Senior Citizen / Disability State Park Pass
New Jersey residents who are age 62 or older or who are disabled may be eligible for a Senior Citizen Pass or Disability Pass, which grants free entrance to the parks and discounted camping rates. Our Senior Citizen and Disability Pass are currently being updated. The Senior Citizen pass may still be obtained at any of our state park/forest offices or through the Trenton Office. Disability Passes may only be obtained at our Trenton office location. For further information, please contact 1-800-843-6420.
NJ State Park Pass
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The Outdoor Club of South Jersey is happy to announce the availability of Club Patches
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Spending time outdoors is one of the simplest ways to improve both physical and mental well-being. Fresh air, movement, and social connections can help reduce stress, boost energy levels, and create lasting healthy habits.
Whether you are new or have been a member for a while, you all know and have discovered the benefits of joining our club. We bring together people who share a love of nature, adventure, and active living. Whether you are experienced or trying something new, there's a place for everyone.
Aren’t these the reasons you joined our club?
• You want to stay active. Regular activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking, backpacking and/orb cross-country skiing make exercise much more enjoyable, engaging, and safe.
• You want to build meaningful connections and relationships. Meeting people with similar interests can help create friendships and a sense of community.
• You want to improve mental wellness. Time spent outdoors has been linked to reduced stress and improved mood.
• You want to learn new skills or improve upon the ones you already have. OCSJ offers opportunities to do both.
Thank you for making our club so successful. Thank you for joining and continuing to engage in everything we have to offer. |
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Your OCSJ Trail Crew is on Summer hiatus. Enjoy these photos from previous work days.
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Frank is taking this month off.
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Choosing a hike
Our club has an incredible variety of hikes-- from the Atlantic ocean to the Delaware river and sometimes across the river, from a few miles to many; from Pine Barrens treks, to local parks, to urban and suburban jaunts, the Gloucester City history walk, the Philadelphia Mural walk, boardwalk and beach walks. From easy pace to moderate/brisk/fast, and at various times of the day – morning into moonlight. There is something for everyone, all planned by our wonderful volunteer leaders.
Since we have such a variety, it’s important for each hiker to match a hike with their ability. Each hike invitation will include the length and pace of the hike, and a description of the terrain. If you’re not sure of your ability, it’s best to underestimate what you can handle, start low and increase your speed and distance gradually.
If you need more information about a hike, get in touch with the leader through the Meet Up invitation (scroll down to the comments section). Meetup software will forward your comments to the leader.
We will all have the best experience if the hike we choose matches our abilities.
When we ask for an emergency contact we are asking for someone to call if anything happens to you. That person doesn't have to be local: mine lives 3 hours away. Providing your emergency contact is something you do for your hike leader, to make their job easier. We ask for your cell number in case you get separated from the group, your leader can call you. Again, providing that information makes things easier for your leader. None of us plan on getting hurt, or being separated from the group but it happens. |
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BACKPACKING/CAMPING NEWS Backpacking/Camping Chair Kevin Drevik Kdrevik@aol.com
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Backpacking is getting ready to get busier as fall comes along. We had a short one-day trip in the White Mountains in July - a lot of fun staying in one of AMC's huts.
The leaders have plans for trips in Sep & October, including a 5-day trip on the Appalachian Trail in southern Virginia (near Roanoke). Check out trips on Meetup. See you on the trail! |
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I am pleased to announce that the Outdoor Club Board of Trustees has once again voted to support this year’s Tour de Pines as a sponsor of the event. Like last year, the Club’s $1,000 sponsorship will include a $20 discount coupon to the first 25 club members who register for the ride. The event will take place starting on Thursday October 1st and ending on Sunday October 4th. Riders can choose from 1 to all 4 days to ride. Last year our 25 coupons were gone in just the first 8 days after registration opened. This is a great way to show our support for all the good work that the Pinelands Alliance does to protect one of our state’s most precious resources, the Pinelands National Forest.
Registration should be opening soon. As soon as registration goes live I will be posting the event on Meetup with the link to access both the registration page and the discount coupon.
Last year we had more than 50 club members participate in one or more days of the event. In addition to supporting a great cause the rides are always beautiful routes throughout the greater Pinelands area roadways. On Sunday the event closes with a lunch at Pinelands Alliance and everyone in attendance enjoys some good food and camaraderie with other riders.
I hope to see a lot of our members out there this year supporting this cause and enjoying the event. Even if you don’t ride, there are many opportunities to volunteer to help make the event a success.
In other news, the NJ E-bike law went into effect on July 19th. As I reported last month, The NJ Bike and Walk Coalition has been working tirelessly to make changes to the law with regard to Class 1, pedal assisted e-bikes that do not exceed 20mph. The coalition reports that they are working with key state legislators to have a package of amendments to the law ready for the fall session of the General Assembly and State Senate. The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission has also published a complete guide to what you need to know regarding all aspects of the new law. Follow the link here to view the guidelines and learn more of what the coalition is doing to fix the law: NJ Bike and Walk Coalition Update. |
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Ski Trips for Next Winter
We are planning 3 ski trips for next winter. Two have been finalized and have already been posted on the Kayaking/XC Ski MeetUp site and the xc ski drop down menu on OCSJ.org. The dates have been set for the Stowe, VT trip, but lodging still needs to be finalized.
- White Mountains of New Hampshire: January 18-24. North Conway is a charming town in the heart of New Hampshire’s scenic White Mountains, - offering 5 excellent groomed cross-country ski centers nearby.
- Stowe, Vermont: January 24-29. This is an old club favorite offering several fantastic ski centers, easy backcountry, and an iconic New England town. Details to be posted soon.
- Boonville, New York: February 10-15. Located in New York’s Tug Hill region (noted for the heaviest snowfall east of the Rockies), it has 4 local, free groomed xc ski trail systems and 2 commercial centers nearby.
Hope you will consider joining us for some winter fun.
Meanwhile, here’s a continuation listing some exercises to prepare for xc skiing. Last month’s Newsletter talked about the three types of conditioning most needed (cardio for stamina, lower body and core strength, and balance). Any exercises addressing these 3 areas would be useful. Last month I especially recommended squats and lunges for strengthening glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Cardio needs no explanation.
Balance is important for stability and to get beyond a shuffle/walk into gliding on one foot at a time. Any balance exercises are useful, but dynamic balancing exercises are especially useful since it is what is required in xc skiing. Here are a couple of links to YouTube videos for xc ski balance training. https://youtu.be/ZPLLdwoVu-E?si=lo_kPbk0OsIlfYvX. The second link shows how to practice mimicking the xc ski stride on dry land to improve balance. Fast forward the long link to 9:40. Basic Dryland Exercises to Increase Your Balance and Stability for Cross-Country Skiing |
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KAYAKING/CANOEING NEWS
Kayaking/Canoeing Chair
Frank Pearce
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Frank is taking this month off.
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A little more than a year ago, a relatively new member to the Outdoor Club saw a need upon joining and wanted to fulfill it. Jean Maltese from Gloucester County discovered there were few hikes in her area. So, she decided to become a hike leader and create some.
Jean had been used to getting her exercise in a gym during her working years, but discovered an abiding love for the outdoors during the pandemic. She’s learned a lot about leading hikes since she began, such as beating the heat by getting out very early.
She’s a world traveler and has places still to get to. Here’s her story:
Q. Tell us about yourself.
JEAN: I have 5 children ages 24 to 36. Also 2 dogs. Celebrating my 63th birthday in September. Born at Cooper Hospital so I am officially a Jersey girl. Worked as an RN for many years and retired in March 2021. Currently married for 36 years to my high school sweetheart.
Q. When and why did you join the Outdoor Club?
JEAN: I joined Outdoor Club mainly because I was trying to adjust to life beyond work. I have always been very active at the gym but discovered the outdoor life during the pandemic and it was a life-changing experience, exercising outside rather than the monotony of a gym.
I've been hiking all my life but really stepped it up during the pandemic and especially since joining the club. I like meeting people who, although we have many different backgrounds, we all share a common bond.
Q. What inspired you to become a hike leader?
JEAN: I became a hike leader because I wanted to do hikes near me. I live in Gloucester County and I want to introduce people to spots like Gloucester County Community Park and the Monroe Trail. I feel these areas are diamonds in the rough. I enjoy meeting new people on hikes. I want everyone to have a good time and get away from daily stressors at least for a couple of hours.
I find it easier to lead now as it’s all about advertising. I always tell newer members to read the descriptions. Also tell members to set a longer or faster hike as a goal. But know your limits! Doing an 11-mile hike off the bat is not wise if you are just getting started.
I hike early in the morning to get ahead with the heat. I led a 7 a.m. hike recently and had a good turnout. I was surprised. I moved one to 8 a.m. and had an increased turnout. But I think I’m more into the fitness part of hiking as I don’t stop much and go quickly. My usual fellow hikers know that. And the new ones are really good with it.
Q. Where are some of your favorite places to hike?
JEAN: I have a lot of favorite spots for hiking. In South Jersey definitely Parvin State Park but only when the bugs are gone! Worldwide: Montana, Yukon, American Samoa and Australia. Everywhere we go we fit in a hike. We've done the Blue Mountains in Australia, Grand Canyon down and up in one day, hiked multiple times in Sedona, AZ. We even went for a 10-mile trek in Illinois when we went to the Cubs/Phillies one July. And hiked in St. Barths, Saba, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, even to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.
Q. What other outdoor activities do you enjoy?
JEAN: Love snorkeling. We pick trips now for hiking and snorkeling. We even snorkeled in Alaska last September. Although I have been canoeing since age 7, I don’t usually do it around here nor do I kayak here. We have kayaked in Florida off of Merritt Island, St. Thomas, St. Vincent, Spanish Wells, Alaska and Fiji. We would like to purchase kayaks but haven’t yet.
Q. Any places on your bucket list?
JEAN: We will be traveling to Iceland, Egypt, African safari, Greece, Sicily, Malta and the Seychelles.
Q. What are some of your other interests?
JEAN: I love travel. I do cruises frequently as well as land trips. I have been to Australia, New Caledonia, Vanatu, Fiji, American Samoa, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, Bahamas, Montana, Chicago, Alaska, Canada and Disney.
Q. What’s something about yourself that might surprise people to know?
JEAN: I am a huge Phillies and Eagles fan. I actually like to go to different stadiums all over the country to watch my teams and explore the area for hiking.
I also am very into Reformer Pilates. |
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Your Volunteer Committee has several social events scheduled and more in different stages of planning. Unfortunately, our May 23rd Pitch and Putt event had to be canceled due to weather. Host will reschedule for August or September.
On June 11th, one of our leaders held a walk with a Burlington County naturalist in Smith Woods. On June 22nd, members enjoyed an afternoon sail on the Delaware River on the Northwind Schooner. Both events got rave reviews. The host will try to schedule another event with the same naturalist for the Fall. A 2nd Schooner sail has already been scheduled and is on Meetup for September 13th.
Upcoming is the ice cream social at Lickety Splitz on Route 73, Maple Shade on August 10th. You can find additional information and sign up on any of our three Meetup sites.
An opportunity to assist the Pinelands Alliance in a cleanup, perhaps Adopt-a-Road, is being developed for the first weekend in October to help with the Tour de Pines bicycling event.
We are also exploring day trips with Community Tours and Travel.
Finally, one of our committee members suggested we share information about National Parks and New Jersey State Parks passes.
America the Beautiful Park Passes
Lifetime Senior (age 62) Pass $80
Annual Military and Veteran Pass Free
Please use above link for more information
New Jersey residents aged 62 or older can get a free, lifetime Senior Citizen Pass. This pass grants free daily entry to all 43 NJ state parks, forests, and 57 historic sites, and includes a $2 per night discount on campsite fees (excluding group sites).
How to Apply:
In-Person: Visit any NJ state park or forest office with a valid proof of age, such as a driver's license.
Online: NJ State Park Pass
The State Park Pass is available for New Jersey residents at $50; Non-Resident $75, providing free entrance for one calendar year to the state parks and forests facilities that charge daily walk-in or parking fees. If you are a frequent visitor to the state parks, the purchase of the State Park Pass can mean a substantial savings over the payment of daily walk-in or parking fees. The pass does not cover camping fees or guarantee entry when facilities are filled to capacity or for special events.
A second family vehicle pass may be purchased at the cost of $25.00 for New Jersey Residents; Non-residents $35, but must be purchased at the same time as the first annual pass.
There is a $3 administrative fee for each pass purchased.
If you’re interested, please join the OCSJ volunteer Committee. We need people to execute events as we have several great ideas to explore and plan. You can contact Barbara Berman at president@ocsj.org.
The next New Member Outreach meeting is on September 9 and will be posted on all 3 Meetup sites.
The next OCSJ Volunteer Committee meeting is September 16. Both meetings are on Zoom.
Check Meetup event listings often for all our social activities! |
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If you are locked out of Meetup due to too many failed login attempts, wait 15 to 60 minutes before trying again or you can request a new password to bypass the wait time. The system temporarily locks out “suspicious” activity to protect the platform. How many attempts are too many? Meetup does not officially share that info, but it is usually three to five failed login attempts.
For the Leaders: If you need to reschedule an event, open the event, edit the date, and save the changes. Your attendees will carry over to the new date. However, if you copy the event and give it the new date, it is treated as a brand-new event, and your attendees will lose their place. |
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OFFICIAL OCSJ LOGO T-SHIRTS and PATCHES |
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The Outdoor Club of South Jersey is happy to announce the availability of club T-Shirts through Print Shop Shirts. Ordering will be ongoing, submitted regularly when there is a quantity sufficient to place the order.
We have 13 different styles to choose from ranging from simple ring spun cotton shirts, moisture management/antimicrobial performance fabric, to moisture wicking to UPF sun protection. Short sleeve and long sleeve with many different colors to choose from. Choose from full back printing only, or front left breast printing only, or both front & back printing.
The ordering process from Print Shop Shirts is simple:
Go to Club T-Shirts We now have club patches. Go to Club Patches |
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If you know of an OCSJ member who would benefit from receiving a card of congratulations for a milestone birthday, life event or a note of condolence, contact the Corresponding Secretary and a card will be sent on behalf of the club. |
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Want to submit a "Shout Out"? Have you experienced a leader on an event that exceeded your expectations? Has a particular person gone above and beyond in their capacity as a leader or a participating member of OCSJ and you want to let everyone know? Email the Corresponding Secretary about your experience and it will be published in our next Newsletter. |
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A new year means setting new goals. How about hiking 1,000 miles?
The Grand Mile Club (GMC) is for members who love a challenge! The rules are simple, but it takes grit and determination to finish. Each outing, be it walking, running, hiking, or treadmill, must be a minimum of 2 miles. To reach the lofty 1,000 miles in a year, you will need to be logging 84 miles per month. There is a little more to it, so if you are interested in joining the elite GMC, contact Jenny Buffington at jbuffington924@gmail.com for more details. Registration closes at the end of January. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! 500/750 Club
If you are not quite up to 1,000 miles, then consider aiming for 500/750 miles. The rules are the same as the 1,000 club, except there is a minimum of 1 mile per outing. At the end of each month, I'll email a reminder to send in your miles and then update and send you a spreadsheet showing each member’s total to date. If interested in joining, contact Ann Palaitis at palaitis@verizon.net for more details.
Paddling
The OCSJ Canoe/Kayak Mileage Club is for paddlers who like to set personal goals. Any canoe/kayak trip counts with any group or individual. For details go to Paddling Mileage Club. Contact Frank Pearce, Paddle Chair, at hornet71@verizon.net for more details. |
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"THE OCSJ MARKET PLACE" the place to BUY-SELL-GIVE-BORROW |
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The OCSJ Market Place
Rules for posting items for sale INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: - Description of item for sale (Outdoor related)
- Asking price
- 1 or 2 pictures of items
- Contact information: seller's name, phone# and/or email
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2022 Diamondback Atroz 2 soft tail Mountain Bike (MTB) $495
The 2022 Diamondback Atroz 2 is an entry-level, full-suspension cross-country mountain bike in excellent condition.
It features an aggressive 6061-T6 aluminum frame, 27.5-inch wheels, a 9-speed Shimano drivetrain, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.
It’s ideal for beginners tackling light trails and rough terrain
Key Specifications:
Frame:6061 T-6 Aluminum, single-pivot design with 4" of travel.
Front Fork: SR Suntour XCM, 120mm travel with preload adjust.
Rear Shock: EXA Form 290 with rebound adjust.
Drivetrain: 18-speed (2x9), double-ring (33/22T) front chainring with a Shimano Acera M3000 Shadow rear derailleur.
Brakes: Shimano Hydraulic Disc
Wheel Size: 27.5" x 2.35" Vee Rubber Flow Snap tire
Contact Russ at brownrt_99@yahoo.com |
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2001 LEMOND ALPE D'HUEZ - $450
This exceptional machine embodies the spirit of classic road cycling, offering a sublime blend of performance and comfort. The bike is in excellent riding condition. The frame is 54 CM, good for someone about 5' 7" to 5' 10". The handle bar tape is serviceable, but could use to be replaced. The saddle is cracked but still comfortable. The pedals are not included.
The Alpe d'Huez model is celebrated for its ability to deliver an incredibly smooth yet responsive ride, making every outing a pure pleasure.
What makes this LeMond stand out?
It offers a remarkably enjoyable and engaging ride experience.
Its design reflects a legacy of engineering focused on rider satisfaction and enduring quality.
It's a reliable companion, ready to conquer varied routes with consistent, dependable performance.
Frame & Fork
Frame: Reynolds 853 steel
Fork: LeMond Carbon Fiber
Geometry: LeMond racing geometry with a slightly longer top tube
Drivetrain & Components
Shifters: Shimano 105 STI Dual Control (9-speed)
Crankset: Shimano 105, 53/39T
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-5500
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105
Cassette: 9-speed, 12-25T
Contact Russ at brownrt_99@yahoo.com |
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BikeHand Bike Repair Stand - Home Portable Bicycle Mechanics Workstand
Contact Bruce at bruciels@gmail.com |
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Your club is made up entirely of volunteers. You will get more out of it, if you put more into it! There are many opportunities to help behind the scenes and on activities. Ask your leader about it on your next event. Let them know if you have any time or talents you would like to share with the club.
Board of Trustees - The OCSJ Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 pm. This month's meeting is August 13th. Currently, our meetings are on ZOOM. To attend the meetings, contact the OCSJ President Barbara Berman, at president@ocsj.org. |
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Outdoor Club of South Jersey (OCSJ) Membership Information
There are several convenient ways to join or renew your OCSJ membership:
Online
- Visit ocsj.org or download the Wild Apricot mobile app.
- Click the “Join OCSJ Here” button and follow the on-screen instructions.
By Mail
- Mail a check payable to Outdoor Club of South Jersey to:
Outdoor Club of South Jersey
PO Box 74
Oceanville, NJ 08231
Membership Levels
- Family Membership – $25.00
One-year subscription; no automatic renewal
- Family Membership (Auto-Renewal) – $25.00
One-year subscription; automatic annual renewal
- Single Membership – $20.00
One-year subscription; no automatic renewal
- Single Membership (Auto-Renewal) – $20.00
One-year subscription; automatic annual renewal
For membership-related questions, please contact us at membership@ocsj.org.
Renewal Information
OCSJ memberships are valid for one year. Renewal reminders will be sent to the email address on file 30 days prior, 15 days prior, and on your renewal date.
If your membership is not renewed by your anniversary date, Wild Apricot, our membership management system, will automatically lapse and archive your account, and you will be removed from the club’s Meetup pages shortly thereafter.
To ensure uninterrupted access to club activities, please renew promptly. We also recommend checking your spam or junk folders, as renewal notices may occasionally be filtered there.
If you need to update your account information—especially your email address—please log in to your Wild Apricot account to make the necessary changes. You may also email updates or questions to membership@ocsj.org.
Renewal by Check
- Make checks payable to Outdoor Club of South Jersey
- Mail to:
OCSJ Membership Secretary
PO Box 74
Oceanville, NJ 08231
Please note that mailed checks may take up to two weeks to be received and deposited. Online renewals are processed much faster.
Thank you for renewing your membership promptly and for being part of our vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts.
Rosemarie (Ro) Mason
Membership Secretary
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CALLING ALL CLUB MEMBERS!!
Do you have a favorite place that you have hiked, but maybe it isn’t in New Jersey? Or maybe you have taken a bike ride holiday at some distant locale that you were in awe of because of its beauty or serenity. Perhaps an amazing kayaking adventure, backpack trip or cross country skiing trip is something you have been lucky enough to partake in. If so, the Club newsletter is looking for short articles from our members to share their experiences with our readers.
If you would like to share some of your experiences, just send a short article to our newsletter editor, Markie Kaczorowski by email to newsletter@ocsj.org, preferably no more than 250 words explaining the “what, where, and when” the trip took place and what made it special. You can also send me any interesting photos from events in the area. |
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