To go on a camping trip, you must be a Campers' Group member or pay $6, applicable toward membership. (The balance is due on your second trip). You don't need to pay dues to attend a day event, but members get preference if space is limited.
Your mailing label states when your membership expires. Send dues ($12 for an individual, $18 for a family) to David Levner, 63-36 98th Place, #5J, Rego Park, NY 11374.
This scenic park, about one hour's drive from northern NYC, has hiking, boating and swimming. The Appalachian Trail and many others criss-cross the park. Nearby are Cold Spring and Constitution Marsh Sanctuary. There will be a pot-luck dinner on Saturday night, so bring a dish to share. The park has hot showers and flush toilets.
Stanley Huston 718-805-1044, Liza Bruna (PHONE # REMOVED BY REQUEST)
Saturday June 24, Mermaid Parade, Coney Island, Brookly, NY
Mermaids, sea gods and ocean creatures abound at this celebration of summer. Dress in costume for the parade or just come to watch and enjoy the beach and boardwalk. NO CALLS BEFORE JUNE 18.
John Waters 718-335-0919
June 30-July 3, Worthington State Forest, Columbia, NJ, Columbia, NJ
Camp on a woodsy site by the Delaware River. Swim, boat or fish right from the campsite. Hikers can climb up the Appalachian Trail to Sunfish Pond--an unspoiled glacial lake, or visit the Mohican Outdoor Center nearby. David Levner will lead an optional one-night backpacking adventure. Chemical toilets by the site, flush toilets and showers in another part of the park. Limited to 25. NO CALLS BEFORE JUNE 25.
Nancy Goldner 718-789-9360, David Levner 718-897-1448
July 14-16, Promised Land State Park, Canadensis, PA, Canadensis PA
Camp on a peninsula jutting out into Promised Land Lake. Swim at Pickerel Point, a short walk from the site, or rent a canoe and tool around Promised Land Lake. There's biking and hiking around the Lake. Or join us on a walk along the self-guided nature trail around Conservation Island. Outhouses by the site, flush toilets and 50-cent hot showers in another part of the park. NO CALLS BEFORE JULY 9.
Kirsten Andersen 212-942-3645, Paul Lehrman 718-263-6619
Aug 4-6, Fire Island National Seashore, Watch Hill, NY
Camp behind the dunes by the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy miles of secluded, clothing-optional beaches, or hike on a boardwalk nature trail through salt marshes, fresh water marshes, thickets and forests. Pot luck dinner Saturday night. On Sunday night, there's a free folk music concert on Long Island featuring Scott MacDonald, James O'Malley, Paulette Bouchet and Five Chinese Brothers. For information, send a SASE to Merle Mceldowney, 671 Argyle Road, Brooklyn NY 11230. NO CALLS BEFORE JULY 30.
Merle Mceldowney 718-859-7726, Mike Puder 718-763-1635
Aug 18-20, Dingman's Campground, Dingman's Ferry, PA
Return to the Delaware River. We have 4 river sites reserved. Enjoy swimming, boating, fishing. Dingman's Falls, Child's Falls and the Pocono Environmental Education Center nearby. There's a rafting trip up the Delaware scheduled for Saturday. Hot showers and flush toilets. NO CALLS BEFORE AUGUST 13.
Anne Gruber 212-826-6495, Jeff Rosen 718-721-7691
September 1-4, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven, PA
Our group site extends deep into the forest. Lake swimming, excellent fishing, 30 miles of hiking trails, Boulders' Field (a national natural landmark), and all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts at the Hickory House. Outhouses by the site, flush toilets and showers by the lake. NO CALLS BEFORE AUGUST 27.
Mike Osattin 718-651-6299, Brian Ribner 718-253-3063
September 22-24, Bass River State Forest, New Gretna, NJ
Celebrate the end of summer with us in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Swim, fish or rent boats on Lake Absegami. Bicycle or hike on sand roads, or hike the Batona Trail. Wharton State Forest and historic Batsto Village are a short drive away. NO CALLS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 17.
Bob & Claire Keilbach 718-358-8568
After 90 minutes of intense discussion, we moved on to rocks and gems. Here, we were surrounded by visitors from outer space: meteorites, stone and metal masses that looked like severely over-cooked and charred pasta, deposited on earth by giant sanitation workers from other worlds.
After further study, we left this ageless, silent world to eat dinner on Columbus Ave. We ate in 3 shifts and exchanged views on the origin of life and why that significant person couldn't come. After many last cups of coffee, we said goodbye to all our new friends, in search of subway stations and our treasured Manhattan parking spots to look upon this world and ourselves in a different way.
Brian Ribner, Trip Leader
Contacts Benevolent Dictator David Levner 718-897-1448 levner@panix.com Treasurer Cathie Carmen 718-463-2431 Mailing Mike Osattin 718-651-6299 Newsletter Judith Gross 718-784-4053 74160.3727@compuserve.com