NATURE PROGRAMS

Get Out and Explore Walks

Spring and summer are great times to get outside and explore at Winding Trails. Spring brings the awakening of the frogs that come out to lay eggs; birds are setting up nests; and the weather is wonderful after the winter cold. Summer brings the beauty of many plants and flowers. There are exciting animals, such as pollywogs, dragonflies, diving beetles, and of course frogs that you just have to catch. Miss Judy brings the nets, catch and release containers, and her love and knowledge of nature. You bring your curiosity, clothes that can get messy, and a pair of boots or shoes that can get wet in the water. Registration is required two days before the date of the event.

What’s Happening at Phantom Pond (Earth Day Program)
Date: Sunday, April 22nd
Join Us as We Walk the Northwest Corner
Date: Sunday, May 27th
Explore Upper & Lower Walton Pond*
Date: Sunday, June 24th
Exploring Nature’s Open House*
Date: Sunday, July 22nd
End of Summer Ramble*
Date: Sunday, August 26th
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Ages: All ages
Where: Garmany Hall
Fee: Individuals: $15.00 Families: $20.00
Member Discount Fee: Individuals: $10.00 Families: $15.00
*Members Only

Explore the Night Walks

Continuing the evening night walks with Miss Judy that are held on Saturday nights to explore the night sky for seasonal constellation identification or full moon trail explorations. Dress for the weather conditions; invite your friends; bring your binoculars and/or telescopes for night viewing: and red light flashlights, so we can see, not loose our night vision, and not disturb the wildlife. The evening starts with a short introduction inside to learn what we will be looking for that night. Return to a fire, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy some lively conversation about the night’s findings. Registration is required two days before the date of the event.

Listen for Frog Calls and Other Spring Sounds Walk
Dates: Saturday, April 21st
Spring Constellations Night Watch
Dates: Saturday, May 12th
Summer Solstice Twilight Walk *
Dates: Saturday, June 23rd
Summer Triangle Constellations Watch*
Dates: Saturday, July 21st
Exploring the Early Evening Walk*
Dates: Saturday, August 18th

Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ages: All Ages
Where: Garmany Hall
Fee: Individuals: $15.00 Families: $20.00
Member Discount Fee: Individuals: $10.00 Families: $15.00
*Members Only

Exploring Nature & Science for Adults

These once-a-month explorations with Miss Judy will give you more information about a topic from our Sunday afternoon Get Out and Explore Walk or our Saturday evening Explore the Night Walk. These explorations will be hands-on so expect that you might get dirty or need to go off the trails. Be sure to be dressed for the weather and wear walking shoes or boots. Registration is required two days before the date of the event.

Bird Gardening

Wonder why some birds stop by on their way north but never stay? Want to know what will attract the birds you like to watch? Join Miss Judy to identify the flowers, shrubs, and trees that will keep them fed, sheltered and happy.

Date: Saturday, April 21st
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: The Lodge
Fees: $15.00
Member Discount Fee: $10.00

Amphibians of Connecticut

Focus on the frogs and salamanders found throughout Connecticut. Discover the diversity of these fascinating creatures, how their life cycle unfolds, and meet some up close. Walk to the woods, stream, and pond to catch and release the amphibians that live at Winding Trails.

Date: Saturday, May 12th
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30 p.m.
Where: The Lodge
Fee: $15.00
Member Discount Fee: $10.00

Macroinvertebrates

Discover the aquatic insects, both adult and larval stages, which live in the streams and Walton Pond. Hands-on activities include collection techniques, use of identification keys, and the amazing joy of finding some fascinating creatures.

Date: Saturday, June 23rd
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: The Lodge
Member Fee: $10.00

Watershed Techniques

Have you ever wonder about the watershed at Winding Trails? Come and learn how to map out the streams, ponds, and lake within the property. Discover how to do water testing at several locations on the property.

Date: Saturday, July 21st
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: The Lodge
Member Fee: $10.00

Fresh Water Mussels and Clams

This class will cover the life cycle of fresh water mussels and clams in Connecticut. Discover the techniques used to identify them; how to do surveys; and what to report for these special mollusks of our state. Expect to get into the water to do collections and have some fun.

Date: Saturday, August 18th
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: The Lodge
Member Fee: $10.00

Educator Workshops – Project Wild

Looking for new material to use with your students? Winding Trails is offering 6-hour workshops that can give you additional material to meet the needs of your school curriculum; new activities for your museum or nature center; a focus for the 4-H project your group is working on; or ideas for meeting Scout badge requirements. The attendees will meet with Judy Witzke, a trained facilitator, who will provide an active session, with indoor and outdoor activities, that samples the material offered in each program. A morning and afternoon break is provided and you will need to bring your lunch. Upon completion of each workshop, CEU’s are available to those teachers who need them for continuing education credits.
Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program for K to 12th grade emphasizing wildlife. The goal of Project WILD is to assist students of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment.

Project WILD
Date: Saturday, May 19th
Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: The Lodge – Conference Room
Fee: $35.00 made payable to the DEP for the Activity Book

The following additional 6-hour workshops will be made available during the upcoming year so let us know your interest. Any group of educators, who wants to schedule a date just for their group for any workshop listed, can contact Donna Williams at (860) 677-1370.
Project WILD Aquatic is program similar to Project WILD described above but with a focus on wetland wildlife and the wetland environments.
Project WET is a curriculum and activity guide for K to 12th grade emphasizing the field of water education and the use of water resources.
Project Food, Land, and People is a curriculum and activity guide for PreK to 12th grade that has a focus on awareness and appreciation of how food, land and people affect history, the environment, economics, and the future of agriculture.

Nature Hut Drop In

So you have a day off from school and want to get outside! Drop in at the Nature Hut with Miss Judy to do some exploring and science experiments. These informal programs are for all ages so adults may come as individuals or groups, children can invite your adult caregiver(s) or parent(s) to join you or get dropped off for a few hours for those in 1st grade and older. No registration is required.

Dates:
Friday, April 6th Good Friday
Friday, April 20th April Vacation
Friday, April 27th Last Friday of April
Monday, May 28th Memorial Day

Open Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Ages: All Ages Welcome
Where: The Nature Hut
Fees: Donations are accepted for this informal program

Nature Rangers for Ages 3 to 2nd Grade

Feathered Friends

Discover the many kinds of nests, eggs, beaks, feet, and feathers that birds can have. Live birds will come and visit while our walks will take us on a journey of adventure trying to locate the many birds found at Winding Trails. Registration is required two days before the date of the event.

Dates: Fridays, May 4th , 11th , 18th , & 25th
Times:
3 & 4 year olds 9:45 am – 11:00 am
4 & 5 year olds 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Grades K-2nd 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: Garmany Hall
Fee: $45.00
Member Discount Fee: $40.00

June Ramble

Explore the woods and waterways of the Winding Trails looking for animals to catch and release, look for late spring flowers, and collect a variety of leaves. Registration is required two days before the date of the event.

Date: Fridays, June 1st & 8th
Times:
3 and 4 year olds 9:45 – 11:00 am
4 and 5 year olds 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Grades K-2nd 4:45 – 6:00 pm
Where: Garmany Hall
Fee: $25.00
Member Discount Fee: $20.00

Young Scientists for Grades 3rd – 6th

Are you too old for Nature Rangers? Do you still want to do science with Miss Judy based on your grade and ability level? Then join her for special one day classes that will introduce you to a topic, and give you take-home activities so you can continue the fun. Be sure you come dressed for the weather and wear shoes or boots for the outside portion of the activities. Registration is required two days before the date of the event.

Backyard Birds

Work on your bird watching skills by learning about how birds develop unique adaptations based on where they live, the food they eat, and how they raise their young. Plan on some hands-on activities and going outside to observe the actual birds. Registration is required two days before the date of the event.

Date: Saturday, April 21st
Times: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Ages: Grades 3rd to 6th
Where: The Lodge
Fees: $15.00
Member Discount Fee: $10.00

Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders

Miss Judy will be helping you to discover the locations to look for these fascinating amphibians. Lots of hands-on activities including catching tadpoles, locating frogs along the stream and pond, and rolling logs looking for salamanders. Registration is required three days before the date of the event.

Date: Saturday, May 12th
Times: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Ages: Grades 3rd to 6th
Where: The Lodge
Fees: $15.00
Member Discount Fee: $10.00

Bugs, Crayfish and Other Creatures of the Water

Discover the aquatic insects, both adult and larval stages, which live in the streams and Walton Pond. Hands-on activities include collection techniques, use of identification keys, and the amazing joy of finding some fascinating creatures. Registration is required three days before the date of the event.

Date: Saturday, June 23rd
Times: 9:30 am – 11:30am
Ages: Grades 3rd to 6th
Location: The Lodge
Member Fee: $10.00

Watershed Exploration

Have you ever wondered about the watershed at Winding Trails? Come and learn how to map out the streams, ponds, and lake within the property. Discover how to do water testing at several locations on the property. Registration is required three days before the date of the event.

Date: Saturday, July 21st
Times: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Ages: Grades 3rd to 6th
Where: The Lodge
Member Fee: $10.00

Fresh Water Mussels and Clams

This class will cover the life cycle of fresh water mussels and clams in Connecticut. Discover the techniques used to identify them: how to do surveys: and what to report for these special mollusks of our state. Expect to get into the water to do collections and have some fun. Registration is required three days before the date of the event.

Date: Saturday, August 18th
Class Times: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Ages: Grades 3rd to 6th
Location: The Lodge
Member Fee: $10.00

Nature Rangers – On Summer Thursdays

Do you love to catch bugs, look for frogs, watch the birds, and other outdoor activities? Come spend some time exploring the lake, pond, and forest at Winding Trails with Miss Judy. She will supply her nets and catch and release containers. If it dares to rain, still come. She will bring in animals and nature related activities for you to enjoy. You just supply the curiosity and arrive wearing your boots or water shoes and clothes that can get wet and a little messy. Registration is required three days before the date of the event.

Thursday Mornings
Dates: June 14th, 28th; July 5th, 19th, 26th; Aug. 2nd & 16th
Session 1
Time: 9:00 am – 10:15 am
Ages: 3 – 4 year olds
Session 2
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 4 – 6 year olds
Where: Roosen’s Roost pavilion
Member Fee: $56.00 per 7-week session – saves $14.00 or
sign-up at $ 10.00 per class

Thursday Afternoons
Dates: June 14th, 21st, 28th; July 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th;
Aug. 2nd, 9th & 16th
Session 3
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Ages: 4 – 6 year olds
Session 4
Time: 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Ages: 7 – 9 years old
Session 5
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Ages: 10-12 years old
Where: Roosen’s Roost Pavilion
Member Fee: $80.00 per 10 week session – saves $20.00
or sign-up at $ 10.00 per class