven throughout the day. A production of "Henry V" will be presented on the Sherwood Forest Stage. Those who do not care to partake in the merriment may stay in the park to hike, paddle and swim. Water must be brought in from the camp office. Pit toilets on site, flush toilets at the beach. No showers -- just like the Middle Ages! NO CALLS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 8. Theresa 917-836-7003 |
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September 21-23, Bicycling Weekend, Robert B. Johnson Memorial Hostel, Nantucket MA Spend the weekend with us at this unique hostel, and enjoy all that this beautiful island has to offer. Originally a 19th century lifesaving station, the hostel’s main building has a large kitchen, dining room, and a den. Separate buildings house men’s, women’s and co-ed dorms. Leave your car in one of the ferry lots on the mainland (remember to pack light), bring or rent a bicycle (or even an electric scooter), and tour the island on miles of bike paths, or take in the flora and fauna by hiking or kayaking. Surfside Beach is just across the street from the hostel. There is even a shuttle bus to take you to the historic whaling village. Enjoy the many shops and seafood restaurants! NO CALLS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 9. Janice 347-426-4601 |
CONTACTS: Caretaker David Levner 718-897-1448 Trip Organizer Denise Drossos ddrossos@optonline.net Outdoors Consultant Ken Quartarone kquest@optonline.net World-Wide Web home page: http://www.campersgroup.org