2009 Annual July Members Outing and Retreat

Rick Potts of the National Park Service

Courtesy Dan Schreffler

YOU ARE INVITED to a weekend of fun, fellowship, exploring natural beauty, and learning about a landmark environmental fight that helped the Sierra Club to win.

*** PLEASE RSVP NO LATER THAN JULY 3 ***

*** Registration form below ***

Many of you have joined us for past annual July Member Outings. In recent years, we have visited the Allegheny National Forest, Laurel Hill State Park, and French Creek State Park. This year, we are traveling to one of northeastern Pennsylvania's most special public places, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This beautiful area covers about 70,000 acres of mostly forested land that cradles the Delaware River as it flows from Milford to the Water Gap near Stroudsburg.

The DWGNRA was the location of a landmark environmental battle, which Sierra Club helped to win. In the 1970's, a proposal to dam the Delaware near Tocks Island, north of the Delaware Water Gap met fierce environmental and local resistance. The Delaware was (and continues to be) the last major free-flowing river in the eastern United States, thanks to the hard work of Sierra Club and others. This July, we want to celebrate that victory, which made the creation of the DWGNRA possible. We will explore the river and nearby trails and waterfalls, learn the history of the area, and meet some of the people whose work saved the Delaware.

CAMPING (No Charge)

We have Friday night / Saturday night reservations for the Valley View Group Campground, a few miles north of Bushkill. You can check it out, using the link below. It is adjacent to the Delaware River, so our folks would be able to launch their kayaks and canoes directly from the campground. Vault toilets, and water available using a hand pump. Capacity up to 125 people, in 5 adjacent Group campsites, with fire rings and picnic tables Also an open "amphitheater" which can be used for naturalists' talks or other large group gatherings. One camping area is handicapped accessible. Camping is free, as long as you register with us in advance. Campground website link: http://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/valley-view.htm

AREA LODGING

If camping isn't your preference, there are a variety of local options like hotels, motels, bead and breakfasts,etc. You need to make reservations for these facilities on your own. The Pocono Mountain Tourism Bureau website has links to many local lodging options: www.800poconos.com It also lists many other local attractions you may want to explore, if you choose to extend your stay.

MEETING FACILITIES / EXCOM MEETINGS

We have reservations for the Chapter Executive Committee meeting facility at the Bushkill Visitor Center on Saturday from 1 to 4pm and on Sunday from 10am to noon. Meeting facilities are handicapped accessible. The meeting facility is a 3- 4 mile drive from the Campground.

OUTINGS

There are many options for outings in this special area. We plan to offer the following: paddling (canoes and kayaks), hiking, and nature walks. If you can't bring a boat, there are local outfitters where you can rent a canoe or kayak. You will need to make your own reservations. Outings will be held throughout the weekend, including the time when our Chapter Executive Committee meets. Parents need to accompany children on outings. In addition to organized outings, there are many options for you to explore on your own.

FOOD FOR THE WEEKEND

This is a camping event, and everyone is expected to provide their own food for the entire weekend. There are no concessions at the campground, although there are convenience stores in the area, where you can get ice for your cooler, and some basic food items. We suggest that you arrive with the majority of your needs for the entire weekend.

SATURDAY DINNER

While the dinner is a potluck, the PA Chapter provides the following: Burgers and dogs (& veggie options) and rolls / condiments / charcoal for the grilling / grills for grilling / large water containers (5 or 10 gallon) for drinking, washing dishes, personal washing. We ask everyone to bring a dish to share for the Saturday evening meal. In order to ensure that we have sufficient burgers and dogs for everyone, we will need folks to register in advance, no later than July 3.

EVENING CAMPFIRE AND SPEAKER, MUSIC

After dinner, we will have a campfire, with speakers. After a welcome introduction from the Park Service, long-time local environmental activist Nancy Shukitis will recount the historic Tocks Island Dam struggle, which she helped to lead, and which the Sierra Club was instrumental in winning. We encourage folks to bring acoustic musical instruments for some campfire music and sing along after the speakers.

WEEKEND OUTING BASIC AGENDA

Friday night:

- from 6 pm and later, campers arrive, register and set up tents
- while no formal activities are planned, we expect some folks will congregate around a campfire, and get to know their Sierra Club family

Saturday morning:

- early risers enjoy a paddle or watch the mist and birds rise over the Delaware
- meals on your own
- organized (Dave Sapak) outing to Indian Ladders trail (moderately steep with waterfalls)

Saturday afternoon

- 1 - 4 pm PA Chapter Executive Committee meeting at Bushkill Visitor Center
- organized outing

Saturday evening

- 6 - 8 pm Potluck dinner at the central dining area (bring a dish to share / we provide the burgers and hot dogs)
- 8 pm Campfire speakers: Park Service and Nancy Shukitis
- ? - ? Music and good fellowship

Sunday morning

- early risers enjoy a paddle or watch the mist and birds rise over the Delaware
- meals on your own
- organized outing
- 10 am - noon PA Chapter Executive Committee meeting at Bushkill Nature Center (includes Conservation agenda items)

Sunday afternoon

- organized outing
- pack up camp
- leave for home or to explore the region

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RESERVATION FORM FOR THE JULY 10 - 12 MEMBER OUTING

PLEASE RSVP NO LATER THAN JULY 3

Copy and paste this form in an email, and mail to pennsylvania.chapter@sierraclub.org


Yes, we plan to attend!_________

Total number in party____________ Children in party_____________

We will be camping: Friday night___________ Saturday night____________

We will NOT be staying overnight at the campground_________________

We will be coming for the Saturday evening potluck dinner_____________

We would like a vegetarian option ___________________________

We are interested in the following types of outings:

(to gauge how many outings / leaders needed)

paddling (canoe or kayak)__________

bird watching_________________

hiking_______________________

biking____________________

other?________________________

Please send the completed reservation form and any questions to: pennsylvania.chapter@sierraclub.org