This review is in regards to volunteer experiences at the Double H Hole in the Woods…read more I've volunteered (with friends and a service organization) here a couple of times the last two summers. The staff here are very friendly and accomodating to volunteers. We cleaned (swept, mopped, disinfected, etc) some of the facilities at the Double H Ranch. We just spent a few hours but I believe they also have opportunities for volunteering at the week-long camps they run (which is something I'd like to try). If you're looking to volunteer in the Lake George area for a worthy organization that provides positive opportunities for kids with disabilities, I recommend the Double H Ranch.

I purchased a winter CSA subscription and the Intervale Food Hub reimbursed me for the remaining…read moreweeks when I had to move across the country and could no longer use the subscription I paid for! They would send me hand written notes and make it right if the vegetables weren't looking great. Great customer service! Super accommodating! Technologically savvy!

The Intervale is the best thing about Burlington, Vermont. I know, bold statement, but I assure…read moreyou that there are many who would argue in my favor. I first visited the Intervale on a walk with my dog. This large piece of property that lies right along the edge of the city is divied up and made available for people to rent affordably and use for farming. The farms that are at the Intervale are able to share large pieces of equipment and resources and practice sustainably, while contributing to the community in a major way. They make locally grown food accessible to the community through the Gleaning and Food Rescue program, which supplies free fresh veggies to income eligible residents and the Intervale Food Hub's farm shares, which vary in size and can be purchased seasonally. The Intervale helps people to focus on the soil and our interaction with the earth and educates the public on how we all can live more sustainable lives. They offer a composting program, The Abenaki Heritage Garden, and a Conservation Nursery. There are also a number of trails to walk and bike and a river to relax by. They have plenty of community events that encourage the viability of agriculture and promote community engagement with food systems Weather you're going to boogie down at Summervale, a Thursday night music and food ritual that The Intervale and a number of local vendors orchestrate each summer or just go snowshoeing by the river on a still evening in January, The Intervale will quicky become your sanctuary. It is a reminder of the beauty in the world and the importance of getting our hands dirty and providing the source for food that we eat. We are so fortunate to have such a place and if you have an opportunity to enjoy it, I encourage you to do so; your soul will be grateful.

Bolton Landing, NY - my introduction to Up Yonda Farm came courtesy of the Lake George Winter…read moreCarnival, which included a naturalist-led snowshoe hike in its activity lineup. Although we didn't make the tour (sold out), we drove up anyway to see if we could rent snowshoes to hike the trails on our own. Fortunately, there were plenty of snowshoes to go around - including kids/toddler sizes! - despite the tour group before us which I was afraid would clear out the snowshoe racks. But that was not at all the case! Rick and Linda at the Center could not have been lovelier or more helpful. Rick walked us through the trail map, pointing out where the tour group had gone (who would've broken in the snow for us), and being mindful of the fact that we were hiking with a small child who may or may not have a meltdown somewhere along the way, and how far into the hike it is likely to happen, from experience. I pulled out AllTrails to help with navigation, and Rick told us he actually created the GPS tracks for the property in the app! There are 3 miles of hiking trails across the 73-acre property, well marked with blazes and easy to follow. The woods were so beautiful and serene in the fresh snow. My child enjoyed the StoryWalk on the Sugar Trail and had me read the story to him. In addition to the educational exhibits in the farmhouse welcome center & museum (including some cute turtles!), the Center offers a variety of environmental education programs throughout the year (birds, butterflies, wildlife, night sky, hikes, field guides, crafting, seasonal events, etc.). It is now maple sugaring season so you can learn about the process and visit the sugarhouse when it's open. In the summer, you can see the butterfly garden, picnic by the pond, and explore the grounds with vistas of Lake George. We loved our visit to Up Yonda Farm, and the snowshoe hike turned out to be the highlight of our weekend. What a magical experience for all seasons!

I recently visited Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center for their maple-making tour and…read moreabsolutely loved it! This was my first time visiting and it was such a fun experience. The snowy setting made it even more special. We walked along a path through the woods while learning about how maple syrup is made. It was really interesting to hear about the history of maple sugaring and see the progression of tools that have been used over time. One of my favorite parts was the tasting. At the very beginning we got to try raw maple sap, and later we tasted the syrup fresh after it had been made. It honestly changed my mind about maple syrup -- I used to not like it, but tasting it fresh made me appreciate it so much more. There is plenty of parking, and the bathrooms are right next to the parking lot. After parking, you walk up to the main house to check in. The tour starts off to the side of the house near a fire pit, which was a nice gathering spot. At the end of the tour they served French toast sticks with different maple syrups to try, which was delicious and a perfect way to finish the experience. Overall, this was such a fun family-friendly event. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique outdoor activity and a great way to learn about maple syrup!

The observatory is a gem tucked away in the Tupper Lake area! Who knew Tupper Lake had some of the…read moredarkest skies on the east coast?! It's full of friendly people who are enthusiastic about the skies above us, and are eager to share their knowledge with the public. On Friday nights during the summer when they do stargazing! (So long as the weather is nice, you can join their email list to get updates if conditions are iffy.) The roof rolls off of the observatory building, and there's a warming room in case it gets chilly! Would definitely recommend for anyone visiting the area.