By: Michela Sales, NJSOC Executive Assistant
This past Wednesday, we were excited to welcome our very first school group of 2026 to campus: Jordan Road School from the Somers Point School District! Their sixth-grade class joined us for a three-day, two-night overnight experience, continuing a tradition that spans more than four decades.
Jordan Road School has been bringing their sixth graders to the New Jersey School of Conservation since 1984, making their Stokes trip a true rite of passage. Every student who has passed through the school has had their Stokes experience. Even during the pandemic, when overnight trips weren’t possible, students still came for day trips as eighth graders so they wouldn’t miss out entirely. That dedication speaks volumes about how deeply this experience is woven into the school’s culture.
Much of that continuity is thanks to their longtime trip coordinator, Devon Kallen, who has been organizing these visits for over 20 years. From planning fundraisers to collecting winter gear so every student arrives prepared, Devon works tirelessly to ensure the trip is successful for both students and staff. Jordan Road also brings several familiar faces back to campus each year, including their nurse Margo, who will be retiring this year.
We’re especially grateful that the cold weather has kept the lake frozen enough to allow us to offer Ice Fishing again this season. In addition to Ice Fishing, students will be participating in a wide variety of hands-on classes, including Conservation Photography, Metalsmithing, Orienteering, Questing, Early Settler Life, a half-day hike, and a full-day hike
These experiences give students a chance to challenge themselves, explore the natural world, and build confidence outside of the classroom. For some students, it was their first time ice fishing, and for others, it was their very first time fishing in general!
We are thrilled to begin our 2026 season with such a longstanding partner and look forward to another meaningful week of learning, adventure, and tradition with Jordan Road School.
