March/April 2008
My first two Notes from the Chair have
centered on what was happening in the AMC-NH Chapter. This Note from the Chair
will continue that theme. I have taken this focus because I believe that if our
members participate in our activities, they will form a stronger bond with the
AMC. The AMC will also become stronger as a result. I believe that the more
activities we have, the more bonds will be created. To that end, I have
encouraged the formation of the new Temporary Committee for Skiing and am
in the process of helping to create a Temporary Committee for Walks and Short
Hikes. If you, our membership, embrace these, they will become permanent
committees.
New committees are great to have, but
let’s not forget that we have many fine permanent committees that have existed
for many years.
The Conservation Committee provides
opportunities for AMC members to become more informed about the environment
and work for the health of our natural resources. Activities include: outdoor
experiential and informative activities for youth and adults and hikes with
naturalists. The Excursions Committee provides hiking-related activities and
training. We’ll take you to the tallest peaks of the Presidential Range and to
the smaller ones, like Willard and Major.
We don’t just go to the White Mountains!
In southern New Hampshire we hike in places like Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway,
Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway, and Pawtuckaway State Park. Excursions also
has sub-committees for Families and for those over age 55. The Family Group
creates opportunities for families with children of all ages and abilities to
enjoy the outdoors together. The Excursions Committee’s Over-55 Group
sub-committee runs trips that appeal to those of all ages who want trips at a
more leisurely pace!
The Mountaineering Committee provides
Ice Climbing, Rock Climbing and other mountaineering activities and training.
Activities include trips to the Whites as well as trips to indoor climbing
gyms. Leaders provide for an enjoyable experience.
The AMC-NH paddling group is filled with
people who know how to have fun on and off the river. Like other AMC groups,
the NH AMC paddling group is for outdoor enthusiasts with an interest in
paddling as well as a concern for protecting and conserving our waterways.
Paddling trips for all skill levels and moods are offered nearly every weekend
from early March until late October. An experienced leader and co-leader, rated
according to AMC standards, guides each trip.
The Volunteer Trail Crew does everything
from digging in the dirt, clipping branches and painting blazes, to moving
rocks, building steps, changing and building trails. Every project is different
and has work for folks with all abilities and experiences (including none).
We teach you everything you need to know—and why. Come join us to learn how and
why the trails in the northeast are some of the best maintained in the country,
and to meet and be the people responsible for them.
The AMC-NH Young Members Committee was
formed in 2002 to get people in their 20s and 30s involved in AMC activities
and has since proved to be immediately popular. A list serve was created to
allow easy communication among members and our Yahoo Group site allows us to
share pictures, files and other information. Since then, over 400 people have
joined the email list and have organized and participated in a number of trips
including hikes, kayaking, indoor rock climbing, hut trips and trail
work.
The Hospitality Committee, Membership
Committee, and Programs Committee work together to provide Dinner Meetings
periodically at venues throughout New Hampshire. The Meetings have guest
speakers that address areas of interest to the club. Sam Jamke, Past Chair
of NH Chapter will be the speaker for the upcoming Dinner. Membership and
others are also organizing the Third Annual Chapter Activity Day in
May.
Our Webmasters and Newsletter Chairs
work to make this information available to you.
All of this planning takes a lot of time
and experience to put together. Our success is measured by your attendance at
these functions. Please join us and help make new bonds and make AMC even
stronger!
(By the way, if some of these words
were familiar to you, that’s great! Much of this came from our web pages
at www.amc-nh.org).
Paul Berry
2008 Archive:
Happenings