PA Restart: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Kayaking

Turbit (>2.2-2.5 mph). Medium rare hiker. This is rated as moderately challenging. Hiking shoes/boots a must.

Time to revisit this beauty. This is a 8 mi lollipop over some fun rocky terrain... Turbit worthy... not for the beginner. There are creek crossings and elevation. ***One of those creek crossings at the end may have our tootsies in the water. Maybe bring extra socks.*** Need to have sure footing or poles to hop some rocks. We'll go to the Eagle's Nest on the AT to have lunch/snacks at the picnic table and perhaps use the privy :)

Hiking boots/shoes. Poles. Water and snacks.

Will postpone if bad weather.

Animal lover here but this is a human hike only. Please update status before the hike so I know who I'm waiting for. I organize these hikes as a volunteer.

Map help:
- For the website, map is located on the right and is a pin. Click on the address (hyperlink) and it will take you to the location on a map.
- For the app on your device (cellphone, iPad, etc), click directly on the map, and it will take you to the location. When using an iPhone, use the Apple map.
- Both ways to get to the map will allow you to put in your address so you can get directions.

Turbit 2.2-2.5 mph. Medium rare hikers.
Pretty excited for this hike! It'll be led by Jared, the park's Environmental Education Specialist.

Join us for a hike through French Creek State Park! This hike will span 7-8 miles venturing through areas of French Creek and Hopewell Furnace Historic Site. The hike will start at Hopewell Lake. We will walk towards Hopewell Furnace, where they will be facilitating a historic charcoal burn. After viewing the charcoal pit and learning about local history, we will be venturing into the French Creek Trail system. During this time, our spring wildflowers should be a at peak, including a variety of orchids.

Bring water and snacks. Hiking boots/shoes. Hiking poles if you like.

Animal lover here, but this is a human hike only. Please update status before the hike so we know who we're waiting for.

Grab Your Adventure Booties and Head to the Dark Sky Park!!!

Book early as there are only 25 spots!!!! Please note...because of the distance, this camp runs THURSDAY - SUNDAY, but feel free to come any day in there :-).

We are headed to Cherry Springs! However, you can't actually group camp there, so we will group camp next door at Ole Bull. You will have opportunities to go to the Cherry Spring public lot for night viewing OR you can make arrangements to stay in the Dark Park.

This is NOT a backpacking trip...this is our Spring Car Camping Trip. You will drive right up and unload your gear. We don't judge, so if you want to sleep in your car, that's cool, too.

The Finer Details & Cost ($5)
This is NOT a free event as it costs money to reserve the campsite. BRG has already paid for it. Each person pays $5 toward the rental fee.
Please pay BRG within two weeks of signing up to attend. If you are added at the last minute, you can pay cash at camp.

Refunds
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS because BRG can't figure all that out. If you can't go, you can haggle with the person that takes your place and/or you can donate to the good of the order. All funds collected for this gathering go to this gathering and are not held over for future events.

Ways to pay:
Venmo (preferred): Beth-Ritter-Guth
PayPal (also preferred): paypal.me/BethRG
Zelle: DM me for my phone number
LAST MINUTE CAMPER ADDITIONS: Cash

Where We Are Camping
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/OleBullStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

Our Spot:
OLE BULL STATE PARK, PA
Rustic Organized Group Tenting Site
001, Ole Bull Group Area

What to Bring:

1. A festive & flexible spirit
2. Tent (no campers, please)
3. Sleeping Bag, air mattresses, cots, whatever you sleep on :-)
4. Headlamp or Flashlight
5. Clothing (duh)
6. Shoes meant for being outdoors (leave the stilettos as home, please)
7. Camp Shoes
8. Rain Gear
9. Food/snacks/cooking supplies/stove
10. Water, Beverages, and non-glass drinking vessels
11. Loo Roll (toilet paper)
12. Firewood (only from PA...no NJ/NY/MD firewood, please)
13. Cooler for your food
14. Camp Chair for Fireside Chats
15. Fun Stuff like trekking poles, lawn darts, et al

***If you have a portable yard canopy, and it's not a huge pain in the rumpus, please bring that along. They really help is crappy weather!!!***

Adult Beverages & Herbal Remedies
Please read the park rules. Alcohol is prohibited in PA State Parks and marijuana without a medical card is illegal. That said, I am not going to be inspecting red solo cups or testing their contents. If you go off into the woods and we aren't on a hike, I won't be following you to see what you are doing. We are all adults and you make the best decisions for yourself. Just remember, BRG doesn't have bail money because she spent the surplus money on firewood ;p

Sharing and Caring
Please bring food and cooking stuff for all your own meals. You are not required to share with anyone no matter how hungry or desperate they look.

We will designate one table for "shared food" if you'd like to bring snacks and stuff to share. There is no obligation to contribute to this table, but I can't eat 12 Hershey Bars by myself (well, ok, yes I can), but you get the drift ;p

Don't Have Gear?
if you don't have cooking stuff, you are welcome to use mine and many people are generous in sharing. Be a good sport and clean up after yourself if you use other people's stuff. Likewise, if you need a tent, sleeping bag or other camping stuff, just holler...most of us have stuff we can lend to you.

Camp Etiquette

1. Food/Smellies/Garbage MUST be packed up during times when people aren't in camp or people are sleeping. I am not your Mama, so I won't be packing up your stuff for you :-). For example, one time at band camp, Trekker and I chased a Raccoon deep into the woods to retrieve a trash bag someone left all willy nilly on the picnic table. I was wearing a boot on my foot and it was unpleasant for us and the Raccoon who was disappointed in having his haul taken away.
2. Photos: Not everyone wants their pictures taken and posted on social media. Please ask a person before shooting a photo and before posting online.
3. Noise: BRG plays the bagpipes...they are noisy. People like to sing with abandon...that can get noisy. People snore. Bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Schedule:

1. Thursday Night: Arrive, set up, Campfire (if you can't come until Saturday, that's ok...it's your 5 dollars to spend however you'd like).
2. Friday/Saturday: Adventure Days! BRG always runs a turtle adventure, but other hikers will lead harder hikes. You can also just sit in camp all day and knit. No judgment. It's a vacation.
3. Sunday: Clean Up, hugs, promises to stay in touch, photos, and leave after lunch

These weekends have proven to be fabulous fun, and I look forward to seeing YOU there!