Mohawk Valley Hiking Club
For those who may not have heard, we welcome
into our ranks the members of the Mohawk Valley
Hiking Club (MVHC). This will add hiking and
conservation activities to club activities, which are
mostly local in nature.
We are thrilled to add this activity to our club. For
those that are not up on SWC Club history, the SWC
was born out of the MVHC over 75 years ago. There
is an excellent history documented by Norm Dibelius
in his book Winter Sports. Briefly, the MHVC
formed in 1929 to organize group hikes from the
Schenectady area. As the 1932 Winter Olympics
approached, an interested group made their own
sleeping bags and went on a 10 day winter camping
excursion to Lake Placid, camping at ADK Lodge lean
tos. There was such enthusiasm about the skiing on
this trip, that the MVHC membership voted to form a
new Club focused on the winter activities.
Much of this early club was about developing
infrastructure of skiing itself. The club was very busy
making skis or experimenting with ski designs such
as adding metal edges. As there were few ski areas,
the club worked on the development of local ski areas
in Pattersonville. The club also organized the first ski
trains to North Creek which evolved into the first ski
tows, the start of ski instruction and the organization
of a First Aid Committee that is acknowledged as
the origin of what is now the National Ski Patrol.
So, we have much reason to celebrate the
merging of MHVC and SWC as we celebrate the 75th
anniversary of SWC.
If you are interested in
the book �Winter Sports,� contact a board
member.
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Phantom Skis
Phantom Skiis - The S.U.V for backcountry and powder skiing!
Our own local ski manufacturer-Dave O'Hanlon. See him in the woods at Gore Mountain.
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STRIDE
STRIDE Adaptive Sports is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to enriching the lives
of children with disabilities through extra-curricular sports and recreation. STRIDE provides community-based
integrated programs for children who would otherwise not participate in such opportunities. The benefits are limitless
and help cultivate self-esteem to grow physically and emotionally.
STRIDE's focus is individual life-time learning. STRIDE's mission is to make cultural, educational, recreational, and sport related activities
accessible to children who otherwise shy away from social and physical pursuits. There are currently are over 750 children between
the ages of 4 and 21 from the greater Capital District region who participate in our adapted programs. These programs include skiing,
snow boarding, camping, sailing, white water rafting, bowling, swimming, little league baseball, snowshoeing, teen dances,
biking, golf and ski racing. Programs are free to the participants. STRIDE provides the latest technology in adaptive equipment,
special teaching techniques, and the special training needed for our volunteer instructors.
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