6 Ways Teens can get Involved with ADK this Summer

We are offering programs this summer for youth ages 13 to 17 that give opportunities to learn trail building, backpacking, and other outdoor skills. Through the life lessons imparted by these programs, we hope to inspire a sense of stewardship in future environmental leaders. Check out the programs, listed below, and give us a call at 518-523-3441 if you have any questions.

ADK takes the health and safety of our participants seriously. Read our current COVID-19 program protocols.

1. Advanced Teen Backpacking (June 25-29)

Take your backpacking skills to new heights by leading a 45-mile backpacking trip over five days through a gorgeous section of the Northville-Placid Trail in the High Peaks Wilderness. Participants will learn valuable outdoor skills in backpacking, and make some great friends along the way. For teens ages 15 to 17.

2. Women in Wilderness: Girls Outdoor Adventure (July 6-10)

This 5-day adventure, based out of ADK’s Heart Lake Program Center, is for girls ages 15-17. Participants will meet women who work in the outdoor industry, try their hands at a variety of outdoor pursuits, and make new friends as they paddle, hike, and more in the beautiful Adirondacks.

3. Teen Paddling Adventure (July 13-17)

Join us for an experiential, cooperative group canoe-camping experience this summer. In this course participants will spend their time learning about safe flatwater travel, honing paddling skills, and discussing the rich natural history of the Adirondacks. For teens ages 15-17 who have had some experience paddling and are eager to learn how to plan and execute their own excursions in the future.

4. Discover the Ausable: An Aquatic Stewardship Program (July 19-23)

Have a budding interest in aquatic ecology? Spend five days in the Ausable River Watershed studying ecosystems with ADK. Along the way you’ll learn about the complex, interconnected ecology of the Adirondacks, and how we can be better stewards in order to protect it. Nights are spent at ADK’s Education Yurt Village in lean-tos. For teens ages 13-15.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

5. Johns Brook Valley Teen Adventure (July 28-31)

Spend four days exploring the Adirondack High Peaks region with two of ADK’s professional guides. Teens on this multi-night backpacking trip will learn about backcountry camping, Leave No Trace ethics, and other outdoor skills, all while visiting high peaks and waterfalls throughout the Johns Brook Valley. For teens ages 14-17.

6. High School Volunteer Trail Projects (Various Dates)

Build a trail, and your skills! Help ADK at one of several locations around the Adirondacks as we work to maintain and construct hiking trails. Participants will also get the opportunity to learn camping fundamentals, as they will spend a week in the backcountry at the project sites.