Outdoor Club in Rochester

[DaVinci]

Hey Forum -

I know many of you live in the Western NY area, and are great about sharing your wealth of knowledge.

I'm a teacher in Rochester and have finally decided I MUST get some of my kids out into the woods! Having summered in the ADKs the last 10 years and gotten the High Peaks bug this season past, I have come to consider "escaping" to the natural world an essential part of my life. Like all of us here, sharing the experience is also a very rewarding element of the outdoors.

We are starting an outdoor club at our inner city HS with NO FUNDS, for kids with NO EXPERIENCE, which is exciting and daunting at the same time. As such, I am putting out feelers for a variety of info. such as ideas for:

USED / DISCOUNTED gear - water bottles + boots to tents

FUNDING - individual donors / grants / foundations

INEXPENSIVE RENTALS - XC skis / snowshoes / gear

ACTIVITIES to introduce beginners to outdoors

OUTINGS in the State Parks / ADKs for beginners


We've started out with orienteering and will continue with neighborhood / park hikes, but even these are a stretch with no budget.

Thanks for your ideas!

[oldsmores]

I would at least approach EMS about discounted or free rentals, especially if you can do outings on weekdays when their rental gear is probably not in use. They can take it as a charitable deduction and it's a minimal cost hit to them.
You might also talk to them about buying their "retired" rental gear.
Another possible source for tents, etc. is the Boy Scouts, though they are often funds-limited themselves.
There are lots of hiking/skiing/snowshoeing opportunities in the Finger Lakes (Finger Lakes Trail, Letchworth, Stony Brook, Taughannock Falls, Finger Lakes National Forest, etc.) that at least are relatively close for outings.
Good luck - It's a great idea. Hope you can pull it off.

[Little Rickie]

Contact the Boy Scouts for sure, 244-4210. Larry Prictchard is the boss man. Tell him what you need and he can send an e-mail to the Troops asking for used equipment. Ask him about a Venture High Adventure program and he may a professional contact you and help organize some resources. A woman at 241-8535 may be able to help as well.

Good Luck.

[DaVinci]

Thanks for the tips and contact info - this should help get us started!

Anyone out there affiliated with the Rotary or Lions Clubs?

[DuctTape]

Good suggestions from others about gear.

As far as possible locations for outings which are closer...

try out the nearby State Forests. Regs allow dispersed camping if you are in a smaller group and stay more than 150' from trails and water (and LNT).

http://www.stateparks.com/ny.html

There are parts of the Daks which are less than 3 hours away.


In the County Parks (Monroe) they allow Youth camping in some selected areas.

There is also the Finger Lakes National Forest NE of Watkins Glen.


Ideas for activities...

Hikes are great but for young kids might get old unless you incorporate a theme, like focusing on something different to look for on the hike.

Some ideas: 1. Fungus Hike 2. Bird hike 3. Signs of animals hike.

One thing I saw really light up inner city kids when we were out was the number of visible stars on clear nights when we were away from the city glow.