Most hiking clubs in New Jersey are based in the northern part of the state, since that's where most of the mountainous and wooded terrain is located. The Outdoor Club of South Jersey focuses on the southern part of the state for the majority of its activities, while also providing trips to farther destinations.
Outdoor Club of South Jersey
The Outdoor Club of South Jersey is the main hiking club that is based in southern New Jersey. It was started in 1966, and has grown significantly since then. They offer mainly local hiking trips to South Jersey residents, as well as trips doing other activities like backpacking, canoeing and cycling. An individual membership costs $20 as of September 2010.
Other Clubs
There are a few other clubs that occasionally visit South Jersey destinations, though they focus more on Northern New Jersey or New York. Some of these include the Adventures for Women and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. South Jersey residents are welcome to become a member with these clubs, and must travel a bit farther to meet up for hikes.
Destinations
The Outdoor Club of South Jersey tries to make most destinations local so that the members can come on hikes and events often. They take trips to the Brendan Byrne State Forest and Bass River State Forest, and have smaller destinations like Strawbridge Lake for quicker trips. The club also starts in small towns like Sewell, where they are able to find hikes nearby. Occasionally, they will take trips that go up to the mountains of North Jersey, or go out of state to New York or as far as even Maine.
Difficulty
Hikes with the Outdoor Club of South Jersey range from easy to strenuous. They offer short hikes, less than 4 miles long, on many weekdays and title them "After Work Hikes." There are also longer, fast-paced hikes through local state forests and towns that can be up to 10 miles long.
Other Activities
Other than hiking, outdoor clubs from southern New Jersey are involved in activities like cross-country skiing, canoeing or kayaking, and cycling. These clubs also focus a great deal on conservation efforts and environmental stewardship. There are volunteer opportunities for trail maintenance and events to help conserve the land that is left for the enjoyment of hikers.
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