Program Sign-In & Sign-Up

Mom Starts Here is a Capital Region nonprofit organization that   walks with families along their parenting journey, providing support for their internal and external needs and enabling parents to show up their best for themselves and their children. 

Starting November 1, 2025, the SHAC Center joins the Mom Starts Here network around the Capital Region. Once registered as a member of Mom Starts Here, families in need can arrange a scheduled appointment to pick up baby supplies right here at SHAC. 

This year we are excited to offer 2 summer camps - Summer Circus Arts Camp and Summer Tennis Camp with Coach Joe!

The SHAC Summer Circus & Physical Theater Camp runs for four weeks from July 27 through August 28 and is designed to be flexible, engaging, and welcoming for campers ages 7–17.

Each week follows the same daily structure, with campers rotating through a variety of movement and creative studios led by experienced instructors. While the structure stays consistent, every week brings a new creative focus—so each session feels fresh and different. Campers are welcome to attend one week or multiple weeks, with no prior experience required.

This is a fun two week Summer Tennis Camp for young beginners. 

Registration is open for the full two week camp or you may choose just session 1 or just session 2.

The Camp Director is SHAC Tennis Pro “The Tennis Coach” Joe Behson. The Assistant Coaches are area High School tennis players.

Thursday Aug 6th, 6pm-8pm

Let's enjoy a summer evening together - with wine tastings, charcuterie, chair massages, tarot card readings, simple crafts and local vendors. 

Stable Gate Winery will bring their organic, locally grown wines and meeds to sample and Heidi the Healing Lady will be offering her services.

BRING YOUR FRIENDS TO THIS FREE EVENT (participants will be charging for their offerings). 

Interested in having a table? Contact us at holliboyd@gmail.com

Time/Format:

Round Robin, 2-person teams, 8 teams in each of 2 levels. Intermediate starts at 8:30. Novice starts at 11:00. Fun and friendly! In coordination with the SHAC Community Center and Sand Lake Kiwanis as part of the annual Summerfest.

To Register:

Send email or text with team contact info to coordinator Karl Michael at sherwood216@gmail.com or 518-265-4446.

Teams can be any age (16+) or gender combo. Arrive 20 minutes before start for sign-in. You can also register as an individual, and be matched with another single, if possible.

Cost:
$30/team or $15/person. Pay at tournament

Golf-4-SHAC 2026

Burden Lake Country Club

We are scheduling for the 3rd Annual Golf-4-SHAC Tournament! Join us this fall at Burden Lake Country Club for a day of competition and community.

As many of you know, the SHAC (Sky High Adventure Center) has become a vital hub in the Averill Park area - hosting everything from senior citizen services, our own Turkey Trot, yoga, and archery to camps, the Girl Scouts and Hudson Taconic Lands. Your participation helps us continue essential facility upgrades so we can expand into daycare, counseling, and more.

Local artist Ryan Smithson will host a Paint & Drip session every other Wednesday from 6-8pm. 

Unlike a Paint & Sip that features alcohol, Paint & Drip is family friendly - offering drip coffee, teas, and pastries while you paint. All art supplies will be provided and coffee, teas, and pastries will be available for purchase.

Cost: $35

The Rensselaer County Redtails is a composite youth mountain bike team in the New York Chapter of National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).

The Redtails are a SHAC Center program led by volunteer parents and coaches.

The team is open to all 5-12th grade students within Rensselaer County, NY and surrounding areas.  

Certified First Aid Instructor John Slyer will teach participants the basics of First Aid that can be used in situations where you are isolated in the wilderness. To register, contact John Slyer by email or text: 518-281-6480

 The SHAC Summer Circus & Physical Theater Camp runs for four weeks from July 27 through August 28 and is designed to be flexible, engaging, and welcoming for campers ages 7–17.

Each week follows the same daily structure, with campers rotating through a variety of movement and creative studios led by experienced instructors. While the structure stays consistent, every week brings a new creative focus—so each session feels fresh and different. Campers are welcome to attend one week or multiple weeks, with no prior experience required.

Join self defense instructor, Dan Prendergast, for an in person self defense workshop for women ages 16+. This class will help you learn and practice de-escalation techniques, situational awareness, as well as repeatable methods to protect yourself from common attacks. This one day session will be on Saturday, Aug 22nd from 11am until 1pm.

Cost: $20

Gentle to moderate yoga sequences and breathwork. No yoga experience is necessary. This series will focus on connecting breath and movement so that you can feel good on and off the mat. This course is offered in a safe, non-competitive environment. Mats, chairs, and props provided. Please bring comfortable clothes and water. Jen is a certified Yoga Teacher.  

Program Dates: 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29

Program Length: 8 sessions 

Day/Time: Thursdays, 5:30p-6:15p

Age Group: Adults

Class Size: 20

Class Type: Gentle to Moderate

Cost: $120 for all 8 sessions ($20 drop in)

Program Dates: 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29
Program Length: 6 sessions
Day/Time: Thursdays, 10-10:30am
Age Group: Toddlers ages 2-4 with parent/guardians
Class Size: 6 toddlers with guardians
Class Type: Interactive play
Cost: $30 for all 6 sessions ($10 for drop-ins)
Overview: Interactive fun while developing toddler eye-hand-motor coordination and cooperation skills
Instructor: SHAC’s Activities Coach Joe Behson, “The Tennis Coach”, a USTA Certified Play Safe Instructor 

 Want to get back into Yoga or try Yoga for the first time? Join our group led by experienced Yoga instructor, Kim Favro, and enjoy the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of less strenuous Chair Yoga.

Wear comfortable clothing to move freely and bring water to hydrate. Each class will conclude with poses to calm the mind and body embracing our spiritual side.

This 8 week class will take place on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm from Nov 3rd - Dec 22nd. Each class will last for 45 minutes and will end at 6:15pm.

Cost: $120 for all 8 weeks or $15 per class