NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2024
Thank you to all of our families and friends who joined us for the 2023 No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Program called the NCLI Families in the Parks Program (formerly known as the Great Park Pursuit). We are looking forward to the upcoming season with our returning families, friends and partners and we look forward to meeting many new families and making many new friends. See you soon!!
NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2024
Happy 19th anniversary to No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Program! Last year, the NCLI Program was re-branded to be called the NCLI Families in the Parks Program. This program expands on the Great Park Pursuit Family Adventure Program by reaching more families and youth; extending the season and locations of activities, events and programs while making new partnerships and taking part in various family-friendly events across the state. 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. You’ll experience some new events (as well as enjoying some of the ole’ favorites) and meet some new friends and partners.
NCLI's Families in the Park Program 2024 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, community events, and other family-friendly programs across the state between the months of May and December 2024. As in past years, CT DEEP State Parks staff and it's partners will host environmental themed programs which will include: Fishing, Boating, Wildlife, Hiking, Nature Centers, Historic Building and Museums, Family Days in the Park, StoryWalk® Programs and much more.
Also included again this year is the CT State Parks Storywalk® Program. CT DEEP State Parks and the CT State Library have partnered with the CT State Library-Youth Librarian to build a statewide StoryWalk® program initiative. Storywalks® are located at 4 locations throughout the state: Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, CT; Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, CT, Osbornedale State Park in Derby, CT and Goodwin State Forest in Hampton,CT. Families are encouraged to visit the StoryWalk® locations and spending time reading and walking together outdoors.
Between the months of May and December 2024 there will be a variety of activities, in-person events, pop-up events, library programs, community events and programs as well as self-guided events and programs. Please visit this link regularly to see what other activities, events and programs will be added! Please also regularly check the DEEP Calendar of Events, DEEP State Parks Facebook page and DEEP State Parks Instagram page as well for updated NCLI Families in the Parks programming.
Families in the Parks Program 1 is the NCLI Kick-off Event. May 11, 2024-Free Family Fishing Day in partnership with Fish with CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) at Gay City State Park in Hebron, CT from 10 am to 3 pm. "Learn to Fish" with Fish with CARE-poles, bait and instruction will be provided; take part in trout stocking, fly tying, fly casting and fishing games; visit with Hammonasset Trout Unlimited Chapter; visit the TIP Trailer and CT DEEP Environmental Conservation officers (CT State Environmental Conservation Police); visit the DEEP Wildlife table; visit the DEEP Water Planning and Standards table (macroinvertebrates); make arts & crafts; visit DEEP partner tables: Lutz Children's Museum and Chuckles their Mascot; Thames Valley Rockhounds (rock and mineral club). Pack a picnic and join us for the day.
Families in the Parks Program 2 is May 18, 2024-Painting Day in the Park at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, CT from 10 am to noon. Join us for a few hours of creative drawing and painting in the outdoors.
Families in the Parks Program 3 is Memorial Day Weekend (May 25th and 26th)-Visit CT DEEP Nature Centers, Museums and Historic Buildings over the holiday weekend. Spend the day visiting and learning at one or several of our DEEP locations: Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill; Goodwin State Forest and Conservation Center in Hampton; Meigs Point Nature Center in Madison, Kellogg Environmental Center and Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby; Fort Trumbull State Park Visitors Center in New London, CT; Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton, CT;Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam, CT; Putnam Memorial State Park Visitors Center in Redding, CT; Peoples State Forest Nature Museum in Barkhamsted, CT; Stratton Brook State Park Nature Center in Simsbury, CT; and Chatfield Hollow State Park-Oak Lodge Nature Center in Killingworth, CT.
Families in the Parks Program 4 is CT Trails Day Weekend is June 1st and 2nd 2024-CT Trails Day Weekend. Get out on the trails in CT and explore new places with your family and friends. Many of the walks, hikes and programs are NCLI Families in the Parks Program sponsored.
Families in the Parks Program 5 is a Pop-Up Program in June. Program details and location(s) to follow on DEEP Social Media-DEEP State Parks Facebook Page and DEEP State Parks Instagram page.
Families in the Parks Program 6 is the week of June 17, 2024-Summer Reading Kick-off Event(s)-Visit your local library and DEEP Storywalks® (Summer Reading details and locations to follow)
Families in the Parks Program 7 is the Meigs Point Nature Center Anniversary Celebration on June 22, 2024 at Hammonassett Beach State Park. More information to follow.
Families in the Parks Program 8 is a Boating Day in partnership with the DEEP Boating Division on June 29, 2024 at Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent, CT from 12 pm to 5 pm. Join us for a day of boating out on the lake. No prior experience necessary. Water safety and boating education will be provided before taking out a canoe, kayak or paddle board. There will also be partner tables, arts & crafts and more.
Families in the Parks Program 9 is a Pop-Up Program(s) in July. Program details and location(s) to follow on DEEP Social Media-DEEP State Parks Facebook Page and DEEP State Parks Instagram page.
Families in the Parks Program 10-NCLI to participate in the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Event at Bluff Point State Park in Groton, CT on July 20, 2024 (raindate of July 21st): Bird walk (9 am and 10 am) and history/geology walk (11 am) with UConn and Audubon, and a NCLI table and scavenger hunt
Families in the Parks Program 11 is a Boating Day in partnership with the DEEP Boating Division on July 27, 2024 at Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, CT from 9 am to 2 pm. Join us for a day of boating out on the pond. No prior experience necessary. Water safety and boating education will be provided before taking out a canoe, kayak or paddle board. There will also be hikes, partner tables, arts & crafts and more. Please note that parking will be limited.
Families in the Parks Program 12 is Dino Day on August 3, 2024 at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, CT from 10 am to 3 pm. Come learn about all things geology and dinosaurs. Visit the Nature Center, go on a walk and enjoy the Storywalk®; take a hike on over 2 miles of trails; visit DEEP tables and DEEP partners tables, and so much more.
Families in the Parks Program 13 is the Perseids Campout in partnership with NCLI, the Last Green Valley, the Friends of Pachaug State Forest and Lead Night Sky Ranger Geoff "Sky Dad" McLean on August 9, 2024 from 3 pm through Sunday August 11, 2024 at noon within Pachaug State Forest Youth Group Camping Area in Voluntown, CT. Join us for a Perseids Party Campout-activities, hikes, programs, bonfire, stories, night sky viewing and much more.
Families in the Parks Program 14 is FREE Salt Water Fishing Day with Fish with CARE on August 10, 2024 at Fort Trumbull State Park (out on the fishing pier) in New London, CT. Enjoy time out on the fishing pier with friends and family. Fish with CARE staff and volunteers will be there with fishing poles, bait and will provide fishing instruction, if needed.
Families in the Parks Program 15-NCLI to participate in the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and DEEP Boating Event at Bluff Point State Park in Groton, CT on August 17, 2024 from 10 am to 1 pm. There will be a canoeing and kayaking program and NCLI will have a table with activities.
Families in the Parks Program 16 is a Boating Day in partnership with the DEEP Boating Division on August 24, 2024 at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold, CT from 12 pm to 5 pm. Join us for a day of boating out on the pond. No prior experience necessary. Water safety and boating education will be provided before taking out a canoe, kayak or paddle board. There will also be hikes, partner tables, arts & crafts and more.
Families in the Parks Program 17/18 are Pop-Up Program(s) in September. Program details and location(s) to follow on DEEP Social Media-DEEP State Parks Facebook Page and DEEP State Parks Instagram page.
Families in the Parks Program 19 is a Bat Appreciation Day in September at Old Newgate Prision & Coppermine in Granby, CT (date and time of event yet to be determined).
Families in the Parks Program 20 is the 100th Anniversary Celebration Event at Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted, CT on October 4th-6th 2024. Join in celebrating 100 years of the Forest with activities, programs, food and fun. (More details to follow)
Families in the Parks Program 21 is the Auerfarm Fall Festival on October 12, 2024 at Auerfarm State Park in Bloomfield, CT. NCLI to Participate in the event and have a table/activities. (More details to follow)
Families in the Parks Program 22 is a Forestry Day at Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, CT. (date and time of event yet to be determined)
Families in the Parks Program 23/24 are Pop-Up Programs in November.
Families in the Parks Program 25/26 are Pop-Up Programs in December.
Families in the Parks Program 27 and 28 are "Holiday Programs" in the Parks at Osborne Homestead Museum and Gillette Castle State Park in Haddam, CT. (More details to follow)
Registered families will be provided with weekly information and an agenda regarding the upcoming Families in the Parks Program. Our NCLI Mascot Nuts 2, Nuts and Nuts Jr. and his friends will again this year be sharing their photos on social media through our DEEP State Parks Facebook Page and DEEP State Parks Instagram page. During many of the NCLI Families in the Parks Program events, the NCLI Mascots will be hidden somewhere within the park or forest. We ask that our Mascots not be removed from their hiding spot. Once you spot the Mascots, please come to the registration table to let the DEEP staff know you found them and get a prize.
Be sure to use #CTNCLI2024 and/or #CTStateParks when posting any photos on social media.
For more information contact:
Kristen Bellantuono, NCLI Coordinator
860-424-3917
We look forward to providing our participants with 8 months of fun-filled activities, adventures and experiences, all while learning and playing out in nature.
Content updated May 2024