Please join the Friends of Dyken Pond Outdoor Explorers at meetup.com to get notifications for last minute program additions

2026 Winter Programs

You must preregister 24 hours in advance for every program by contacting us at dykenpond@gmail.com or (518) 658-2055. All programs are held entirely outdoors on our 600 acre property.

January

First Day Hike: Thursday, January 1: 10am - 12pm
Kick the New Year off on the right foot with a First Day Hike. Join other outdoor enthusiasts as the first people of the year to explore the forest. Preregistration required. Free.

Tuesday Treks: Tuesday, January 6: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Let's get together to enjoy nature and the outdoors, learn a little bit about this beautiful planet we call home, develop or practice outdoor skills and become healthy through exercise and being outside! Join Len Tremblay on a moderately paced 3 mile hike every Tuesday in January to explore the wilds of the Dyken Pond Center. Learn the trail system one at a time with a knowledgeable guide. Each week we'll discover new ground and nature. Hikes will be cancelled in bad weather. Preregistration required here meetup.com by searching for "Friends of Dyken Pond Center" . Free. This program is for adults and older teens. Also meeting 1/13, 1/20 and 1/27.

February

Animal Tracking: Reading the Secret Language of the Forest: Saturday, February 14: 9:30 - 12pm and/or 12:30pm - 3pm
Animals communicate through a variety of sights, sounds and smells with all their neighbors. Aside from that, they leave unintentional signs of their presence everywhere you turn. Dan Yacobellis of Tamakoce Wilderness Programs, is a level 3 certified tracker who has spent over three decades learning to understand much of this hidden language. Come see what the tracker sees when walking through the woods. You'll be surprised how many "secrets" you can learn and take home with you on a simple 2.5 hour walk. And it's lots of fun too! Tracking is a slow moving activity. We will be stopping frequently to question and talk about what we are seeing. Dress in layers for a typical, 5 hour casual walk then add 2 layers. Hand and feet warmers are excellent to take the sting off of cold toes and finger tips. Attend the morning session, afternoon session or both. Cost for one session $15/$10 for members. Cost for both sessions $30/$20 for members. Programs capped at 10 attendees for an intimate tracking experience.