Adirondack Base Camp header image

Entries Tagged as 'events'

11th Annual Great Adirondack Birding Celebration

April 22nd, 2013 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Paul Smith’s College VIC 31 May – 2 June 2013

Adirondack Bird WatchingThe 11th annual Great Adirondack Birding Celebration is scheduled for 31 May – 2 June 2013, at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) in Paul Smiths, New York. The event will feature field trips to boreal birding hot spots, informative lectures, and workshops. Field trips include: an all-day Birding Across the Adirondacks trip on Friday, plus a selection of half-day field trips on Saturday and Sunday (Birding by Ear at the VIC, Beginner Birder Workshop at the VIC, Bloomingdale Bog, Intervale Lowlands, Little Clear Pond for loons, Madawaska Flow, Spring Pond Bog, and Whiteface Mountain).

The keynote speaker on Friday night is Sara R. Morris, professor of Biology and the Program Coordinator of the Environmental Science Program at Canisius College. Dr. Morris will speak on bird migration. The keynote speaker on Saturday night is Michale Glennon, Coordinator for the Adirondack Program at the Wildlife Conservation Society. Dr. Glennon will speak on the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Boreal Bird Project.

Some of the boreal species that participants in the Great Adirondack Birding Celebration hope to find include the Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse, Bicknell’s Thrush and a variety of migrating warblers.

The 3,000-acre Paul Smiths VIC contains every habitat type found in the Adirondack Park with the exception of alpine vegetation. Included on the property is a 60-acre marsh, five ponds, several brooks and swamps, bogs, fens, and varied forest types, most notably northern boreal forest. The site includes significant glacial and geological features and provides scenic vistas of Saint Regis Mountain and Jenkins Mountain. The VIC property includes 6 miles of interpretive trails and 8 miles of back country trails for spring, summer, and fall use.

Festival Hours:

Friday, 31 May: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, 1 June: 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Sunday, 2 June: 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Preregistration is required. Registration opens 1 May 2013.

For more information: http://bit.ly/17IyIiL

(Photo: Courtesy of ARTC)

Tags: ····

Maple sweetness at The Wild Center and Paul Smith’s College VIC

February 5th, 2013 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Events scheduled for February and March

PAUL SMITHS, NY – The recent cold temperatures bode well for a good maple syrup season – and in February and March, The Wild Center and the Paul Smith’s College VIC will host several events showcasing how to make (and enjoy!) this quintessential springtime treat.

Over four weekends, watch how the sweet sap of trees becomes the highlight of a pancake breakfast and learn other ways to use this natural sweetener at a series of demonstrations, activities and events in both Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths.

Northern New York Maple Project

The Paul Smith’s College VIC will host two workshops for people interested in establishing their own backyard maple sugaring operations.

  • Toss out your old-fashioned maple taps – on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 1-4 p.m., learn how to set up a modern tubing system with Mike Farrell, director of the Cornell Maple Program. A brief classroom session will be followed by hands-on work at the VIC’s sugar maple demonstration site. Topics will include preparing the sugar bush prior to tubing installation; site considerations; line placement and installation; tapping trees; sanitation; and sap collection. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for a 2-3 mile snowshoe walk on groomed trails and uneven terrain. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow a pair from the VIC.
  • On Saturday, March 23, from 1-4 p.m., learn about the art of maple sugaring with special emphasis on backyard tapping, collection and boiling. At this event, part of New York State’s Maple Weekend, Paul Smith’s College students will lead workshops and provide tours of the sugarhouse and the maple demonstration site. Includes program and tastings for the whole family.

The Wild Center will also host a pair of workshops on Sunday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, March 16, to launch Tupper Lake’s first-ever community maple sugaring project. The project, one of the first in the state, invites area residents to tap maple trees in their own yards. The Wild Center will collect the sap daily once it starts to flow, ultimately boiling it down into maple syrup.

To participate, attend the free “Art of Maple Sugaring Breakfast and Workshop.” Registered participants will get a pancake breakfast, an introduction to the natural history of maple trees, expert instruction and tapping tools. Additional supplies will be available for purchase from The Wild Supply Company. Advanced registration is required; attendance at either workshop is necessary to participate in the project. Families are encouraged to attend.

After the workshops end, it’s all maple all day at The Wild Center, with maple stories, crafts and tastings on Feb. 24 and March 16. The Adirondack Museum will share local maple sugaring stories through historical objects and pictures from the past. Get insight into the sugaring process from experienced naturalists at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. as they discuss tapping trees, processing sap, and – the sweet part – maple sugar. Take a closer look at an operational evaporator, catch some running sap and drill your own tap as we explore the local maple-sugaring story.

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Visit Maple Weekends to register for events at The Wild Center or call (518) 359-7800. For events at the Paul Smith’s College VIC, contact Brian McDonnell at (518) 327-6241 or bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu. For more information, please visit us online at www.northernnewyorkmaple.com.

Tags: ······

Presidents Week at The Wild Center

February 5th, 2013 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Wild Center LogoTupper Lake, NY – Don’t miss Presidents Week at The Wild Center, February 17th – February 24th as we celebrate the season with a week of wintery Adirondack fun. Everyday there is a new winter theme and activities for the whole family to enjoy. In addition to special daily winter programming there will be guided snowshoe walks, live animal encounters, and warm winter beverages. For more information, visit The WILD Center – Events.

Saturday, February 16th
Join us for opening day of Winter Week as we celebrate winter in the Adirondacks! Get outside and try your hand at snowshoeing with one of our naturalists. Or stay inside to learn about winter adventuring and to meet some of our Adirondack animals, whose adaptations allow them to cope with the harsh Adirondack winters in intriguing ways.

Sunday, February 17th
Noon theater program and 2:00 pm walk
Animal Tracking with Vince Walsh
Join Vince Walsh for a day on animal tracking and signs to learn how you can see, identify and interpret the natural world of the Adirondacks. Vince will share his experience and insight through multiple public programs starting with a 12:00 pm theater presentation on winter and its influences on animal behavior. Then bring your tracking questions, pictures and stories to Vince as he puzzles over your tracking experiences and discoveries. Don’t forget to bring some warm clothes so at 2:00 pm you can head outside to practice your tracking skills and use all your senses to see what evidence of animals you can find in the Adirondack forest. Snowshoes will be provided free with admission.

Monday, February 18th – 1:00 pm
Wild about Winter
Join naturalist and entertainer Rob Carr for a wild theater program about Adirondack animals in the winter. Filled with stories, humor, puppets and LOTS of live animals, it is guaranteed to please visitors of all ages.

Tuesday, February 19th – 1:00 pm
Winter Birds of the Adirondacks
Where have all the birdies gone? While it might seem like all our birds fly south when the weather gets chilly, there are plenty that stick around and tough out the Adirondack winters. Meet LIVE Adirondack birds in our theater at 1:00 pm for a fascinating program about birds and their winter adaptations. Follow up with a 2:00 pm bird walk along our trails, looking for signs of these tenacious feathered fliers and talking about the ways different species adapt for the cold.

Wednesday, February 20th – 1:00 pm
Creatures of the Night
Nighttime animals love the long winter nights. Join us in Planet Adirondack at 1:00 pm to meet live creatures of the night and get a glimpse into their nighttime habits.

Thursday, February 21st – 1:00 pm
Putting the Myth on Ice
Bears sleep all winter, plants stop growing and all birds fly south…or do they? Join naturalist Andrea Schwander for a fun-filled theater program of breaking down misconceptions and myth busting. The program will focus on some animal and winter myths, and will feature audience participation, demonstrations, and of course, some of The Wild Center’s live animals.

Friday, February 22nd – 1:00 pm
Brrrrrrrrreakfast
Not many choose to brave the cold Adirondack winters, not even in the animal kingdom. Lucky for us we have a couple of LIVE animals that tend to stick around instead of hightailing it to warmer areas. Come to our afternoon theater program to learn about their adaptations for obtaining food and energy in the long cold days of winter.

Saturday, February 23rd – 1:00 pm
The Travel Troupe
Join The Wild Center in welcoming the Ronathahonni Cultural Center’s Travel Troupe. Come learn about their cultural history through song, dance and storytelling at 1:00 pm in our Flammer Theater.

Sunday, February 24th – 9:00 am
Pancake Breakfast and Sugaring Workshop
The Wild Center is joining Tupper Lake community members and their sugar maple trees to create a community-driven Maple Sugar house. For local residents: register for the 9:00 am free Pancake Breakfast and Sugaring Workshop to learn more about our community maple project. Register at www.wildcenter.org/events and see how you can get involved.

Tags: ····

DEC To Again Hold Three Weekends of Santanoni Winter Open Houses

January 15th, 2013 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Events Will Provide a Rare Opportunity to See the Inside of Camp Buildings During the Winter Months

NYSDEC LogoThree Winter Weekend events will once again be held at Camp Santanoni this year, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

The events will take place during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, January 19-21; President’s Day holiday weekend, February 16-18; and the weekend of March 16-17. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers will have access to the historic camp properties located in the town of Newcomb in Essex County to rest and view interpretative displays.

Camp Santanoni
(Panoramio – Photo of Camp Santanoni)

“Camp Santanoni provides an amazing 9.8-mile round trip cross-country ski excursion in the Adirondacks,” Commissioner Martens said. “The trail traverses from the Gate House complex to the remote lakeside main lodge complex, providing a moderate ski and a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Events like these are part of Governor Cuomo and DEC’s efforts to work with local communities to increase tourism and economic activity by showcasing the recreational opportunities and historic treasures the Adirondacks has to offer.”

During the three Winter Weekend events cross-country skiers and snowshoers will be able to visit both the Gate Lodge and Main Lodge of Camp Santanoni, view displays about the great camp and take interpretive tours with Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) staff. The Artist’s Studio, a stone building near the main lodge on the shores of Newcomb Lake, will be open as a warming hut. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available and the public is asked to bring their own cups. Also, the Adirondack Interpretive Center will provide snowshoes to lend to visitors at the Gate Lodge.

The three Winter Weekend events are being hosted by DEC, AARCH, the town of Newcomb and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s (ESF) Adirondack Interpretive Center.

“We are happy to work with our partners, DEC, AARCH and SUNY ESF to build on the history and natural beauty of our town to provide tourism destinations that people want to visit,” said Newcomb Town Supervisor George Canon. “Great Camp Santanoni is at least as beautiful covered in winter snows as it is in mid-summer.”

“ESF is excited to partner with DEC, town of Newcomb and AARCH to help expand how Great Camp Santanoni is used,” said Paul Hai of SUNY ESF’s Northern Forest Institute, which manages the Adirondack Interpretive Center. “Newcomb is a fantastic town, rich with history, recreation and educational opportunities. Collaborations like this grow our town while increasing visitors’ and residents’ appreciation and understanding of the Adirondacks. We are looking forward to working together on more programs and creative ideas in Newcomb.”

“We are delighted to be part of these winter open house weekends again and look forward to welcoming skiers and snowshoers there at a very beautiful and peaceful time of year,” said Steven Engelhart, Executive Director of AARCH. “Last year, over eight days, we had more than 400 people make the ten mile round-trip outing into Santanoni and we thoroughly enjoyed providing a place to warm up and interpreting the camp’s rich history and architecture to them.”

In addition to the popular 9.8-mile round trip from the Gate Lodge to the Main Lodge, cross-country skiers and snowshoers are encouraged to take the half mile-trail that connects Camp Santanoni to the nearby Adirondack Interpretive Center’s 3.6-mile trail system. The Center’s buildings will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all three days of the Winter Weekends in January and February and on the Saturday and Sunday of the March Winter Weekend.

While people may visit Camp Santanoni 365 days a year, the buildings are not typically open to the public during the winter months. Additional open house weekends may be considered based on the popularity and success of these three weekend events.

Construction of Camp Santanoni began in 1892 by Robert and Anna Pruyn and eventually consisted of more than four dozen buildings on 12,900 acres including a working farm, the Gate Lodge complex, and a huge rustic Main Lodge and other buildings situated on Newcomb Lake. Camp Santanoni was in private ownership until 1972. Over the last several decades of state ownership, the camp has gradually been restored through a partnership between DEC, AARCH and the town of Newcomb. Santanoni is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Camp Santanoni is considered by many to be the classic Adirondack Great Camp.

Reservations are not required but for more information, contact AARCH at (518) 834-9328. More information about Camp Santanoni, the Adirondack Interpretive Center and the Newcomb area may be found at:

Tags: ·····

Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe Brings Competition and Fun to the Adirondack Coast

January 14th, 2013 · No Comments · Adirondack News

10K Snowshoe Race and Miles of Snow Covered Trails
Bring Winter Bliss

Cock-A-Doodle-ShoePlattsburgh, NY – On January 20, 2013 DION Snowshoes will heat up winter on the Adirondack Coast with Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe. Cock-A-Doodle Shoe, one of the Northeast’s regional qualifiers for the 2013 USSSA National Snowshoe Championships, is a 10K snowshoe race that makes use of the rolling trails covering most of New Land Trust’s 287 scenic acres in Saranac, NY. The competition is open to participants of all levels with $150 cash prize and a very unique trophy for the overall male and female winners. The entry fee for the race is $15 ($20 day-of) which gets you a t-shirt (only guaranteed to those who pre-register), merchandise raffle eligibility and post-race refreshments. Proceeds from the event will benefit The New Land Trust, a non-governmental, not for profit organization dedicated to developing and sustaining their property for health of the environment and the enjoyment of the public. Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe will begin promptly at 10:00am on Sunday January 20 with registration from 8:00am-9:45am for participants who did not pre-register at PreRace.com.

For more information on Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe visit cockadoodleshoe.com.

While on the Adirondack Coast take time to enjoy some of the best trails the east has to offer! Nordic skiers and snowshoers enjoy an extensive network of trails, both groomed and natural, in their choice of park or mountain settings. With miles and miles of trails the Adirondack Coast offers something for everyone from the expert to the beginner.

For more information on Nordic skiing and snowshoeing on the Adirondack Coast visit goadirondack.com

Tags: ····

ADK Has Your Passport for Winter Wilderness Adventure

December 31st, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Winter is a great time to explore the Northeast’s greatest wilderness, and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) can take you there.

Adirondack Mountain ClubWhether you’re a novice or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, ADK’s winter 2013 schedule of guided trips, outdoor workshops and skills programs has something for you. New this year is Beginner Winter Skills, designed to teach such essential skills as snowshoeing, shelter building and avalanche awareness. Beginner Winter Skills, scheduled for March 3, is $65 for ADK members and $72 for nonmembers. Other beginner programs include Beginner Backcountry Skiing (Jan. 19 and Feb. 16) and Introduction to Backcountry Snowshoeing (Jan. 27 and Feb. 24).

Also in 2013, ADK is bringing back Winter Family Weekend, two days (March 9 and 10) of winter exploration for both adults and children at the Heart Lake Program Center. Activities will include animal tracking, sledding, snow art, games, a campfire and more. Join us for one day or both. Cost is $10 per day for adults, $5 for children, and includes use of snowshoes.

Winter Camping 101 (Jan. 12-14) is designed for those who are eager to begin winter explorations, but lack the confidence or the know-how. This experiential, cold-weather workshop will cover the fundamentals of equipment, nutrition, low impact camping and safety. Participants will travel by snowshoe to a backcountry camping spot where they will learn how to set up camp, cook, stay warm and dry, and be prepared for the unexpected in demanding winter conditions. Cost is $180 for members and $198 for nonmembers, and includes instruction, group gear and food.

Other outdoor skills programs include GPS 101 (Jan. 6 and Feb. 2), an introduction to backcountry navigation using global positioning systems, and Map and Compass Fundamentals (March 17). ADK is also offering a Wilderness First Aid course (March 23-24) and a Wilderness First Responders course (April 6-13), both of which are conducted by Wilderness Medical Associates.

The winter schedule begins Saturday, Jan. 5, with a guided hike to the summit of Esther Mountain, a 4,240-foot trailless peak. This and other trailless winter hikes are strenuous and require a full day of snowshoeing; and participants should have prior hiking experience and be in good physical condition. The 2013 schedule includes two additional Esther hikes, as well as hikes to the summits of Street and Nye, Tabletop and Phelps. Cost is $55 for members and $60 for nonmembers.

Most ADK guided trips and workshops will be held at ADK’s Heart Lake Program Center on Adirondack Loj Road near Lake Placid or in the adjacent High Peaks Wilderness. The Feb. 2 GPS 101 class will be held at ADK’s Member Services Center in Lake George. For more information, visit the ADK website (www.adk.org) or call (518) 523-3441.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to the protection of the New York State Forest Preserve. ADK is a nonprofit, membership organization that protects the Forest Preserve, state parks and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education, responsible recreation and stewardship.

Tags: ····

Race to Benefit New Land Trust

December 13th, 2012 · No Comments · News

Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe Brings Competition to the Adirondack Coast
10K Snowshoe Race to Benefit the New Land Trust

Cock-A-Doodle-ShoePlattsburgh, NY– On January 20, 2013 DION Snowshoes will heat up winter on the Adirondack Coast with Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe. Cock-A-Doodle Shoe, one of the Northeast’s regional qualifiers for the 2013 USSSA National Snowshoe Championships, is a 10K snowshoe race that makes use of the rolling trails that cover most of New Land Trust’s 287 scenic acres in Saranac, NY. The competition is open to participants of all snowshoe levels with $150 cash prize and a very unique trophy for the overall male and female winners. The entry fee for the race is $15 ($20 day-of) which gets you a t-shirt (only guaranteed to those who pre-register), merchandise raffle eligibility and post-race refreshments. Proceeds from the event will benefit The New Land Trust, a non-governmental, not for profit organization dedicated to developing and sustaining their property for health of the environment and the enjoyment of the public. Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe will begin promptly at 10:00am on Sunday January 20 with registration from 8:00am-9:45am for participants who did not pre-register at PreRace.com.

For more information on Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe visit cockadoodleshoe.com.

Tags: ···