LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 40 Picture a crisp September morning, the kind that marks the shift from summer's warmth to autumn's cool embrace. The Adirondack Loj buzzes with activity as hikers prepare to explore iconic trails. Among them is a group of fourth graders embarking on a guided hike up Mount Jo, led by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) staff. But this is no ordinary hike—it's an immersive educational experience designed to con- nect students with the natural world while teaching responsible recreation. This adventure is part of the Marie L . Haberl School Outreach Program: Three Seasons at Heart Lake, a cornerstone of ADK's mission to foster environmental stewardship in future genera- tions. Every year, ADK connects thousands of people to the Adirondack Park, promoting responsible recre- ation to protect this unique environment. While many programs focus on visitors, ADK's commitment to local youth stands out. Two flagship initiatives, Three Sea- sons at Heart Lake for fourth graders and Homeschool In the Woods for homeschool families, immerse chil- dren in nature, teaching them to respect and cherish the Adirondacks. By focusing on local children, ADK ensures that those living closest to these natural trea- sures develop a deep connection to the land, inspiring them to become lifelong stewards and global citizens. The Origins of Three Seasons at Heart Lake ADK's journey with youth programming began humbly in the early 2000s. At the time, the Education Department ran a variety of smaller-scale programs, none of which followed the same group of students throughout an entire year. However, ADK's Education Director and a teacher from the Elizabethtown-Lewis School District noticed a troubling trend: many local students weren't engaging with the outdoors, despite living in such proximity to the Adirondack Park. This realization sparked the creation of Three Seasons at Heart Lake, a program aimed at making a meaningful impact on young minds. Fourth grade was chosen as the target age group be- cause the New York State science curriculum focuses on Earth's systems and human impacts — topics that align perfectly with outdoor exploration and respon- Building Future Stewards: ADK's Youth Programming in Action By Eliza Phillips

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