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OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DAY

Outdoor Adventure Day is a family-friendly, free event with hands-on activities and demonstrations appropriate for all ages focused on recreation and the outdoors. The event is open to families on Fort Drum as well as the North Country community.

This event is being coordinated by Fort Drum's Natural Resources Branch (Directorate of Public Works) and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County. Other cooperators include Fort Drum's Parks & Recreation Program and McEwen Library (Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation) and the SUNY-ESF Woodsmen's Team.

When?

Outdoor Adventure Day will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The event will take place rain-or-shine. As the name implies, it will be outdoors, so please dress appropriately and bring sun screen, water, etc.

Where?

Outdoor Adventure Day will take place in and around Building S-2509 on Fort Drum. This is outside the fenceline and there is no requirement to pass through the security gates. Parking will be behind Buildings S-2507/2509 off of Munn's Corner Road.

Directions from Interstate 81: take Exit 48A to Interstate I-781. Go 4.0 miles to Exit 4 (the only exit) before the Fort Drum Main Gate. At the stoplights at the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto US 11 North and go approximately 3.0 miles to NY Rte. 26 (at Evans Mills). Turn right on NY Rte. 26 and go approximately 5.0 miles (past the stoplights going to Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield) and turn left into the driveway ("Natural Resources Permits" is on a green sign). Parking is in the grassy field behind the building (adjacent to Munn’s Corners Road)—follow the signs.

Directions from NYS Rte. 3: In Great Bend at the junction of NYS Rte. 3 and NYS Rte. 26., go west on NYS Rte. 26 approximately 0.3 miles over the Black River. Turn right into the driveway ("Natural Resources Permits" is on a green sign). Parking is in the grassy field behind the building (adjacent to Munn’s Corners Road)—follow the signs.

Who?

The event is open to EVERYONE whether living on Fort Drum or not. Children from 2 to 18 years of age will all find things of interest to see and do.

What?

There will be 14 different stations set up in and around Buildings S-2507 and S-2509 where people can meander and spend as much (or as little) time as they desire. The fourteen stations include: 

1.  Sawing and axe throwing demonstrations by the SUNY-ESF Woodsmen's Team.  

2.  Outdoor Shooting. Learn to safely fire an air pistol under the guidance of 4-H Shooting Sports certified instructors. Participants must be at least 10 years of age to shoot. A Nerf gun range will also be available for the younger crowd.
3.  Archery. Learn to use a bow and arrow under the guidance of 4-H Shooting Sports certified instructors. Participants must be at least 10 years of age to shoot. However, a Nerf archery range will also be available for the younger crowd.
4.  Fishing. Try your hand at casting different rods and test your casting accuracy. Test the action of different lures--or test whether they sink or float--in a large aquarium. Play with live bait--nightcrawlers and minnows will be available.

5.  Outdoor Safety/Wilderness First Aid. Learn about ticks, snakes, and lightning. Try your hand at bandaging an injury.

 
6.  Trapping. See the different traps used by trappers and biologists. Walk inside a bear trap! See how a beaver is skinned. 

7.  Orienteering. Learn about orienteering (using compasses and maps) and GPS (Global Positioning Systems). Use a GPS unit to find your way to a geocache!

8.  Wildlife Calls. Whether a hunter, photographer, biologist, or wildlife viewer, learn how to call animals to you. Sound like a duck, goose, turkey, deer, or other animal.
9.  Native Arts. Try your hand at flint-knapping or basket weaving. Materials will be provided.

10.  Climbing Wall. Strap on a harness and see if you can reach the top! Participants must weigh at least 45 pounds but not more than 250 pounds. A scale will be on site. A Hold Harmless Agreement must be signed before participating.

11.  Cooking. Try your hand at some dutch oven recipes including one for Lazy Cobbler.

12.  Indoor Shooting. An electronic indoor shooting range will be available in Bldg. S-2507.

13.  Fish & Wildlife. Live animals will be on display in Bldg. S-2509. Look through a microscope at stream macroinvertebrates. Handle bones, fur, and feathers. Get close up and personal with live crayfish, frogs, fish, snakes, and turtles.


14.  Net Zero. No matter who you are, we all should be aware of our impact on the environment. See examples of composters and recycled products. Plant a seed in composted soil! All garbage during the event will be composted, recycled, or otherwise disposed of at this station. Click on the links to learn more about recycling and composting on Fort Drum or Jefferson County.

Besides these 14 stations, there is also a tent with arts-and-craft activities. There is also a place to sit and read quietly in Bldg. S-2509. Smokey Bear will be strolling the grounds throughout the event--how often he'll be seen will depend on how hot it is that day. (Bears get hot under all that fur!)

Other Things to Know:

  • This is a family-friendly event. No alcohol or smoking. (If you must smoke, please smoke in the parking lot area.)
  • The Carthage American Legion Post 789 will have hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken barbeque available to purchase. Families may also bring their own food and picnicking is allowed on the grounds. There is a water fountain available in Bldg. S-2509, but please bring water and stay hydrated.
  • Restrooms and hand-washing stations are available.
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