March 8, 2025 family friendly Kiwanis event in Saranac Lake

The second annual Youth Paddling Symposium, four days of introductory paddling and camping instruction for youth age 10-15, is set for July 14-17 at the Paul Smith’s College Alumni Campground. https://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/get-involved/events-activities/youth-paddling-symposium/

The Youth Paddling Symposium is presented by the NFCT in partnership with Paul Smith’s College and Matt Burnett Guiding, with additional support from NRS, St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters and the Adirondack Foundation’s Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund. The program includes: introduction to camping (setting up tents, building campfires, shelter building, first aid); introduction to paddling & paddling safety; introduction to fishing; paddling excursions; and campfire storytelling.

The Youth Paddling Symposium costs $300/kid, which covers all costs including gear, food and instruction. Scholarships to cover the cost of participation are available; email karrie@northernforestcanoetrail.org to learn more about scholarship opportunities.

Registration is now open. Sign up today! Please note that space is limited to 24 kids. Additional questions can be directed to Matt Burnett at matt@mattburnettguiding.com or Chris Morris at chris@northernforestcanoetrail.org

Interesting opportunities on 2/26/25 to hear from the students at Paul Smith’s College in the Disaster Management Program who recently returned from North Carolina helping with flood relief efforts. The Pine Room, 12 noon presentation, is on campus. And the evening presentation is at the VIC. If you have a student interested in disaster response or in attending Paul Smith’s, this is a great opportunity!

Neurodiversity Affirming Communities: Strength-based Approaches to Autism, ADHD, Developmental Disabilities, and other Differences

Reservations are recommended, but not required. Click here to RSVP

When: Thursday February 27, 2025, 5 – 7 pm

Where: Moriah Central School

What: A Community Workshop for families, youth, and others. 

• Presentation by Dr. Maria Rheaume, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist
• Pizza and refreshments
• Activities for kids
• Resource tables:
  • Mountain Lake Services
  • Early Intervention & Children’s Services
  • Families First
  • School-Age and Early Childhood Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center
  • Essex County Mental Health
  • Building Resilience in Essex Families (BRIEF)

Topics: Explore affirming approaches to the intersection of mental health, developmental differences, and other forms of neurodivergence. 

• Defining different types of Neurodiversity.
• Strengths related to Autism, ADHD, and other kinds of neurodivergence.
• Explore the various approaches that are available and encouraged.
• Supporting the mental health of neurodivergent people.
• Navigating support resources.

Lead sponsors: Mountain Lake Services and the BRIEF Coalition

For more information: stefanie.v.miller@essexcountyny.gov

BRIEF is Building Resilience in Essex Families. The BRIEF Coalition promotes a proactive system of care that focuses on education, encourages empowerment, builds resilience, and reduces stigma for all families in Essex County NY.

Website: https://www.co.essex.ny.us/BRIEF/

Click here to follow BRIEF on Facebook!

3 WEEKS left to submit to Wild Words

Calling all North Country teens!

Want to see your writing published in the annual Wild Words?

Wild Words: Adirondack Teen Writing Anthology is a publication of ACW, created to give teens a venue to publish their original creative writing. If you’re a teen (ages 13-19) living in the North Country, submit writing for consideration!

The deadline to submit is Monday, March 3, 2025. https://adirondackcenterforwriting.org/wildwords/

Wild Words

UPDATE:

The hatchery has informed us that we need to postpone our visit, since the state has something going on there next Tuesday.

I’m hoping to reschedule for the following week, same time, but waiting for confirmation. Thank you for understanding!

-Cynthia

———————-Original Message————————————-

Hi all! The Adirondack Fish Hatchery in Lake Clear has invited us to visit!

Date: Tuesday, March 11

Time: 2:00

They will give us a tour that includes a video about the egg collection, and follows the fish from incubation to stocking. They expect the entire tour will take from one and a half to two hours. If you would like to attend, please let Cynthia G. know!

Dear Homeschool Families,

Our next Homeschool Thursday is scheduled for next Thursday, February 6^th at 10:00 a.m. Students will learn about the art of storytelling through classic tales. Each student will receive a felt board with figures, so to help with numbers for these, please RSVP to librarian@lakeplacidlibrary.org or 518-523-3200.

This program is free and geared toward families with students in grades K-6, but other ages are welcome. Please note that parking is free on Main Street until 11:00 a.m. for those with a valid resident parking sticker. There is also free parking in the St. Eustace lot; please leave a note on your dashboard indicating you are at this children’s library event.  As always, happy reading!

-Karen and Bambi

Bambi Pedu Library DirectorLake Placid Public Library librarian@lakeplacidlibrary.org 2471 Main Street, Lake Placid, 12946 lakeplacidlibrary.org 518-523-3200

Even though each Tuesday has been quite cold, we’ve been meeting for Homeschool Ski and Snowshoe Days at the VIC! We bundle up and wear a buff for covering the face parts, and we keep moving, and stay in the woods for the wind break. It’s a lot of fun despite the temps. Feel free to join us tomorrow and each Tuesday! https://nch.home.blog/2024/12/10/homeschool-xc-ski-and-snowshoe-program-at-the-paul-smiths-vic-jan-march-2025/

Community Poetry and Art Extravaganza Contest and Exhibit
Old Forge Library
Entries accepted through Saturday, February 1
Exhibit – Thu, Feb 27 – Fri, Apr 25
Opening reception – Thu, Feb 27, 5:30 PM

The contest is open to students in K-12 and adults throughout the Mid York Library region (Herkimer, Oneida and Madison Counties) and the Town of Inlet.

https://events.oldforgelibrary.org/event/12695703

The Wild Center’s Virtual Animal Club presents: https://wildcenter.ticketapp.org/portal/product/30/events

Join us virtually, Tuesday, January 28, 2025 for a family-friendly introduction to animals that live in the in the snow!

All kinds of animals live in the space that connects the surface of the ground and the bottom of the snowpack. This little-known part of the ecosystem is called the subnivean zone. Attend 2025’s first Animal Club to learn about how this fascinating habitat interconnects life above and below the snow and meet snow-loving Wild Center animal ambassadors.

The Wild Center Animal Club:
Scuttling Through the Snow
Tuesday, January 28| 6 – 7 pm via Zoom

Members: Free
Non-members: $15.00
(per household/screen)

After registering for this event, you will receive a confirmation, followed by an email that has the zoom link for joining in on this live session with Wild Center staff.

Can’t make it on the 28th? Register today for the next Animal Club on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. 

Join The Wild Center’s Animal Club where you’ll get to meet a new Animal Ambassador each month. Well hang out with otters, woodchucks, turtles and more during these 45 minute virtual programs. School-age children (and everybody else in your family) can tap their creative side with animal inspired challenges that merge art and science.