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DAYTIME ACTIVITies

Here are some Workshops  already planned for this year:

It is early - we'll update this list after registration has started and workshops are offered.

Adventure Recreation

  • Kayaking (we've added an off-site location for this year)
  • Canoeing 
  • Tubing the Battenkill River
  • Off-Campus Hikes (pick a hike to lead from those below, or research another location). We've added a new hike this year!
  • Off-Campus Bike rides (pick a bike ride to lead from those below, or research another location). 
  • Bird Walks
  • Plant Walk
  • Forest Therapy/Shinrin Yoku Walk
Camp Scully Trail Map

Instruction

  • Kayaking, Beginning & Intermediate
  • Canoeing, Beginning & Intermediate
  • Paddling Leader Training
  • Bike Repair
  • Better Birder Workshop
  • Worm Composting


    Workshops From Prior Years:

    (to give you ideas!)

    Adventure Recreation

    • Orienteering
    • Wildflower walk

    Instruction

    • Outdoor camping or living skills
    • Take It Or Leave It — What We Carry for Low and High Peaks
    • Introduction to Backpacking
    • Beginning Djembe African Drum

    Spiritual

    • Create a labyrinth
    • Qi Gong
    • Yoga
    • Meditative Hike

    Arts & Crafts

    • Tie-dying
    • Nature Crafts
    • Batik
    • Theater Games and Improv
    • Book Making with Nature
    • Lantern Making
    • Navaho Weaving

      Volunteer-led workshops are a long tradition at our Gathering, allowing women to take on leadership roles and share their skills and passions in a supportive environment.

      Some of our members have a lot of      experience and find it easy to step forward and lead – we love you and you probably already submitted a workshop!

      Other of our members might be unsure about leading a workshop – the Gathering is your chance to start!

      • Think you don’t have enough experience? Pick a well-documented hike or bike ride from the activities on this page and offer to lead a small number of women.
      • Find a friend and co-lead if you don't feel like leading an activity by yourself
      • Feeling more artsy?  Then coordinate an art & crafts workshop
      • Have some expertise to share?  Give a talk and share your knowledge
      • Are you into lawn games?  Bring a corn-hole set or some other game
      • Do you have a musical talent? Bring your instrument and/or voice and serenade the crew
      • Worried nobody will be interested in what you have to offer? Well, you won’t know until you try, and you might just find a few fellow enthusiasts.
      • Searching for ideas? Contact us at the email listed below!

      If you already submitted a workshop when you registered you’ll be contacted before the Gathering to iron out the details. If you have already registered and now want to volunteer to lead a workshop send an email to workshops@womenoutdoors.org


      New Tubing Adventure

      Arrive Thursday to take part in a Friday all-day tubing excursion on the Battenkill river.

      In the shadow of the Green Mountain National Forest, lie the sparkling, pristine waters of one of the East’s most delightful rivers: the Battenkill. The surrounding forest and grassland is teeming with wildlife: trout, deer, mink, songbirds, heron, eagles, and osprey. Each year, the Battenkill invites thousands of fisher-persons, canoeists, kayakers, and yes, tubers.

      This will be a full day excursion from 9:30 am to 4 pm (possible rain date Saturday).

      **You will need to bring your own inner tube.**

      Please read these Details, Maps & Directions before contacting us with questions. It includes information on how to pre-register.

      Evening ACTIVITies

      Talent Show

      Always a fun event for everyone! Stef and Monica will be organizing again this year. Yay!!

      Do you sing, dance, play an instrument, write/recite poetry/stories, are you a comedian, magician or have a talent you'd like to entertain us with? Or create a skit with others when you arrive! Look for the sign up sheet at the Gathering, please sign up for a 5 minute slot. See the organizers, Stef and Monica, for questions.

      Camp Fires

      We'll plan on having two campfires again this year. Stay tuned for more info.

      Join us Friday night for a Concertia Campfire with music and song.


      Game Nights

      Always a crowd pleaser. Let us know when you register if game night is your thing!

      We'll be starting out Thursday evening with Icebreaker Games.

      Annual Meeting

      This is your chance to participate on the national level in Women Outdoors. Find out what's happening from the board of directors. Participate in the election process, and perhaps join the board. All members are encouraged to attend.

      Silent Auction

      Our ever-popular silent auction is back! Bring your gently used outdoor clothing and gear for our silent auction. Read More

      Start collecting now!

      Hanging out on the dining hall porch!

      Paddling/Swimming


      On & Off-Campus

      We'll be kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and swimming on Snyder's Lake: 100-acres, 0.7 mile length, 1.9 miles of shoreline. There is swimming, boating and fishing (license required) in the pond. A swim dock provides waterfront activity choices. 

      We will have available to us 6 canoes and 12  sit-upon kayaks, as well as paddles and PFDs. You can bring your own kayak, canoe, SUP, and/or paddles and PFDs. 

      We will also be offering kayaking and canoeing classes again led by ACA certified instructors Bonna and Deb. 

      Free time paddling on your own or with friends will always be available.


      Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center - Boating and Hiking!

      In the midst of the Rensselaer Plateau, this park features over 6 miles of trails for hiking, bird watching and nature photography, with a launch for non-motorized boats, and areas on the shoreline for great fishing.  Four short trails are self-guiding. Map & Directions.

      Off-Campus Hiking


      There's no shortage of hiking trails and waterfalls in the area, most less than 10 miles from Camp Scully.

      ​​​Barberville Falls

      Only 7 miles from camp, the 92-foot waterfall is one of the most iconic spots on the Rensselaer Plateau. There are 3 trails available.  Map & Directions

      Read More  

      Burden Pond Preserve Trail

      ​​​This gem with stunning falls is  nestled in the heart of Troy. There are several side trails to explore, some inclines, but not difficult. Map & Directions  

      Rensselaer Tech Park

      A 13-minute drive will get you to two options ending in waterfalls. Map & Directions

      Peebles Island State Park

      At the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, this park offers spectacular river and rapids views. Map & Directions

      Staalesen Vanderheyden Preserve

      The Staalesen Preserve includes 24 acres of fields, woods, and wetlands, and is bordered on one side by the Wynants Kill. You'll find an open-park section, as well as floodplain forest and a marsh with a beaver dam. Map & Directions.

      Please come prepared and download and print the maps for  trails you would like to hike.

      Off-Campus Biking 





      Please come prepared and download and print the maps for trails you are interested in riding.

      Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail

      This trail traverses through residential neighborhoods, woods, and fields, with a significant portion riding parallel to the Mohawk River and resulting in some beautiful views. Map & Directions

      Albany County Rail Trail

      Follows the path of the former Delaware & Hudson Railroad, with paved trails perfect for biking, running, and walking. Map & Directions

      Zin Smith Bike Trail

      This multi-use trail extends 9 miles. Starting out a gravel portion of the trail runs from a swampy area up through woods and residential neighborhoods. Approximately 3 miles in, the trail becomes paved for the rest of the route.

      Map & Directions


      More Info from NY Trails Heads

           More Resources/Contact

       Register Now   

      Please note: Gathering attendance is for Women Outdoors members only. If you are not a member, please Join Now or Renew your membership!

      For more information on registration fees and dining:    The Gathering 2023

      For detailed information on our lodging options:     Lodging Options 

      Our growing schedule is available online:  Full Schedule

      For additional resources such as menus, packing list, paperwork, and more:  Resources

      For general information about the Gathering, plus our history and the Jan Brown Scholarship:    Main Gathering Page

      Need help? For workshops and evening activities: workshops@womenoutdoors.org

      For all other questions: gathering@womenoutdoors.org

      Check out our Photo Gallery. Have you attended past Gatherings? We'd love to see your best photos of attendees and activities.

      Photo Gallery from Past Gatherings

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