This Summer’s Charity Events You Can Support In Carmel, NY

Are you looking for some fun things to do in Carmel this summer? You’ve come to the right place. This area is teeming with activities for people of all ages, from miles of hiking trails to various festivals to fun summer camps and more. You should have no problem finding plenty of ways to keep busy this summertime.

American Roots Music Festival

Check out the American Roots Music Festival in Katonah on June 25, 2022. Presented at the Caramoor Center, the event features blues, folk, bluegrass, and Americana music. Gates open at noon, with the first show starting at 1 p.m. Artists perform throughout the day until the headliner, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, closes out the festival with their 7:30 p.m. show. Buy your tickets online for the entire event or opt for day-use-only tickets at a reduced price.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

Get ready for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival this summer. The festival officially kicks off in Garrison on July 15 with the Shakespearean classic “Romeo and Juliet.” In addition, the festival will also present the plays “Where We Belong” and “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play” on multiple nights throughout July, August, and September. Shows are performed under an outdoor theater tent overlooking the Hudson Highlands, allowing audiences to enjoy the warm summer night air during the performances.

Putnam County Food and Wine Fest

Don’t miss the eleventh annual Putnam County Food and Wine Fest in Cold Spring on August 6 and 7. Sample wines, spirits, and hard ciders from some of the state’s most acclaimed producers, and enjoy all types of delicious food from various vendors. There’ll be plenty of live entertainment and games for the kids, and you’re welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Kids under the age of 12 get in free to this family-friendly event, and tickets are available online.

Summer Camps

Need a fun place to take the kids this summer? Check out the summer camps offered in Carmel.

Sycamore Summer Camp 2022

Sycamore Summer Camp 2022 is a good option for kids who need regular care outside the home. For children entering grades 2 through 8, Playground Camp is offered from  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Primary Camp is available for those entering kindergarten and first grade this fall from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an extended care option offered for an additional fee. Camp starts on June 27 and runs through August 5. Look at the camp website to register online and for more information about activities, hours, tuition, and fees.

Sports Camps

Have a child who loves sports? Look into the sports camps offered in Carmel by the US Sports Institute. Multi-sport camps, weekly camps where kids get the chance to play up to three different sports daily, are provided for kids ages five to 14. Single sports camps, weekly camps that allow participants to specialize in one sport, such as basketball, lacrosse, and volleyball, are also offered. Age limits vary for single sports camps, and more detailed information is available on the website.

Putnam Trailway

Spend some time exploring the Putnam Trailway this summer. The paved path, which spans approximately 12 miles, is bicycle and pedestrian-friendly. Located primarily on right-of-way lands once part of the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railway, the trail provides visitors with a safe place to explore the area and enjoy the warm summer days. The trail stretches from the Westchester border at Baldwin Place to Brewster Village. The trail connects to the North County Trailway at Baldwin Place for bicyclists looking to cover more miles.

Fahnestock State Park

Visit Fahnestock State Park and take advantage of all it has to offer. Encompassing over 14,000 acres, the state park boasts picnic areas, hiking trails, and plenty of fishing, hunting, birding, and boating opportunities. Fishing is permitted at Canopus and Stillwater Lakes, and anglers are likely to reel in rainbow trout, bass, and pickerel, as well as many other fish species. Note that fishing permits are required and available for purchase at many sporting goods stores and town halls in the area.

For those interested in camping, the park houses a campground featuring 80 campsites and an area for RV camping. Restroom and shower facilities are centrally located near all tent and RV sites. If you plan on hiking during your visit, a portion of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park.

Ninham Mountain Fire Tower

Get your heart pumping when you hike to the Ninham Mountain Fire Tower. Located in the Ninham Mountain State Forest, the fire tower stands 82.5 feet high and sits atop a 1270-foot summit. To get there, you’ll start at the parking lot and follow a trail that winds about 1.5 miles through the forest. Once you reach the tower and make the climb to the top, you’ll enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the land to the east of the Hudson River Valley.

Chuang Yen Monastery

Visit the Chuang Yen Monastery, a Buddhist monastery located on a remote hillside near Carmel. Sitting on 125 acres of land, the monastery is home to several temple buildings designed in the architectural style of China’s Tang Dynasty. You’ll find the largest Buddhist Vairocana statue in the Western Hemisphere. Measuring 37 feet in height, the statue is surrounded by 10,000 smaller Buddha statues.

Chuang Yen Monastery is a unique, interesting place to visit, but it’s important to note that it is an operational monastery, and guests are asked to be respectful, follow the posted rules, and not enter the restricted areas where the monks live. The monastery is open from April 1 through January 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

We here at Meadowland GMC hope you found this list of ways to enjoy the summer in Carmel helpful. If you know of an activity, we overlooked, please let us know so we can add it. Just give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!