Adirondack Family Time™

I just wanted to list some regulations that all parents should be aware of when choosing a summer camp! (taken from the  New York State Health Department Children's Camp in NYS . Here is a link to the complete brochure.  1 ) Check the staff credentials/supervision: What are the qualifications of the camp director? All directors' background are screened by the Office of Children and Family Services Central Register Database. Make sure the camp director has been cleared by the NYS Health Department.  2) In New York State all summer camps must have a state, city or county health department permit to operate legally. 

My daughter and I are bonding over our annual Earth Day celebration by cleaning up the parking lot for Ampersand Mountain. After donning her gardening hat and gloves she announces that she really doesn’t enjoy cleaning up other people’s garbage and would prefer ice cream. I tell her the ice cream will be a good treat to celebrate our job well done. She is not buying any of it. She is rather insistent with her garbage-picking protests. It’s not like I am asking her to wear the stuff like a hair shirt but just hoping to increase her awareness. She is sometimes oblivious of those little scraps of paper that escape from her hand. I finally am able to encourage her to join me, letting her know that even if she can’t go down the hill to get the garbage I need her help with the detection of it. She makes a game of “I-Spying” the trash with me retrieving it. Today she has X-ray vision for spotting cups, wrappers, bottles and bags lost under leaves and thrown over the embankment. The c

By Diane Chase,  (as seen in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise) My family had the pleasure of going through Stan Burdick’s Ticonderoga Cartoon Museum before the collection was moved to Pittsburgh Toon-seum in 2010. We were given a rare treat; the founder and curator, Stan Burdick, was also our personal guide. As other guests came and went, Stan gave everyone the same level of attention. This Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m., Stan will be at Saranac Village at Will Rogers in presenting one of his many road shows based on what he knows best, cartooning.    After talking briefly with Stan he told me this particular show is good for people of all ages. As a storyteller, he will be using large cartoon storyboards or panels to help illustrate familiar and unusual poems. He gives two examples of poetry through the ages with “Casey At the Bat,” and “A Trial In New Amsterdam.”

Watch this beautiful video of two Great blue herons in flight to their nest. I love spring!

By Diane Chase Safety is always a concern when paddling with children so we want to take whatever precautions necessary to assure a fun experience. Adirondacks Lakes and Trails Outfitters   owner Steve Doxzon says, “This time of year it’s the cold water that is the biggest issue. People need to dress for the water temperature not the air temperature. It may be 70 degrees outside but the water is still only 37 degrees.” Doxzon especially urges a person kayaking to dress accordingly as there is a greater chance for capsizing and  hypothermia . He reminds paddlers that sudden changes in conditions, like windy days, are something to be wary of when getting out on Adirondack lakes, rivers and ponds. Read More Here

Just a reminder when spring Turkey hunting season starts in the northern Adirondacks. This type of hunting season does not have the intensity of Big Game season, that takes place in the fall. Spring Turkey Youth Hunt is April 21-23, 2012 eligible to youth 12-15 years of age. Even though my family does not hunt, I always feel it is a good idea to know who I am sharing the woods with. Have a wonderful, active time! Early Bear: September 19 - October 17 Archery Big Game: September 27 – October 23 Black Powder Big Game: October 17-23 Regular/Rifle Big Game: October 24– December 6 Late Black powder (limited DMU’s): December 7 – 13 Turkey: Spring: May 1 -31, Fall: October 1 – 23  Other small game seasons: (Squirrel and cottontail rabbit) open on October 1 but some WMU’s open earlier than others.   The same goes for Grouse hunting which starts as early as September 20 in parts of the Adirondacks. Waterfowl seasons vary by region and a separate stamp is needed to hunt w

FDR starring Ed Asner Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012 · 7:30pm at the Charles Wood Theatre, Glens Falls Back by popular demand after 2010's SOLD OUT performance!  Based upon Dore Schary’s broadway hit “Sunrise at Campobello,” which ran 70 weeks on Broadway, FDR explores the life of one of America’s best-loved presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt,  and the events and decisions that shaped a nation. This powerful one-man play, starring Ed Asner, follows the iconic president as he reflects on his years in office, from inauguration to the trials of World War II. 

Contact: Send a message and I will gladly help out. I am only too glad to make suggestions on fun places to go. Thanks for stopping by!  Diane Diane Chase adk family time (at) g mail (dot) com - type the email address without any spaces or punctuation. Sorry for having to write out my e-mail but I get a lot of junk mail. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to schedule a book signing, lecture or school group activity . My husband and I also run a youth camping group, Adirondack Outdoor Expeditions, LLC , taking young adults and families out into the High Peaks so we are always out and about the Adirondack Park.

The American sycamore! This massive tree is often mistaken for a maple because of its leaves.  It is unique amongst all trees because of its bark pattern. Are there other names for the sycamore tree? It is also called an American planetree, buttonwood or the buttonball tree. Where does it grow? This hardy tree likes wet soil. It can be found growing in every state east of the Great Plains, except Minnesota. How big will it get? It can grow up to 90' tall. t is also North America's largest native broadleaf plant.

By Diane Chase Held at the Hollywood Theatre in AuSable Forks, six classic 80s films will be shown in succession with a special guest appearance with actor James Tolkan held at 8:00 p.m. at the Jay Community Center. Tolkan will conduct a “meet and greet” with audience members and share his experiences during the making of the films. He will also answer questions from the audience. Seating is limited but tickets can be reserved. One of the Hollywood Theatre’s two screens will be shows what Garrow terms “chick flicks” with Footloose , Dirty Dancing and Sixteen Candles while the second movie theatre screen will house the Back To The Future Trilogy .   The first show starts at noon. “The two events, the films and meeting James Tolkan are separate,” says Garrow. “ Tickets are sold individually. People can just attend the evening event if they just wish to meet James Tolken or come watch the films. I wanted to keep options available so people could attend one

By Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Activities™ Lowe's Building Supple has family fun for all ages on select Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. During their Build and Grow clinics each child is given a kit to make a wooden toy. Each child will also receive safety googles, work apron and a certificate of completion. This is a wonderful way to spend an hour together and build something that can last a lifetime. An older child can build to toy and gift it to a younger child! Enjoy

This second annual winter-sports film  competition for the   Adirondack region supports the freestyle and snowboard subculture while also acting as a fundraiser for athletes trying to make Nationals.   1) The film festival will take place at the   Hollywood Theatre   in AuSable Forks this Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. 2)  All tickets are $5 3) This is an amateur film competition  4) Cash and prizes for top three finishers in 2 categories: under 5 minutes and under 20 minutes 5)  Other prizes will be awarded from   PlacidPlanet Bicycles   and   Hardway Apparel , GoPro,  6) A ll funds will be used to support the   United States of America Snowboard Associations Adirondack   (USASA ADK) athletes at Nationals at Copper Mountain, CO.

If you have been wishing that the Adirondack bluegrass favorites, The Gibson Brothers would be in the area to perform, your are in luck.  On March 23 , at the  E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall, the Gibson Brothers will perform a benefit concert for the next generation.  Tickets at the door or at the Angell College Center desk. Cost = $18 general admission. $6 SUNY Plattsburgh students with ID. "The Gibson Brothers recall a lot of the true, real feelings of country's roots. What truly stands out about their music is that, although they're solidly based in traditional styles, they're also songwriters working with a contemporary lexicon of language and issues. If you think country music is about rhinestones and wretched excess, these guys'll change your mind. This is good music: intense, soulful, technically exciting -- it's damn near perfect. Get out and see these guys." Chuck Thurman,  Coast Weekly The next time The Gibson Brothers will pe