Come and escape the winter blues with some great music from Bruce T. Carroll. After years spent "lost in the wilderness" of music and commerce ( i.e. building and running a music venue in Larchmont, NY, the famed Watercolor Cafe), Bruce has returned to his roots and his first and abiding love: lyric songwriting. With the release of his first official album, Ruckus and Romance, Bruce has forged a new career as a singer-songwriter using irony and imagery as tools in trade, like shoeing a horse. Food can be purchase from our concession or feel free to bring your own food and drinks.

Come and enjoy our monthly Acoustic Nights at scenic Dunning Lake. This series will highlight some of the great local musical talent we have in the area. These events are held in our Lakeside Pavilion and will be held rain or shine.

Friday, June 6th will feature Kerrie Stelly, Joel Welk, and Kelly Hahne
Friday, July 11th will feature Searching for Sunshine
Friday, August 8th will feature Charlie Fisher
Friday, September 5th will feature Kerrie Stelly, Melanie Champagne, and 22 Brides

Join Matt from MY Productions CT for a fun, hands-on cooking experience! During this two-hour class, Matt will guide you through creating delicious dishes from fresh, raw ingredients to your finished masterpiece. All ready to enjoy at the end of the session. Don't forget to bring your apron and your favorite beverages to sip while you cook, learn, and have a great time with fellow food lovers.
Session I: Pizza
Session II: Risotto & Arancini
Session III: Tiramisu

Come join Miss Judy, Winding Trails' naturalist, for a casual exploration as we walk along some of our many trails to observe monthly seasonal changes. We'll talk about what we see or some of the current nature topics in the news. Sometimes we'll stop to gawk at an interesting find alongside the trail. A different route and seasonal topic are planned for each date. Always dress for the weather, wear a good pair of walking shoes, and bring your curiosity.
Session I- Late Winter Discoveries
Session II- Late Winter Discoveries
Session III- Bird Watching
Session IV-Bird Watching
Session V-May Flowers

Adult Spring Luncheon -- Remembering G. Fox & Company
For over a century, G. Fox & Co. was a fixture in downtown Hartford. Over the years, the department store established itself as a premiere shopping destination with a commitment to superior customer service. Join us for an overview of the history of the store and the story of Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the pioneering businesswoman who led G. Fox & Co. through its golden age. Lunch will be provided.

Come explore the trails with our Outdoor Adventure coordinator, Mike! We will explore the waters and lands combined. This course will include kayaking, climbing, hiking, and survival skills training. Let's go explore!

Your child will spend 1.5 hours a week participating in a variety of outdoor adventure activities from developing communication skills on our low elements, to learning the basics of rock climbing on our 40' climbing tower consisting of 4 sides; a 15' beginner wall, a 35' intermediate wall, a 35' advanced wall and the fourth side is a 60' x 35' cargo net. Through this program your child can overcome personal fears and develop new self-confidence and trust.

The Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies such as burns, cuts, scrapes, sudden illnesses, head, neck, back injuries, heat and cold emergencies and how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies to help people of any age. Students who successfully complete this course will receive certification that is valid for two years. This is a blended learning class, with an online requirement to be completed before the in-person class begins. A processing fee to the Red Cross is required when registering for the online portion (this is separate from the class fee listed here).

Bull's-eye! But can you do that twice? You can after learning the techniques and skills of a great marksman. Come try this challenging and exciting sport. Participants must be at least seven years of age. All classes will meet at the Archery Range near Walton Pond. This is a members only program.

In this class, we will experiment with cyanotypes (also known as sun prints). Using the sun to make prints of natural or found objects, we will create whole scenes and compositions. No experience necessary!

Come join us for a fun filled creative class that will stir your preschooler's imagination. Every week your child will enjoy 45 minutes of creative arts and crafts projects that they will be able to take home and show off to the entire family.

Winding Trails will once again be presenting the popular Baked Potato Fest. Bring the family and create your own luscious version of these meal-sized baked potatoes
and join in the fun of dancing.
Give yourself a night out and join us for an evening at Walton Pond. This is a member only event.

Dinner is served 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
Menu: Garden salad, baked potato (toppings: nacho cheese, shredded cheese, bacon bits, broccoli, chili, sour cream, chives, butter), dessert, and beverages.

$12.00 per person (Children 3 and under are free)
Please make note of how many children 3 and under.

Barre is a fun, high energy, fusion workout to strengthen and tone your muscles. Class includes cardio, barre work, and mat exercises. This class is for ALL levels, no prior dance or exercise experience is necessary. Bring your yoga mat, wear sneakers, and be ready to make new friends! (No Class October 13th)

Barre is a fun, high energy, fusion workout to strengthen and tone your muscles. Class includes cardio, barre work, and mat exercises. This class is for ALL levels, no prior dance or exercise experience is necessary. Bring your yoga mat, wear sneakers, and be ready to make new friends!
Instructor: Bridget Bussiere

Strike-in with this great summer program! Participants will learn the fundamentals of baseball including game rules, proper battling technique, pitching, and the various field positions. What to bring: appropriate clothing, water bottle, sneakers, baseball glove, and sunscreen. We will provide gloves for those that need them.

Participants will have a great time as they work on their passing, ball handling, shooting, and dribbling skills. Newly acquired basketball skills will be put to the test at an end of the week tournament. What to bring: appropriate clothing, water bottle, snack, sneakers and sunscreen.

On Belay? Belay is On! This intro belay class will teach you how to properly rope climb on our climbing tower. We will teach you the ropes on how to make the proper knots, tie ins and belaying. This course will be taught by our OA Coordinator Mike and completion of the course will give you an in-house certification.

Are you a new member and not quite sure where everything is? Then this extensive tour of the park is just for you. Learn about the history of Winding Trails, where all the facilities are, and where the "special" spots can be found. Dress appropriately for weather and walking. This is a member only program.

Come and hit a ton of balls and burn some calories while keeping up with some tennis tips. This program is not for anyone who is new to tennis. Cardio tennis combines exercise in a way that brings benefits to your health and your game. Class size is limited, so sign up early and bring a friend.

CAS Coaches are among the highest qualified and trained in the industry. Each coach is not only a qualified coach but goes through education on child development and have access to the worlds best online soccer education platform, The Coaching Manual. The curriculums are designed to bring the best out of each player, at their own pace and ensure we build each child's self-esteem, confidence and help them improve technically and tactically. Players will be challenged in age appropriate and thought-provoking activities that are fun and skill building.
Camps are for all levels of ability and focus on creating a fun, safe, learning environment while fostering a love for the game through skill acquisition, conditioned practices small-sided games.
For Emerging Stars campers, technical development will be a key feature of the curriculum. Introduction to small-sided games, progression from technique to skills will be a key component to the program. Introduction to defending and attacking as an individual and a team. Learning the game with the best age-appropriate activities to bring the best out of our emerging players.
Camps include a Hummel jersey, soccer ball and player prizes!

CAS Coaches are among the highest qualified and trained in the industry. Each coach is not only a qualified coach but goes through education on child development and have access to the worlds best online soccer education platform, The Coaching Manual. The curriculums are designed to bring the best out of each player, at their own pace and ensure we build each child's self-esteem, confidence and help them improve technically and tactically. Players will be challenged in age appropriate and thought-provoking activities that are fun and skill building.
Camps are for all levels of ability and focus on creating a fun, safe, learning environment while fostering a love for the game through skill acquisition, conditioned practices small-sided games.
Little Kickers Camp will focus on Physical literacy, developing a child's motor skills incorporating soccer movement with and without the ball. Fun, themed games will be used to guarantee an exciting experience for our youngest players.
Camps include a Hummel jersey, soccer ball and player prizes!

CAS Coaches are among the highest qualified and trained in the industry. Each coach is not only a qualified coach but goes through education on child development and have access to the worlds best online soccer education platform, The Coaching Manual. The curriculums are designed to bring the best out of each player, at their own pace and ensure we build each child's self-esteem, confidence and help them improve technically and tactically. Players will be challenged in age appropriate and thought-provoking activities that are fun and skill building.
Camps are for all levels of ability and focus on creating a fun, safe, learning environment while fostering a love for the game through skill acquisition, conditioned practices small-sided games.
Mini Magic campers will develop their motor skills, physical literacy and an introduction to the soccer ball through fun and themed games related to their current world.
Camps include a Hummel jersey, soccer ball and player prizes!

CAS Coaches are among the highest qualified and trained in the industry. Each coach is not only a qualified coach but goes through education on child development and have access to the worlds best online soccer education platform, The Coaching Manual. The curriculums are designed to bring the best out of each player, at their own pace and ensure we build each child's self-esteem, confidence and help them improve technically and tactically. Players will be challenged in age appropriate and thought-provoking activities that are fun and skill building.
Camps are for all levels of ability and focus on creating a fun, safe, learning environment while fostering a love for the game through skill acquisition, conditioned practices small-sided games.
Super Star campers will work on ball mastery, passing and receiving, dribbling, defending, shooting and finishing, developing speed, agility and quickness, positional play, World Games and tournaments.
Camps include a Hummel jersey, soccer ball and player prizes!

This 3-hour program allows you to push yourself into your challenge zone. We will explore 3 different high ropes elements: Catwalk, Pamper Plank, Giant Swing, Vertical Play Pen to name a few. Come ready to climb and explore your quest!

Every year, the Audubon society puts on the Christmas Bird Count which is the longest-running community science bird project. The Christmas Bird Count is an event where community scientists come together to identify different winter bird
species and count individual birds in a designated area.

Join the Winding Trails Christmas Bird Count to help monitor the health of our bird population! Our naturalists will teach you how to conduct a Christmas Bird Count at Winding Trails!

We will teach you how to use different identification tools and how to use apps such as iNaturalist, Merlin, and Seek to improve your identification and recording skills.
Free for members and non-members, but registration is required.

This is a 2-hour program allows you to get onto the climbing tower and enjoy the vertical realm! The climbing tower is 40' high consisting of three sides: beginner, intermediate, and advanced wall, and also a cargo net. Once at the top, it's time to take a ride down Main Street on our 300' long zip line.

This 2-hour program allows you to get onto the climbing tower and enjoy the vertical realm. The climbing tower is 40' high consisting of 4 sides: a 15' beginner wall with incline, a 40' intermediate vertical wall, a 40' advanced wall with incline and over hangs and a 60' x 35' cargo net for the quickest way to the top. Once on top, it's time for the ride, a 300' long zip line down Main Street.

Get ready for a night of non-stop laughs with Michael Petiti and Max Dolcelli. Michael has been doing standup for over 35 years and is a Las Vegas style entertainer and talented impressionist known for his high energy performances.
Michael is a regular in Las Vegas and has appeared on ESPN, Comedy Central, and E. Entertainment. Max has appeared just about everywhere and done everything a comedian can do, performing in comedy clubs and comedy festivals in the U.S. and Canada at casinos and clubs. He has performed on cruise ships, television, and radio.

Don't forget to reserve your spot.

Want to explore our trails while playing a sport? Then join us for disc golf this upcoming spring. We will have two four-week sessions. Session one is for kids who haven't thrown a disc before, and those just getting into the sport. Session two will be geared more toward those who have played a few rounds but want to enhance their skills. In both sessions we will be working on throwing form in the sports field, as well as playing rounds on our 9-hole course. Discs will be provided for those without, however bringing your own is encouraged.
Session I- Geared towards newcomers
Session II- Have played 3 or more rounds of Disc Golf

Join us at Tunxis Plantation Country Club for a great day of golf, games, food and fun to raise money for our Summer Day Camp. Play as a foursome or as a single and complete someone else's team. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf (scramble format), a cart, lunch, dinner, games and more. Registration begins at 10:30am followed by a shotgun start at 11:30am. All proceeds will benefit our Summer Day Camp. Help us make happy campers!

Join us at Tunxis Plantation Country Club for a great day of golf, games, food and fun to raise money for our Summer Day Camp. Play as a foursome or as a single and complete someone else's team. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf (scramble format), a cart, lunch, dinner, games and more. Registration begins at 10:30am followed by a shotgun start at 11:30am. All proceeds will benefit our Summer Day Camp. Help us make happy campers!

If you aren't a golfer but would still like to help us raise money for our Summer Day Camp program, then this is for you! Purchasing a dinner only ticket gets you into the reception "After Party" following the tournament. Enjoy a delicious buffet and open bar, get your raffle tickets and bid on some great items in our silent auction!

Calling all sand volleyball fans! Join us Monday evenings for some drop-in play. Registering will help us keep track of how many people to expect, but there is no fee for members to come and play!
Nonmembers are welcome to come and play for a small fee.
Meet at the Volleyball Courts next to the Lodge.

Join reading and environmental enthusiasts in discussing readings that deal with environmental and nature issues, topics, or themes. It is our goal to have the opportunity to address topics that affect our community, particularly the environmental and natural history of our region and current trends in the environment. The group will decide on future titles.

We welcome all those who are interested in sharing and learning more about the environment to join us for a friendly and educational discussion on a monthly basis.

The book for the first month (July) will be Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell by Sy Montgomery.
Free, but we will collect donations for local food kitchens *registration is required*

Join us for our nature-based homeschool education series!
Each month join our environmental educators to learn about the wonders of nature. These programs are perfect for ages 5 to 8. Programs are offered once a month from January through May and run from 9:30am - 12:30pm with a snack time built
in.

The themes for each month are as follows:
October -- Life Cycle of Trees
November -- Food Webs and Energy Transfer
December -- Winter Wonders

We ask that guardians stay for the duration of the program and take an active role in the learning.

Join us for our nature-based homeschool education series!
Each month join our environmental educators to learn about the wonders of nature. These programs are perfect for ages 9 to 12. Programs are offered once a month from January through May and run from 1:00pm -- 4:00pm with a snack time built in.

The themes for each month are as follows:
October -- Life Cycle of Trees
November -- Food Webs and Energy Transfer
December -- Winter Wonders

We ask that guardians stay for the duration of the program and take an active role in the learning.

What did the American Revolution mean to the people of Connecticut?
This new presentation will draw from the Museum's rich collection of artifacts and documents to tell the revolutionary story through the eyes of ordinary people. It explores the roots of revolutionary sentiment in Connecticut, and how people, both Patriot and Loyalist, experienced the traumatic circumstances of war while trying to meet the needs of everyday life. A light lunch will be served.
Speaker: Rachel Beauchemin, CT Museum of Culture & History

Join our naturalists as they teach you how to conduct a community science bioblitz at Winding Trails! For our bioblitz, we are hoping to identify as many migratory species as we can.
A bioblitz is an event designed for finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. We will teach you how to use different identification tools and how to use apps such as iNaturalist and Seek to improve your identification and recording skills. Saturday will be a training day for learning how to conduct a bioblitz and Sunday will be a day dedicated to searching for species.
At the end of the bioblitz, you might even win a prize if you identify the most species!
Free for members and non-members, but registration is required.

This winter and spring older children with their families will join Miss Judy for a fun Saturday afternoon of learning something new about the great outdoors. The program format is an introduction about the day's topic followed by a hands-on outdoor activity to try out what you learned. Each month, we will be exploring various locations and topics as we discover the many animals and plants that make up Winding Trails' fields, forests, and waterbodies. Since the weather is always fluid, the experience changes from year to year.
The January and February programs will have activities based on the weather on that day -- checking out ice on the pond, building a snow fort, or taking a hike. In March, we will be experiencing the entire maple sugaring process from tapping the trees to boiling down the sap into syrup. Dress for the weather with layers, snow pants (when appropriate), and boots so everyone is warm in the cold.
With April, we are inviting all to become citizen scientists that collect information with the free Cornell Lab's MERLIN Bird Id app about migrating birds and help Winding Trails add to our bird inventory. You can use this knowledge to enhance your family's personal time at Winding Trails and learn more about the birds in your yard and neighborhood. For May, look for animal nests and young, watch parents bringing food, and learn how these new families stay safe. Dress for the weather with good walking shoes.
All these activities and more are out there to explore as we spend an exciting winter and spring season with your family.

Bring your family out for a fun night at Winding Trails.
Join us in the Boathouse Pavilion for Pizza and Bingo. We will play multiple versions of bingo and there will be plenty of Winding Trails' prizes and swag to be won. Snacks, dessert, and beverages will also be included.
This is a member only event.

Menu: Pizza, snacks, dessert, and beverages
Member Fee: $12.00 per person - Children 3 and under are free.
(Please make note of how many children 3 and under)

Join Peter Rabbit and your entire family as they scramble for all the holiday goodies scattered about on the trail! We have plenty of treasures and treats for all. In addition to the candy and toys, every family will receive one golden egg with a special prize inside! Don't forget your goodie bag/basket to hold all your findings. The Egg Hunt will take place in a short loop on the trails ending with a continental breakfast at the Owl Pavilion. Space is limited, register early, this program fills up fast! Please be sure to register all children and adults that will be joining us so we can plan food accordingly.
This is a member program only.

Create a habit together! This fun and easy practice can get the whole family outside. Learn how to start a family nature journal book that you can add to all the time. Observe seasonal changes together and begin a new tradition.

When you stop to really look, even the most everyday nature objects and occurrencescan become extraordinary wonders you can talk about, write, and draw together.

Join us for a very special evening in our new Lakeside Pavilion with a delicious meal served by Chef, Jason Welch. Jason is known throughout the region for cooking satisfying foods from local farms and markets.
This four-course dinner promises to delight. This event will also include wine pairings and live music.
All proceeds support the Trails Fund of Winding Trails.
Space is limited and will fill up quickly.

MENU:
Will be announced closer to the event.

PLEASE MAKE A NOTE ON YOUR REGISTRATION IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES OR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS!

Come and celebrate the 11th year of this fall festival highlighting music from local, regional, and national acts. The backdrop of fall colors along Dunning Lake make for a colorful venue. This year's headliner will be Howley, a new project that builds Irish Americana sound with even deeper emotion and artistry. This band will deliver signature harmonies, fiery playing, and joyful storytelling audience have come to love. We will be joined by Pennsylvania based House of Hamill. This group is a fixture on festival stages across the country. Their original song "Banks of the Brandywine" was the Grand Prize winner in the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Beg, Steal, or Borrow, a 5-piece bluegrass band from Northern Vermont joins the main stage with their high-octane style to the festival. This group has played from Maine to Bermuda and dubbed a "Triple Crown Bluegrass Band" by Bluegrass Today magazine. The Clement Brothers, identical twins from New England, will round out the bill on the main stage. The duo is a fusion of each brother's unique, musical journey, and the result is a music all its own, filled with vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and a genuine love of song.
Our 2nd stage at the Boathouse will feature some of the best local and regional talent in the area. This daylong event gives attendees the opportunity to hear ten different performers. There will also be a Beer Garden featuring free samples of locally brewed craft beers from over 15 CT breweries. sponsored by CLARKHIRTH CPAS. Food trucks and a vendor village will also be held featuring many local merchants to make this a perfect fall event.

BUY TICKETS NOW AND SAVE 33% OF DAY OF PRICING.
Tickets are nonrefundable. Service animals only, no pets please!

Ticket Prices:
After August 16th:
Member Adult $30, Children $5
Nonmember Adult $35, Children $10

At the door:
Member Adult $40, Children $5
Nonmember Adult $45, Children $10

Join teachers Ally and Elyse for a night of exploration! During this night hike, we will learn all about fireflies and other nocturnal insects.

Why do they glow? Why are they so active at night?
Why are other insects active at night? Come to the hike and find out!

Participants will learn skills on both sides of the ball including the components of passing, catching, and de-flagging or defensive positioning, all presented in a fun and positive environment. The week will end with a fun skills showcase to show their newly acquired talents. What to bring: appropriate clothing, water bottle, snack, sneakers and sunscreen.

This program gives participants the opportunity to explore the climbing tower after dark! The excitement grows as nighttime provides a new challenge. Special lights will be installed around the tower. Feel free to bring a headlamp or flashlight to help you when walking around the area and/or climbing. All four sides of the tower and our zip line will be open for this program.

Our golf program focuses on the fundamental skills needed to participate in this sport. Participants learn the proper techniques in holding the clubs as well as footwork and swing mechanics. Players will also learn the basic rules and etiquette of the game. What to bring: golf clubs if you have them, appropriate clothing, water bottle, snack, sneakers and sunscreen. We will provide clubs if needed.

Join us for our nature-based homeschool education series! Each month join our environmental educators to learn about the wonders of nature. These programs are perfect for ages 5 to 11. Programs are offered once a month from October through May and run from 9:30 - 12:30 with a snack time built in. The themes for each month are as follows:

October - Life Cycle of Trees
November - Food Webs + Energy Transfer
December -Winter Wonders
January - Geology Rocks
February - Animal Homes
March - Maple Syrup
April - Birds, Birds + Birds
May - Metamorphosis Magic

We ask that guardians stay for the duration of the program and take an active role in the learning. Contact Elyse Cahill at elyse@windingtrails.org for more information.

Interest in Pickleball is surging across the country. If you are new to Pickleball and looking to learn more about the sport, then this program is for you!

We are offering a four week program to help beginners learn all about pickleball. Equipment will be provided.
Please only register if you have not taken this class before!

Interest in Pickleball is surging across the country. If you are new to Pickleball and looking to learn more about the sport, then this program is for you! We will be offering a four-week program to help beginners learn all about pickleball. Equipment will be provided.

This is the ultimate night out for any kid! Tons of games, pizza, an ice cream sundae bar, a big screen movie, and endless amounts of fun await you here at the Trails. This program has evolved into a very popular kid's event and space fills up quickly. So, parents plan your night out and send the kids here for theirs. Head on over to the Trails for a night out that you will never forget. Sorry, parents not allowed! Please bring clothing that is appropriate for outdoor (weather dependent) and indoor play as well as provide a sleeping bag/blanket and pillow for the movie.

Or should we say 'Parents' Night Out'!

Drop your child at Winding Trails and enjoy a night out on your own. Kids will be well supervised and enjoy fun games, crafts, a pizza party, an ice cream sundae bar and a big screen movie. This program has become a very popular one and space fills up quickly.

Please bring clothing that is appropriate for outdoor and indoor play as well as a sleeping bag/blanket and pillow for the movie!

Calling all kids ready to have some bicycling fun on the trails! This club is intended to have fun, sharpen our mountain biking skills and most importantly make some new friends! Mountain bikes only, helmet mandatory. This club is not intended for beginner riders. Participants must bring a helmet and bike.
Session I is for ages 9 to 11
Session II is for ages 12 to 16

Calling all kids ready to have some bicycling fun on the trails! This club is intended to have fun, sharpen our mountain biking skills and most importantly make some new friends!
Mountain bikes only, helmet mandatory. Participants must bring a helmet and bike.
This club is not intended for beginner riders.
Riders will be split into groups by age / skill level.

Suit up and find out why lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Lacrosse combines the basic skills used in soccer, basketball and hockey into one fast-paced, high-scoring game. Athletes will learn all the fundamentals of stick handling, cradling, passing, and shooting in a fun, non-checking environment. What to bring: appropriate clothing, water bottle, snack, sneakers, mouthpiece, protective gloves, helmet with full mask (or goggles for girls), lacrosse stick and sunscreen. We will provide equipment for those who need it.

Wrona Soccer is proud to be working with Winding Trails to be able to offer opportunities for players of all ages with our camp this summer. Our experienced staff excels at knowing how to get the best out of players through demonstrating techniques and inspiring players to reach higher. Our players learn the fundamentals of the game, ball control, passing, defending, and scoring. We will teach every child at their own pace. What to bring: appropriate clothing, water bottle, snack, sneakers, shin guards, and sunscreen. Each child will receive a camp t-shirt.

Come on out and join Stompin' Boots at Winding Trails for an evening of line dancing.

With fun, easy lessons and open dancing with a mix of easy and popular line dances we have something for dancers of all experience levels. Whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned line dancer come on out and join us for a stompin' good time!

Participants are welcome to arrive early and stay after class to enjoy additional social time. Please feel free to bring your own appetizers and beverages ---glass containers are not permitted.

Schedule:
Social Time: 6:00 - 6:30 PM and 8:30 - 9:00 PM
Line Dancing Lesson: 6:30--8:30 PM

This summer and fall young children 6-years-old and under with their families can join us for a fun Saturday morning learning something new about the great outdoors. The program format is an introduction about the day's topic followed by a hands-on outdoor activity to try out what you learned.
Dress for the weather with appropriate shoes or boots so you can be comfortable during all activities. Each month, we will be exploring different locations as we discover the many animals and plants that make up Winding Trails' fields, forests, and water bodies. Learn about how animals build homes. Explore the world of turtles. Investigate some summer ecosystems. Learn which animals are making their way south. Find out what animals are eating by learning about food chains and webs. Finish up learning how animals get ready for winter.
All these activities and more are out there to explore! We look forward to spending an exciting summer and fall season with you.

Session 1: Save Walton Pond -- Frogs
Session 2: Save Walton Pond - Fish
Session 3: Save Walton Pond - Turtles
Session 4: Migration to Warm Places
Session 5: What's Everyone Eating
Session 6: Animals Get Ready for Winter

This winter and spring young children 6 years old and under with their families will join Miss Judy for a fun Saturday morning of learning something new about the great outdoors. The program format is an introduction about the day's topic followed by a hands-on outdoor activity to try out what you learned. Each month, we will be exploring various locations and topics as we discover the many animals and plants that make up Winding Trails' fields, forests, and waterbodies. Since the weather is always fluid, the experience changes from year to year.
The January and February programs will have activities based on the weather on that day -- checking out ice on the pond, building a snow fort, or taking a hike. In March, we will be experiencing the entire maple sugaring process from tapping the trees to boiling down the sap into syrup. Dress for the weather with layers, snow pants (when appropriate), and boots so everyone is warm in the cold.
With April, we are inviting all to become citizen scientists that collect information with the free Cornell Lab's MERLIN Bird ID app about migrating birds and help Winding Trails add to our bird inventory. You can use this knowledge to enhance your family's personal time at Winding Trails and learn more about the birds in your yard and neighborhood. For May, look for animal nests and young, watch parents bring food for their young, and learn how these new families stay safe. Dress for the weather with good walking shoes.
All these activities and more are out there to explore as we spend an exciting winter and spring season with your family.

Are you planning on racing in our Tri Series? Why not get into the Tuesday evening routine ahead of time with our mountain bike series. Or even if you don't plan on doing our Tri Series but enjoy mountain biking come on out. This Series runs for 5 weeks on Tuesday nights with a rolling start. The course winds through our trail system using open and single-track trails. This is a fitness event to get ready for the season and to just have fun.

The Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) and Winding Trails are teaming up for this timely workshop. Aimee Petras, Executive Director at the FRWA, will present this program that covers how to manage your lawn without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. We will outline the steps you need to take, including mowing techniques to manage weeds. Additionally, we will delve into common lawn problems such as grubs and thatch. After the program, time will be available for additional questions. Prior to the program, test your soil via the UConn soil testing lab (http://soiltest.uconn.edu/sampling.php) and bring your results so we can customize a lawn care plan to your specific needs.

Campers can come out and enjoy a nature-focused camp, with a different theme each week! Each week will feature a variety of activies that focus on the theme of the session, as well as group games, and some time for free play. Nature camps can be paired with Afternoon Explorers for a full day of fun.
Session 1: Animal Signs
Session 2: Animal Engineers
Session 3: Animal Adaptations
Session 4: Nature Scouts
Session 5: Nature Art
Session 6: Wonderful World of Water
Session 7: It's a Bird, It's a Plane!
Session 8: Habitat Hunters

Come join us for a fun filled nature class that will inspire your preschooler to explore the world around them.

Every week your child will enjoy an hour of spending time in nature doing different exploration activities. They will learn how to
move safely in nature and how to use their senses to safely and responsibly explore the world around them.

Join Leslie Mathews, a creative encourager who helps others find joy through art and nature, for a two-hour nature journaling workshop for families! Nature journaling is an easy and fun family activity - spend time together noticing your environment and the wonders all around, even right outside your own doorstep. Together you will see more, notice more and record your findings in your own family nature journal . It's wonderful to look back over time to watch how seasonal changes have unfolded right in your own backyard. We will explore recording our observations of our landscape and plant and animal behavior. Leave this class with a family nature journal.

Join Leslie Mathews, a creative encourager who helps others find joy through art and nature, for a two-hour nature poetry workshop for teens and adults! In honor of national poetry month, join nature poet and artist Leslie P Mathews for a fun and whimsical exploration of nature poetry. Imagine what it's like to be a bird, a tree, a snail or a leaf, then write about it! We will tune into our senses and have fun creating a small handmade poetry book and some haikus to hang on your favorite tree or houseplant!

Join Leslie Mathews, a creative encourager who helps others find joy through art and nature, for a two-hour nature journaling workshop to welcome the vernal equinox for teens and adults! The equinox, a time of transformation and change, is excellent for honing our awareness and tuning more deeply into the world around us. In this meditative workshop, we will explore ways of entering into dialogue with the natural world through writing. Easeful prompts will be offered to get the words flowing. Come to be refreshedby exploring spring in community and begin or deepen a nature writing practice surrounded by the beauty of Winding Trails.

Ever wonder what those telephone poles, cables, and ropes are all about up of Main Street? This is our Odyssey, one of only two courses like this in New England. Join us for a 3-hour program that will stretch your comfort zone! Team members begin by ascending a giant cargo net to reach the first platform and traverse through several problem-solving challenges to reach the peak end platform where each person has the opportunity to experience our Lily Pads or Floating Bridge.

Ever wonder what those telephone poles, cables, and ropes are all about up of Main Street? This is our Odyssey, one of only two courses like this in New England. Join us for a 3-hour program that will stretch your comfort zone! Team members begin by ascending a giant cargo net to reach the first platform and traverse through several problem-solving challenges to reach the peak end platform where each person has the opportunity to experience our Lily Pads or Floating Bridge.

Come get lost with us and discover the trails that wind! In this program, you'll learn how to read a map, use a compass, and bushwack through the trails by taking a compass bearing. This is an outside dirty activity. Please dress accordingly!

Join Kate Emery for a
beginner-friendly workshop in seeing with new eyes. This is a 3-hour workshop
in painting with water soluble oils. Kate Emery is an artist and long-time Farmington
resident. She was once a Winding Trails camper and has spent many hours walking
and painting scenes throughout the Farmington Valley. Her work can be viewed
at, among other places, the Hill-Stead, Gallery at Mill, and other local
exhibitions as well as online at her website -- KateEmery.com. Her work centers
on capturing the peace and gentle awe of rivers, woods, and skies. She believes
painting is as much about presence as technique. With a gentle approach, she'll
help you translate your own encounters with nature into shape and color.

Create brushes from natural objects to explore wild and wonderful mark making possibilities using acrylic and watercolor paints. Your own handmade brushes will be unique to you and will help you create signature pieces of abstract art.
No experience necessary.

Join us for Pickleball Open Play at Winding Trails! This fun and active program welcomes players of all skill levels to enjoy the fastest-growing sport in the country. Our staff will be on hand to help organize games, match players of similar abilities, and provide basic instruction as needed. It's a great way to stay active, improve your skills, and connect with fellow pickleball enthusiasts.

Paddles and balls are available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment.
Please register for each date you plan to attend.

Who's ready to go camping? You bring the tent, sleeping bags and toiletries and we will do the rest! This program provides you and your family with the opportunity to spend some quality time together and make memories your kids will cherish forever while enjoying many activities and camping out at Winding Trails. Activities available will include soccer, basketball, kickball, boating, archery, and a special night hike ending with a campfire and s'mores. A BBQ on Friday night (6:00pm - 7:30pm) and a continental breakfast on Saturday morning (7:30am - 8:30am) are also included.

Please note: Availability of archery and boating are based on certified staff availability and cannot be guaranteed. This is a very popular program so early registration is advised.
This is a member only event.

Walk the new poetry trail and write poems at all the stops along the way.

Poet, nature artist and author of "One Strawberry Moon," the poetry book displayed on the trail, Leslie Mathews, will lead this joyful adventure back to connection
with nature, ourselves and the inner poet awaiting within all of us.
No experience necessary!

In this peaceful outdoor class, we will let the lines, shapes, and forms of nature help us get into our bodies and out of our heads as we make expressive marks inspired by the natural world.

We will slow down, tune into the breath, tap into calm,
focusing on the organic movement and flow of the world all around us.

Let go and settle into the present moment in this unique class that is like a guided drawing meditation. A great way to have fun and relax, no drawing experience required.

This program will offer your group the opportunity to showcase your survival skills. A facilitator will challenge the group with a series of activities including shelter building, catch and release of fish, fire building, and more. Groups will need to work together to accomplish the task at hand. This is an outside dirty activity. Please dress accordingly.

This program will offer your group the opportunity to showcase your survival skills. A facilitator will challenge the group with a series of activities including shelter building, catch and release of fish, fire building, and more. Groups will need to work together to accomplish the task at hand. This is an outside dirty activity. Please dress accordingly.

Skyhunters in Flight is a dynamic educational program with live performing birds of prey. Join a Master Falconer to learn about various flying raptors. Get up and close to these amazing live birds. Learn about the special adaptations and behaviors
of raptors and the role they play in our ecosystem.

Shoot and score with our new soccer camp. Participants will learn the fundamentals of soccer including game rules, dribbling and shooting techniques, as well as the proper positions on the field. The program will be a mix of drills and fun games with the intent of getting ready for a full field game on the last day of camp. The main emphasis will be on having fun while playing the world's game! What to bring: appropriate clothing, water bottle, snack, sneakers, shin guards, and sunscreen.

Soccer Shots Classic utilizes creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting. We also highlight a positive character trait each session such as respect, teamwork, and appreciation. Parent/guardian must be present during the entire class.

Soccer Shots Mini is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental soccer principles, such as using your feet, dribbling and the basic rules of the game. Through fun games, songs and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active. Parent/guardian must be present during the entire class.

Step into spring with a guided exploration of the natural world at Winding Trails. This two-hour outdoor experience blends practical plant identification with mindfulness and sensory awareness woven throughout the walk.
Participants will learn to recognize several native and non-native plant species found in our local area and gain confidence identifying common edible and medicinal plants. Along the way, we'll pause to engage the senses---feeling textures, noticing scents, observing shapes and colors---and practice simple mindfulness techniques to deepen presence and connection with the landscape.
The experience encourages participants to slow down, disconnect from digital devices, and breathe into the present moment. Through mindful observation, reflection, and curiosity, you'll cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural world and a renewed sense of calm, connection, and appreciation for the beauty of early spring.

Come enjoy a night of crafting with Wood Florals. Learn how to dye and assemble wood flowers. You will be able to make a seasonal inspired table center piece, hanging door sign or wreath with pre dyed flowers. We will supply all the materials for these projects.

Start the summer off right! Join us for a traditional backyard cookout while you enjoy the nice weather and the sounds of summer provided by our DJ. Join in on our family activities including boating on Walton Pond, lawn games, music and
more. This is a member only program.

Dinner is served 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
Menu: Hot dogs, hamburgers, mixed vegetables, potato salad, fruit salad, dessert and beverages.

With the colors of fall and nature as our palette, we will make arrangements of leaves, sticks, and other nature objects in unique, temporary formations.

See what we can create together in this fun class that can help us learn about the world around us.

Our tennis program focuses on the fundamental skills needed to participate in this life long sport. Participants will learn the proper techniques of grips, footwork, ground strokes, volleys, overheads, and serves. Players will also learn the basic rules and etiquette of the game. What to bring: appropriate clothing, water bottle, snack, sneakers, sunscreen and tennis racquet. We will provide racquets for those who need them.

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in America for the past 4 consecutive years. Join Peter G Hayes, Professional Pickleball Certified Coach, as he presents a unique 120 minute interactive off-court session that focuses on biomechanics, gear, practice drilling, injury risk, performance optimization, and recovery strategies specific to pickleball. This seminar Includes training and drilling takeaways, not just theory and discussion. Learn about AI driven Kinetisense Motion Capture for Pickleball and experience the Blazepod reaction light training system....yes, bring your paddle. This seminar will help both the beginner and veteran player improve their game. Registration opens the first Monday of the month prior to each program date.

Back by popular demand, The SCORE returns to "rock" the beach and entertain people of all ages. Playing your favorite hits from the 50's to today, this high-energy group will be sure to have everyone dancing. Concert takes place rain or
shine.

Come and practice the Triathlon race courses. We will have swim, transition, run clinics, and a BLUE course mountain bike ride. Visit our awesome sponsors and learn about what they have to offer. Get your body ready for the season!
This event is FREE! Helmets are required. No registration required.

Come on out and enjoy a nice July evening at beautiful Dunning Lake while competing in some trivia. Gather your friends and come on out for a fun night away from the kids! You provide your own food and drinks while we will provide the atmosphere and a little background music while WhatTrivia will be coming in to provide a great night of trivia.
Prize(s) will be given out to the winners! Don't forget to reserve your spot.

We are pleased to have Wildlife on Wheels joining us to share with us their knowledge of wildlife!
Meet animal ambassadors which may include mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, or arthropods.
You'll learn about the different animal's traits, habitats, and lifestyles up close and personal.

Join us as we come together to care for the beautiful spaces that make Winding Trails such a special place for our community. Our Fall Clean-Up Day is a great opportunity to give back, meet fellow members, and help prepare the park for the colder months ahead.

Tasks may include trail trimming, leaf and debris removal, organizing program areas, special projects, and other maintenance needs that arise throughout the early fall. Projects will be assigned based on group size, weather conditions, and current priorities from our maintenance team.

Registration is required so we can plan projects accordingly.

Come join us to beautify our trails! During this work day, there are multiple tasks that we will be working on. Some of you will be cleaning up our education corridor doing raking, trimming, and installing new signs. We will also be installing a poetry walk on the Ironwood Trail! Local poet and artist, Leslie Mathews, has generously granted us permission to create a poetry walk with some of her original work. We will work from 9-11 and then we will enjoy the opening of the Poetry Walk!

Come enjoy a night of crafting with wood florals! Make a winter or holiday themed wreath for your home. We will supply all the materials and instruction for these projects.

Feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to complete the evening.

Your camper will spend 3 hours a day participating in a variety of outdoor adventure activities from learning team building skills on our low elements, to learning the basics of rock climbing on our 40' climbing tower. Your camper is sure to leave with lasting memories as well as the opportunity to overcome personal fears and develop new self-confidence and trust. This program can be paired with Afternoon Explorers for a full day of fun!