Mullica River Paddling Trip / River Camping

What: Mullica River Paddling & Camping Trip

When: Friday, June 7 to Sunday June 9

Where: Mullica River, Shamong, NJ in the Pine Barrens

Who: Scouts / Parents

Weather Contingencies: Unless weather is severe, the trip will go as described … plan for rain or cool weather. In the event of severe weather forecast for Friday night or Sunday, the leaders reserve the option to depart early Saturday morning and/or return late Saturday night.

Fee: $40.00.  If the trip turns out to be less expensive than planned, we will credit your scout account.

Registration closes: Friday, May 31^st at 10:00 PM

Capacity: Approximately 20 people.  1^st priority given to scouts

Registration page: click here.

Payment Page: click here.

Details:  Fleet 49 will depart the OLPH dock at 5:00 PM Friday night June 7.  We will sail south on Interstate 95, mooring in camp sometime around 8-9 PM, depending on traffic.  We will bunk in a large group campsite off the river.  After a hot breakfast early Saturday morning, we will shuttle gear and people, with a goal to be on the river about 10:00 AM. (Permits not available from the Park Service until 9:00 AM.)  We will have lunch on the river, arriving at riverside campsite mid-afternoon; likely around 3 PM.  We will then make camp, gather some firewood and relax before dinner.  After an evening of epic star gazing – weather permitting – we’ll settle in for a sound sleep after a satisfying day.

On Sunday morning, we will rise early for either a hot or grab-and-go breakfast, depending on the advancement needs of our cooks.  We’ll be on the water by 8 at the very latest in order to depart the Pine Barrens mid-morning, with an estimated return to OLPH about 1 PM.

Difficulty: Moderate.  It is not physically strenuous but if you have never canoed there will be a learning curve”.  The Mullica is a very gentle river.

Advancement Opportunities (Boy Scout Handbook 13^th Edition, 2016):

• Tent nights (2)
• Cooking with lightweight/backpacking equipment
• ~10 miles of river travel
• Tenderfoot: 1a, b, c; 2a, b, c; others
• Second Class: 1a, c; 2a, b, c, d, e; 5a, c, d; others
• First Class: 1a, b; 2a-e; 6b, c, d, e; others

Merit Badge Requirements: Parts of …

• Camping
• Cooking
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Likely numerous others …

Gear:

• Positive Attitude, Adaptability
• Tent – light. Borrow a small one if necessary
• Sleeping bag – small
• Sleeping pad – small
• Headlamp – fresh batteries
• Water bottles or bladder – plan on AT LEAST 2 quarts of liquid
• Mess kit – no trailer, so no paper supplies.
• Duffel or backpack – lined with trash bag or pack contents in zip-lock bags
• Rain Gear – we will paddle in the rain
• Water shoes – the boats accumulate water in the bottom
• Fleece – likely to be cool in the evenings
• Nylon shorts/pants – NO COTTON
• ** HAT **
• Sun Screen – sun could be our adversary on this outing
• Sun Glasses
• Rain Gear
• (Optional) Dry Bag for critical items – 1 change of clothes and sleeping bag

Food:

• We will be eating trail food … the same food backpackers eat on the trail at Philmont. Picky eaters should fill pockets with snacks …

What’s Different from a normal trip:

• Your gear will travel to the Pine Barrens in the bed of the CANOE TRAILER. It will get dusty/dirty and may get wet.  It will be exposed to the elements.  Please pack accordingly.
• Lightweight gear – please don’t bring excessive equipment. If you – or your planned tent mate – don’t have a small tent, let Mr. Burns know and we can try to get one from the Troop Trailer prior to departure.
• All stoves will be of the lightweight variety, or we will use campfire cooking. Foil meals would also be appropriate, for example.  We will NOT have the Troop Trailer – we will have to plan well …