DAVETREK ADVENTURES

Memorial Day Weekend 2008 -  May 25 & 26

Kayaking, BBQ, Bonfire, Camping & Hiking

 

 

 

This year on Sunday May 25 and Monday May 26, 2008 we  have many events planned, our 5th annual event of this type. You can do various combinations, and all events are in Southern NJ, within 2 hours of NYC.  In fact, this is at least the 10th year we have had a kayaking event in the Pine Barrens, at a lovely place as you will see below.

 

 

Here is the schedule of events –it’s a bit complicated, so pay attention and read everything on this page and the linked pages before sending me an email!!

 

TO RSVP—CLICK HERE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONAIRE

 

 

On Sunday May 25

Events:
1)
Kayaking in the NJ Pine Barrens - Sunday Morning at 7:30 AM from Manhattan, earlier from other places ( it takes 2 hours of driving to get to the place)
2) A
BBQ and Bonfire in Southern NJ - Sunday Afternoon/Evening –

about 5PM, for meat eaters and vegetarians
3)
Overnight camping in the same place as the BBQ,

 

On Monday May 26

4) Breakfast, lunch (sandwiches) then a Hike.

 

 

See below for all event details.

 


COST


EARLY BIRD - REGISTER BY May 15, 2008


Per Person

 

$99 for everything (Kayak, BBQ, Bonfire, Camping, Hike)

$65 for kayaking/BBQ/bonfire

$25 for BBQ/Bonfire

 

plus $15 transportation, paid directly to the driver.

REGISTER May 16 till May 20, 2008

Per Person -

 

$110 for everything (Kayak, BBQ, Bonfire, Camping, Hike)

$75 for kayaking/BBQ/bonfire

$35 for the BBQ/Bonfire

 

plus $15 transportation, paid directly to the driver.


Just the
BBQ, camping and hike: $45 per person plus transportation.

 

Also, at the BBQ everyone is required to help with the food, but if you want to help extra for $20 off, let me know via the questionaire for the few spots I have for helpers.

 

Family rates available upon request, for kayaking/BBQ and BBQ/Bonfire only.

 

 

ALL RSVPS MUST BE IN BY MONDAY MAY 20TH AT THE LATEST!

 

 

TO RSVP—CLICK HERE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONAIRE



DRIVERS will be REIMBURSED for their expenses by their passengers.

 

For campers, folks who don't have a tent will also incur a $10 tent rental fee if we need to rent tents. If you have extra tents or you need me to rent you a spot in a tent, let me know via the RSVP Questionnaire.


Last year, over 70 folks came for the Sunday activities, and 20 for camping out, so many that we had to close it out...!

 

SO REGISTER EARLY BEFORE WE CLOSE THIS OUT—ITS USUALLY ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EVENTS OF THE YEAR


RSVP no later than Monday, May 19…AFTER REGISTERING, YOU MUST SEND A $25 CHECK TO HOLD YOUR SPOT, or send $25 via paypal to my email,
davetrek@gmail.com



Address:

David Brotsky

 


Event Details

 

Directions -

 

FAQ

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

KAYAKING
lunch, 2 liters of water, hat, suntan lotion, shoes which can get wet, 
eye glass retainers/chums (click to see what they are—they help ensure that your glasses will remain on!) optional items -  a towel, bathing suit (you wear this underneath so you don't mind if you get wet),

 

BONFIRE

If anyone has musical instruments, please bring them and let me know - they add a nice touch to the bonfire!

CAMPING
a sleeping bag, tent (or we can rent you a spot), change of clothes, bug spray, flashlight and (optional) lantern

HIKING
good shoes, suntan lotion, hat

 

 

CAN YOU GET ME A RIDE?

 

I hope to have rides for everyone coming kayaking on Sunday and for everyone who either goes home Sunday night or after the hike on Monday, but not for those who want to come just for the BBQ and camping, or just the BBQ. You will need to have transport in order to attend these events.


WHAT KIND OF KAYAKING IS THIS?


We will be kayaking in shallow streams, following along with the current. The setting is stunning- we coast along narrow streams through Wharton State Park, miles from civilization...surrounded by beautiful pines, sand and blue skies...the water levels are shallow, usually 3-5 ft deep, and the streams we go in are quite narrow, not more wide than 25 ft in most places. We usually go for About 2 to 3 hours. For those more experienced, there is a longer version available. Details at the event.

I HAVE NEVER KAYAKED - can I come?

 

Yes! The kayaks are flat bottomed and easy to use - no prior lessons required - beginners are welcome. Everyone has their own kayaks…kayak website is: http://www.belhavencanoe.com

 

Every year we get at least 10 to 20 beginners, so you are in good company. We have often had children, though I recommend they be at least 8 for a double kayak and 12 or 13 if they will paddle themselves. We will be kayaking for about 2 to 3 hours.

 

WILL I GET WET?

 

Usually not. Out of 50 kayakers, usually only 5 to 10 get wet. Pay attention to the instructional course we give before you get in your kayak and you should be fine. Some of those getting wet do so intentionally...horsing around and the like.

 

CAN I BRING MY IPOD/CAMREA, ETC KAYAKING?

 

Leave anything valuable at home or in the car such as ipods, cameras, etc. I ruined one camera one of the first years we went kayaking!

 

Anything you bring kayaking has to be able to get wet, including your shoes and clothing. Usually about 5 to 10 folks out of 50 fall in, so odds are greatly in your favor that  you will be dry all day, but you don't want to get unlucky…leave any wallets, cellphones, keys in the car – DRIVERS will be able to drop their KEYS with the folks who run the place…cameras should be the disposable water ones or others which can get wet…

 

 

I PREFER A DOUBLE KAYAK – CAN YOU RENT ME ONE?

 

Yes we can, but I strongly dissuade anyone but families with kids from renting double kayaks. The streams are narrow and tough to navigate with a long boat, and that makes it harder for anyone in a double kayak. It is truly easy kayaking, and much more fun in your own boat. Anyone but families with kids have always complained about being in a double, so please don’t ask me to rent one for you!

 

I am an experienced kayaker - Can you rent me a better kayak?

 

For those who are experienced kayakers, a longer kayak can be easier and more fun to operate. I use a Carolina when I go and I can get one for you also. Since the streams we will be going in are narrow, though, it can be harder to maneuver these boats unless you are an experienced kayaker. If you are sure you want one, let me know on the questionnaire. When in doubt, take the standard kayak, which is easier for most folks.

 

ARE FAMILIES WELCOME?

 

We have often had children, though I recommend they be at least 8 for a double kayak and 12 or 13 if they will paddle themselves. One recent year we had at least 4 or 5 kids, so you will be in good company. We will be kayaking for about 2 to 3 hours.

 

Also, if you prefer, you can do something in the area and then come to the BBQ/Bonfire. I will have a family rate for that. There are events in the area for families, such as Allaire Village, with a working railroad most weekends. Ask me via email for details of events in the area and a family rate for the BBQ/Bonfire.

WHAT ARE THE BBQ & BONFIRE DETAILS?


This will be a full Barbecue for meat eaters and vegetarians in a secluded, private area of a NJ State Park, within 90 minutes of NYC , at the same location we will be camping. The BBQ will begin at about 5PM. The bonfire will start at about 7:30 with singing, stories and musical accompaniment. Let me know if you can bring an instrument!

 

WHAT KIND OF FOOD WILL YOU HAVE?

 

 I supply stuff for vegetarians and meat eaters – we grill vegetables, fruits, hamburger, hot dogs and maybe some chicken, plus have salads, chips and salsa, etc – you won't go home hungry I suspect…LET ME KNOW ON THE QUESTIONAIRE IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL DIETARY RESTRICTIONS/ISSUES.

 

 

WHAT ARE THE CAMPING AND HIKING DETAILS?

Camping and Hiking – On Sunday Night , we will be camping at the same place as the BBQ. On Monday we will be doing a nice hike in the area, perhaps 4 miles long. We plan on finishing in the mid afternoon, and return back to NYC by 6pm.

 

BATHROOMS/SHOWERS AT THE BBQ /CAMPING SITE?

 

Yes, we have some bathrooms, but no showers – the bathrooms are what I call 'hi tech backcountry toilets' – they are clean, they have a seat like any toilet you are used to, and are not too smelly  - they don't have running water, so we supply handwipes/purell…