Thursday, September 16th, 2021
Nominate a special volunteer for one of four Volunteer Recognition Awards sponsored by the NY-NoJ Chapter, including the crown jewel: Appie of the Year!
Consider how much you appreciate the preparation, professionalism and good cheer your favorite volunteer leaders offer when they lead or host a hike, backpack, climbing, sailing, paddling or social event. Think about who introduced you to the AMC and whose enthusiasm convinced you to join as a member. Thank the folks who quietly maintain our local trails, schedule fun events, and do all those little things that makes our chapter work.
Take just a few minutes to thank them by sending nominations for …
– Appie of the Year Award
– Inspirational Volunteer Award
– Ambassador Award
– Unsung Hero Award
Send your name (optional), nominee names, suggested award(s) and DETAILED explanations with specific examples for your nominations. Tell us their stories and how they exemplify the best of our membership. Nominators and Nominees must be AMC members.
Submit nominations to: advisory@amc-ny.org
Deadline is October 31, 2021.
Awardees will be announced at the Annual Dinner Meeting in November
AWARD DESCRIPTIONS
Inspirational Volunteer Award: For a member who embodies the spirit of our chapter and inspires others by leading, mentoring, or encouraging leadership or activity for AMC this year.
Ambassador Award: For a member who encourages others to participate with AMC or promotes AMC and our Chapter by recruiting, speaking for or representing AMC at events (including in office, outside venue or related to an activity), etc this year.
Unsung Hero Award: For a member who supports the chapter in less visible or celebrated ways behind the scenes , such as public service (conservation, trails), communications, editing, committee service, record keeping, etc this year.
More details about each Award and past Awardees at https://www.amc-ny.org/volunteer-recognition-awards/
Tuesday, May 11th, 2021
By Janet Basilone, Secretary of the Fire Island Cabin Committee
Fire Island is spectacular in June and September. There are fewer people – and the temperature is ideal for kayaking and hiking and walking to numerous points of interest along this beautiful barrier island on the Great South Bay off Long Island. The bay water is warm and the days are long!
This year the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Fire Island Cabin will be open for guests on a limited basis in compliance with the club’s COVID-19 protocols. This means the cabin will operate at half capacity, i.e., a maximum of five people who form their own group/pod in each dorm. We can accommodate two separate pods of up to five for each reservation block. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy the cabin on a semi-private basis. July is almost fully booked (one weekend left as of this writing).
Rates:
Weekend blocks (Friday/Saturday/Sunday nights) per dorm of up to 5 people
Shoulder season – $1,200: June 4,11, 18 / Sept. 10, 17, 24 / Oct. 1
High-season – $1,500: June 25 through the weekend of Sept. 3
Midweek blocks (Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday nights) per dorm of up to 5 people
Shoulder season – $1,200: June 7, 14, 21, and Sept. 13, 20, 26
High-season – $1,500: June 28 through the midweek of Sept. 6
Note: These are AMC member rates. Non-member rates are 20% higher. The member or non-member status of the person making the reservation determines the rate.
To make a reservation, call (603) 466-2727
Monday, March 29th, 2021
Congratulations! You’ve joined nearly 10,000 other people in the New York and North Jersey area who love the outdoors.
Whether you’re new to the trails or love paddling, AMC’s New York-North Jersey Chapter organizes lots of activities led by experienced leaders to get you out in nature and meeting new people. Join us for backpacking, bicycling, climbing, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, skiing, trail maintenance, and more. We’ve got urban walks exploring New York City and family trips too. Sign up for the Chapter’s Meetup page, Eventbrite page, and watch the AMC’s Activities Database to learn about new events. But don’t wait: Our trips fill up fast!
The New York-North Jersey Chapter is also committed to conservation and making the outdoors a welcoming space for all. Learn from our Conservation Committee how you can take action on local environmental issues. Join our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s (DEI) weekly meetings to find out how you can help bring social justice outdoors. In your 20s or 30s? Get involved with our Young Members Committee.
During the pandemic, the Chapter also pivoted to develop a vital #BeOnlineWithAMC series of virtual talks, featuring experts on conservation, adventure travel, recycling, and more. Join us for our virtual Tuesday Lunch and Learns and Thursday Happy Hours to explore new ideas and socialize with other members.
Be sure to get out and explore activities at AMC properties, including The Stephen & Betsy Corman Harriman Outdoor Center in Harriman State Park and the Fire Island Cabin.
Finally, keep an eye out for our monthly e-blast highlighting the latest Chapter news and follow us on Facebook, join our Facebook group, and add us on Instagram and Twitter for more updates. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts on what you like about AMC and what we can do better. Reach out to us here.
Thank you for choosing to #BeOutdoorsWithAMC. We look forward to seeing you online or on the trail soon!
Sincerely,
Kaspar Alexander
New York-North Jersey Chapter Chair
Appalachian Mountain Club
Photo: by Steve
Saturday, March 20th, 2021
Do you enjoy hiking in Harriman State Park and visiting The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center? If yes, then come volunteer for the 2021 season!
The volunteer season is weekends, mid-May through mid-October. Here’s some of what you’ll do:
· Welcome guests and direct them to the Corman Outdoor Center for information.
· Assist guests with lending gear such as hiking boots, hiking poles, kayaks, canoes, and personal flotation devices (PFDs).
· Providing information regarding activities that are available in the park.
· You will also be expected to hike around the lake to check on remote campsites.
· Have fun!
This is a great opportunity to get involved with the AMC and to promote AMC’s mission and activities to park visitors!
If you’re interested in volunteering, reach out to Kyra Salancy, AMC’s Outdoor Program Centers Volunteer Coordinator, at ksalancy@outdoors.org.
We hope to see you out at Harriman soon!
Wednesday, March 10th, 2021
With declining Covid cases and increased vaccinations, this spring is looking a lot rosier than last year with a full season of activities planned. “While we may start off maintaining our reduced size and some of our Covid precautions, there’s a chance by end of summer/early fall that we may be able to if not move back into ‘fully normal,’ then something that looks much more like normal by the end of the summer,” says Herb Zoota, the Facilities and Services Chair for the AMC New York-North Jersey Chapter.
Zoota oversees the Harriman Program Committee, Wilderness First Aid, the Fire Island Cabin, and the Trails Committee. He’s looking forward to a full season of hiking, canoeing, kayaking, yoga, and activities for members at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center. The 26-acre camp on Breakneck Pond in Harriman State Park is located about 35 miles from New York City.
“We’re looking forward to having a diverse group of programs, from the type of activities and the different themes and skills as well as the different interests of our members that we want to come out,” Zoota says. New activities will increase access to the outdoors, with Introduction to Camping and car camping activities planned. Volunteer cleanups at AMC’s new project in Harriman State Park, the Baker Camp on Lake Sebago, are also in the works.
In terms of accommodations, Zoota anticipates that camping will continue through at least June, with cabins potentially opening back up in August or September. The season opens the weekend of May 15, so keep your eye on the Activities Database for new trips and come out and join us! If you have ideas for new programs or want to volunteer, contact Zoota at harriman@amc-ny.org.