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Outdoor activities groups near Kingston, NY

Revering God in Nature: Transcendentialist Outdoor Adventure

Poughkeepsie, NY

Revering God in Nature: Transcendentialist Outdoor Adventure
Following the teachings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau (but also through the writings/example of John Burroughs, John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt and occasionally others), we are a group of nature-loving outdoor recreationalist theists who find spiritual renewal and growth by time spent in the wild. We believe that ecology, climate, seasonal weather, wildlife, and water and their interwoven systems and sciences reveal and promote reverence to the Creator. We believe that personal religious experience is possible through outdoor exposure since all things naturally lead us to God. “In the woods,” Emerson wrote in his magnum opus NATURE, “we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life – no disgrace, no calamity … which nature cannot repair.” He continued, “Standing on the bare ground — my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space — all mean egoism vanishes. … The currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part and particle of God.” We seek to implement the goals of Transcendentialism, the philosophical religion of Emerson and Thoreau that exalted nature, individualism, self-reliance, and a life devoted to intellectualism, solitude, thought, and leisure. As an interdenominational group, we consciously leave the formalism of religious dogma and doctrine to other other institutions. Our version of church is rather one of private spirituality and individual renewal infused by nature itself. "On every side there is something to soothe and refresh this sense," wrote Thoreau in A WEEK ON THE CONCORD AND MERRIMACK RIVERS, "Look up at the tree-tops and see how finely Nature finishes off her work there. See how the pines spire without end higher and higher, and make a graceful fringe to the earth. And who shall count the finer cobwebs that soar and float away from their utmost tops, and the myriad insects that dodge between them. Leaves are of more various forms than the alphabets of all languages put together: of the oaks alone there are hardly two alike, and each expresses its own character." “I opened my eyes and let what would pass through them into my soul,” Emerson wrote in his 1834 journal, “The pines glittered with their innumerable green needles in the light and seemed to challenge me to read their riddle. The drab oak leaves of the last year turned their little somersaults and lay still again. And the wind bustled high overhead in the forest top.” Reason, he says, can penetrate the inner workings of nature to reveal core truths about the self and the world. When we see an inner principle with clarity and focus, Emerson says we experience “a casting moment.” As a group we will assemble and gather to partake in outdoor adventure "casting moments" -- largely kayaking or hiking -- to fill our senses with nature and let it speak to us. Some outings will include readings, presentations, or discussions on the works of Transcendentalist authors, but largely most of our activities will leave the insights and religious experience entirely to the individual to absorb privately from nature itself. “The morning wind forever blows,” Thoreau wrote, “the poem of creation is uninterrupted; but few are the ears that hear it.”
66 members · Public

Hudson Valley Menu Venue

Rhinebeck, NY

Hudson Valley Menu Venue
Welcome to Hudson Valley Menu Venue! The format here is that any member can host a food or drink-related event of any sort in or around the Hudson Valley region. Hosting is totally voluntary and no one is ever obligated to be a host, and most members will likely choose to join events rather than host them. Being a host means you'll provide the Organizer details about an activity you'd like to arrange, and once approved, you'll be assigned as the Event Organizer and contact person. Feel free to arrange restaurant dinners, brunches, backyard barbecues, dinner parties, wine and cheese socials, winery and distillery tastings, or anything else you can imagine related food and beverage. Have fun with it! Before you can attend an event you must have a recognizable photo posted with your profile so we all know how to recognize you. \*\*ATTENDANCE\*\* Please be mindful of your reservations. If you commit to an event then decide not to go, it is your responsibility to change your r.s.v.p. IMMEDIATELY! Do not contact the Host or Organizer to cancel. Anyone with 2 no-shows may be removed from the group without notice. Becoming a member of Hudson Valley Menu Venue Meetup will also mean that you understand and agree with our disclaimer below. DISCLAIMER: You are solely responsible for your safety and well-being on any event you attend. No Organizer, Host or other member of this group is in any way liable for any injury or misfortune that could occur. The Organizers and event hosts are not trained in any medical or rescue procedures and are nor responsible for ensuring your safety or wellbeing. You therefore agree to accept all risks when you arrive to participate in any event scheduled. As a member of this group, you agree to release the Organizer, all event hosts and fellow members of any and all liability. If you decide to separate from the group during an event, you are responsible for your own safe return. Any extracurricular activities associated with a posted event in which you participate in will be done at your own risk. By joining this group and attending an event, you are demonstrating that you understand you are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of anyone who accompanies you as a guest on any event hosted by Hudson Valley Menu Venue Meetup.
123 members · Public

On the Cryptid Trail

Rhinebeck, NY

On the Cryptid Trail
Only 2300 years ago people believed our sun revolved around the Earth. We thought the earth was flat, and many imagined stars were moon fragments embedded onto a vast dome in the night sky, and meteorites were omens from angry gods. As science progressed, we still knew only of our immediate solar system and were told Earth was the center of the Universe, uniquely imbued with life. Today we’re aware of 60 billion potentially habitable planets within our Milky Way galaxy alone, and we can observe upwards of 2 trillion other galaxies. Just imagine what science will unveil over the coming years. The Cosmos is infinite. Despite our expanding cosmic knowledge, we can’t seem to wrap our heads around the idea of a latent hominoid here on Earth, or of beings from other planets. It goes against what we've been taught, chafes our religious beliefs, and creates fear of the unfamiliar. Let’s get together and share our thoughts on what these alleged creatures might be and the significance of why they would be here. Our planned events will include a variety of activities which could be anything from a casual hike, to overnight trips. The idea is to have fun, and share knowledge and insights on concepts not *yet* understood by the mainstream. \*\*ATTENDANCE\*\* Please be mindful of your reservations. If you commit to an event then decide not to go, please change your r.s.v.p. IMMEDIATELY so the group is not standing around waiting for you. Anyone with 2 no-shows may be removed from the group without notice. DISCLAIMER: Becoming a member of On the Cryptid Trail means that you understand and agree with the following statements: You are solely responsible for your safety and well-being on any event you attend. No Organizer, Host or other member of this group is in any way liable for any injury or misfortune that could occur. The Organizers and event hosts are not trained in any medical or rescue procedures, nor are they professional trail guides. Some hikes may be exploratory, meaning the Organizer or Host has not previously hiked that particular trail or trail system. You therefore agree to accept all risks when you arrive to participate in any event scheduled. As a member of this group, you agree to release the Organizer, all event hosts and fellow members of any and all liability. If you decide to separate from the group during an event, you are responsible for your own safe return. All posted hike descriptions are estimated and may not accurately represent a particular hike or event. Any extracurricular activities associated with a posted event in which you participate in will be done at your own risk. By joining this group and attending an event, you are demonstrating that you understand you are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of anyone who accompanies you as a guest on any event hosted by On the Cryptid Trail Meetup.
43 members · Public

Hiking Boots & Booze

Rhinebeck, NY

Hiking Boots & Booze
Welcome to Hiking Boots & Booze! No, silly, we don't drink and hike! We're a dedicated hiking and adventure group that always ends each event with refreshments and food. Alcoholic beverages are left to your discretion. Hiking is typically the main event, but bike rides, weekend get-a-ways, and longer excursions are fairly common. Hikes typically range between 4 and 8 miles and are concentrated across the southern Berkshires and throughout the Catskill Mountains, but also within the Mid-Hudson Valley. On most hikes we will keep a moderate pace, so you should be suitably fit to keep the pace for the difficulty rating of posted events. Safety is important and it is your responsibility to read each event description fully, along with any associated links, so that you arrive fully prepared. It is also your responsibly to enable your group settings and push notifications to receive messages and emails from the organizer. \*\*ATTENDANCE\*\* Please be mindful of your reservations. If you commit to an event then decide not to go, please change your r.s.v.p. IMMEDIATELY so the group is not standing around waiting for you. Anyone with 2 no-shows may be removed from the group without notice. Becoming a member of the Hiking Boots & Booze Meetup will also mean that you understand and agree with our disclaimer below. DISCLAIMER: You are solely responsible for your safety and well-being on any event you attend. No Organizer, Host or other member of this group is in any way liable for any injury or misfortune that could occur. The Organizers and event hosts are not trained in any medical or rescue procedures, nor are they professional trail guides. Some hikes may be exploratory, meaning the Organizer or Host has not previously hiked that particular trail or trail system. You therefore agree to accept all risks when you arrive to participate in any event scheduled. As a member of this group, you agree to release the Organizer, all event hosts and fellow members of any and all liability. If you decide to separate from the group during an event, you are responsible for your own safe return. All posted hike distances, durations, elevations, and difficulty levels are estimated and may not accurately represent a particular hike or event. Any extracurricular activities associated with a posted event in which you participate in will be done at your own risk. By joining this group and attending an event, you are demonstrating that you understand you are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of anyone who accompanies you as a guest on any event hosted by Hiking Boots & Booze Meetup.
1978 members · Public

Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association

New Paltz, NY

Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association
We are a group of people in the Mid-Hudson Valley who are interested in Astronomy and Science. We hold monthly star parties at Lake Taghkanic State Park, and monthly presentations at SUNY New Paltz -- both open to the public. Our star parties are generally held on the Friday before a new moon (with Saturday as a back-up). The dates are listed our web page about [Astronomy at Lake Taghkanic State Park](https://www.spy-hill.net/myers/astro/ltsp/). You must register to attend the event (here on Meetup) and you will need to provide your car's license plate and make and model so that we can give that info to the park police. You can see the forecast for viewing conditions on the [Lake Taghkanic State Park Clear Sky Chart](http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/LkTagNYkey.html?1). If you will be attending one of our star parties it may help for you to review our [MHAA Etiquette Guide](http://midhudsonastro.spy-hill.net/MHAA_Star_Party_Etiquette_Guide.pdf). Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic we hold our monthly meetings both in person at SUNY New Paltz and share then live online using [Zoom](https://sites.google.com/a/midhudsonastro.org/join/mhaa-zoom-guide). We also participate in local education and outreach events; our members are available to make presentations or arrange for public observations of the night sky or the sun, and to help beginners learn how to get started in astronomy.  When the weather allows, we often set up telescopes on the Walkway Over the Hudson when they hold their [Walkway At Night](https://walkway.org/things-to-do/) events. Club events are listed on the [MHAA Google Calendar](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=07d4rk0riqs23fe9hh9h7fae38%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FNew_York).  Both our Star Parties and our Monthly Presentations are open to the public. (Our Monthly Presentations are preceded by an open club business meeting, which may be less interesting.) Recordings of our public presentations, some star parties, and some other activities are available on [our YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3j-Xd6MJunQSuXNc9HJqUw). Occasionally our events are also announced (and broadcast and recorded) [on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/mhastro). If you would like to keep up with club news then you can follow us by joining our email list on [groups.io](http://mhaa.groups.io). None of these require you to become an MHAA member. If you are interested in becoming a member of MHAA (not just following us here on Meetup or by email or Facebook) then you can [use these instructions](https://midhudsonastro.org/join-mhaa/). Annual dues are $25, which we use to support our activities, including insurance for our star parties and paying for Zoom. MHAA members can borrow club telescopes or DVDs from our collection and can participate in exclusive discussions on our [Slack discussion channels](https://midhudsonastro.slack.com/). Donations are always welcomed to help support the club's education and outreach activities. You can use [this PayPal link](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MHASTRO/) or send email to treasurer@midhusonastro.org. If you have any questions, send them to questions@midhudsonastro.org.
2724 members · Public