New Jersey Search and Rescue

10/08/2026

During the training year, NJSAR members and candidates practice night tactics to improve search and rescue in the dark.  September was one of those night shifts for us in Campgaw Mountain Ski Area. It's a fun challenge to work equipment and maneuvers at night, as it gives our folks opportunity to test gear, ensuring we can provide outstanding SAR at night.

As we worked into the night, the Team was called out to assist West Milford SAR in an actual search effort in a nearby forest.  The Team provided immediate assistance, while the candidates and new applicants continued night training.with a skeleton crew of Members.  It was a great chance to help a fellow SAR team and get a solid training night all in one.

If you'd like to help find people in the light or the dark, www.njsar.org

09/17/2026

Congratulations to Norman and Gio for completing all requirements to become full team members of NJSAR! Welcome to the team!

08/25/2026

Meet the People of NJSAR..... Introducing Peter, whose work in the outdoors has been a great asset to the Team. Peter has been a full team member since 2021.
"I have worked my entire life in outdoor jobs including backpacking trip leader, river guide, wilderness school instructor, and trail builder. My current role is Senior Trail Planner for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, leading projects on trail assessment, layout and design, network revision, and phased construction implementation."

What's your favorite thing about NJSAR and tell us something new you've learned:
"The SARTopo mapping software used by NJSAR is incredibly powerful, and it has revolutionized how I conduct trail planning work in my professional life. I've loved taking SAR courses to learn more about using the program, and then applying those techniques to make detailed and valuable trail planning maps for public land managers."

www.njsar.org

08/07/2026

24 hours.  3 search scenarios.  3 locations.  6,000oz of water consumed.  38 PB&J's. 1 Team.

July was a 24 hour drill covering multiple locations across northern NJ.  Search scenarios were presented to each shift and worked throughout the day and overnight.  Each summer this drill challenges gear, coordination, map and search skills, and overall toughness.  Plus, it's fun.

Not afraid of the dark and like eating squished sandwiches in your backpack too?  www.njsar.org

07/10/2026

Each drill presents challenges to our NJSAR Members and Candidates which incorporate searching and rescuing techniques for a favorable outcome. Last month, we staged several practice stations throughout the beautiful Sourland Mountain Preserve and gave our team an opportunity to test themselves over varied terrain with different scenarios. Role players were lost, despondent, mildly hurt, majorly hurt, and stung and bitten by all the things that bite and sting in the woods. Teammates worked in cohesive groups to solve each problem as they arose.

It's a beautiful thing watching volunteers work to make a difference. www.njsar.org

06/06/2026

M stands for May and Medical! Last month's drill was focused on medical treatment of patients in the field. Each team member is trained and re-certifies in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. We train to do patient assessments and determine what is needed for the safest rescue out of the woods. This drill had members and candidates working problems at different stations scattered throughout New Weis Center. Great weather and great energy by everyone involved made for a super productive day!

We teach, you learn, people have safer times in the woods. www.njsar.org

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Matthew and Justin for being the latest two candidates to graduate and become full team members! NJSAR President Avigayl had the honor of patching our newest guys at this month's meeting. Welcome aboard.

05/12/2026

April's drill brought NJSAR members and candidates back to Ramapo Mountain. The fun difference this month is our candidates went through their Mission Ready Candidate final exam day on Saturday. After months of drills and certifications, our twice annual MRC weekend is their chance to graduate from candidacy and become a full team member.

After taking multiple field exams and spending the night in their own shelters, they joined the rest of the team on Sunday for an extensive mock search through the reservation. Everyone handled the curve balls thrown their way and were able to adapt and overcome unexpected challenges. As expected, a very long and very arduous carryout finished the day.

Acts of service to others feeds the soul. www.njsar.org

04/14/2026

Stop by our table to learn more about the team, equipment used, and ways to support our mission.

🌎 SAT, APR 18, 11am-3pm: Join us for our free 9th Annual Earth Day Celebration! We’ll have nature crafts, activities, games, and a volunteer cleanup going on throughout the event - plus some special programs scheduled at the times below. This is a FREE event and no registration is needed. Just stop by!

For full details, visit our website at www.highlandsnaturefriends.org.