Kenco The Work & Play Outfitter

How can you help birds in hot weather – offer water! Help birds beat the heat by offering water. It’s one of the most important things you can do to help birds stay cool because it’s essential for how birds regulate their temperature.

Visit Kenco Outfitters to explore our selection of bird-watching binoculars to help you identify the birds you're helping. Photo credit Jon Corcoran – Scarlet Tanager

Learn More Visit Kenco Outfitters

Off to its new home in New Jersey, this DuraNautic hit highway speeds and held on! Happy rowing!

We share a lot of posts about dogs, but we have a soft spot for our feline friends, too. We even had a store cat for a while!

The Ulster County SPCA is in need of kitten fosters, especially for the bottle babies, kittens who are orphaned and too young for solid food. If you're able to give a few weeks of round-the-clock care to some adorable little fluffs, please reach out to the Ulster SPCA.

If you don't have the time available to host some kittens, we're sure they would also appreciate donations of food for the 200+ animals in their care, or to their community pet food pantry! Find their wishlist on their website.

KITTEN FOSTERS NEEDED! The Ulster County SPCA is looking for new and experienced to ! Bottle babies in particular need round-the-clock care. We provide training and materials needed to care for our kittens while they're in foster.

If you're in Ulster County and able to help, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or call (845) 331-5377 ext 215 Tues-Sun 11:30am to 3:30pm. Kitten training is provided on Saturdays via Zoom. Fosters must be over 21 and have their own reliable transportation. A copy of our foster application can be found here: https://www.ucspca.org/get-involved/foster-program/ For more information, contact our Volunteer Coordinator. Please do not leave your contact info in the comments.

This is an URGENT NEED, so please SHARE THIS POST with your friends, followers, and any group pages to help get the word out!

In-store through July 31st: Buy a Bowtech Carbon One or Carbon One X and choose your special: get a FREE Diamond Edge XT or choose just the Carbon One or One X bow for $150 off.

OR

Buy any Bowtech flagship bow and get a free Black Gold Center Mass Sight.

Kenco is your hometown Bowtech Northeast dealer!

FRIDAY: Round 3 of the Kayak and Paddleboard Demos! 2-6pm. Hurricane, Bonafide, Native, Sic Maui, Tahe. https://www.atkenco.com/info/june-kayak-demo-day

Hey! Don’t forget we have a Kayak and Paddleboard Demo day tomorrow from 2-6pm! Be there or be a land-lubber!

Kayak Demo Day Part 2 & 3 coming to our test pond this Friday and next!

Come try a new kayak or paddle board.

We’ll have ultralight touring, fishing, inflatables, recreational…a kayak for everyone!

Through June 17th we’ve got deals on kayaks up to 30% off.

Come chat with kayak experts and take one out on the water for a spin, and then take one home! We have everything you need from paddles to PFDs to car-top carriers to get your new boat or board home.

There’s still time to sign up! Get in on our Happy Hour Hike, tomorrow June 5th! Meet here at Kenco at 4:30, and we’ll set off on the Onteora Lake Trail at 5:15.

After the hike is done, we’ll have chilled non-alcoholic beverages to quench your thirst.

Come on out and hike with us. The link to RSVP can be found in our bio or our Events highlight.

Celebrate this Saturday by joining a local event and take the pledge to leave trails and the outdoor community better than you found them. Connect with people near you who share your love of being outside.

We'll be meeting up at Onteora Lake Trail, just up the road from the store, on Saturday morning for a casual hike and trail cleanup. Please RSVP at https://www.atkenco.com/info/national-trails-day-hike so we know who's coming!

We're kicking off summer 2024 right! This weekend is the unofficial start of summer - get your gear and save big with sales up to 50% off on select items.

Shoes and sandals, kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes, tents, backpacks, InsectShield clothing, rainwear, Pickleball equipment, discs for Ultimate AND disc golf... your best summer ever starts here with our knowledgable, friendly staff and huge selection of quality outdoor gear.

Rewards members earn 2% back on every purchase to redeem on your next visit! Shop in-store or online. Sales end Tuesday May 28th.

BUZZZZZZZ! It's ! Celebrated every May 20th since 2017, World Day commemorates the anniversary of Anton Jansa, born this day in 1734, considered to be a father of modern beekeeping techniques.

This is a day to celebrate bees and raise awareness of their significance to our ecosystems. Did you know that a single honey bee can visit 50 to 100 flowers in a single pollen-collecting trip? Or that they can really hustle at 15mph? What are your favorite ?

As part of our commitment to the environment, we host this beautiful pollinator garden, designed by our friend Maraleen and built with the help of volunteers. Pollinator gardens are a great way to provide food for local bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, giving them a place to stop on their way to pollinate our food crops, a key part of the growing process for many of the fruits and veggies we eat.

We think they're just the Bee's Knees!

June 1 is ! Connect with people near you who share your love of being outside. join the nationwide movement to leave the trails and the outdoor community better than you found them.

Come to our event, take the National Trails Day® pledge and enter to win one of the incredible prize packs from American Hiking Society

We'll do a fun hike at Onteora Lake Trail and clean up any litter we find, then head back to the store for some lunch, non-alcoholic beers courtesy of Athletic Brewing Company, and an afternoon of Q&As and product demos from our team.

Sign up at https://www.atkenco.com/info/national-trails-day-hike

Congratulations to the winner of the Turkey Fishing Archery Tournament, Peter D!

Give Mom the gift of more time outdoors.

Save 20% on Women's Clothing and Footwear, 10% on almost everything else, and 25% on socks when you buy 4 pairs or more.

www.atkenco.com for details

Shout out to Philip G, winner of the $100 Suspenz Cash giveaway at our Ultralight Kayak Demo Day last Thursday! Thank you to the team at Suspenz Storage and Transportation for the generosity, Tim, Stan and the Slipstream Watercraft crew and all the wonderful event attendees who made this event so much fun!

📢Calling all Hudson Valley paddlers!

Come out to for a paddling season kickoff event featuring 20% gear discounts and a chance to win a $100 Suspenz shopping spree at Kenco courtesy of Suspenz!

Test paddle ultralight kayaks and canoes from Eddyline and Slipstream, check out paddles, pfds, spray skirts and cockpit covers, and Suspenz racks and carts, and get ready to get outside!

📅Thursday April 25th 2pm
📍 Kenco Outfitters 1000 Hurley Mountain Rd Kingston NY

https://www.atkenco.com/info/eddyline-ultralight-kayak-demo-day

Challenge your friends or just test your skills in our 2024 Turkey Fishing Tournament! Enter now to secure your desired time slot, keep an eye on the leaderboard updates, and come back to beat your previous score as often as you want before May 4th. Winners will take home one of several great prizes including a 3D Turkey target from Rinehart, a bag target from Morrel, or an Okuma Troutfire Fishing Rod.

$20 for adults, $10 for kids under 14. Visit the link below to sign up today!

https://www.atkenco.com/info/turkey-fishing-tournament

Join us Thursday April 25th for an Ultralight Paddling Demo Day featuring Eddyline Kayaks and Slipstream Watercraft. You can test the boats of your choice on our pond, and one lucky attendee will win a $100 Suspenz gift certificate redeemable right here at Kenco, good for any Suspenz item(s), including special orders.

RSVP here: https://www.atkenco.com/info/eddyline-ultralight-kayak-demo-day

Did You Know? There are two Total Solar Eclipses every three years, but they only happen in the same spot once every 400-ish years- most of them happen over the ocean or the poles. Chances are, you probably won’t need to keep yours for the next total eclipse ;). So let’s keep those eclipse glasses out of landfills or from becoming litter! Kenco has teamed up with Astronomers Without Borders to collect solar glasses, where they will be checked for safety and redistributed to areas with upcoming eclipse events.

We will be closing today at 3:00 to enjoy the eclipse! 😎 We will reopen tomorrow normal hours

Who else felt the earth move this morning? We think the most likely explanation is that stress being caused by the drift along the Mid Atlantic Ridge on the faults in our area, which were left over from the formation of the Appalachian mountains, caused that rumble!

Fun Fact: April is Stress Awareness Month. We didn't plan to talk about stress on the Earth's crust, but let's take this reminder that even the ground we walk on gets stressed and has to release it somehow.

Spending time outdoors can be a great stress reliever, whether you're gardening, going for a walk, or hiking to the top of the mountains. Share your favorite way to get outdoors in the comments!

Carole King - I Feel the Earth Move (Official Audio) "I Feel The Earth Move" by Carole KingListen to Carole King: https://CaroleKing.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to the official Carole King YouTube channel: https:/...

Anyone else struggling with staying inside with this nice weather?

Working at an outdoors store got us like…

Meet Grandma Gatewood!

As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's a time to reflect on the extraordinary achievements and resilience of women throughout history. Among these remarkable figures stands Emma Rowena Gatewood, affectionately known as Grandma Gatewood, whose indomitable spirit and trailblazing adventures have left an indelible mark on the world of outdoor exploration. In the spirit of honoring her legacy, let us delve into the captivating journey of Grandma Gatewood, a woman whose courage, determination, and unwavering resolve continue to inspire generations of adventurers.

Imagine a life filled with resilience, courage, and an unwavering spirit. That was Emma Rowena Gatewood (Caldwell). Born in 1887 into a bustling family of 15, her childhood was far from easy. With a father scarred by the Civil War and a mother left to shoulder the weight of raising a large brood, Emma's early years were marked by hardship.

Despite facing adversity, Emma was a relentless learner. While her formal education ended with 8th grade, she immersed herself in encyclopedias and became well-versed in the wildlife and wild plants both nutritional and medicinal.

At just 19, Emma found herself in a tumultuous marriage with a man whose temper matched the storms she'd weathered before. The abuse she endured was heartbreaking, and she was beaten “near death” on more than one occasion, yet amidst the chaos, she found solace in the tranquility of the woods. Emma's resilience shone through as she mothered 11 children, endured her husband’s vicious abuse including being forced into farm work on top of raising the children, and maintained the home. In 1939, her husband broke her teeth and cracked her ribs, then had HER arrested for throwing a sack of flour at him. The kindness of their small West Virginia town’s Mayor saw her released from jail, and in 1941, at a time when this was truly rare, Emma was granted a divorce, custody, and alimony. Her determination and survival to this point was already a feat.

But it was in her later years that Emma truly left her mark on the world. In 1953, inspired by an article in a 1949 National Geographic, she embarked on an audacious journey: to hike the entire Appalachian Trail solo. The article, she said, made it seem like the hike would be along a well-marked and picturesque trail. Armed with little more than determination and a sense of adventure, Emma set out to conquer the wilderness.

Her first attempt was met with challenges beyond her wildest imagination. Broken glasses, dwindling supplies, and getting lost just 48 hours after setting out in Maine saw her rescued by rangers who convinced her to go home. Yet, Emma refused to be deterred. With sheer grit and determination, she decided that she would try again. She told her children, now all adults, simply that she was going for a walk in the woods, so that they couldn’t try to stop her.

This time, she set out earlier in the year, and decided to start at the southern end of the trail - at the time, Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia. With a homemade drawstring denim sack, very few essentials, and canvas Converse high top sneakers, Emma became a pioneer of ultra-light hiking. Among the few items in her bag, we would not find a tent or a sleeping bag, or much in the way of food. She carried with her a shower curtain to keep the rain off, a blanket, a coat, a few pieces of clothing, a canteen, a precious few tools like a flashlight and a Swiss Army knife, but rarely more than about 17 pounds in total. In 146 days of perseverance, a pace of about 14 miles a day, Emma reached the summit of Mount Katahdin, becoming the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in one season. But her journey didn't end there. Emma went on to conquer the trail two more times, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in every sense of the word.

Her remarkable achievements didn't stop at the Appalachian Trail. From climbing 6 peaks in the Adirondacks to trekking the 2,100+ mile Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri to Portland, Oregon, Emma's thirst for adventure knew no bounds. But perhaps her greatest legacy lies in her advocacy for the trails she loved. Her candid observations helped save the Appalachian Trail from neglect, inspiring others to preserve its natural beauty for generations to come.

“I thought it would be a nice lark. It wasn't. There were terrible blow downs, burnt-over areas that were never re-marked, gravel and sand washouts, weeds and brush to your neck, and most of the shelters were blown down, burned down or so filthy I chose to sleep out of doors...This is no trail. This is a nightmare. I would never have started this trip if I had known how tough it was, but I couldn't and I wouldn't quit.”

Emma Rowena Gatewood's life was a testament to the power of perseverance and the indomitable human spirit. Her story continues to inspire adventurers and trailblazers around the world, reminding us all that with courage and determination, anything is possible.

In honor of Grandma Gatewood's remarkable legacy, let's take a step into the great outdoors and embrace the spirit of adventure. Whether it's a leisurely walk in a nearby park, a weekend camping trip, or tackling a section of the Appalachian Trail yourself, let's channel her resilience and determination. Let's dare to explore, to challenge ourselves, and to forge our own paths in the wilderness. Because just like Grandma Gatewood, we too can conquer mountains – both literal and figurative – when we set our minds to it. So, lace up your boots, pack your bag, and embark on your own adventure "because you want to."

Let us know in the comments if you already knew about Grandma Gatewood, learned something new, or were inspired to tackle a new adventure! ⬇️

Don't Miss Out on Presidents' Day Weekend Savings at Kenco Outfitters! Shop Now and Gear Up for Outdoor Fun! Get ready to seize the savings this Presidents' Day weekend at Kenco Outfitters! From February 16th through February 19th, enjoy exclusive discounts on all your outdoor essentials.

Can't make it to the store? Save 15% on regularly priced items online with coupon code PREZPARTY15

Gear up for your next adventure without breaking the bank! Whether you're in need of winter clothing, gloves, boots, kids' gear, new snowshoes, or a brand new boat for the upcoming spring, we've got you covered. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to stock up on premium outdoor gear at unbeatable prices.

No code needed, discounts taken at register. Sorry, these deals are so good we can't offer all of them online.

🧤 Winter Gloves & Mittens: 40% off

🧥 Winter Clothing: up to 40% off

🥾 Winter Boots: 40% off

👧🧒 All Kids' Clothing: 40% off

🌨️ Snowshoes: 20% off or more (priced as marked)

🛶Select Kayaks, Paddleboards, and Canoes: 20% off

🔍 Make sure you look around the whole store for what we can't list here.

Hurry to the store now and take advantage of these incredible deals before they're gone! Gear up, save big, and embrace the great outdoors with Kenco Outfitters. Don't miss out – shop now!

Photo credit: Janet B. - Ashokan Reservoir, Hurley NY - Entry in The Kenco Outfitters 2023 Great Outdoors Photo Contest

Who’s tuning in!?

This Sunday, 2/11 8 AM on the Garden Show & Home with host Sally Spillane.

"It's still February and there are lots of opportunities still out there for layering up for winter outdoor activities! Bill Kennedy, from the amazing Kenco The Work & Play Outfitter in Kingston helps me figure out what's going on in the world of boots, layers, jackets, pants and gloves for every activity. Electric gloves? Retractable ice cleat boots? Fleece lined overalls? Wow. Bill is a lot of fun, with over 40 years of growing Kenco with clothes and equipment for year round outdoor activity both work and play, and I bet we'll all learn something! Stay toasty! Sally" https://www.atkenco.com/