Our History

 

Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club was founded by outdoor enthusiasts who shared a simple vision: to bring people together through safe, responsible adventure in South Florida’s natural landscapes. What began as a small group of paddlers and campers has grown into a longstanding community dedicated to recreation, education, and conservation.

 

Over the years, the Club has expanded its activities to include kayaking, canoeing, hiking, bicycling, snorkeling, camping, and environmental stewardship projects. Generations of members have contributed to its growth—organizing trips, leading educational programs, supporting local conservation efforts, and building a culture rooted in camaraderie and respect for the outdoors.

 

Today, Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club continues to honor its founding principles while evolving to meet the interests of new members, preserving the spirit of adventure and environmental responsibility that has defined the Club from the beginning.

 

Meet Our Leadership Team

 

Officers

 

President

 

Bruce Moore

Bruce Moore has been a member of the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club since 1997 and currently serves as Club President. Introduced to the club through friends in the local Contra dance community, Bruce quickly found a passion for the club’s outdoor adventures, conservation values, and strong sense of community.

 

A retired newspaper copy editor and experienced organizational leader, Bruce brings decades of experience in communication, planning, and volunteer leadership. His background includes leading large-scale projects at The Palm Beach Post and serving for many years as an officer and president of the local Browns Backers organization.

 

As President, Bruce has focused on revitalizing the club through expanded community outreach, technology improvements, conservation initiatives, and beginner-friendly programs like Kayaking 101. He is passionate about preserving the club’s legacy while helping it grow for future generations, with a continued focus on camping, paddling, hiking, biking, and lifelong friendships built around the outdoors.

 

Vice President

 

Kathy McKim

 

 

Secretary

 

Nancy Doucette

Nancy Doucette has been a dedicated member of the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club since 1987 and currently serves as the club’s Secretary. A lifelong educator who taught English to adults from countries around the world, Nancy first discovered the club after someone suggested she attend a Pack & Paddle outing. What began as curiosity quickly turned into decades of friendship, adventure, and leadership.

 

Over the years, Nancy has led countless camping and paddling trips, often heading out on Friday afternoons and returning on Mondays while balancing her teaching career. She has served the club in several leadership roles, including President during the challenges of the COVID years. She hopes to see the club continue to grow with younger members and families joining future adventures. She adv ises new members not to be afraid to try camping or paddling because the club community is always willing to help, lend gear, and share knowledge. According to Nancy, the only requirement is a willingness to get outside, make friends, and enjoy the adventure.

 

 

 

Treasurer

 Catherine Bushnell

 

Catherine has been involved with the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club since 2022, when she moved to Florida, and is currently serving as the club's Treasurer. With a passion for kayaking and hiking, she enjoys sharing her outdoor experiences with others in south Florida.   Catherine has been kayaking for more than 20 years in Canada, Maryland, and Florida.  She has spent decades climbing and hiking in the mountains but has now discovered a passion for flatland wilderness hiking and kayaking.  Riverbend Park has become her favorite spot in Palm Beach County, where she can kayak with the alligators and hike with the deer.  

 

Fun Fact: Catherine met her partner at a Pack & Paddle monhtly meeting.  This is a great organization for developing friendships (and more!).

 

 

Director

Geoff Wilson

Geoff is an avid outdoorsman.  His best days are with his beloved wife traveling the country in their 35-foot Class A motorhome.  His home is in Lake Worth, FL.  Geoff  has been a member of Palm, Beach Pack & Paddle Club for more than 30 years, has served as president and treasurer and has contributed countless volunteer hours over the years to the club in many other roles.   He has been a dedicated FONC volunteer since 2008 and a former treasurer there as well.  

 

Geoff has a deep appreciation for FONC's mission and the impact it has on the community. He is a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility. Geoff is also dedicated to the Friends of Okeeheelee and  to the Okeeheelee Nature Center’s mission of  "fostering an awareness and appreciation of the environment by providing enriching experiences and opportunities for personal encounters with the natural world.”

 

Director

 

Gerry Baker

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer. 

 

 

 

Director

Tom Arth

Tom Arth has been an active member of the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club since the early 1990s and has spent more than 50 years paddling canoes and kayaks while exploring the outdoors he loves. A longtime Board Member and Treasurer, Tom brings decades of experience in kayaking, canoeing, camping, and outdoor leadership, along with CPR and First Aid certifications. His favorite adventures often take place in Florida State Parks, especially along the Peace River and at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

 

Tom values the friendships, shared knowledge, and sense of community that Pack & Paddle provides, and he enjoys helping others discover a love for nature and adventure. Whether leading a paddle, sharing stories on the drive to a destination, or relaxing by a tent listening to owls and distant gators after a day outdoors, Tom believes the best memories are made by simply getting involved and saying yes to the next adventure.

 

 

 

Director

Inke Sunila

Inke Sunila serves the Club as 101 Coordinator and the Public Representative on theLoxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council. Inke has a Ph.D. inPhysiological Zoology, and her career included research positions at CooperativeOxford Laboratory in Maryland, and then George Washington University Medical Centerin Washington D.C. For 20 years Inke worked for the State of Connecticut, Departmentof Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture as State Shellfish/Pathologist/Environmental Laboratory Director.  After retiring, Inke relocated to Lake Worth Beach to embark on anew journey: to learn about different species, biodiversity and ecosystems in the tropicswhile hiking, kayaking and photographing.

 

Director

 

 

 

Deborah Smith

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer. 

 

 

Committee Chairs

​

 

Bruce Moore - Program Committee

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer. 

 

 

 

Gerry Baker - Membership and Activities Committees

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer. 

 

 

 

 

Rachel Buckley - Conservation Committee

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer. 

 

 

 

 

Betsy Savitt - Community Outreach Committee

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer. 

 

 

 

Jim Augustine - Equipment Committee

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer. 

 

Pending

 

Hi there. I'm a block of text. Click here to edit the text and add your own. Nothing’s carved in stone, so you can change it any time.This is a good place to describe your business and what you offer.