July 1, 2009
- Camping
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center and Tivoli Bays Visitors Center
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Adirondacks - Adirondack Park Agency Visitors Interpretive Centers at Newcomb and Paul Smiths
- Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Camping
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation operates 52 public campgrounds throughout the Adirondack and the Catskill parks. Most campgrounds are open mid-May through Labor Day and many stay open through Columbus Day. The number of sites ranges from only a few dozen to more than three hundred, depending on the campground. Most can accommodate tents, campers and RVs, while several are only accessible by foot or boat and are for tent camping only. DEC campgrounds do not have water or electric hookups, but most have modern restrooms with showers.
DEC campgrounds provide a wide variety of experiences, including island camping, tent and trailer camping, boat launching facilities, hiking trails, beaches and day use areas with picnic tables and grills. Take an affordable vacation close to home this year and book a trip to a DEC campground through Reserve America. You will create family memories that will last a lifetime.
Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Family Fun
Nature Recreation Program
Nature programs are a strong part of the camping experience at some of DEC's forest preserve campgrounds. They offer organized, family-based activities on a daily basis during the summer season.
A typical day in a campground with a Nature Recreation Program may begin with a nature hike or a canoe trip. Other activities may include fishing instruction, aquatic insect exploration, nature crafts, or environmental games. Other sessions may be related to outdoor skills like campfire cooking, orienteering, or low-impact camping. One might also find a spirited game of volleyball or kickball, with the evening filled with a slide show, nature video, local musician, or campfire stories. No matter how you look at it, the days are packed with fun things to do-and fun things to keep the kids occupied!
Visit the DEC website for a listing of campgrounds (pdf - 622 Kb) that offer the Nature Recreation Program.
Adventure Discovery and Junior Naturalist
Many additional DEC campgrounds offer unstructured programs and activities that you can do as a family.
Adventure Discovery Program - These activity packs were designed to help families and groups explore the wonders of nature around them without a DEC staff person to lead the discovery session.
Junior Naturalist Program - The Junior Naturalist Program gives children the opportunity to test their environmental knowledge while teaching them more about New York State's environment. Children receive a patch once they complete a journal of activities.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Summer Wildflowers
Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 AM
Help us search for wildflowers in bloom as we take a leisurely ramble on one of our wooded trails.
Open Barn
Saturday, July 11 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Come meet the livestock up close. Trained staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions.
Guided Nature Walks
Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 PM
Chirping birds, scenic landscapes and the comings and goings of animals that leave their tracks and traces behind all contribute to an exciting outdoor experience. Join a Stony Kill naturalist every Saturday afternoon as we explore Stony Kill.
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
12th Annual Butterfly Count
Friday, July 3 at 2:00 PM
Get a close-up look at common butterflies of the Capital District as we continue our annual catch-and-release census. Register by July 1.
Hard to Swallow
Tuesday, July 7 at 7:00 PM
An outdoor walk to watch the evening feeding flights of swallows over the pond.
A Dip (Net) in the Pond
Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 AM
An introduction to the variety of life in and around the pond.
Stream Strolling
Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 PM
What better way to cool off than by walking in a stream? We will collect some of the myriad of life forms from the stream. Wear "water-friendly" footgear-no sandals or bare feet.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Discover the Pine Bush
Sunday, July 12 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Come join us on a journey to discover the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, a great example of an inland pine barrens. Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Adirondacks
Adirondack Park Agency Newcomb Visitors Center
Night Hike
Wednesdays, July 1 and 8 from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Experience the sounds, sights and smells of the nocturnal world. You'll discover fascinating adaptations used by night animals in order to survive. Call 518-582-2000 to register.
Nature Craft Hour
Thursdays, July 2 and 9 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Create a nature craft of your very own to take home. Cost: $2/family, free/Adirondack Park Institute members. Call 518-582-2000 to register.
Adirondack Park Agency Paul Smiths Visitors Center
Barnum Pond Canoe Paddle
Thursday, July 2 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Explore the bog and pond habitats by canoe. Canoes, paddles and PFDs will be provided. Cost; $3 adults/$1 kids, free/Adirondack Park Institute members. Call 518-327-3000 to register.
Wetland Ecology
Friday, July 3 from 10:00 AM to Noon
Have you ever wondered what makes a wetland special? Call 518-327-3000 to register.
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Flickering Fireflies
Friday, July 3 at 8:30 PM
Discover the incredible world of fireflies, find out what makes them twinkle and then head outside to see them up close.
Summer Children's Series for ages 4 to 10
Explore: River
Friday, July 3 from 10:30 AM to Noon
We will wade into the river and investigate the aquatic creatures that live there. Bring your boots. Call 607-674-4017 to register.
Explore: Pond
Friday, July 10 from 10:30 AM to Noon
Ponds are teeming with animal and plant life. Call 607-674-4017 to register.
Hike Adams Farm
Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 AM
This is a great time of year to check out the fish, birds and blooms in the pond and along the trail at Adams Farm.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
Full Buck Moon Walk
Monday, July 7 at 8:00 PM
Bring binoculars to view the moon and look for white-tailed deer bucks as they grow new antlers for the season.
Stories in the Woods
Thursday, July 9 at 10:30 AM
Listen to a nature story, followed by a short walk in the woods. For children ages 4 to 5 and their caregivers.
Summer Wildflowers
Saturday, July 11 at 10:30 AM
Search for the wildflowers of the summer season and learn their uses and folklore.
Pond Life
Wednesday, July 15 at 10:00 AM
Dive into the world of aquatic organisms and see what is living in our ponds. For children ages 6 to 12; parent or guardian must attend.
Events at other Nature Centers throughout the State
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