Pack Forest
Pack Forest Workshop
PO Box 777
Warrensburg, NY 12885
Pack Forest, located in the southern Adirondacks, is DEC's newest camp, opening for the first time in 1998 and conducting a high school-level program in environmental studies.
The camp is located in Warren County, about five miles north of Warrensburg, on 2,500 acres of woodlands. The property includes an 85-acre lake and countless miles of trails leading to mountain vistas, marshes and the banks of the Hudson River. DEC is using the property under an agreement with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, which owns the land. Pack Forest was named after Charles Lathrop Pack, an Adirondack landowner who donated the land to the college to be used for research and training in the field of environmental studies.
Pack Forest offers teens who are 15 to 17 years old a chance to explore forestry, aquatic biology, wildlife management, field ecology and other environmental issues. Workshop attendees learn about professional forestry techniques, such as the use of Biltmore sticks and increment borers. The program emphasizes group dynamics and teamwork as essential to the environmental decision-making process. Staff encourages interaction, communication and cooperation as campers seek solutions to group challenge activities. Students also discover their individual strengths and abilities.
New for the 2008 season, Pack Forest will be open to children ages 12 to 14 during weeks 6, 7 and 8. The same programming that is offered at Camps Colby, DeBruce and Rushford will be utilized during these weeks.
As well as advanced outdoor workshops, campers participate in exhilarating out-of-camp canoeing or backpacking trips in the beautiful Adirondacks. Optional activities during the workshop include fly fishing, hiking, swimming, shooting sports and orienteering. Click here to view a generic activity schedule for Pack Forest.
Campers at Pack Forest stay in small cabins that house approximately 15 to 20 campers. The week-long sessions are held in July and August.
From All Directions:
Take the Northway I-87 to Exit 23 (Warrensburg/Diamond Point). Turn left and then right onto US-9. Proceed through the town of Warrensburg. Go straight through the intersection of Rt. 9 and Rt. 28, and approximately a ¼ mile after the intersection turn left at the large white sign reading "Charles Lathrop Pack Demonstration Forest." Follow the driveway slowly (15 mph) to camp, approximately 1.2 miles.
Travel time from major cities
Buffalo: 5 hours
Rochester: 4 hours 15 minutes
Syracuse: 3 hours
Albany: 1 hour 15 minutes
New York City: 3 hours 30 minutes
