Summer suggestions for a young adult visiting from out of town?
-S emails:
My (French) sister is 18 and she is flying to visit me for a month in August. I'm very excited to have her.
Her English is pretty good for a French kid her age. I would love to involve her in local activities -- she wants to get to know the American culture badly. (And she really wants to speak as much English as possible.) I don't know what an 18 year old does in the summer around here, though.
So far I've filled a volunteering form at the Albany Public Library, they might keep her busy for a few hours a week. I feel the service industry would be a bit too brutal for her first trip here. She loves volleyball, I'm sure she could play in the park this summer, but a youth league would be even better, if such a thing exists.
Maybe this is something people reading AOA would know about (or be interested to share)?
As a young adult, -S's sister will no doubt be able to find her own way to a large extent. But -S is trying to get her visit here off to a good start.
So, got a suggestion for -S's sister this summer? Please share!
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She might enjoy experiencing some Adirondack beauty and history.
Camp Little Notch has free noon to 5 PM Open Houses every Sunday starting May 17 thru June 7, then August 16 thru October 11, (excluding September 6). No registration necessary. Staff will be ready to show you the beauty of Camp Little Notch or lead you on a hike to the Civil War era Iron Furnace located on the property. It is a really nice day trip and you can stop at the Exit 20 outlet stores on the way in and shop, and bring a picnic lunch.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please email campdirector@camplittlenotch.org.
... said Tess on May 20, 2015 at 4:19 PM | link
Will she have access to a car, or only to public transportation?
To immerse in English, I'd suggest the Front Parlor Series in Troy and Albany
Volleyball
- Pick up at the Polish Community Center on Western Ave extension is on Wednesday night from 6-dusk. $5 a night or $35 for the whole summer. The benefit of going to this is that you can often get asked to sub for their official league nights on Monday and Tuesday.
- I believe people play pick up on Monday nights in Washington Park in Albany
- If she can travel farther, there is pick up on M,W, Th in Clifton Park at Burning Bush park
All of these would be fine for an 18 year old.
... said Jessica R W on May 20, 2015 at 4:28 PM | link
The Pine Hills Branch of APL would love to have her - let Cassie know! We could really use an extra hand on Thursdays.
... said Stef on May 20, 2015 at 5:49 PM | link
I would also check out volunteer opportunities with Capital Roots.
http://www.capitalroots.org/
... said Lauren on May 21, 2015 at 5:45 AM | link
The Albany JCC has a volleyball league and I believe it's starting up in June. Here is the link http://www.albanyjcc.org/fitness/co-ed-recreational-volleyball/
... said Srf on May 21, 2015 at 8:10 AM | link
Take her to a concert a SPAC and visit some swimming holes and def go to some fireworks on 4th of July if not Albany then Waterford on the water the fireworks are so close to you its crazy! If she won't be here for the 4th of July go to a valleycats game on a saturday they have fireworks then and spend a weekend in NYC maybe go to a yankee game, very American!
... said Amy on May 21, 2015 at 10:50 AM | link
MassMoca has always been a huge hit with the assorted nieces and nephews I've hosted. You can combine it with a lunch at one of the places over there, too. Cooperstown is also a fun day trip. Whether or not she's into baseball doesn't matter, the town is charming and the Farmer's Museum is worth a visit.
... said Rebecca on May 21, 2015 at 12:25 PM | link
Just consulted with my 18 year-old and he didn't protest when I told him I was going to offer him up as an Albany tour guide. Pick some dates and Liam will show her the State Museum and the Capitol, with lunch at the food trucks. He was in France last month and would enjoy meeting the jeunne fille!
... said Silvia Meder Lilly on May 21, 2015 at 7:47 PM | link
ART ART ART
Albany Center Gallery
www.albanycentergallery.org
... said Albany Center Gallery on May 22, 2015 at 8:56 AM | link
I'd just list things to do that I think would be nice: Albany-state museum- tour capital-bike Albany to Troy along Corning preserve-alive at 5 concerts-Troy farmers market-hang out in Waahington park-top of Corning tower-art and history museum-bike ride around pine hills-bucking ham pond area-coffe shops on Lark street-Delaware-Madison-tennis at Albany tennis club-golf lessons capital hills-hike 5 rivers or Thatcher park.day trips to great barring ton for breakfast-Stockbridge Norman Rockwell-Chester French museums-lunch in Lenox-dinner in Williamstown. Further afield anywhere Vermont lake placid Woodstock mount Greylock Boston NYC ??DC
The French have beautiful food architecture weather trains etc show them we have a few nice things too! Try to avoid Malls!!!
... said BS on May 22, 2015 at 9:59 AM | link
I am looking to go camping for the first time. I am still kinda new to the area, currently looking to take my family, wife & 2 kids under 5, camping someplace. I have a tent & was hoping to go someplace by water or fun recreation. Also maybe places that have built in fire pits. Does anyone have family-friendly camping suggestions?
... said james on Jun 4, 2015 at 4:42 PM | link
Kind of worth a separate post but while there's lots of free designated primitive camping in the Adirondacks and Catskills (first come first serve), for a first timer on your own I'd suggest one of the state run campgrounds. Cranberry Lake, Putnam Pond, Eighth Lake, Lewey Lake, Moffitt Beach, North-South Lake are all fairly popular and right on the water. Lots more info at the DEC site. You can pre-register a site through reserve america, but unless you're going on a mobbed weekend (Memorial Day, 4th of July) you can usually just drive up during operating hours and pay there.
To bring it back to the topic, there are lots of ADK and Catskills hikes with a high reward-to-effort ratio, I have a few in mind to bring -S and his sister on, maybe after we settle on one and get back in one piece he can give an opinion.
... said -B on Jun 5, 2015 at 9:36 AM | link
Ausable chasm little far but well worth the trip. Beautiful area to camp with showers etc. I also neglected to mention Cooperstown and Northampton mass for day trips as well as Saratoga and the races!
... said BS on Jun 5, 2015 at 11:53 AM | link
Seb! You should so take Silvia up on that offer!!
... said Jess on Jun 5, 2015 at 2:38 PM | link