Daylight Savings Time Begins on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. (“spring forward” to 3 a.m.)
37th Annual Pinelands Short Course
Rosemarie Mason and Diane Mason will be presenting "The Batona Trail the Premier Walking Path of the Pinelands" at the 37th annual Pinelands Short Course on March 7, 2026. C08 The Batona Trail 1:00pm - 2:15pm USC Room 245. The Pinelands Short Course is offered in partnership with the NJ Pinelands Commission and Stockton University
Visit stockton/pinelands to see all the course offerings and field trips. |
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Leader Qualifications for Annual Leaders’ Banquet
Effective 01/01/26, we’ve updated the required number of events leaders need to conduct to qualify for one year’s free club membership and an invitation to the annual Leaders’ Banquet.
Old policy:
- Hiking – 6 hikes per year
- Biking – 5 rides per year
- Paddling – 3 paddles per year
- Cross-Country Skiing – 1 overnight per year
- Backpacking – 1 overnight per year
What’s new :
Leaders may now combine event categories to meet the criteria of 6 total club events!
Example :
- Sally Sue leads 4 hikes and 2 kayak trips in 2026.
- Billy Bob leads 3 hikes and 3 bike rides in 2026.
- Sally and Billy will both receive a free club membership for 2027 and an invitation to the Leaders Banquet for themselves and their guest, which will be held in March 2027.
You can still follow the old policy. We wanted to make it equitable for those who belong to more than 1 group and lead a multitude of activities, but not just for 1 group.
Camping university and gear sale
Scheduled for March 28th at Pakim Pond (see Meetup for more details).
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On Sunday, 03/15/26 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, OCSJ will be honoring our 2025 qualified leaders and their guests at the Riverton Country Club in Cinnaminson. We do this every year to show our appreciation because if it weren’t for them, we’d have no club. To become a qualified leader, you had to have led 6 hikes a year, 5 bike rides a year, 3 paddling events a year, 1 overnight backpacking trip a year, or 1 cross-country ski trip a year. (Note: Please see below for the changes going forward.) In addition to the banquet, the qualified leaders also get a free membership for the following year. If you are interested in becoming a leader, please contact your Activity Chair to find out how you can be honored as well. We’d love to have you join us in the future. I would also like to introduce you to a couple of other enhancements we’ve made in the past month. We are listening to our members’ suggestions and are very happy to implement them. This first is detailed in this month’s newsletter, but I just want to summarize it in case you missed it. - We’ve updated the required number of events leaders need to conduct to qualify for one year’s free club membership and an invitation to the annual Leaders’ Banquet. Leaders may now combine event categories to meet the criteria of 6 total club events. You can still qualify the old way, but this gives you the opportunity to qualify in a different way.
- An email went out to family memberships on the evening of 02/17/26. In order for more than one family member to receive our communications (ex: newsletters, ballots), you are now able to add a secondary email address. If you would like to use this feature, please follow the steps outlined in the email. If you already have another email address in what is known as the Email-alt field, the 2nd family member should start receiving the communications as well, effective with this newsletter. If you haven’t, please reach out to me at bberman96@gmail.com . This email went out only to family memberships that do not have a secondary email on file.
Keep those suggestions coming. This is your club!!
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The OCSJ trail crew has been sidelined by Mother Nature again in February. We have been doing our best to complete the 9 miles of trimming and reblazing on the section of the Batona Trail that travels through the Brendan T Byrne SF. We did go out in the snow and assess the Mullica River Trail with a 4 mile mini hike one day because we had cabin fever and afterwards we enjoyed lunch at the Piccalilli. We have several pending projects at Parvin SF and Whitesbog Village so please, Mother Nature, be kind to us in March! Ro Mason OCSJ Trail Crew Leader |
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Want to get more involved with the Club? The club is made up of volunteers. All leaders, board members and section chairs are volunteer members. There is a club meeting once a month that you may attend, mostly via Zoom, where the business, overhead and other matters of the club is managed. Most trips and events are created and organized by individual leaders themselves and posted on our and Meetup sites. How do I become a leader or helper? The first step may be to approach a leader to volunteer. You may start out by helping the leader or find out more information on how to become a leader and what our requirements are. You can contact any board member, as well, for that information. We encourage you to be involved.
Reminder: Do not forget to remove your name from events if you cannot attend. When you do not remove your name, you prevent someone else from their chance to participate. There are consequences for not being considerate. You can have your privilege to attend events canceled for periods of time based on how often it occurs. Frank Pearce |
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When we write for each month's newsletter, we're writing about, and during, the previous month. February was quite a time! ❄️🌬️ Cold windy weather and icy unpassable trails. Hikes cancelled, sometimes at the last minute as we leaders held on, hoping we could somehow make our hike happen. My New Year's Day hike at WLP had to be rescheduled 4 times, was canceled 4 times and hopefully will happen in March which will be the 5th attempt.
People who are not hikers sometimes ask me if/how we hike in cold weather. Our mantra is 'layers, layers, layers' and wicking fabrics. I'm always cold at the trailhead but in about 20 minutes I'm shedding my scarf, hat, probably unzipping my parka. If we want to stay warm, we shouldn't get too hot. I"m writing this knowing that in July & August we'll be sharing tips on staying cool. "If you want to stay cool don't get too cold??" Ha! Our hard working hike leaders want to lead - hopefully in March they'll have more good weather days. Becky |
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BACKPACKING/CAMPING NEWS Backpacking/Camping Chair Kevin Drevik Kdrevik@aol.com
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Spring is coming, and with it, the great outdoors is calling. Backpacking/Camping is just getting started. We’ve got one new leader, and another one on the way, so look for upcoming trips. We also have a Camping university and gear sale scheduled for March 28th at Pakim Pond (see meetup for more details). Events on the schedule include:
- March 28: Camping University and gear sale/swap at Pakim Pond
- Apr 25-26: Pinchot Trail Backpacking Trip
- May 2-3: Beginner/Intermediate hike in Central PA
- June 13-14: Intermediate hike in Central PA
- July 11-12: Beginner/Intermediate trip to New Hampshire, staying at AMC Hut (announcement soon)
See you on the trail
Kevin
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Now that the smoke has cleared a little, we have begun receiving some updated information under the new E-Bike Law encompassing all motorized bikes. The first major change is that all e-bikes have been reclassified and will now fit within one of three new categories. For our club members who ride e-bikes, it appears that the first classification most closely fits those e-bikes and resembles the old Class 1 e-bike. The new definition now calls them Low Speed Electric Bikes.
The new law defines Low speed electric bikes as having “pedals, two wheels, pedal assist up to 20 mph, and no throttle.” These e-bikes require registration but do NOT require insurance. If the driver/owner of these bikes is already a licensed motor vehicle driver they do not need to obtain a separate license to operate these e-bikes.
So the good news here is that while there are many changes to the law surrounding more powerful e-bikes, except for the registration requirement, low speed electric bikes will be less impacted by these new requirements.
Just as an FYI - if you have children or grandchildren who either currently own or operate an e-bike, or are looking to obtain one, the requirements are much more stringent for the more powerful e-bikes and for younger aged operators. If you want to read more about the updated information follow this link: nj-ebike-law |
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Snowy Boonville, NY XC Ski Trip
Unsurprisingly, we were once again blessed with wonderful snow beauty and trail conditions for our 3rd ski trip. Boonville and the surrounding Tug Hill Plateau Region has had over 120” of snow this season, with a remaining knee-deep snow base if you step off the packed ski trails. A unique feature of this trip is free access to over 50 kilometers of trails in the BREIA trail system. BREIA (Black River Environmental Improvement Association) offers 5 locations of groomed and back-country trails, each with its own personality. The purpose of the foundation that established and maintains BREIA is to preserve the natural beauty of the area for free public enjoyment, provide environmental education, and provide free outdoor aerobic sport opportunities. We took full advantage. Following our Club’s tradition, we also skied at nearby Osceola, where there are two excellent commercial xc ski venues. Our busy days were fueled by full breakfasts (featuring freshly baked goodies) and a daily happy hour with snacks and conversation. Tired and happy people sometimes had the energy for games in the evening. |
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KAYAKING/CANOEING NEWS
Kayaking/Canoeing Chair
Frank Pearce
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Spring paddling requires careful preparation of both your gear and
yourself to stay safe, comfortable, and ready for unpredictable conditions.
Paddling in cold weather Policy as approved by board will be: During months of November thru March paddlers must wear wet or dry suits subject to approval of leaders.
Spring paddle season is getting closer. Are you ready? Check your PFD and see if it needs to be replaced. Has the winter weather created cracks in your canoe/kayak? Your kayak paddles may be in good condition, but has dirt made them difficult to separate? A good cleaning and some silicone spray may be needed. For SUP ensure fins, leash attachments, and valves are secure. Check your dry bags for leaks.
If you are new to paddling, four items of most importance are.
#1 your PFD. Try it on, and make sure you feel comfortable and be aware there are models made specifically for women.
#2 Layer your clothing: Spring weather is unpredictable, so wear moisture-wicking base layers and waterproof outerwear.
For Base Layer: A swimsuit is a preferred base layer by many kayakers because it gives good protection against heat damage. Alternatively, you can also go for water-wicking clothes.
For Mid-layer: A fleece jacket or a wool jacket will make for a protective mid-layer. You can also wear full sleeves shirts.
For Top Layer: Top off the mid-layer with a raincoat or a windbreaker. This will not only provide good insulation if it gets too cool, but it will also save you from getting wet.
#3 Proper footwear. Improper footwear leads to most injuries. You want shoes that protect your toes and have good grip. Neoprene boots or water shoes protect you feet from the cold.
#4 A whistle that can be used to signal if there is a problem and It is something the Coast Guard requires on the Delaware for example.
Other items: A beanie or a sunhat/cap depending on the weather Waterproof Gloves, A Dry Towel , Sunscreen and Lip Balm, Water
Reinstall your roof rack, do a safety inspection of your kayak trailer, or simply dig out those tie-towns that you haven’t used since last fall. You want to be ready to roll on the day of your maiden voyage and spending an extra hour to find your J-bars would be a major buzz kill.
Our leaders have trips ready to post. Don’t be left out.
Frank Pearce |
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By Vera Stek When Lynn Scheer joined the Outdoor Club some time in the 1980s, she was continuing a lifelong love of being outdoors that started as a child when she visited her grandmother, who lived a home surrounded by woods in rural Burlington County. Her love of outdoor adventures has remained, and luckily she had a partner in much of them in her husband Jack. Sadly, Jack passed away in December but Lynn is still hiking and finding solace on the trails. She and Jack were avid gardeners, nurturing dozens of tomato plants every year, and they loved canoeing and kayaking and traveling to national parks. Covid changed her participation in the Outdoor Club a great deal. She started hiking with a small group of club members who prefer to meet very early, move at a brisk pace and not stop for any reason except needed comfort breaks. Here’s her story: Q. Tell us about yourself. LYNN: I live in a small community in Burlington County (where I have lived just about all my life) surrounded by trees and deer. I grew up in a small community along the Delaware River and grew to love water from the start. My late husband Jack came from a maritime tradition (Navy and Merchant Marine in WWII). He also went to sea. For over 40 years we hiked together all over the US and sailed/kayaked both oceans, the Chesapeake and the major rivers such as the Colorado, Columbia, Delaware and Mississippi, and, of course, the little rivers of NJ. Q. When and why did you join the Outdoor Club? What benefits do you feel you’ve gained by being a member? LYNN: I must have joined in the early 1980s. At that time I was a member of the Sierra Club and hiked with them. On a hike to Spring Hill I met one of the other leaders who was recruiting for the Outdoor Club. I tried several of their hikes and joined because it emphasized all that South Jersey has to offer. I met some very interesting people and learned and benefited from their experiences. And of course I get to walk in the woods: safety in numbers. Jack was not a member back then but he became interested from my stories of adventure and became an avid hiker (no more than 7 or 8 miles). He was able to meet and talk to interesting people and learn from their experiences. We found real benefits from hiking: exercise and fresh air (forest bathing). Q. When and why did you join the Grand Mile Club? Did you ever have problems reaching the goal? LYNN: I joined the GMC because I always took long walks and thought it could be a challenge, but reaching that goal was never a problem. Q. What are some of your favorite places in NJ to hike? LYNN: Some of my favorite hiking spots are in Brendan Byrne, (Jack especially enjoyed those trails) and I enjoy the newer Parker Preserve trails. Q. You and Jack traveled extensively. What were some of the National Parks and other places you visited? What were your favorites? LYNN: Yes, Jack and I traveled extensively. We visited almost all the parks along both coasts but we especially enjoyed the Grand Tetons, combining hiking and kayaking (and an inquisitive grizzly). Trite, but my advice is enjoy the parks while you can. Q. What are some of your other interests? LYNN: Kayaking brought us safe, legal and tasty mussels. Gardening gave us delicious tomatoes and other fresh vegetables. Q. What’s something about yourself that might surprise others to know? LYNN: I snore. Q. What are some differences in the club you’ve noticed since you first joined? LYNN: The use of Meetup in my opinion was the greatest change; I find it difficult to use, also having to wait for a last minute cancellation because of the limits to the number of participants. Q. How did Covid affect your hiking? Lynn: Covid required hiking in a smaller group and spacing ourselves. Q. Any advice for newer hikers/kayakers? LYNN: Other members’ adventure stories were most enlightening and taught us what situations to avoid. And I’m sure others learned from us. Two things are important: try to monitor the weather and scout out a shelter from tornados, just in case. Also, when in a new area, seek out rangers or even the locals for updated information. Q. Ever have a funny/scary experience in your outdoor adventures? LYNN: I was hiking in Acadia National Park (without Jack) when I rounded a curve and this large dog attacked me. The owner was way behind it. Two violations: dogs must be leashed and NO dogs on NPS trails. One time, while camping in the Everglades, we were running low on food and were happy to accept a bag of fresh corn on the cob which we cooked on a propane stove and enjoyed until we were able to get to a store to restock. Q. Anything else you’d like to say about anything? LYNN: I'll hike until I collapse on the trail. |
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Your OCSJ sponsored its second new member information session by Zoom on February 19. It was very well attended, as was our first session in January. Look for the next session March 19th. Sign up on Meetup just as you would for a regular event. Thanks to all our new members for participating in and joining the club. OCSJ Board Members and Activity Chairs again presented a brief history of the club. New members had their questions answered regarding Meetup functionality (including waitlists), prospective event leadership roles, family memberships, event pacing, trail maintenance activities, and more. Please join us at the next meeting, even if you are an established member. Also, look for upcoming social/educational events, starting with the March 11 presentation on the Batona Trail |
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This month let’s talk about the Discussion Board.
The Discussion Board on each of the three OCSJ Meetup groups is the main hub for engaging with all members of the group; anything posted can be seen by everyone. For example, the Discussion Board is a great way for the leadership team to send a message to the entire group. This is different from Event Comments, which are dedicated to discussions specifically about an upcoming event.
There are guidelines that should be followed when posting on a Discussion Board. The board is not used for advertising products and services, even if they are free. Posts regarding controversial topics or non-OCSJ activities are not permitted. Posts must be related solely to OCSJ events. Inappropriate posts will be removed.
There are better ways to communicate on Meetup and within the OCSJ. Questions about a specific event can be posted in the Comments section of that event. Need to contact a leader? Look for their contact info in the event description. Email your activity chair for Meetup help. If you want to become more involved with our club, reach out to the Board of Trustees. The email addresses of the activity chairs and board members can be found on our website at Board Members. |
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OFFICIAL OCSJ LOGO TSHIRTS |
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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 OCSJ Store |
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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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Toni Pasquale is giving a Shout Out to Jim Nyborg. He is a wonderful sweep and I appreciate him very much. He keeps track of everybody and handles any little problems that come up. My mind is at peace when I have Jim for my sweep.
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Shout Outs: 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? Tell about your experience in an email to the Corresponding Secretary 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: A Description of item for sale (Outdoor related) B Asking price C 1 or 2 pictures of items D Contact information- seller's name, phone# and/or email |
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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. 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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Our Subarus
By Jeff Heilbrun |
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In outdoorsy Vermont the State Car is considered by some to be the Subaru. Over 10% of the population owns a Subie. New Jersey doesn’t match that, but ownership of Subarus by members of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey is probably double that figure. Many owners of these cars probably don’t know the history of the company nor the meaning of the odd blue logo that adorns the grill.
Subaru’s beginnings started in 1953 as part of Fuji Heavy Industries. Fuji, loosely translated, means “prosperous mountain.” Five companies formed a manufacturing conglomerate that made various products.
The Subaru logo is based on the Pleiades star cluster. The largest star represents Fuji and the five smaller stars the companies that were brought together. Pleiades is Greek, but the Japanese named the car Subaru, which means “united.” It was the first Japanese car moniker that came from their language rather than someone’s name.
The Pleiades constellation is also known as the Seven Sisters. There are actually over a thousand stars in it and of the seven most prominent ones, only six are visible without a telescope. That’s why the Subaru logo has only six stars. The logo is blue because those six most prominent Seven Sister stars are actually blue, that is, very big, hot stars that appear blue when viewed with magnification. |
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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. |
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