Citizenship Prep New York

Hike Mohonk Preserve

**As the summer of '26 roll along,** let's get outdoors and take a hike at [Mohonk Preserve](https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/who-we-are/) reachable on Trailways bus out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal going to New Paltz. **AGENDA:** We'll hike the Testamonial Gateway Trail, connecting to Duck Pond trail, then River-to-Ridge trail that will take us back to New Paltz. **GETTING THERE:** We're taking the **Trailway bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal.** The 7AM bus arrives in New Paltz by 8:35AM. One-way ticket is $25.00 (depends on how early you buy the ticket). Ticket can be purchased in advance at this link: **[https://trailways.com/](https://trailways.com/)** From the Trailways bus station in New Paltz, we'll then pick up the FREE Ulster County **[Nature Bus](https://ucat.ulstercountyny.gov/routes/nature-bus/)** at 8:45am that will drop us off at the Mohonk Testimonial Gateway at 8:55am. **Drivers**: you can meet us at the Testimonial Gateway parking lot at 9am. Do your own research on directions and parking situation. **PACE**: Hiking pace will be **LEISURELY AND NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND**. During hike we'll have lunch, water and snack breaks as needed; as well as taking time to savor the sights and sounds of nature, take photos, hug some trees, and most importantly, socialize with your fellow hikers. **NO FAST HIKERS!** **TOTAL MILEAGE**: up to about 7 to 8 MILES **DURATION**: We will be out for the entire day. But you can leave on your own at any time. We won't judge. Much. **THE IMPORTANT STUFF:** * Dress in non-cotton layers. * Wear appropriate shoes suitable for hiking * Bring sunscreen, bug spray, head cover, whatever else you need * Bring at least 3 liters of liquid to stay hydrated. * Bring lunch and snacks for yourself. * hiking poles if you need them * Carry your stuff in a backpack. * Sense of adventure and a positive attitude are a must. A smile also goes a long way. Please leave the drama and crankiness at home. **AFTER HIKE,** we'll allot some time to explore New Paltz and grab some local bites and drinks before heading home. **RETURN BUS:** There is a 6PM bus as well as 8PM bus back to NYC. It's SUMMER with longer daylight hours. So stick around a bit after hike to explore New Paltz on foot. **WEATHER**: Rain, extreme heat and humidity cancels! ***LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks.*** ***Hold no one liable etc etc.***

Advanced Level Race Practice

This is a race practice for advanced paddlers in preparation for the Hudson River Cup. We will run the 5 miles Hudson River Cup course with minimum stops (except for the ferry terminal crossing). All advanced paddlers are welcomed but priority will be given to those who are racing at Hudson River Cup on Aug 2, 2026 and have not attended another training/practice in the same week (7/25-7/31). Be on time. Be able to get ready without assistance In 15 minutes and self launch and land. **PREREQUISITES TO RSVP** 1. Active volunteer-volunteered at least 4 times in 2026 1. you have an advanced time trial (1 mile, 7-turn time trial in less than 16 min 30 seconds) 1. you have attended an advance/elite trip in 2025/2026 1. Prepare equipment in 15 minutes without assistance 1. Self launch and land independently without assistance **COME PREPARED** * Quick dying and warm clothes * closed toe water shoes * Towel * Change of clothes * Sunscreen, hat * Water in a reusable bottle * all around white boat light **TIMELINE to follow** **\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-**

The Venture Garden, Jersey City (Entrepreneurs Welcome!)

Build ideas. Share tea. Turn conversations into real businesses. Join us every other week in Jersey City for a relaxed but intentional gathering of entrepreneurs, builders, and curious minds. This is not a pitch event. This is not a lecture. This is a space to think, connect, and actually move forward. We bring together people who are: * Starting or growing a business * Exploring new ideas or income streams * Looking to connect with other serious, thoughtful builders * Interested in tea, wellness, and intentional living Over tea, we create space for: * Real conversations about business and life * Sharing ideas, challenges, and opportunities * Meeting potential collaborators, partners, and friends * Gaining clarity on your next step What to Expect Each session is lightly structured: 1\. Welcome \+ Tea \(10–15 min\) Settle in, pour tea, meet the group 2\. Introductions \(15–20 min\) Who you are, what you're building (or thinking about), and what you need 3\. Open Discussion/Brainstorm \(30–45 min\) What's working & what's not Pricing and positioning Finding customers Turning ideas into action 4\. Connections \+ Next Steps \(15–20 min\) Connect, exchange info, and identify opportunities to collaborate Who This Is For Early-stage founders. Side hustlers. Creatives and operators. People serious about building something real. Anyone who values thoughtful conversation and community A Note on the Community This meetup is the foundation of a growing local network supporting entrepreneurship in Jersey City. For those who want to go deeper, there are opportunities to: * Join smaller working groups * Get hands-on support building your business * Access a broader venture support network * No pressure—just come, connect, and see where it leads. What to Bring: An idea, a business, or just curiosity. A willingness to share and listen. Come for the tea. Stay for the ideas. Leave with momentum.

*In Person* Practice and improve your public speaking skills!

New location! Meeting at Berkeley College, 3 E. 43 St. in room 402. We are moving the start up up a bit to avoid running up against the building close time (21:00) and potentially allow for more socializing. We are one of few Toastmasters clubs in NYC offering in-person meetings and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for in-person communication and networking. Interested in improving your public speaking skills? Want to meet new people and engage in interesting discussions? Hoping to make new business and life connections? If so we welcome you to attend the next Greenspeakers meeting. Greenspeakers is a Toastmasters club that was founded by Green Party members to provide a forum for engaged progressive activists and professionals to improve their public speaking skills. Guests of all political persuasions are welcome and we have no official connection to any political party. All attendees will have a chance to practice public speaking and will learn helpful tricks to become a more confident public speaker and communicator. Hope to see you there! Please note that our meetings require active listening and it's expected all in attendance will be respectful to each speaker by giving them your attention and refrain from making noise during speaking roles. Any who are disruptive or do not follow the behavioral guidelines of Toastmasters may be asked not to return.

Venture Garden for Entrepreneurs

A biweekly gathering in Jersey City where founders, creatives, and operators connect over tea to share ideas, solve problems, and turn conversations into real businesses.

Democracy Road Show–First Steps

Get paid to get active! Democracy depends on people who are willing to participate. In this interactive three-hour workshop on Saturday, July 25, from 10 am to 1 pm, young adults will learn the practical skills from experienced democracy advocates on how to plan and host community events that strengthen civic engagement and democratic participation. **No experience necessary:** Participants will explore how to identify goals, build partnerships, recruit volunteers, engage diverse audiences, coordinate logistics, and create meaningful public conversations around issues that matter to their communities. No experience needed! **Turn ideas into action:** Whether you’re interested in organizing a public forum, community dialogue, educational event, voter engagement initiative, or civic action project, this workshop will provide hands-on tools and real-world strategies to help turn ideas into action. Participants will leave with a framework for developing their own events and a deeper understanding of how local leadership and community participation help sustain a healthy democracy. **Ages 15 to 25:** This workshop is open to any young person 15-25 years of age. **Location:** Greg Olsen Student Union Building, first-floor multipurpose room, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 860 Sub Lane, Teaneck, NJ. There is plenty of free parking in front of and behind the building. **Lunch plus $165:** Lunch will be provided; participants who register and complete the three-hour workshop will be paid $165. **Registration:** Registration is limited to 30 participants, so [sign up today.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeP62G9yrg0m4Xj5mQmgz0fc1v-uBBP_e30Bw5kSQuYBRq6HQ/viewform) **Questions?** If you have additional questions, please email info@ethicalfocus.org.

First Tuesdays - Emerging Entrepreneurs Meetup

We merged with [Beers and Data](https://meetu.ps/c/2xp6j/3pPcv/a)! Excited to bring the Entrepreneurial spirit into this large group of data nerds :) Welcome to the group and check out both postings for this event.

ONLINE LIVE- Are you Brighter than a 6th grader? Trivia

**Prepay required at :** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539) Limited Number: Save $$ by using the discount code: VIRTUAL You can attend via a computer & Webcam or Smartphone/Ipad/Tablet. ABOUT Do you know more than 6th Graders! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live intearctive trivia game (Categories will be History, English/literature, Geography, Science, Math, Potpori). HOW IT WORKS This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. In addition you get to meet and interact with other participants. At game time, your host will read off Trivia questions. Your goal is to come up with the right answer to each question and write it down on your paper. Once the round is over (about 6 questions), we will go through the answers and determine who had the highest score for the round. They will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize at the end of the event. Prizes may include Amazon Gift Cards, Free future events and other goodies. We will have multiple rounds of play and have a system to also virtually introduce you to other participants. HOW DO YOU FIND THE VIRTUAL ROOM After you purchase your ticket, you will get a confirmation with the zoom link for you to use to log in. RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. **Prepay required at :** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539) Limited Number: Save $$ by using the discount code: VIRTUAL Cost: $11.99- $20 depending on how early you register.

SpeakIt Language Exchange: Meet friends, practice, and share a language!

SpeakIt is a group where the goal is to **practice and learn languages** naturally: By talking and meeting new people! 🥳 this, of course, includes English learners 😍. [Traducción](https://www-meetup-com.translate.goog/speakit-nyc/events/299532447/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true) We hope to have all the cultures that New York City represents, so we welcome **any language and all language levels**. Here's how it works: 1. 👨‍🎓You spend part of your time practicing a language you are learning; 2. 🧑🏻‍🏫You spend the other part of your time speaking in your native language, helping others! *(even if you only speak one language, that's fine)* When you arrive at the venue, we will have flag stickers 🇺🇳 representing any country of your choosing. Put your most fluent language on top and any language(s) you are learning or already know below. Then find someone else wearing a flag and say hi in your preferred language 👋🏼. **FAQ's** * 💰**Event is $2 (suggested, cash or Venmo)** to help cover the cost for the flags and the meetup subscription. * 🍻Please support the venue that hosts us by ordering something from the bar. 😎 * ***Will there be speakers of (my language) here?*** That depends! We don't organize who comes to the event, so we can't be 100% sure your language will be there. You may want to invite a practice buddy, or message us in advance and we can try to find you one. Otherwise come say Hi and find out! * **Can I show up late?** Show up any time during the event. * Coming alone? Welcome! Just bring a friendly face and some words. * Or feel free to bring along some friends, too. **When and Where:** * [Heart of Gold Bar](https://goo.gl/maps/csmu6MycKxirFvYv9), Astoria * Get off at Broadway on the N/W train or Steinway M/R. * Look for the flag table out back and say hi!

recurring event

recurring event

11:00AM - Free SUP at Hudson River Park's Pier 96

Experience a free introduction to SUP at Hudson River Park’s Pier 96 with New York Outrigger. We are a 100% volunteer-run non-profit organization hosting free events for the public for over 25 years. Schedule: 11:00-Arrival and check in. Please be punctual. 11:05-11:15-Land training 11:15-11:35-SUP time on the water WHO CAN ATTEND?
 This free SUP activity is appropriate for age 14 and up and is available on a first-come first-served basis. Every participant should register individually on this Meetup event. Please be aware that ability to swim is required for safety at our SUP programs and that it is likely you will be in the water as part of this activity. All our guests are required to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device), provided by New York Outrigger, when on the dock and on the water. If you are unsure of your ability to swim, we recommend trying our other free public programs at Pier 96 offering outrigger canoe paddling. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE I COME?
 RSVP for this event date and agree to complete waivers upon arrival. WHAT DO I WEAR? WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING? We recommend you wear sunscreen and bring water to stay hydrated. You are free to wear whatever you want, but assume anything you bring on the water will get soaked and/or lost. You may want to consider bringing something dry you can change into afterwards. WHERE DO I PUT MY STUFF? We have lockers where you may place your belongings during the session. We also have a small changing area. There is no public access inside our space at Pier 96 and you will be asked to remain outside on the dock during your visit. We do not have bathrooms, but there are public porta potties as well as new bathrooms next-door at Pier 97. WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?
 The novice session will involve a 10 minute land training introduction on the dock to familiarize you with safety and paddling technique. This is then followed by a 20 minute session on the water. PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME (or even a few minutes early!) to participate in the required land training before you are able to paddle on the water. Latecomers arriving more than 10 minutes past the start time may not be able to participate and may be asked to sign up for a future date. WHAT IF IT’S RAINING? We paddle rain or shine except for lightning. We only cancel our Novice sessions if we deem the wind and water conditions to be unsafe for our guests. If we have to cancel, we do our best to make that call at least an hour before the event start time. If you sign up for this event, please keep and eye out on this page the day of for any possible cancelations. DOES NYO TAKE DONATIONS? HOW CAN I JOIN?
 NYO is a non-profit 501c3 educational organization and 100% run by volunteers. Any cash or check donations – while not required - would be greatly appreciated and go towards funding our efforts to continue providing New Yorkers with the experience of outrigger paddling in New York City. Cash and digital donations for NYO can be given your land training instructor. You can also donate here: https:// newyorkoutrigger.ecwid.com/General-Donation-p140302392 New York Outrigger welcomes guests & visitors to participate in up to
 3 free events. We welcome all who share our passion for the water to inquire about becoming a volunteer member by emailing outreach@newyorkoutrigger.org

Conversation Circle with Dana Fox