Tuesday April 23, 2024 
November Events at Dyken Pond EEC
Grafton –The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering the following outdoor events in November.
Tuesday Treks: Every Tuesday: 12:30 – 2:30pm Join Leonard Tremblay on a 2-3 mile hike at a moderate pace exploring the wilds of Dyken Pond Center. Each week we’ll discover new ground and nature. Hikes will be cancelled in bad weather. Preregistration required. Free.
Mindful Nature Walk: Saturday, November 7: 1:30 -3:30pm – Join Sandy Wilson from Spirit of Dragonflies, LLC to celebrate the wonders of the outdoors on a slow paced hike. Free. Donations welcome. Pre-registration required.
The Friday Family Fitness Foray: Every Friday in November: 10am -12pm – See all of the Center’s trails in their seasonal splendor. Every Thursday in November from 10am -12pm we will be exploring a different area of the park attempting to cover every inch of the park’s many trails. Participants who attend all sessions will be awarded a handmade Dyken Pond Walking Stick to commemorate their accomplishment. These programs end at lunch time so feel free to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy following the program! Preregistration required for each weekly session. All ages welcome but must be able to hike at least 2 miles. Difficulty level varies by week. Free. Donations welcome.
Hike to Grandfather Rock the Glacial Erratic: Saturday, Nov. 14: 1pm – 3pm – Hike to Dyken Pond’s largest glacial deposit and learn about the role glaciers played in helping form our landscape. All ages welcome but must be able to hike 2.5 miles. Preregistration required. Free. Donations welcome.
Family Field Trip Series: Family Tree Day: Tuesday, Nov. 17: 10am – 12pm Get to know the trees of the Rensselaer Plateau. Make a tree identification booklet, learn why they change colors, grow in so many different shapes and hike to the oldest/largest tree at Dyken Pond EEC. Suggested donation: $5 adult and child. Preregistration required.
Family Field Trip Series: Fall Birding: Tuesday, Nov. 24: 10am – noon Learn how to set up and monitor a bird feeding area at home. Leave with the confidence and curriculum to engage youth in the observation and study of birds. Learn what makes a bird a bird, how to identify common birds and how to design experiments leading to hours of home engagement. Suggested donation: $5 adult and child. Preregister for all events at dykenpond@nullgmail.com or (518) 658-2055. Your registration is not complete until you receive confirmation via phone or email. Please visit our website www.dykenpond.org to learn more about our procedures as a result of COVID-19, for more information about the Center and a complete schedule of our fall events. Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing, boating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
NYS Youth Snowmobile Safety Course Offered
GRAFTON – On Saturday, December 5, 2020 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, email Grafton Lakes State Park at graftonlakessp@nullparks.ny.gov with the parent and student’s first and last name, student 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. Please bring your own bagged lunch and snacks to enjoy. Please note that masks are required for all participants to limit the spread of COVID-19 and symptom screening will take place at program sign-in.