NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2025

Thank you to all of our families and friends who joined us for the 2024 No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Families in the Parks Program.  We are looking forward to this year's exciting 20th Anniversary of the program with our returning families, friends and partners.  Most of all, we look forward to meeting many new families and making new friends. We hope to see you soon!!

NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2025

Happy 20th anniversary to the No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Program! As many of you know, two years ago 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, in addition to your family and friends, will continue to enjoy a wide variety of FREE, fun and educational outdoor recreational opportunities. We encourage families to enjoy time together; 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 along the way. 

For our 20^th Anniversary this year we are looking to reconnect with our NCLI Mission and Pledge.  We welcome you to take the No Child Left Inside^® pledge with us:

I pledge to defend the right of all children and every family to play in a safe outdoor environment. I will encourage and support opportunities for them to exercise their right by: 

*Splashing in clean water and breathing clean air
*Digging and planting seeds in healthy soil and watching what grows
*Climbing a tree and rolling down a grassy hill
*Skipping a stone across a pond and learning to swim
*Following a trail and camping under the stars
*Catching a fish, listening to songbirds and watching an eagle in flight
*Discovering wildlife in their backyard
*Soaking in the beauty of a sunrise and sunset
*Finding a sense of place and wonder in this ecosystem we call Earth
*Becoming part of the next generation of environmental stewards.

Please join us by getting outside and having fun-all for FREE!  We are looking to help you spend quality time with your friends, family, classmates, clubs, organizations, etc. to get some fresh air and to enjoy a variety of fun, nature related activities and outdoor recreational programs in our CT State Parks and Forests.  As always, you can expect environmental themed activities, games, nature hikes and walks, crafts and special guests - and most importantly-time to connect with each other in a relaxed and welcoming environment. 

NCLI's Families in the Park Program 2025 will continue to 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 February and December 2025.  As in past years, CT DEEP State Parks' staff and it's partners will host environmental themed activities, events and programs which will include: Boating, Camping, Family Days in the Park, Fishing, Hiking, Nature Centers, Historic Building and Museums, StoryWalk® Programs, a Wildlife Day and much more. 

Between the months of February and December 2025 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 will be added!  Please also regularly check the CT Parks Calendar of Events, NCLI Events Calendar, 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.  

This year's 20th Anniversary will focus on 4 seasonal events and programs in February, May, August and October.  There will also be three boating days and  three fishing days; as well as a number of environmental themed days, CT DEEP Nature Center and Museum Days over Memorial Day Weekend, Trails Day Weekend in partnership with the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, community events with partners and so much more. Please note that registration is not required to attend these activities, events and programs.  All are FREE and open to the public, especially families.  

The NCLI 2025 Kick-off Event was the Winter Festival in partnership with the No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Program, Fish with CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) and the City of Torrington. This event was held on February 1, 2025 from 10 am to 3 pm at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, CT.  While the day was very cold and windy, those that attended had a great time.  The estimated number of people that attended was well over 1,800 people. (NCLI Families in the Parks Program Winter Festival)

A detailed listing of this year's activities, events and programs is as follows:    

April

• "Nature Day" at Peoples State Forest in Mattheis Grove Pavilion on Sunday April 27, 2025 from 12 to 5:30 in Barkhamsted, CT organized by (FALPS) The Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forest (NCLI to partner on this event)

May

• NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2025 Kick-off Event-FREE Family Fishing Day with Fish with CARE at Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth, CT on Saturday May 10, 2025 from 10 am to 3 pm.  This event is all about fishing with activities, partner tables, games and more.  Trout stocking will take place at 11 am.  DEEP's Fish with CARE program will provide bait, loaner fishing gear, and expert fishing instruction from staff and volunteer fishing coaches.  Be sure to pack snacks/lunch and have a picnic in the park.  A Good Humor ice cream truck will be at the event between the hours of 11 am and 1 pm-cash, credit card, venmo, cash app and Apple Pay will be accepted.  
• NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2025 -Family Day in the Park (Kids to Parks Day recognized Nationally) on May 17, 2025 at Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury, CT from 10 am to 2 pm.  The event will offer hiking/walking, outdoor field games, activities under the pavilion, partner tables and the Nature Center will be open.  Be sure to pack snacks/lunch and have a picnic in the park. A soft-serve ice cream truck will be at the event between the hours of 11 am and 1 pm-cash, credit card, venmo, cash app and Apple Pay will be accepted.  (NCLI Families in the Parks Program Spring Festival)  
• NCLI Families in the Parks Program Nature Centers and Museums Programs-Memorial Day Weekend 2025 (Saturday May 24, 2025 through Monday May 26, 2025.  Various year-round and seasonal nature centers and museums will be open and offering activities and programs.  Details to follow.

June

• CT Trails Day Weekend is Saturday June 7^th and Sunday June 8^th .  NCLI Families in the Parks Program will be a partner in this event run by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA).  Visit the CT Trails Day website for specific information relating to activities, hikes, walks and more being offered across the State of CT. Many of the hikes and walks being offered are NCLI Families in the Parks Program sponsored (these offerings are family-friendly)
• NCLI Families in the Parks Program in partnership with DEEP Boating -Boating Day Event at Indian Well State Park in Shelton, CT from 12 to 4 pm on Saturday June 21, 2025.  Come learn about all things boating.  After some boating education on the upland, get fitted for a life jacket and take a canoe or kayak out to paddle on the river. Take part in boating related activities and visit partner tables.  
• Meigs Point Nature Center Anniversary Event on Saturday June 21, 2025 from 11 am to 5pm (NCLI to participate in this event) outside of the Meigs Point Nature Center (MPNC) at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, CT.  Celebrate the MPNC and visit with partner tables.  Take part in outdoor activities and live animal shows.  

July

• NCLI Families in the Parks Program in partnership with DEEP Boating -Boating Day Event at Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent/New Preston, CT from 12 am to 4 pm on Saturday July 26, 2025. Come learn about all things boating.  After some boating education on the upland, get fitted for a life jacket and take a canoe or kayak out to paddle on the lake. Take part in boating related activities and visit partner tables.  

August

• Dino Day at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, CT on Saturday August 2, 2025 from 10 am to 3 pm.  Join us for a day all about dinosaurs and nature.  Play games, visit partner tables, participate in science challenge stations and much more.  (NCLI Families in the Parks Program Summer Festival).  
• NCLI Families in the Park Program 2025 in partnership with Fish with CARE for Saltwater Fishing Day on Saturday August 9, 2025 from 10 am to 3 pm at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, CT (out on the fishing pier).  This event is all about saltwater fishing.   DEEP's Fish with CARE program will provide bait, loaner fishing gear, and expert fishing instruction from staff and volunteer fishing coaches.  
• NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2025 Perseids Meteor Shower/Campout in partnership with the Last Green Valley and the Friends of Pachaug State Forest will be held August 15th-17^th 2025 at Pachaug State Forest Youth Group Camping Area in Voluntown, CT (Registration will be required-information to follow) 
• NCLI Families in the Parks Program in partnership with DEEP Boating -Boating Day Event at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold, CT from 12 to 4 pm on Saturday August 23, 2025.  Come learn about all things boating.  After some boating education on the upland, get fitted for a life jacket and take a canoe or kayak out to paddle on the lake. Take part in boating related activities and visit partner tables. 

September

• Girl Scouts Love State Parks Campout will be on Saturday September 13th and Sunday September 14, 2025 at Hammonasset Beach State Park within the Mohawk and Algonquin campgrounds.  (Girl Scouts and their families will be required to register-information to follow)
• Bat Appreciation Day hosted by DEEP's Wildlife Division will be held at Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby, CT on Saturday September 20, 2025 from 10 am to 4 pm.  (NCLI to partner on this event) 

October

• NCLI 20^th Anniversary Celebration-smores/campfire stories/astronomy and/or a movie Tentative date of Friday October 3^rd or Saturday October 4^th -location yet to be determined (NCLI Families in the Parks Program Fall Festival) 
• Hammonasset Festival out behind the Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, CT with Meigs Point Nature Center Sunday October 12, 2025 (NCLI to partner and co-sponsor the event with Meigs Point Nature Center and DEEP staff) 

Our NCLI Mascots- Nuts 2, Nuts and Nuts Jr. and friends will again this be sharing their photos on social media through our DEEP State Parks Facebook Page and the 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 #CTNCLI2025 and/or #CTStateParks when posting any photos on social media.

For more information contact: 

Kristen Bellantuono, NCLI Coordinator

860-424-3917

DEEP.NoChildLeftInside@ct.gov

We look forward to providing our participants with months of fun-filled activities, adventures and experiences for the 20th Anniversary of the NCLI Program, all while learning and playing out in nature. 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 

                  

Content updated May 2025