Adirondack Mountain Club: More Than Just a Club
Posted by Charity Watcher on Tuesday, August 4, 2015
When people think of mountain clubs, their first thought will likely be a group of people engaged in mountain-based activities like hiking, camping and trekking. This is not exactly so with the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK).
Established in 1922, the non-profit organization has approximately 28,000 members today, all of whom are dedicated to the protection and preservation of the New York State Forest Preserve. The members are also committed to the responsible recreation use of the preserve’s parks including its lands and waters, thus, allowing present and future generations to enjoy Mother Nature.
The ADK also conducts various activities toward the promotion of its mission, vision and values including conservation programs and natural history projects. With its 27 local chapters spread across the State of New York and the State of New Jersey, it has been and continues to be successful in defending the New York State Forest Preserve and its surrounding area from commercial development. It has also vigorously worked – and succeeded – in expanding the state holdings in the Adirondack Park.
ADK was born of the idea conceived by Meade C. Dobson who believed that a private organization should assist the State in the development of trails and shelters in the Adirondack especially in its remote areas. His goal then was to make the trails more accessible to backpackers and hikers and, in the process, promote conservation in the area.
In its early years, the ADK worked to provide more assistance to the New York State Conservation Department. Its first project was the clearing and marking of a 140-mile trail with the 133-mile Northville-Placid trail as the first trail made by the club members; the Northville-Placid trail has a north to south orientation and remains one of the most popular among the Adirondacks enthusiasts.
Today, the ADK has two lodges – the Adirondak Loj and the Johns Brook Lodge – that provide backpackers, trekkers and hikers with sufficient facilities including comfortable rooms, communal mess hall, and campsites.
Established in 1922, the non-profit organization has approximately 28,000 members today, all of whom are dedicated to the protection and preservation of the New York State Forest Preserve. The members are also committed to the responsible recreation use of the preserve’s parks including its lands and waters, thus, allowing present and future generations to enjoy Mother Nature.
The ADK also conducts various activities toward the promotion of its mission, vision and values including conservation programs and natural history projects. With its 27 local chapters spread across the State of New York and the State of New Jersey, it has been and continues to be successful in defending the New York State Forest Preserve and its surrounding area from commercial development. It has also vigorously worked – and succeeded – in expanding the state holdings in the Adirondack Park.
ADK was born of the idea conceived by Meade C. Dobson who believed that a private organization should assist the State in the development of trails and shelters in the Adirondack especially in its remote areas. His goal then was to make the trails more accessible to backpackers and hikers and, in the process, promote conservation in the area.
In its early years, the ADK worked to provide more assistance to the New York State Conservation Department. Its first project was the clearing and marking of a 140-mile trail with the 133-mile Northville-Placid trail as the first trail made by the club members; the Northville-Placid trail has a north to south orientation and remains one of the most popular among the Adirondacks enthusiasts.
Today, the ADK has two lodges – the Adirondak Loj and the Johns Brook Lodge – that provide backpackers, trekkers and hikers with sufficient facilities including comfortable rooms, communal mess hall, and campsites.
