Champlain Area Trails Expands Outdoor Programming with Family Events and Educational Partnerships

A volunteer with children on a CATS Trail © CATS

Champlain Area Trails (CATS), an accredited land trust founded in 2009, is dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, protecting land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in the Champlain Valley. With over 100 miles of trails, 3,000 acres of protected land, and hundreds of hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer events annually, CATS is expanding their outdoor programming and partnering with local schools to help children experience the outdoors.

“Our mission has always been to make the Champlain Valley more accessible and enjoyable for everyone and all ages,” said Chris Maron, Executive Director of CATS. “By creating family-focused programs and events, we can inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect our natural resources.”

One such program is a partnership with the Boquet Valley School District, where CATS partners on outdoor education activities to help students connect with nature. Through hands-on learning experiences, children discover the benefits of physical activity, mental wellness, and social connections from spending time in the great outdoors.

CATS is hosting a special early evening walk on Saturday, November 16, at 6:00 p.m. at Black Kettle Farm Trail in Essex in collaboration with the Lakeside School. All families from various schools are invited to join this event, which promotes family inclusivity and welcomes participants of all ages. Participants can join a guided night walk to listen for owls and other nocturnal wildlife plus learn about how our vision works in the dark. The event encourages families and people of all ages to explore the trails, appreciate the natural beauty of the Champlain Valley, and promote physical activity and mental well-being.

“Connecting children with nature at a young age can have a profound and lasting impact,” added Torey Patenaude, Community Engagement and Outreach Manager at CATS. “By providing these engaging and educational experiences, we’re inspiring a lifelong love of the outdoors and a commitment to environmental stewardship.”

For more information about CATS and its upcoming family events, please visit www.champlainareatrails.com or call 518-962-2287 (CATS).

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a non-profit organization, begun in 2009, which creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley that link communities, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality. In its short history, CATS has developed 35 miles of trails that when added to existing trails, gets it half-way toward the long-envisioned goal of a 30-mile trail loop between Westport and Essex. CATS will extend its trails to neighboring towns and eventually connect them to trails in the Adirondack Mountains, Vermont, and Quebec. Learn more on the CATS website.