Relax and Recharge With Us

When I stepped outside this morning to grab the newspaper, it was already over 80 degrees – and the forecast is calling for triple digits over the next few days! With this heat, my mind turns to cooler, more peaceful ways to relax and recharge. Below are a few upcoming activities that offer just that: gentle ways to slow down, reconnect with nature, and find a little calm in the midst of summer. Yoga on the Mountain – unwind with gentle yoga in a beautiful meadow at AMC's Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA. Or, come paddling with the AMC – all summer long! Beat the heat with a quiet water or whitewater paddling trip organized by the AMC Western MA Chapter. No experience? No problem! We'll provide instruction and gear. It's a refreshing way to spend a summer day. And mark your calendar for our annual Women's Weekend Retreat in September – a women-only day retreat at Noble View. Enjoy journaling, hiking, music, and more at "Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature." A perfect day to relax and recharge in great company. And don't forget to check our Activities Calendar regularly to see what's happening in the Chapter. We hope you'll join us for one – or all! – of our peaceful escapes into nature. Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Yoga on the Mountain

Come and experience the gentle movements and soothing breathing of yoga in a lovely meadow at Noble View. Surrounded by tall trees, singing birds and amazing views of the valley, Sally Barber, from the Westfield Yoga Center, will lead a family yoga class on July 26, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, as she has done for many years. This event is open to all abilities and experience, but we recommend children be at least seven years old. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in and bring a mat or blanket to cover the ground. Afterward, plan to explore the miles of beautiful trails or walk the All Persons Trail and read the current StoryWalk^® book.

Paddling with the AMC Western MA Chapter

The Paddling Committee organizes quiet water and whitewater canoeing and kayaking training opportunities and trips from April through October. We love to get people on the water and can provide instruction for new paddlers. We are offering a paddling instruction event at Barton Cove on July 5, 2025 where we will teach the basics of boating safety and effective paddling. We are blessed to have a variety of places to paddle in our region, from quiet ponds to larger lakes, mellow rivers, and whitewater rivers. The Connecticut River offers long and short paddle trips and even water-accessible campsites. Whitewater paddling means canoeing and kayaking on moving water with rocks, waves, and other features. We paddle local rivers such as the Deerfield which is dam controlled and allows for whitewater paddling April through October. Quiet water paddling means scenic canoeing or kayaking on lakes, ponds, and gentle rivers. Western MA has some splendid rivers and lakes for quiet water paddling. We'll take you there, and we can even help provide you with a boat and gear. We teach the basics of boating safety and effective paddling at our annual instructional program. We also educate paddlers on water quality and identification of invasive species. In conjunction with AMC's Conservation Committee, we organize river stewardship events to remove invasive water chestnut plants from local rivers. Click here for more information, including upcoming trips and a list of resources for paddlers.

Save the Date: Women's Weekend 2025

Mark your calendars for the AMC Western MA Chapter's fourth annual "Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature", a women-only retreat on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Noble View. This event encompasses a variety of activities throughout the day including hikes, music, yoga, journaling, singing, paddling, and more. The cottages at Noble View will not be available for lodging this year, but anyone interested in camping may do so in the tent site area on Friday and Saturday nights. Stay tuned for more information and a registration link or check the Chapter Activities page for updates.