General Club Facts:

Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Membership in the BCHC is $10.00 per person per year in order to receive the quarterly newsletter. Further information on membership can be obtained when attending a scheduled hike. Other subgroups within the BCHC are the "Thursday Wanderers." Most hikes are followed by a dinner stop. We call ourselves "The Eating Club with a Hiking Disorder"! ****Hiking and Trail Guidelines: ** Be courteous & stay behind the leader unless directed otherwise.** Offer $.10/mile to driver when carpooling. * *In the event of inclement weather, the hike may be canceled.** Please leave your pets at home.**If unable to keep a club commitment, please find a replacement. * Wear blaze orange during hunting season (Sept 1 to last day of Feb). * Appropriate footwear and attire should match the type of hike.** If you leave the hike early, notify the hike leader or ask someone to do that for you.** Bring water and food as the hike description and weather demand.* * Hiking involves risk. Come out prepared and know your capabilities. Each hiker is responsible for their own safety and well-being.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Friday January 1, 2016 - Polar Bear Dip Hike


approx. 6 miles

Take a 4 mile countryside hike with some hills and views of Myerstown’s parks, cemeteries and nursing homes leading to the Polar Bear Dip at 12 noon. If you want to jump in bring your finest, warmest swimwear and join the other “cubs” starting the new year with a ‘plunge.’ Then hike 1.8 miles back to our cars. There is free admission to the dip, but a donation to Lebanon Disabilities is appreciated. Dress warm.

Meeting place: 9:45 am, Dutch Way Restaurant Rt. 422 West before Myerstown. Afterwards, the Dutch Way will have pork ‘n sauerkraut on their special buffet, or platters from their menu.

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-678-5245 

Monday, November 23, 2015

Saturday December 26, 2015 - Millersville University Lancaster


5 - 6 easy miles

Check out Millersville University which is located in a park-like setting. This hike will be mostly on roads and around the pond area of the University. The students should be home for Christmas break, so we should have the campus to ourselves. Lunch stop could be a newly discovered diner or the Oregon Dairy.

Meeting place: 9:30 am, Ollie’s parking lot in Shillington, off Bus. Rt. 222 at the junction of Rt. 222 and Rt. 724

For further information or directions, contact: 610-603-9461 or 610-796-7602 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Saturday December 19,2015 - Iron Plantation Christmas


 4 – 5 easy, mostly flat miles

Visit Hopewell Village to share the echoes and catch glimpses of Christmas past. Beware the Belsnickel! Visit Bethesda Church after we leave the village. Enjoy holiday goodies in the parking lot after the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am, French Creek State Park Boat Launch area at Hopewell Lake on Park Road

For further information and directions, contact: 610-286-8913 

Friday, November 13, 2015

Saturday December 12, 2015 - Oley Roads


approx. 5.5 moderate miles

This road hike affords scenic views of Oley farmland and fields. No severe hills as we pass historic sites such as the Reiff and DeTurk Homesteads and the Moravian School area, though nothing remains of it.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the Weis Market, Rt. 73 and Friedensburg Road in Oley 

For further information and directions, contact: 610-323-1703 

Monday, November 2, 2015