PRESS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release:                               Contact:

Tuesday, February 19, 2008                              Paul Ertelt, (518) 449-3870,

                                                                      paulertelt@adk.org

 

Outdoor Lovers Plan Binghamton ADK Chapter

Gail Weyna of Binghamton is a multifaceted outdoor athlete who enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, telemark skiing and kayaking.

“I want to live and explore life,” Gail said. “I want to do higher adventures.”

But Gail, who is single, has often found it hard to connect with others in the Binghamton area who want to share her outdoor adventures, particular more challenging ones, such as climbing Adirondack High Peaks or kayak touring. So, Gail is spearheading an effort to form a Binghamton Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, and that effort will culminate in a Feb. 28 organizational meeting at the Gander Mountain store in Johnson City.

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is one of America’s premier outdoor recreation organizations, but it is much more than just a hiking club. ADK, founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting New York’s Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation. Individual chapters organize outings geared to different interests and abilities.

Gail said one of the things that attracted her to ADK was that it offers opportunities to volunteer for conservation projects, including projects in the Adirondacks. ADK’s conservation efforts also include maintenance work on the Finger Lakes Trail and on trails in the Catskills. ADK has advocated for increased public land in the Catskill Park and has gone to court to protect wild lands from the ravages of acid rain and mercury contamination.

ADK has 25 local chapters in New York, including chapters based in Ithaca and Oneonta, and one in New Jersey. But not all of ADK’s 30,000 members are affiliated with a local chapter, and there are more than 100 “at large” ADK members in the Binghamton area.

To create a new chapter, organizers must first collect 25 signatures from current ADK members. Nonmembers interested in outdoor recreation are encouraged to attend the organizational meeting.


ADK Executive Director Neil F. Woodworth, Development and Membership Director Deb Zack and Development Associate Robin Robertson will be available to provide information and answer questions about ADK and the benefits of membership.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, in the meeting room at Gander Mountain, 528 Harry L Drive, Johnson City. (For directions, call the store at (607) 798-8400.)


For more information about the Adirondack Mountain Club, visit our Web site at www.adk.org. For more information about the meeting, contact ADK at (800) 395-8080 ext. 14 or via e-mail to robin@adk.org.

Click here to find out more about the benefits of ADK membership.