Event Website: http://www.freestylecanoeing.com/pine-barrens.html

October 14-16, 2016

Camp Ockanickon, Medford, New Jersey

Fall in love with canoeing.

There's nothing more fun than running beaver dams, except perhaps attaining them.Lots of downed trees just add to the fun. Always choices; maneuver around, duck under, climb over...Crossing a glass flat lake is a fine diversion. More dead fall. Will there be a clean route around it?A rare straight channel. A chance to look around and enjoy the scenery. More fall colors.Beautiful fall colors and a placid meadow to glide through.A fine collection of canoes and paddles at the base of a classic Pine Barrens sand bank.Heading upstream, from a meadow, back into the woods. Reading the water for subtle hints of slack current can be a rewarding challenge. Not all agree. The meadows were as twisted as the stream bed through the woods.Max paddled (OK he rode) with Marc on almost all of our forays.  He managed to climb out onto log jams, waited til the boat got over and deftly climbed back aboard. Only once did they upset and that misstep was a joint effort.4 - 11<>

The 2015 Pine Barrens Functional Freestyle Workshop is a new event for the freestyle canoe community.  The focus of this workshop is to demonstrate and teach the Functional side of Freestyle Canoeing maneuvers, strokes and techniques.  (Many people are familiar with the Interpretive side of Freestyle Canoeing from YouTube videos of people gracefully moving canoes to music.)

This workshop will introduce you to a new skill set, or expand your existing skills, helping you to safely and efficiently explore the countless small streams that crisscross the countryside. Freestyle techniques are fun to practice on a quiet pond, and even more fun and useful when applied to paddling on intimate streams.  Learn how to enhance boat control and increase paddling efficiency, on small, narrow, twisting, waterways.

You'll learn to love your Canoe.

Camp Ockanickon is located in Medford Lakes, just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but within the undeveloped Pine Barrens.  The camp is an 800 acre facility boasting the beautiful Lake Stockwell, a dining hall, meeting room, lodge/bunkhouse and camping area all within walking distance of each other.    This unique eco-region is known for its uncommon plants, twisty tannin streams, and the Jersey Devil, a creature who inflicts havoc on unsuspecting adventurers.

LODGING: The workshop will be focused in an area of the Camp called Algonquin Village.  Lodging costs are the same, irrespective of which option you choose.

If you prefer to stay somewhere else there are hotels in the Red Lion, Mount Laurel, and Hammonton area.

MEALS:  Meals are included in the cost of staying with us at the Camp.  They are served family style in the Dining Hall, just a short walk from Algonquin Village.  The camp offers a nutritional and varied menu with vegetarian options.

CLOTHING:  October in South Jersey is still mild.  Daytime temperatures are generally in the 50s and 60s, but the evenings can be quite cool. Cold snaps are always possible, so come prepared with some warm clothing too.  Dry or wet suits will be handy for paddling if you have them.  If you don’t:  insulating layers and quick drying clothing are adequate.  Neoprene boots (or similar).    Please come prepared for any weather; we paddle unless it is storming.

GEAR/EQUIPMENT: Bring a canoe, paddles, PFD (to be worn at all times when on the water), and kneeling pad.  If you need to rent any of these items, please let us know ASAP, so we can make arrangements.   Additional items to bring include:  bedding, towels, personal toiletries, bug dope, flashlight/headlamp, camp chair, sunscreen, water bottle, dry bag.

PRINT REGISTRATION PACKET FORMS USING THE LINKS BELOW:

Medical Form

ACA Waiver: ADULT / MINOR