NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2023
Thank you to all of our families and friends who joined us for the 2022 Great Park Pursuit. We are looking forward to the upcoming season with our returning families and friends and we look forward to meeting some new families and making new friends. See you soon!!
NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2023
Happy 18th anniversary to No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Program! To celebrate, CT State Parks is changing things up a bit. You’ll experience some new events (as well as enjoying some of the ole’ favorites) and meet some new partners. NCLI’s new Families in the Parks program expands on the Great Park Pursuit Family Adventure Program by reaching more families and youth, while also extending the season and locations of activities. You and the children in your care can enjoy a wide variety of FREE, fun and educational outdoor recreational opportunities. Enjoy time together and reconnect with the outdoors, nature and each other.
NCLI's Families in the Park Program 2023 will get our families outside exploring, playing, learning, and reading, in our CT DEEP State Parks and Forests, at DEEP Nature Centers and Museums, at libraries and at pop-up events and programs between the months of May and December 2023. As in past years, CT DEEP State Parks staff and it's partners will host environmental themed programs which will include: Fishing, Boating, Birding/Wildlife, Hiking, Nature Centers, Historic Building and Museums, and a Family Day in the Park.
A new addition to this year will be the CT State Parks Storywalk® Program. CT DEEP State Parks and the CT State Library have partnered to build a statewide StoryWalk® program initiative. Storywalks® will be located at 4 locations throughout the state: Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, CT (open to all when Park in open); Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, CT (in the process of being installed), Osbornedale State Park in Derby, CT (in the process of being installed) and Goodwin State Forest in Hampton (in the process of being installed). More detailed information to follow for the Storywalk® launch event.
Between the months of May and December 2023 there will be a variety of activities, in-person events, pop-up events, library programs, and self-guided events and programs. Please visit this link regularly to see what other activities, events and programs will be added!
Families in the Parks Program 1 is the NCLI Kick-off Event. May 13, 2023-Free Family Fishing Day at Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford, CT from 9 am to 3 pm. "Learn to fish with Fish with CARE" and take part in trout stocking.