AMC Western MA 20s/30s

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 1 - Accessible
Trip Leader(s): Kevin Morgan-Rothschild
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000018l4P
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join us for a fun evening of candlepin bowling at the historic Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley on Tuesday, June 2 . We are hoping to reserve the whole place, giving us the chance to enjoy a classic New England activity together.
Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley has been welcoming bowlers since 1906 and is described as one of the oldest bowling alleys in the country. Candlepin bowling is a little different from regular bowling: the balls are smaller, the pins are thinner, and everyone gets three rolls per turn. It is easy to learn, surprisingly challenging, and fun whether you are a total beginner or an experienced bowler. This will be a social event focused on enjoying one of Western Massachusetts’ most charming local venues and not hiking mountains. No bowling experience is needed. Come as you are, bring your good humor, and be ready for a little friendly competition.
Costs are $22/person, all registered guests who come are required to pay to bowl. Optional $6/person for pizza.
Cancellation: No problem - please try to let us know by May 30.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Backpacking | Backpacking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP:https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000001uyyb
Register By: 5/22/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Curious about backpacking, but not sure where to start? Join us for a relaxed, hands-on introduction at AMC’s Noble View Outdoor Center. This weekend workshop blends practical skills with friendly, low-key instruction to help you gain confidence and comfort in the backcountry.
We’ll camp on the tent platforms and, after our first night, we’ll hit the trail — packing up as if heading into the backcountry and hiking the local trail network before setting up camp again at day’s end right where we started. Evenings will feature campfires, social time, and informal discussions. Noble View offers nearby parking, a bathhouse with toilets and showers, and a comfortable setting to build your backpacking confidence.
Topics Covered: Leave No Trace principles, site selection, water filtration, waste disposal, food storage, gear selection (especially the “Big Three” — shelter, sleep system, and backpack), as well as trip planning, nutrition, hydration, packing strategies, and tips for staying comfortable in changing conditions.
Preferred Experience: Participants should have some experience with car or front-country camping, be flexible, and be able to tolerate occasional discomfort (we promise it’ll always be safe, supportive, and fun!).
Required Gear (available to borrow if needed): Shelter – tent, tarp, or other suitable setup Sleep system – sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad Backpack – large enough for overnight gear Food – easy-to-prepare meals Clothing – layers appropriate for the forecast Other essentials – water bottles or reservoir, headlamp, eating utensils, personal items, and rain protection Missing something? No problem — we have gear available to borrow, and will share detailed packing and planning information ahead of time. This trip is intended for first-timers and beginners, so don't stress over what you have or need!
Goal: For participants to be ready to join our to-be-planned beginner backcountry trips later in the season!
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where we post upcoming events, share photos, and connect for informal non-AMC outings!
Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s !
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000002C7nl
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a National Trails Day hike to Rounds Rock, a scenic overlook within the Mt. Greylock State Reservation in the northern Berkshires.
National Trails Day is the Chapter's biggest outdoor celebration of the year! On June 6, AMC Western MA will have groups out paddling, maintaining trails, cycling, and hiking across the region, all converging back in Cheshire midday. This hike is one of those activities.
We'll begin at Diane's Twist in Cheshire, at the intersection of the Ashuwilticook Rail Trail and the Appalachian Trail, for the Chapter's National Trails Day kickoff — juice, donuts, the NTD pledge, and a group photo — before carpooling together to the trailhead. Our hike is a 4–5 mile loop with moderate elevation gain, making our way up to the Rounds Rock overlook for an early lunch break with views, then descending back to the cars.
After the hike, we'll return to the rail trail to meet up with other AMC members, and cap the day with an ice cream treat at Diane's Twist.
Dogs are allowed in Mt. Greylock State Reservation, and must be leashed at all times; please let the leader(s) know if you intend to bring your pup!

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000002C457
Register By: 6/3/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike in the William Cullen Bryant Homestead Forest, learning about old growth forests, signs of previous agriculture, and pine weevils along the way. Starting at the parking lot, we will take the Rivulet, Pine Loop, and Sugarbush Trails at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike.
The hike will be 2.8 miles in total with a gentle rolling track, gaining 400 ft along the double loop route. I recommend bringing a small day pack with water, a light snack, and perhaps some binoculars or hiking poles if desired. I welcome you to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn of the Homestead after our hike.
Please wear appropriate footwear for a short, slightly uphill hike like sneakers, hiking boots, or sandals with a sturdy sole and heel strap such as Chacos. We will still hike in light rain but heavy rain will cancel the hike.
**** This hike is part of the WMass 20s/30+ Wessels Series in which we will use Tom Wessels’ New England’s Roadside Ecology as a guide to talk about the interesting ecological aspects of the WMass /Southern NH/Southern VT area. Here is the full series schedule: Sunday April 19 Elder’s Grove 10am Saturday May 16 Wantastiquet Mountain 11am Saturday June 6 William Cullen Bryant Homestead 5pm Saturday July 11 Rhododendron State Park 11am Saturday August 15 Bartholomew’s Cobble 4pm Saturday September 26 Monument Mountain 2pm Saturday October 10 Vernon Town Forest 11am Saturday November 21 Pisgah State Forest 11am
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where participants share upcoming events, photos, and occasionally connect around informal, non-AMC outings!
Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s !
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.
**** Rosie Lacas (she/her): Rosie lives in Amherst, MA and is a hiking and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. She has special interests in plant and wildlife ecology and the history of rural New England. She is working on her NH48 and takes great joy in planning outdoor adventures.
(activity photo courtesy of the Trustees website)

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!