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. 

Yard Sale Weekend with Puzzle Swap and Curriculum Swap and Sale - April 18th and 19th

We are now accepting donations. Please bring to the SHAC (starting on Monday, March 2) on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays from 9-11am until April 16th. NO DROP OFF APRIL 11. Please do not drop stuff off at other times.  

We are also hosting a puzzle swap and a curriculum swap and sale. Get more information on the spring events page.

Join the local Girl Scouts on April 25th, from 10am-2pm for a fun Children's Music Festival!

Fun activities including:

• Make craft instruments
• Art activities
• Learn about musical instruments
• Games
• Rhythm circles
• Snacks
• Sign up to join our local music club!

Our goal:

We plan to have a fun day and teach elementary school aged kids about music. As part of our Girl Scout Silver Award Project, we plan to form a local music club for kids that meet at SHAC to spread our love of music in our community.

We hope you join us for a fun and musical day!
Lillian, McKenna, VJ, and Kathryn

 May 2, 2026. 10-4

Join us for our annual Spring Fling. Get outside and enjoy all that SHAC has to offer. We will have vendors, fun activities and demonstrations from coaches and teachers.

Music will be provided by local band Goose Control and the Hudson Taconic Lands will be running an outdoor scavenger hunt (FREE!).

We are only one part of the Sand Lake Day. Park at the high school and take a shuttle to all of the locations offering activities that day. They include:

Kiwanis with Touch a Truck at the Butler Park
Sand Lake Merchant with free scoops of gelato for all kids that day
SLCA with free kids craft activities (10-6) and a free concert with the Brit Beat at 7:30pm
SLHS will have historical reenactors walking around
ALN will have open studio time from 2-5pm

Saturday July 11, 2026 - 11am

Golf-4-SHAC 2026

Burden Lake Country Club

We are officially back for the 3rd Annual Golf-4-SHAC Tournament! Join us on Saturday, July 11, 2026, 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

Register for the May 6 Class Here

Register for the May 20 Class Here

Register for the June 17 Class Here

Join instructor John Slyer for guided indoor cycling classes this winter at SHAC. Indoor cycling will take place three days a week until the end of March. The training schedule is as follows:

Tuesdays: 6:30 - 7:30pm

Thursdays: 6:30 - 7:30pm

Saturdays: 10 - 11am

Cost: $100 for any 10 sessions 

Or $15 per walk-in session

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.  

Indoor practices on stationary bikes are Monday and Wednesday evenings starting on Feb 25 from 6:30pm-8pm.

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, May 30 from 10am-12pm.

Cost: $20

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

Courtesy of Camp Director and SHAC Tennis Pro “The Tennis Coach” Joe Behson, young beginners (ages 7-12) are invited to join SHAC's two-week tennis camp between July 6th and July 16th. 
Session 1: July 6-9 Monday through Thursday 9AM to 12:PM
Session 2: July 13-16 Monday through Thursday 9AM to 12:PM
Location:  Averill Park High School Tennis Courts (an inclement weather make-up date will be available) 

Cost: $300 for Both Sessions or $175 each session

 Improve athletic performance, reduce injury risk, and promote long-term physical development through safe, structured, and age-appropriate training. 

The program will focus on developing strength, speed, power, agility, mobility, and conditioning while teaching proper lifting technique and movement fundamentals.

Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30-5pm

16 sessions, March 3 - April 23

$160 or $15 a session

For ages 10-17/Bus transportation will be provided by school district from middle and high school

Instructor Erin Walsh, a certified Master Food Preserver Cornell Cooperative Extension will teach a hands-on fermentation class on Thursday, May 14 from 6 - 8pm. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of vegetable fermentation by making sauerkraut and a seasonal fermented pickle using two different methods. At the end of the class, attendees with leave with a jar of their own creation to enjoy.  

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 March 10 - April 21.

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

 The SHAC Summer Circus & Physical Theater Camp runs for nine weeks from June 29 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.