Members Camped in the New Jersey Pine Barrens
The Outdoors Club left the civilization of campus and set out for a weekend of camping at Wharton State Forest in the New Jersey Pine Barrens on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The park, which is located in Atlantic, Burlington, and Camden counties, offers rivers and lakes for water activities, trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking, is home to the historic Batsto Village.
At around 12:30 pm on Saturday, approximately 20 students arrived at the campsite in Wharton.
Jackie Leming, junior health studies major, said, “Swimming in the river and jumping off the bridge and rope swing were my favorite.”
Another fan of the river and rope swing was junior education major and first-time camper, Allie Perz. When asked about her first camping experience, Perz stated, “My first Outdoors Club trip was really fun. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I can’t wait to go on the next trip.”
While swimming and being in the water appeared to be the most talked-about event of the weekend, it was not the only aspect of the river that the campers enjoyed.
Professor Reynolds, the faculty advisor for the Outdoors Club, said his favorite part of the trip was exploring the beautiful foliage down by the riverside. Reynolds has been the Outdoors Club’s faculty co-advisor since 2006.
In addition to exploring the surroundings of the river, students would play football and frisbee, cook dinner, and hang around the campfire.
The campers that stuck around the campsite the following day decided to go on a hike to a fire tower that they had the option to climb upon arrival – one of the many attractions Wharton has to offer its visitors.
Wharton State Forest consists of 122,800 acres.
According to the reaction of the members of the Outdoors Club, the weekend at Wharton State Forest in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens was a success.
The Outdoors Club not only offers its members a way to get off campus and experience nature through a wide range of activities, it also gives students the opportunity to meet new friends.
Krystal Wilson, Treasurer of the Outdoors Club, said, “[Outdoors Club] has given me so much, between meeting amazing people and a lot of opportunities that I probably would have never tried on my own.”
Leming agreed, “My favorite part about the [outdoors] club is all of the great friends I have made.”
The Wharton State Forest camping trip was just one of many nature-inspired events the Outdoors Club will get to partake in this year. On Saturday, Sept. 28, the club will be hosting a beach party in Long Branch, and the following weekend, a picnic.
All students are welcome to join Outdoors Club. Weekly meetings take place in Bey Hall at 3:30 pm on Wednesdays.
