Friday April 19, 2024 
Run Once
Register Today for Averill Park Winter Travel Soccer
Averill Park Youth Soccer winter travel registration is open until October 20. If your child has played soccer and is looking to be challenged at a competitive level, sign up today at http://www.averillparkyouthsoccer.org. Our hometown program offers an affordable rate while still providing excellent training with a combination of parent and professional coaches. Games are played at various Afrim’s facilities on indoor turf fields from November until April. Practices are typically held once a week mostly at turf locations. Teams at the U8 through U19 levels are forming and our program is growing quickly so register today! Visit our website for more information to make sure your child’s love of soccer continues to grow during the cold months!
Run Once
Youth Snowmobile Safety Course
On Saturday, December 7, 2019 the Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club and Grafton Lakes State Park will host a snowmobile safety course for young people ages 10 to 18. Students must be at least 10 years old on the day of the course to attend. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. The course will be held at the Grafton VFW/Fire Hall at 581 South Road from 8:15am to approximately 4:30pm. The course will be taught by NYS certified volunteer instructor Jim Blessing. Topics covered include NYS laws and regulations, riding skills, trail emergencies, protecting the environment, maintenance and repair, and trailering. To register, call the Grafton Lakes State Park Welcome Center at 518-279-1155, ext. 2 or e-mail mary.downey@nullparks.ny.gov with the parent’s name, student’s name and age, and your phone number. Adults are encouraged to attend as well so please let us know if a parent will be accompanying the child. Space is limited, so no walk-ins please. The course is free of charge and lunch will be provided.
Run Once
Coral Reef Sailing at Florida Sea Base
Scouts from Troop 525 went on an amazing trip to the Florida Keys this August. The six scouts visited an alligator / snake park and took an airboat ride through the Everglades, while on route to Islamorada, Florida. They also stopped to hand feed five foot tarpon fish at Robbies Marina, where they got to see a manatee from an arm length away!
In the Florida Keys, our Scouts worked upon, piloted, and lived aboard a 41 foot sailboat for a week while snorkeling and fishing up and down the coral reefs of Florida. Underway, our Scouts earned the BSA Snorkeling Award and were recognized for their Scout Spirit throughout their adventure by being awarded the Florida Sea Base Captain’s Club Award. While snorkeling a Spotted Eagle Ray was spotted, along with a Moray Eel, Mahi Mahi, Sea Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Barracudas, among countless others. The week long adventure ended at a Luau at Sea Base main land (Hawaiian shirts included!) where they came in second place in the limbo contest and enjoyed stand up paddle boarding, and gaga ball. Truly an amazing time has had by all!
The troop is looking forward to indoor sky diving in December!
You can learn more about us by visiting our Troop. We meet every Tuesday from 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM at The Salem United Methodist Church in West Sand Lake, NY. Anyone ages 11-17 are welcome to come check us out.
10/10/2019 – 10/31/2019
Upcoming Events at Grafton Lakes State Parks
For all events, please call ahead to pre-register at (518) 279-1155 ext. 2.
Saturday, October 12th — Little Johnny’s Foliage Tour 1:00 PM. Take advantage of the cooler weather and join a naturalist as we hike a ~4 mile loop while appreciating the fall foliage color change. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Meet at the welcome center.
Sunday, October 13th — Autumn Tree ID Walk 1:00 PM. Join a naturalist for an afternoon walk through the woods and learn to ID the trees of Grafton. Get to know our tallest residents by their leaves, bark, and fruit on a leisurely stroll. Program designed for ages 12 and up.
Monday, October 14th- Guided Hike to the Fire Tower 1:00 PM. Enjoy an Autumn hike to the historic Dickinson Hill fire tower with an environmental educator. On a clear day you can observe the Adirondack Mountains, the Green Mountains, and the Taconic Range from the top of the tower. Program meets at the welcome center before driving to the trailhead.
Saturday, October 19th—Radical Reptiles 1:00 P.M. Join us in celebrating Reptile Awareness Day at our welcome center and learn about reptiles found in Grafton!
Sunday, October 27th — Batty about Bats 1:00 PM. With Halloween just around the corner, take a chance to learn about conservation concerns and what you can do to help one of the more misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom.
Saturday, November 2nd — Amazing Water Bear Hunt 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM. Stop in to help a scientist find microscopic creatures, known affectionately as water bears, that live in your own backyard! Learn about these incredibly resilient animals and get a chance to view one through a microscope.
Sunday, November 3rd — Sunrise Fire Tower Hike 5:30 AM. Start the day off by watching the sunrise over the green mountains from one of the best views on the Rensselaer Plateau, the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower. Be sure to dress in layers and bring proper lighting.
10/03/2019 – 10/31/2019
Caves and Caverns of New York State
Join us Wednesday, November 6th, at 6:00 pm at the Troy Public Library when Bill Cotrofeld will speak about the caves of New York State, how they were formed, early explorers and caving equipment and safety, along with a video presentation.
Bill and two high school friends in Albany, NY became interested in cave exploring (commonly known as “spelunking”), after finding a book in the Albany Public Library titled “Underground Empire” by Clay Perry of Pittsfield, Mass. Using the cave information in the book they then turned to the New York State Museum Geology Bulletins for the areas mentioned to try and locate the caves themselves. They found two early NYSM publications that had entire chapters written on the caves in several areas of New York State. Together with USGS topographic maps and the NYS Museum information they were able to locate virtually all of the now famous caves in New York State. Next was a trip to the Army- Navy Store to purchase helmets, carbide lamps, boots, etc. For the next four years Bill and his buddies spent just about every free weekend exploring the caves in the Helderberg Mountains and Schoharie Valley.
In 1956 Bill joined the National Speleological Society (NSS), an International organization composed of people interested in the study of caves (speleology) and exploring caves. Bill received his Life Membership in the NSS at his 50-Year milestone , and is now approaching his 65-Year Membership.
This program is free and open to the public. The Library is located at 100 2nd Street, Troy NY 12180.