Wednesday April 24, 2024 
July Mindful Nature Walk
EAST NASSAU – Albert Family Community Forest — Saturday, July 10, 10 am – 12:30 pm. With Molly Freiberg and Sandy Wilson. Nature has the ability to calm, inspire, and restore us in all seasons — so let’s take some much-needed time to receive what is offered. Join Sandy and Molly on a slow and gentle celebration of spring, opening our senses to all that we discover. Pre-registration required. Learn more/register at www.rensselaerplateau.org
Free Outdoor Program for Teens: Work & Learn On-site with Conservationists Across Rensselaer County
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Rensselaer Youth Outdoors (RYO) announces a FREE program for young people aged 14-16 starting this July. Working alongside local conservationists, youth are invited to practice outdoor living skills, complete valuable projects onsite, learn about the local ecology and gain essential work experience that could inspire future job opportunities.
With a grant from the US Forest Service, RYO can accept and stipend 30 young people to participate. Days will run 9AM-4PM and include time to work and learn, challenging participants physically and mentally. Projects might include doing the math to build a structure that protects a water source or leveling the land for an ADA accessible trail. In the afternoon teens will identify species in the nearby wetland, make a fire without a match or lighter or ask a local ecologist how she got a job that pays her to identify plants.
Teens can choose from: July 12 – 16th weeklong program at Albert Family Community Forest; August 7-8 weekend program at Poestenkill Community Forest; September 25-26th weekend program at Dyken Pond Environmental Center. Space is limited and there is no application deadline.
Recovering from a year of online learning, RYO is excited to be a place where young people can plug into their surroundings—healthy forests that want to flourish, conservationists that are here to connect and opportunities that build self-esteem and skills for a better world.
Please visit the RYO website, www.ryoutdoors.org, to apply or call us at 518-712-9667. We are happy to accept applications and answer questions over the phone.
Native History Walk
AVERILL PARK – Poestenkill Community Forest, Averill Park–Saturday, July 17, 11 am – 12:30 pm. With Ethnoecologist Justin Wexler of Wild Hudson Valley. In this guided nature walk, we will see the forest and wetlands through the lens of Hudson Valley indigenous culture, exploring the natural world through Mohican and closely-related Algonquian languages. Participants will come away with a greater understanding of the indigenous land use history in the area (and the region as a whole). Justin Wexler, co-founder of Wild Hudson Valley, has been studying local native folklore, language and ethnoecology for two decades. Learn more/register at www.rensselaerplateau.org.
South Troy Pop Warner Registration
SO. TROY – South Troy Pop Warner will be holding registrations for all interested players and cheerleaders throughout the Troy City School District, as well as Gardner Dickenson, Troy Prep, St. Jude’s and Sacred Heart Schools for the 2021 Pop Warner Season: Registrations will be held on 7/21/21 and 7/22/21, 6:30-8pm; 7/25/21 10am-12pm; 7/28/21 and 7/29/21, 6:30-8pm; and 7/31/21 from 10am-12pm at the South Troy Pop Warner building, Thompson Street in Troy (Geer Field):
NOTE: Capital District Pop Warner will be Flag and AGE BASED Tackle Football (no weights) for 2021.
All interested players and cheerleaders must be between the ages of 5 and 13. (You must turn 5 on or before July 31st and 13 after July 31st.) Our organization consist of the following teams: Flag (5, 6 & 7 year olds); Jr. Pee Wee (8, 9 & 10), Jr. Varsity (10, 11 & 12).
The following items are required at the time of registration: 1. Registration Fee – non refundable. 2. COPY of Birth Certificate. 3. Recent Photo (wallet size). 4. Copy of June 2021 Report Card 5. Parent or guardian to sign the registration form.
If you are interested in coaching (flag, tackle or cheer) please contact Dan Martuscello at 274-8674 or Judi Byrnes 274-7165.