Owner
Ben Kelts
Ben founded Rivers Edge Outdoor Excursions to share his deep passion for the Adirondack Mountains and his decades of backcountry experience. A New York State-certified teacher and licensed Outdoor Guide, Ben has spent over 30 years hunting, fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, and backpacking through some of the most remote and rugged areas of upstate New York.
He holds multiple instructor certifications through the American Red Cross, including Wilderness and Remote First Aid, Responding to Emergencies, CPR, and more. In addition to these qualifications, Ben has been a certified K–12 educator for over 25 years. Currently, he teaches elementary and middle school students essential outdoor living skills such as fire safety and fire-starting, outdoor cooking, safe knife and tool use, orienteering, shelter building, and basic backcountry protocols.