The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Announces ATrailsCelebration Trail Walker Special Insert A week-long extravaganza of hikes, workshops, and entertainment. Take Part in the 36th Biennial Conference of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy July 13-20 at Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah, NJ — All Welcome; Accessible Via Public Transit This summer, July 13-20, the New York- room will be assigned to a suite in Laurel New Jersey Trail Conference is proud to Hall. You must bring your own bed linen, organize and host the 36th Biennial Con- including pillow, as the college will not be ference of the Appalachian Trail supplying it. Fire regulations limit the Conservancy (ATC)—a week-long extrava- number of people (beds) per room and ganza of hikes, workshops, and additional cots, beds, or sleeping bags on entertainment open to the hiking commu- the floor will not be permitted. All children nity and their friends and family. This will be assigned beds. Children 12 and eight-page supplement to Trail Walker under will be charged half price. includes complete information about the event, to be based at Ramapo College in Camping: All camping is off campus. Mahwah, New Jersey, and accessible via public transportation. Plan to join us for Official Conference campsite: Campgaw just a day, or make it a vacation and come Mountain County Reservation is 1.5 miles for the week. On tap are 94 hiking destina- from the college. Tent camping will be on tions (you can complete part of the 160 an open field and available for the entire miles of the Appalachian Trail through our week on a per diem basis. Flush toilets and region or hike on many of the other 1500 showers are located within the park; miles of trails maintained by NY-NJ Trail portable toilets will be provided close to the Conference), 70 workshops, opportunities camping area. Shower facilities will be to work and learn trail-building skills on Choose from among 94 hikes, 70 workshops, and a host of other activities. available on campus from 4:30-6:30pm the Trail Conference’s big AT relocation continued on page 2B project at Bear Mountain, excursions for March 1 – Online registration opens. modes of transportation, including public non-hikers, a youth program, and count- transportation. Rail service is just a less informal gatherings with hikers and May 15 – Last date for early-bird registra- short taxi ride away and buses to and from Conference trail volunteers from around the country. tion with a reduced registration fee. Paper New York City’s Port Authority stop on Use the registration forms in this registration forms must be postmarked by campus. It is even possible to walk from at a Glance program, or sign up online at this date to get the early-bird fee. the AT to a train station and arrive at the www.ramapo2007.org. conference. For out-of-town folks, there Friday, July 13 June 1 – Last date to mail paper registra- are five airports. Check-in, registration from noon Always a Step Ahead tion (must be postmarked). Hike/Workshop on AT For the hiking community, the Appalachi- By car: Ramapo College is on Route 202 at Bear Mountain an Trail is always a step ahead—both a June 10 – Last date for online registration. near routes 17, I-287, and I-87 (New York vision and a reality that inspires casual and State Thruway). It is 1.4 miles south of the Exhibits, sales by clubs and vendors heroic hiking, creative volunteering, and July 1 – Registration reopens at conference Route 202 exit on Route 17. Follow signs Opening campfire at 8pm; off-campus; dedicated professionalism. The New York- for walk-ins. to the college and go to the second traffic sign up for free ticket and plan to New Jersey Trail Conference has been there light at the campus. Turn left into the cam- car pool. from the beginning, helping to lead the Online registration is strongly encouraged. pus, left again at a T-junction, and then an way. In 1923, volunteers for the newly cre- Go to www.ramapo2007.org. Registering immediate right to park in the area for stu- Saturday, July 14 ated NY-NJ Trail Conference opened the online offers a greater chance of getting dents. Walk uphill to the Alumni Lounge Check-in, registration, 7am to 7pm first new section of the AT, in Harriman- into popular events since it avoids delays in in the Student Center. Afternoon: ATC opening meeting Bear Mountain State Park. Two years later, mailing and data entry. You know immedi- Additional driving directions are online, Hikes, workshops, excursions NY-NJ Trail Conference joined with other ately if events are full and can consider or obtain custom directions via Mapquest clubs up and down the East Coast to create various alternatives. Note that family or Google for 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Youth Ecology Program begins; what is now known as the Appalachian groups may register together and make a Mahwah, NJ 07430. through Thursday, July 19 Trail Conservancy (ATC), the nonprofit single payment for all group members. Exhibits, sales by clubs and vendors organization dedicated to maintaining, You may pay by check even if using By rail: From New York City: Take New managing, and protecting the AT, the pre- online registration. Checks must be Jersey Transit train from Penn Station to Silent auction, 9am to 3pm mier long-distance hiking trail in the received within 10 days to avoid cancella- Secaucus Junction (first stop). Change for Evening entertainment: Folk/rock duo United States. Today, ATC manages the tion of your registration. northbound Bergen County or Main Line Aztec Two Step ($12 ticket required) Trail through a partnership agreement with Those unable to register through the web train, to either Mahwah, NJ, or Suffern, the National Park Service and maintaining site may submit completed registration NY. Take a taxi to Ramapo College. Sunday, July 15 clubs. forms (see pages 7B and 8B in this supple- Check-in, registration, 7am to 7pm ment) to Ramapo 2007, PO Box 576, By bus: Take Coach USA from Port ATC Annual Membership Meeting Registration Information Yorktown Heights, NY 10598-0576. Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to and election of Board of Directors Hikes, workshops, and other activities have Make checks payable to: NY-NJ Trail Mahwah directly to the Ramapo College Hikes, workshops, excursions registration limits; some have minimum Conference Campus. Some buses do not stop on cam- sign-up requirements or they will be can- pus. Bus fares to Mahwah from Port Exhibits, sales by clubs and vendors celled. Sign up early to ensure your Walk-in registration will be limited to Authority Bus Terminal $10.85, $5.40 for 2,000 Miler Reception for long-distance selections and to qualify for an early-bird those staying off campus and strictly on a seniors, one way. hikers discount. space-available basis. Many events are Early evening entertainment: Unless otherwise noted, the registration expected to be full. If you want on-campus Accommodations Arm of the Sea Theater fee covers the cost of all hikes, workshops, lodging, you must register by June 1 Check-in: Begins Friday, July 13 at noon ATC Annual Membership Meeting and meetings. Excursions, transportation (paper), June 10 (online). to 11pm; Saturday and Sunday, 7am to and election of Board of Directors to/from hikes, and the featured Saturday 7pm. A reception desk will be open daily. night entertainment require additional Conference Site Monday, July 16 – Friday, July 20 fees. Membership in the Appalachian Trail Ramapo College is New Jersey’s public lib- On Campus Hikes, workshops, excursions Conservancy, the New York-New Jersey eral arts college. Located in Mahwah, its Residence halls: Two air-conditioned (last excursions, July 19) Trail Conference, or any AT maintaining bucolic campus is on a former estate, close residence halls offer a total of 680 Exhibits, sales by clubs and vendors club is not required. All are welcome. to parks with miles of hiking trails. single beds. The conference website end Monday at noon www.ramapo2007.org has more details Getting There about the residence halls and a link to Evening entertainments; Ramapo College is accessible via many room layout. People requesting a single see website for complete schedule Page 2B Special Insert: A Trails Celebration Protocol for Hikes, Workshops, and Excursions And for Youth… Each hike, workshop, and excursion has a cancelled. Passengers are expected to share This family friendly conference offers a Youth Program at New Jersey Audubon Weis registration limit and some activities have a the cost of tolls and parking and to con- Ecology Center (Weis), operated by the New Jersey Audubon Society. There will also be registration minimum. If an outing has tribute to the driver’s gasoline cost. excursions, hikes, and a few workshops for children under 12. Teens can experience being insufficient registration, it will be cancelled. Mileage given in each description is the on a college campus and attend workshops, hikes, and excursion as well. Register early to be sure to reserve a spot. ride-share distance. The Youth Program at Weis will run from Saturday, July 14 through Thursday, July 19. All children 18 years old and younger must Approximate pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) There are no restrictions on the number of days a child can attend, but we recommend at be registered with and accompanied by a fees for public transportation are indicat- least two. Children must be entering kindergarten and not be older than 12 years old. responsible adult. ed in the listing. Each $ represents about Expect your child to get interested, wet, and dirty.