New York State Outdoor Guides Association

09/21/2026

The annual Adirondack 46ers Fall Dinner was another great night and, honestly, one of our favorite parts was simply getting people together in the same room.

So much of the work between outdoor organizations happens through emails, meetings, phone calls, and social media. Events like this give us a chance to actually sit down together, catch up, laugh, and strengthen the relationships that help our outdoor community work so well.

NYSOGA Region 2 Representative Jason Albertson is a great example of how much these communities overlap. Jason spends hundreds of volunteer hours giving back throughout the Adirondacks, including a tremendous amount of work with the 46ers. He also continues to bring guides together throughout Region 2 and helps build connections wherever he goes.

Jessica Heck, NYSOGA’s Virtual Assistant, finished her own 46 in June and recently stepped into the role of Recording Secretary for the Adirondack 46ers. Like so many people in our community, she wears a few different hats, but the goal stays pretty simple: help more people feel supported, welcomed, and confident getting outside.

That is the kind of crossover we love to see.

Different organizations. Different backgrounds. Different paths into the outdoors.

At the end of the day, we are all working toward a pretty similar goal: creating a safe, supportive outdoor community where more people feel like they belong.

09/17/2026

It’s that time of year, everyone! 🍁

The leaves are starting to put on a show across New York. Where are you located, and what’s the foliage looking like in your area?

Drop a photo in the comments and give us your local foliage report. We’d love to see what fall is looking like across the state!

We are unbe-leaf-ably happy that Week 1️⃣ of the I LOVE NEW YORK Fall Foliage Report is out! You can read the report at the link in the comments! 🍁🍂

New York State’s 2026 fall foliage season is underway, with the first signs of the spectacular seasonal colors appearing in regions throughout Upstate New York, and the most significant changes expected in the Adirondacks.

09/10/2026

There is something pretty special about seeing three women guides together in one place, especially when you think about the history behind it.

Women have been part of New York’s guiding tradition for generations, even when the profession was overwhelmingly male. One of those early trailblazers was Julia Burton Preston, born in Piseco in 1896, who became known as an accomplished hunter, trapper, and respected Adirondack guide. Decades later, women like Sheila Young entered the profession when there were still very few female guides. Today, more women are earning their licenses, teaching outdoor skills, running guide businesses, and helping shape what professional guiding in New York looks like.

And that brings us to this crew.

Sheila Young, Laura Baker, and Jessica Heck all met up Saturday evening at the annual Mt. Arab Fire Tower Lighting.

Sheila has been helping make the Mt. Arab lighting happen for the last several years, continuing to give her time and energy to a place and community she has spent decades serving. Laura jumped right in, welcoming visitors, counting everyone who made the climb, and greeting people with a smile as they arrived.

And Jessica? She was apparently “just along for the ride”… except she brought nine other people with her to experience the evening. Because guides have a funny way of turning “I’m going to this thing” into “WHO ELSE WANTS TO COME?!”

That might be one of the best parts of guiding.

It isn't only about knowing the trail, the water, the woods, or the skills. It is about bringing people with you. Teaching. Encouraging. Welcoming. Sharing the places you love and helping someone else find their own connection to them.

From women like Julia Burton Preston more than a century ago, to women like Sheila who have spent decades in the profession, to the growing number of women guiding throughout New York today, that legacy continues.

And sometimes it looks exactly like this: three women guides standing together at a fire tower, laughing after a really good night outside.

We think Julia would have approved.

09/08/2026

What makes a good outdoor guide?

Knowledge and experience matter, but there is a lot more to guiding than simply knowing where to go.

A great guide might bring:

• Strong safety awareness
• Local knowledge and experience
• Patience
• Clear communication
• The ability to teach, not just lead
• Flexibility when plans need to change
• Good judgment
• And maybe a sense of humor when the weather, fish, trail, or wildlife have other plans

Every client values something a little different.

What qualities do YOU think make a great outdoor guide?

09/04/2026

Happy early Labor Day from NYSOGA!

Labor Day weekend always feels like one of those turning points in New York. Summer is still hanging on, but the signs of fall are starting to show.

Cooler mornings. Earlier sunsets. A few leaves beginning to change. And before long, some of the best hiking, paddling, fishing, hunting, and camping weather of the year will be here.

As you get outside this weekend, enjoy the last stretch of summer and keep an eye out for those first hints of fall.

Where are you spending your Labor Day weekend?

09/03/2026

New York Outdoor Trivia

Let’s see who knows their New York outdoors.

Which of these is the largest lake located entirely within New York State?

A. Lake George
B. Oneida Lake
C. Seneca Lake
D. Canandaigua Lake

Drop your guess in the comments before checking anyone else’s answer.

We’ll reveal the correct answer later!

**Picture is just for interest, not for answer 😉

09/01/2026

What’s in your pack?

Being prepared outdoors does not mean carrying everything you own. It means carrying the right things for the conditions, the activity, and the unexpected.

A few basics worth considering:

• Extra water and a way to treat more
• Food beyond what you expect to need
• A headlamp with backup power
• Extra layers for changing weather
• A basic first aid kit
• Navigation tools you know how to use
• Emergency essentials like a fire starter, whistle, or emergency blanket

Your pack may look different depending on whether you are hiking, fishing, paddling, hunting, or camping, but preparation matters in every outdoor activity.

What is one item you always make sure is in your pack before heading out?

08/28/2026

Last call for 2026 NYSOGA training classes!

Our final First Aid & CPR and Water Safety classes of the year are coming up at the end of September in Tupper Lake.

First Aid & CPR
September 26, 2026

Water Safety
September 27, 2026

If you’ve been meaning to complete or renew your training before the end of the year, now’s the time.

Both NYSOGA members and non-members are welcome.

Come build your skills, meet training requirements, and head into the next season better prepared.

See comments to register or email: [email protected]

08/27/2026

Great news for the Adirondack high peaks!

NYSOGA is proud to share this update from NYS DEC announcing the reopening of the Avalanche Pass Trail.

We’re especially proud that some of our NYSOGA guides were among some of the professionals and volunteers who helped with the work and recovery efforts in this area.

Thank you to everyone who put in the time, skill, and hard work to help reopen such an important and well-loved Adirondack trail.