Santanoni interns Elizabeth Edwards, Vivian McGinnis-Tingle, Maggie Hicks and Reagan Smith at the start of their season in June; Volunteer Wester Miga at a Farm Landscape Work Day in July; attendees of the Newcomb Lake Paddle Tour on the Newcombe Farm wagon in August.

Another summer season has come and gone, dear Friends of Camp Santanoni, and you know what that means: it's almost time to get out the snowshoes and skis and enjoy the winter season at our beloved Santanoni Preserve!

2026 has been another great year at the only publicly owned Adirondack Great Camp. We explored new areas of the Santanoni Preserve on our Newcomb Lake Paddle Tour, saw a mix of new and returning faces at our Santanoni Workforce Tour, and hit the road on our ever-popular Santanoni Bike Excursion.

We saw great new works of art created during our 3rd Annual Art and Music Day, took nature walks with local guide Charlotte Demers, and welcomed President Theodore Roosevelt to the Main Camp as part of the Town of Newcomb's biggest event of the year: TR Weekend.

If you stopped in for a visit this summer, you likely saw our four interns, Elizabeth, Maggie, Vivian and Reagan, leading tours and tackling projects at the Gate Lodge, Farm and Main Camp. The interns covered more ground than ever before, and we're so grateful for their hard work and can-do attitudes! We're now cheering them on as they take the next steps into their careers in historic preservation. 

In early 2027, we'll be recruiting once again for our summer internship, so keep an eye on our website for information on how to apply!

Along with our interns, other regular fixtures at Santanoni this year were our wonderful volunteer docents, Jennifer, Laura, Scott and Sara, who helped us share the history of Camp Santanoni with our visitors. The docents researched and led their own tours at the site, represented us at special events, and helped out our volunteer work days. Read on to learn about how you can join the docent program at the site next year.

As the temperatures continue to drop, we're planning for the year to come and preparing for the next round of Winter Weekends, which will be held once again in January, February and March. But why wait until then? The Santanoni Preserve is free to visit and explore each and every day.

Pick up a guide book or a copy of Santanoni: From Japanese Temple to Life at an Adirondack Great Camp and take a self-guided tour! More details about visiting when Camp Santanoni is unstaffed are available here.

The West Cottage, Creamery and Main Camp during Winter 2026.

Get ready to strap on your skis or snowshoes and join us at the Great Camp Santanoni Main Camp for a hot beverage in the Artist's Studio and a special winter tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following weekends: Jan. 16-17, Feb. 13-14 and March 13-14.

This popular event provides a rare opportunity to go inside buildings and meet guides at Great Camp Santanoni during the winter months. The nine-mile round trip on gently rolling terrain will take you past the Santanoni Farm and through the Forest Preserve on a wide, well maintained trail.

This event is hosted by Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Town of Newcomb and the SUNY ESF Adirondack Interpretive Center.

Need gear? Reach out to Cloudsplitter Outfitters in Newcomb for information about renting gear for Winter Weekends.

NOTE: Winter conditions can change quickly in the backcountry. Be prepared with extra warm clothing, a headlamp and adequate supplies for a nine-mile trip.

Visitors on a hike in winter 2025.

Start 2027 off with a hike!

We're partnering with the SUNY ESF Adirondack Interpretive Center to ring in the New Year with a First Day HIke.

Participants will meet at the Santanoni Preserve parking lot at 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2027. We will head up Newcomb Lake Road, then cross over to the AIC trail system. We will take the Sage Trail to the overlook at Belden Pond before looping back to the parking lot.

This is a 2.4 mile roundtrip hike with only 200 feet of elevation change, perfect for easing us into 2027! We will make some stops along the way for some winter botanizing and animal tracking. Dress in warm layers, and bring water, snacks and appropriate footwear for winter walking. Snowshoes will be provided for anyone without their own.

Do you have a story to tell about Camp Santanoni? We'd love to hear it!

This winter, we're continuing to collect interviews about Camp Santanoni for our Camp Santanoni Stories oral history project in conunction with OurStoryBridge.

Visit campsantanonistories.org to hear stories from some of the individuals involved in AARCH's effort to preserve Camp Santanoni, former staff and summer interns, and members of our Newcomb community who grew up with this amazing National Historic Landmark in their backyard! 

Feel inspired to tell your own story? Visit our oral history website or email campsantanonistories@gmail.com to schedule a time to record yours!

Check out this issue's featured story: Connecting with the original owners with former intern Carolyn Cipperly 

Carolyn Cipperly and a friend camping at Camp Santanoni in the 1990s. (Photo courtesy Carolyn Cipperly)

Seeking Volunteer Docents!

Volunteer Docent Jennifer Kaspar (center) leads a tour at the Main Camp with her canine companion, Johnlennon.

We're recruiting for our second round of volunteer docent training, which will take place virtually this winter.

During training, docents learn about the history of Camp Santanoni, gain best practices for interpreting history, and get all the materials needed to put together their own public tours. 

Docents then complete their training by leading at least four tours for the public at Camp Santanoni. 

Interested in joining the fun?

Newcomb's Overlook Park in Winter 2026.

Be sure to check out some of the other great things the Town has to offer!

The Town of Newcomb is once again hosting Winter Sundays at the High Peaks Golf Course from Jan. 3 through March 14, 2027. Snowshoe or cross-country ski at this scenic municipal golf course, then warm up at the Club House on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The SUNY ESF Adirondack Interpretive Center has an excellent trail system that is open to explore each day. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with their events.

Need fuel for your adventure? Newcomb Pines will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during the winter months. Follow their Facebook page for updates and specials.

What about supplies and gear? Reach out to Cloudsplitter Outfitters to make an appointment for winter gear rentals and to learn more about their groomed trails, or visit their Facebook page for updates.

Want more suggestions? Check out the Experience Newcomb patch program or the Newcomb app for more ideas and information.

Photo courtesy Great Camp Sagamore.

Can't get enough of Great Camps in the snow? Our neighbors at Great Camp Sagamore are continuing their annual Snow Days this winter on Jan. 30 and Feb. 27, 2027. 

Visit Great Camp Sagamore's website for more information about their winter events!

Your Feedback Matters

Please join the Friends of Camp Santanoni or renew your support. We also invite you to check out our website, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or email us at santanoni@aarch.org. Ask questions, offer your suggestions, or share a favorite story about time you’ve spent at Santanoni.

Happy Adventuring!

Erin Tobin

AARCH Executive Director

Kelly Quimby

Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager

The Friends of Camp Santanoni, a project of Adirondack Architectural Heritage with support from the Town of Newcomb and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, aims to provide long-term financial and volunteer support for the Camp.

Founded in 1990, in part to save Santanoni,  Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the nonprofit historic preservation organization for New York's Adirondack region, seeks to preserve the architecture and communities of the Adirondacks through education, action, and advocacy.

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