Adirondack Interpretive Center
Programs and Activities
Adirondack Interpretive Center Events
5922 State Route 28N, Newcomb, NY, United States, New York
aic@esf.edu | 518-582-2000
Mushroom Meanders
3rd Sunday of the Month | May - October | 1 pm
- July 20
- August 17
- September 21
- October 19
With the guidance of mushroom enthusiast Sandy Bureaus, head out for an afternoon of mushroom hunting along the AIC trails. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned forager these walks will help expand your knowledge into the mysteries of mycology. Walks will be held every third Sunday at 1pm starting in May and continuing through October. Registration is not required but encouraged.
You can also email shample@esf.edu
Woodland Walks
Every Wednesday and Saturday | June 25 - August 16 | 1pm
Join us for a guided walk along our beautiful Rich Lake Trail every Wednesday and Saturday at 1pm throughout the summer until August 16th. The Rich Lake trail is an easy 0.7-mile loop that winds through various habitats, including a raised boardwalk through a cedar swamp, and offers views of the Goodnow Fire Tower.
Escape the Elements Summer Screening Series
Sunday's | June 29 - August 17 | 1pm
Need to escape from the heat or rain? Join us at the Adirondack Interpretive Center Sunday’s at 1pm and enjoy BBC’s mini-series, Life! Feel free to bring a comfier camp chair as well as snacks and drinks (Non-alcoholic beverages only, please)!
From the BBC and the Discovery Channel, producers of Planet Earth and The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the newest landmark natural history series, Life. In Planet Earth, we brought you the world as you’ve never seen it before. Now, get closer with Life. Four years in the making, filmed over 3000 days, across every continent and in every habitat, with breathtaking new high definition filming techniques not available for Planet Earth, Life presents 130 incredible stories from the frontiers of the natural world, 54 of which have never been filmed before. Packed with excitement, revelation and entertainment, this remarkable 11-part blockbuster, narrated by Oprah Winfrey, captures unprecedented, astonishingly beautiful sequences and demonstrates the spectacular and extraordinary tactics animals and plants have developed to stay alive.
June 29th - Challenges of Life
July 6th - Reptiles and Amphibians
July 13th – Mammals
July 20th – Fish
July 27th - Hunters and Hunted
August 3rd - Creatures of the Deep
August 10th – Plants
August 17th – Primates
Huntington Lecture Series
Thursdays | July 3 through August 14 | 7pm
Map and Compass: Land Navigation Course
Thursday | July 10 | 9am
Learn the fundamentals of land navigation in this beginner-friendly map and compass course. Designed for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking to build confidence in the backcountry, this hands-on class covers reading topographic maps, understanding map symbols and scales, using a compass, taking and following bearings, and combining map and compass skills for real-world navigation. No prior experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! All materials provided.
$10 course fee
Registration required
Kids Campfire Building Workshop
Friday | July 11 | 1pm
Kids age 10-16 come to the AIC to learn how to safely build a cozy campfire in this fun, hands-on class just for kids! We’ll explore fire safety basics and the best techniques for building and enjoying a fire in the great outdoors. Parents must be present.
Campfire Flame & Fret Acoustic Jam Session
Fridays | July 11, 25, August 8, 22 | 6pm-8pm
Join us for a relaxed evening of music under the stars! Bring your acoustic instruments, your voice, or just your love of music as we gather around the campfire for an informal jam session. All skill levels are welcome—whether you’re strumming, singing, or simply enjoying the warm glow and good company.
Loons and Logs Fundraiser Event
Saturday | July 19 | 11am
The Annual Rubber Loon Race is going back to its origins with ‘Loons and Logs’ making a comeback! The Loons and Logs event originally celebrated the connection between humans and the natural history of the Adirondacks but, just like nature has evolved and changed so has this event. With the loss of the bridges on the Sucker Brook Trail due to the unprecedented flood on July 11th, 2023, which served as the start and finish lines, we have decided to change things up and test our loons' diving skills instead! We are excited to see which loon will be crowned the best diver! Like in years past, you can sponsor a loon for $10 for your chance to win the title of the first-ever Loon Diving Champion (and a prize, of course).
Since the event is all about Loons and Logs, we thought it would be fun to embrace losing our bridges by challenging you to build a bridge made of logs - well, popsicle sticks, but still wood. For just a $10 entry fee, you can show off your design skills in the Build Us Bridges! Competition. Construct the bridge that can hold the most weight and earn the title of Bridge of Brawn or go for aesthetics and compete for the title of Bridge of Beauty. One entry fee lets you compete in both divisions. The top competitors in each division will win a night at Huntington Lodge on the ESF Newcomb Campus.
Sponsor a Loon Bridge Registration
Zine-Making Workshop
Saturday | July 26 | 11am
What is a zine? Zines are self-published mini booklets and this workshop will teach you how to make your own! This workshop will show participants how to use a single sheet of paper to create a little book that can be easily copied and shared with friends, community and family. Using suggested prompts or one’s own imagination, participants will fill pages with words, drawings and/or collage. This workshop is all about connecting (or reconnecting) with creative play and self-expression while learning about the power (and fun!) of self-publishing.
No drawing experience necessary!
Materials needed: colored pencils and markers, scissors, 8.5 x 11 sheets of printer paper, scrap magazines/books, glue sticks.
You can also email shample@esf.edu
Kids Shelter Building Workshop
Friday | August 1 | 1pm
In this hands-on workshop for ages 10–16, kids will learn how to build a sturdy outdoor shelter using natural materials. Along the way, they'll also practice a couple of useful knots to help secure their creations.
Learning Through Comics Workshop
Saturday | August 16 | 11am
This workshop will explore the value of drawing as a tool for learning! Drawing can be a potent way to internalize new information and investigate a curiosity. You don’t have to be an “artist” to benefit from exploring new subjects with a combination of both words and pictures. This workshop will introduce participants to the joys of visual note-taking and together we will spend time researching a topic of choice and creating a single-page educational comic from what we learned.
No drawing experience necessary!
Materials needed: colored pencils, graphite pencils with erasers, printer paper (at least 2 sheets per participant), pens (just regular ballpoint pens are perfect).
You can also email shample@esf.edu
Fall Foliage Hike Up Goodnow Mountain
Sunday | September 28 | 9am
Wednesday | October 1 | 9am
The Adirondacks have long been known for its breathtaking fall foliage, attracting people from all over the Northeast. The bright greens of summer turn to fiery reds, yellows, and oranges of autumn giving the forests a beautiful new palette. What better place to experience these magnificent colors than from Goodnow Mountain fire tower. Learn about the forest’s seasonal changes on the 4-mile round trip hike, considered moderately challenging, that culminates in a spectacular 360-degree view of Rich Lake, Huntington Wildlife Forest, the High Peaks, and surrounding areas. Dress for the weather. Meet at Goodnow Mountain Trailhead.