The Adirondack Trail Improvement Society (A.T.I.S.) is a nonprofit organization based at the Ausable Club in St. Huberts, New York, founded in 1897 first to develop and maintain [1] and later to ensure regular maintenance and consistent marking of the trails in the St. Huberts and Ausable Lakes area of the Adirondack High Peaks.[2] Later, the organization began hiring trail counselors to lead hiking and camping trips, thus expanding its mission to include education on the proper use and enjoyment of the Adirondack wilderness.[3]
| Abbreviation | ATIS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1897 |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| 14-1486436 | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Keene Valley, New York |
Executive Director | Ben Runyon |
| Website | https://www.atistrail.org/ |
Today, the organization hires a seasonal trail crew and a counselor staff. The trail crew maintains over 100 miles (160 km) of public hiking trails during a season that runs from May to August. In June, the counselor staff conducts High Peaks Camp, a two-week residential wilderness camping program for 20 children aged 12–15. During July and August, the same staff supervises daily and overnight hiking and canoeing trips for children aged 6–15.[4]
There is also a schedule of volunteer-led trips for adults, and occasional lectures and other events during the summer season. Each month's activities are culminated by a picnic supper at the Lower Ausable Lake. The picnic includes water sports, canoe races, recognition of achievements and, in August, a skit.
The A.T.I.S. is funded by donations from its membership, which is open to all who share the Society's goals and ideals.
References edit
- ^ Weston, Harold; Foster, Rebecca (2008). Freedom in the Wilds: An Artist in the Adirondacks (Third ed.). Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press. pp. 35–36. ISBN 978-0-8156-0899-8.
- ^ "A.T.I.S. Official Website". Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
- ^ Goodwin, James A. (1974). "The Adirondack Trail Improvement Society". Adirondac. No. June. pp. 55–56, 67.
- ^ Pilcher, Edith (1987). Up the Lake Road: The First Hundred Years of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. St. Huberts, New York: Centennial Committee for the Trustees of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. pp. 158–160. ISBN 978-0-9618456-0-5.