STEM Ranch, Adirondack, NY

Introduction / Overview

For families and youth organizations across the New York region, the STEM Ranch offers a truly distinctive educational and outdoor experience. Located within the sprawling, beautiful landscape of the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation in the Adirondack Park, the STEM Ranch is far more than a traditional campground—it is a specialized, program-focused facility dedicated to developing critical skills in youth. This destination expertly blends the rustic adventure of Adirondack camping with cutting-edge education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), along with Skilled Trades and, notably, a comprehensive Equestrian Studies program.

As a key development project of the Greater Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the STEM Ranch caters primarily to Scouts, but its mission to offer hands-on, memorable learning experiences is broadly appealing to any New York resident invested in youth development. Reviews from participants emphasize the quality of the staff, noting they are "very knowledgeable about the horses" and committed to making activities like riding "enjoyable." For many, this is the place where they first rode a horse and created a "lifetime of memories" with great instructors and staff. It is an ideal setting where traditional Adirondack outdoor skills meet the demands of a modern education.

Location and Accessibility

The STEM Ranch is uniquely situated deep within the Adirondack Park, a prime location for combining wilderness education with outdoor activities. The administrative address points to the larger area surrounding the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation: Rose Dr #02200000010070000000, Adirondack, NY 12808, USA. This places the facility in a secluded, forested area near the hamlet of Adirondack, NY, and Brant Lake, offering a genuine mountain and lake environment.

Accessibility from major population centers in New York State is straightforward via I-87 (the Adirondack Northway). However, access to the Ranch itself is usually coordinated through the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation, and is typically restricted to registered program participants, such as Scout troops and their families. The secluded nature of the property is part of its appeal, ensuring a safe, focused environment far from the distractions of urban and suburban life. The 1,000-acre reservation grounds provide a massive natural classroom, featuring lakes, mountains, and trails, with the Ranch serving as the hub for the specialized STEM and equestrian programs.

Services Offered

The services at the STEM Ranch are unique, as they are integrated into its educational programs, offering structured support for both camping and learning. While not a public, pay-per-night campground, its offerings are robust for program participants.

Equestrian Studies: Offers the Horsemanship merit badge and guided trail ride programs—a truly unique offering as it is one of the only such Scouting programs in the Northeast. Staff are highly knowledgeable and focused on making the experience positive, whether for first-time riders or those with more experience.
STEM and Skilled Trades Labs: The facility features specialized areas designed for hands-on learning, which will include a dedicated STEM Lab Building and a Sustainable Classroom. These spaces are adaptable for teaching merit badges in engineering, robotics, and other STEM fields, as well as skilled trades like welding.
Educational Facilities: Future development includes a Sustainable Classroom, which will be built with exposed wiring and plumbing behind plexiglass to allow Scouts to visually learn how systems like solar energy work, serving as an off-the-grid teaching tool.
Overnight Accommodations: As a camp, it provides necessary infrastructure for overnight stays. Future plans include a new Camp Shower House with individual locking shower rooms and a utility room with laundry facilities.
Professional Staffing: Customer reviews repeatedly highlight the quality of the instructors and staff, who are noted for their expertise, willingness to help, and ability to create a "great experience."

Features / Highlights

The core highlights of the STEM Ranch lie in its innovative merger of education and the great outdoors, creating a memorable and formative experience.

Integrated Learning: The Ranch’s primary feature is its innovative program structure, combining high-demand educational areas (STEM and Skilled Trades) with traditional outdoor skills, allowing youth to earn merit badges and certifications in an interactive setting.
Premier Equestrian Program: It hosts the only Scouting America Horsemanship merit badge and trail ride program in the Northeast, making it a truly exclusive opportunity for New York youth.
Dedicated Facilities: The development includes a STEM Ranch Headquarters, specialized labs, and a Sustainable Classroom, ensuring state-of-the-art resources for hands-on learning.
Adirondack Wilderness Setting: The camp is nestled on 1,000 acres within the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park, providing access to natural caves, mountain biking trails, and natural rock climbing cliffs—all within the reservation.
High Adventure Activities: Beyond the Ranch itself, the Curtis S. Read reservation offers activities such as Project COPE, mountain biking, rock climbing towers, and a zip-line drop into the lake, ensuring high-thrill options are available.
Memories and Mentorship: Testimonials consistently point to the quality of the mentorship, with participants recalling the experience as creating a "lifetime of memories" thanks to the great instructors and staff.

Contact Information

The STEM Ranch is a program/facility located within the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation, which is operated by the Greater Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Administrative Address (Reservation Area): Rose Dr #02200000010070000000, Adirondack, NY 12808, USA (Note: Access is for registered program participants only).

General Contact for Programs and Camping (Greater Hudson Valley Council):

Phone: (518) 623-1200 (Regional Adirondack/Warrensburg Office is often a contact point for the region)

Program Inquiries: For details on programs, availability, and registration, it is best for New York locals to contact the Greater Hudson Valley Council or the Curtis S. Read Reservation directly via email or their main administrative phone lines, which are typically listed on their official website.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The STEM Ranch is incredibly suitable for New York locals—particularly parents, educators, and youth leaders—because it provides a specialized, high-impact summer experience right in their backyard, deep in the Adirondack Park. For New Yorkers seeking meaningful programs for their children that combine physical activity with intellectual growth, this camp is a superior choice. It addresses the growing need for skilled trades and STEM education by integrating it with the proven character-building model of Scouting and the invaluable experience of horsemanship.

The ability to access unique features like the only Horsemanship merit badge program in the Northeast, or to work in a plexiglass-walled sustainable classroom, is a rare educational opportunity. The facility’s commitment to excellent staff ensures that every young person, whether a lifelong Scout or a first-time horse rider, receives the instruction and encouragement necessary to succeed and create lasting, positive memories. The STEM Ranch serves as a vital resource for New York youth, preparing them for the future while instilling a deep love for the state’s wild and scenic mountains. It is a highly recommended institution for anyone looking to invest in a valuable, formative camp experience within the state.