Skills Workshops

Guided Hikes | Skills Workshops  | Paddling Programs

Call 518-523-3441 to register for a program.

Adirondack Pack Baskets
August 4 (HLPC) December 8 (Lake George) December 15 (HLPC)
Create your own traditional Adirondack Pack Basket with the owners of Clear Creek Weavers, Bud Ziolkowski and Sandy Muller. During this full-day course, skilled craftsmen will take you through the step-by-step instruction to weave your own pack basket from start to "skids”.  You’ll leave at the end of the day with a beautiful basket and a smile on your face!
Location: Heart Lake Program Center (Lake Placid) or Member Services Center (Lake George)
Cost: $70/75 (Member/Non-member) small. $80/85 large; includes instruction and materials.

American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Certification Workshop
June 10-13, 2013
Canoes and kayaks enjoy a high degree of popularity in this area of the country. This unique program is designed to provide competent paddlers the opportunity to earn multiple certifications - Level 2 Essentials of Flat water Canoe (solo, tandem) and Flat water Kayak.  There is plenty of on-water practice and dry-land training on safety techniques, stroke and maneuver refinement, development of teaching skills and hull and paddle dynamics in these crafts. This workshop, which is led by ACA certified Instructor Trainers is challenging and fast paced but also models the same safe, engaging and fun environment that people learning paddling need.  This workshop is ideal for those in the paddlesport industry (retail, outfitters), trip leaders and other canoe or kayak enthusiast who are looking to raise their game. Not only will you learn great techniques for teaching paddlesport but you will also improve you own paddling skills by learning from the trainers other participants. This certification is recognized by other accrediting bodies where canoe/kayak and water safety is required such as the American Camping Association and the NYS Guide License program.
Location: Heart Lake Program Center/Field
Cost: $375/$415 (Member/Non-member); includes instruction and certifications.

You need to be an ACA member to take the course and an affiliate with the ACA Safety Education Instruction Council.  ACA membership is $40/year and SEIC affiliation is $25/year.  A check made out to ACA or present proof of ACA membership and SEIC affiliation must be presented to the instructor upon arrival on the first evening of the course.  If you are an Adirondack Mountain Club member, ACA membership fee is lowered to $25/year.

Garden Baskets
July 14, 2013
Create your own Garden Basket with Clear Creek Weavers. Weave your own basket from start to finish during this full-day course, as skilled craftspeople will take you through step-by-step instruction. You’ll leave at the end of the day with a beautiful basket and a sense of accomplishment!
Location: Heart Lake Program Center (Lake Placid)
Cost: $50/$55 (Member/Non-member), includes instruction and materials.

Map and Compass Bushwhack
October 19-20, 2013
This is a great refresher course or a good place to learn the basics of map and compass skills. The first day will be an introduction to the fundamentals of map reading, compass use, triangulation, and identification of terrain features. On day two, participants will put their new found skills to the test with a guided bushwhack in the Heart Lake area. You’ll go home with much more confidence in your ability to use a map and compass when it really counts!
Location: Heart Lake Program Center (Lake Placid)/ Field
Cost: $90/$99 (Member/Non-member), includes instruction and use of materials

Map and Compass Fundamentals
July 7, 2013
This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of map reading, identification of terrain features, compass use, and triangulation.  Once learned, these skills will enable participants to feel more confident with backcountry travel.
Location: Heart Lake Program Center (Lake Placid)/Field
Cost: $65/$72 (Member/Non-member), includes instruction and use of materials.

Paddle Making Workshop
July 6 and August 2, 2013
Create your own wooden canoe or kayak paddle with Caleb Davis from Tremolo Paddles. During this full-day course, Caleb will take you through the step-by-step instructions on how to make your own paddle.
Location: Heart Lake Program Center (Lake Placid)
Cost: $125 /$135 (Member/ Non-member)

Survival Skills
August 16-18, 2013
This three-day course will discuss survival philosophy, and teach navigation, fire-making, signaling, making cordage, finding and purifying water, wild edibles, tracking, trapping and fishing, constructing shelters, and more. This course will be taught by Bobby Plude from Wilderness Survival Systems and Equip2Endure. Bobby has worked alongside the country’s best-known survival experts, and regularly conducts training for the US military including the Navy SEALS. He’s has been teaching survival skills for over 25 years.
Location: Heart Lake Program Center (Lake Placid)/ Field
Cost: $250/$275 (Member/ Non-member), includes instruction and materials.

Wilderness First Aid
November 16-17, 2013
This in-depth course with Wilderness Medical Associates teaches students how to deal with medical emergencies when they are miles from help. The classes offer hands-on scenarios and lecture structure, through which students will learn to assess patients and become certified in wilderness first aid, CPR, and anaphylaxis training. Class time will be spent both inside and out.
Location: Heart Lake Program Center (Lake Placid)
Cost: $240, includes instruction and materials.
Package: $325, includes instruction, materials, meals, and lodging for 2 nights.