Hawk Circle History

Hawk Circle Wilderness Programs began in 1989 as a one week camp experience for teens, in the Upper Hudson Valley.   After eight years, we moved in 1997 to Cherry Valley, NY where we currently base our camps and programs.

Logistics

We are situated on approximately 200 acres of woods, meadows, and wetlands on an old farmstead. This area is very rural, about an hour southwest of Albany. The ecosystem here is host to a great diversity of wildlife, from fishers, bears, and bald eagles to weasels, humming birds, and porcupines.

Our outdoor wilderness camp is rugged yet comfortable with participants sleeping in tents on platforms. Food for our programs is hearty, cooked fresh, and organic when possible, with lots of vegetables direct from our organic gardens in season. We offer excellent healthy meals that kids like and find familiar. Out facilities include an infirmary, outdoor showers, a commercial kitchen, outdoor basketball court as well as tipis for gatherings and craft activities. Medical facilities and a supportive local community are close by and out staff undergo a safety training that satisfies or exceeds the standards set by the New York State Dept. of Health, our certifying agency. Our staff are professionals who make the difference in providing a quality experience for all of our programs.

The Earth

Mentoring Institute, Inc.

We are a non-profit, federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and many people have shared in our vision through donations of time, volunteering on special projects and fundraising and through monetary donations to our Hawk Circle Scholarship Fund.   Our current fund drive, The Lean-to Project, has raised over $16,500 for a new housing for our school programs and summer camps to uses.

See our Current Wish List and Donation Needs...

What are these Wilderness Skills?

The 2006 Accomplishments, Projects and Programs Report.pdf