Under the 'Hunter's' Moon Family Night Hike

Join us for a guided evening hike under the full moon.  This month's moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Hunters Moon because at this time of year the leaves are falling and the game is fattening up for winter.

Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. 

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four;
        Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four
Pre-registration required.

HOBGOBLIN FAIR

What "critters" will appear on our trails this Halloween? Join us for our annual Hobgoblin Fair held the Saturday before Halloween. The Fair, hosted by The Friends of Roaring Brook Nature Center, features the 'Track & Treat' walk, children's crafts, cupcake decorating, face painting, a Country Kitchen of yummy homemade items, and a delicious lunch of homemade soup, bread and apple cider.

Children are encouraged to wear costumes IF suitable for walking in the woods and participating in the craft activities. Parents should plan to stay with their children. Please note that there are no refunds and participants should attend the session for which they register.

Cost: $8.00 children; $4 adults Fee includes our featured 'Track & Treat' walk, all crafts, and face painting. Other activities available for an additional charge.

Suitable for children ages 3 - 8.

To learn more, click here.

Pre-registration with payment is required.
CHECK or CASH only please.

Register in by phone, in person, or by mail

Click here for a registration form

Please specify am or pm session.

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Native American Month Scavenger Hunt

Nevember is Native American month.  Visit our longhouse and learn about how the local native people lived.  Walk our trails to go on a Native Americans scavenger hunt.   

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to pre-register.

A Parliament of Owls

This election day, drop in between 10 am and 4 pm and have a hoot!
Vote for your favorite owl, watch an owl documentary, make an owl craft,
go on an owl scavenger hunt, dissect an owl pellet, and more. Learn about our resident owls and visit them in their new homes at the Nature Center.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to pre-register.

Lost in the Woods

Map, compass, or GPS? Which would be most helpful if you lost your way in the woods? Learn how to use a map and compass together and how to use GPS coordinates. For eight years old and up.

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four;
        Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four.

Pre-registration required.

Holiday Craft Fair

The Friends of Roaring Brook Nature Center will hold their annual Holiday Gift and Craft Fair on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Start your holiday shopping with nature-related gifts for all ages. Handmade crafts include felted ornaments, pottery, jewelry, soaps and many other items made by local artisans.

The proceeds from the Fair benefit the Nature Center’s programs and activities.

There is no charge to visit the Nature Center / Fair on this date.

Nature Center closed Thanksgiving Day November 22
Trails open dawn to dusk

 

Under the ‘Beaver’ Moon Family Night Hike

Join us for a guided evening hike under the full moon.  This moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Beaver Moon because this was the time of year that they trapped beavers before the swamps and rivers froze.

Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. 

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four; Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four

Pre-registration required.

Friday, November 23
anytime 10 am — 4 pm
Live turkey visit & program - 11 am

Saturday, November 24
anytime 10 am — 4 pm

Sunday, November 25
anytime 1 pm — 4 pm

Turkey Daze! Scavenger Hunt

How well do you really know Meleagris gallopavo, the wild turkey from which the domesticated version at your Thanksgiving dinner was derived? What is a turkey’s snood? What is a Jake? Do turkeys have beards? Join us for a turkey scavenger hunt, crafts, and quiz and more.

“Niblet” the wild turkey (an educational ambassador – program animal) from Christine's Critters, will be visiting the Nature Center on Friday, November 23 for a live program about turkeys.   

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to pre-register.

Home for the Holidays Scavenger Hunt

Hike our trails in December and learn which animals have chosen to spend the upcoming holidays in Werner’s Woods.

Free with admission to the Nature Center.

Sven & Friends: My, What Large Antlers You Have!

Join us on a cozy winter afternoon and learn why Sven, the reindeer from Frozen, has such big antlers.

Examine real animal antlers and create your own pair.

Enjoy a story or two including Imogen’s Antlers by David Small.

Free with admission to the Nature Center.
Pre-registration required.

Winter is Coming!
Winter Solstice Full Moon Family Night Hike

Bundle up and join us for a guided woodland hike under the almost full moon to celebrate the Winter Solstice. This month’s moon is known by early Native American tribes as the Full Cold Moon because this is the time of year when the cold winter air settles in and the nights become long and dark.

Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. 

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four;
        Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four
Pre-registration required

Nature Center closed Christmas Day
Trails open dawn to dusk

 

Thursday - Friday
December 27 - 28
9 am - 3:30 pm

Explorations…in Winter
Roaring Brook Nature Center Vacation Program
for students Grade 5 and up

Students who have enjoyed our summer "Explorations" programs will enjoy visiting some of these same localities during the winter season.

We'll look for bald eagles along the Connecticut River, explore the winter beach, look for seals at Hammonasset Beach State Park, and see what Simsbury's Great Pond looks like in winter.

2-Day Class Cost: $135 members, $150 nonmembers.

Pre-registration with payment required
Click here to sign up online

Winter Family Wildlife Trivia & Pizza Night

Spend a cozy winter evening at the Nature Center and test your nature trivia knowledge. Pizza slices & sodas and available for purchase. BYOB.  Stay afterwards for s'mores by the fire (weather permitting).

Pre-registration: $5 per person / $15 for family of four

At door: $7 per person / $20 for family of four

Call the Nature Center to register or click here to sign up online

It’s a Marshmallow World in the Winter

Make six-sided snowflakes and other crafts, learn how animals survive winter cold, snow and ice, and hike the trails around the Nature Center to find frozen treasures.
Go outside on a ‘Frozen’ scavenger hunt. Hot chocolate and marshmallows provided.

Free with admission to the Nature Center.

Saturday
December 29
1 – 4 pm
Storytime at 1:30 pm

Frozen Tea Party with Anna & Elsa

Dress in you 'Frozen" attire and join ‘Anna & Elsa’” for a tea party and story on Saturday at 1:30 pm. Make six-sided snowflakes and other crafts, learn how animals survive winter cold, snow and ice, and hike the trails around the Nature Center to find frozen treasures. Go outside on a ‘Frozen’ scavenger hunt.

Cost: $6 per person. Pre-registration required.

Call the Nature Center to register or click here to sign up online

Nature Center closed New Year’s Day
Trails open dawn to dusk

 

Saturday
January 5
2 — 4 pm

Family Winter Survival

What do you do if you get lost in the woods in winter? Learn what basic supplies you may need to survive a night outdoors. Includes shelter construction and fire building.

Dress for winter weather. Not geared for children under 9.

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four;
        Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four.

Pre-registration required.

 

Cabin Fever PJ Party!

Songs, music, and puppets  - More information to follow!

For families with young children.

Friday, January 18
anytime noon — 4 pm
Story time at 2 pm

Monday, January 21
anytime 10 am — 4 pm
Storytime at 11 am & 2 pm

Stories in the Snow

Looking for some fun winter activities? Visit the Nature Center and take a hike through the woods. Weather permitting, look for tracks or other signs of animals who spend the winter in Werner’s Woods. Listen to stories about winter animals.  Make a winter animal craft.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to preregister.

 

Under the ‘Wolf‘ Moon Family Night Hike
FULL MOON - SUPER MOON

Bundle up and join us for a guided evening hike under the full moon. This month’s moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Wolf Moon In Native American and early Colonial times, the Full Moon for January was called the Full Wolf Moon. It appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. We won’t hear any wolves but we may hear owls and other creatures of the night.

This is also the first of three supermoons for 2019. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.

Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. 

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four;
         Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four
Pre-registration required..

Groundhog Day Hike

Will the Groundhog see his shadow and what does it really mean? Take a guided walk through the forest to uncover the mysteries of wildlife habits in mid-winter. Take our groundhog day quiz and make a groundhog craft. Watch a program on groundhogs. Make your predictions on when spring will really arrive and win small gift certificate to our store.

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four;
        Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four

Pre-registration required.

Superb Owl Sunday

Before the Big Game this weekend, join us at the Nature Center to celebrate Superb Owl Sunday. Learn about our magnificent native owls and preview their new enclosures. Take part in our animal sports mascots scavenger hunt and discover which mascot would be the best for your dream team. Owl related crafts and games.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to preregister.

It’s Snow Wonder
Vacation Program for Grades K - 5

Fun with snow and ice, animal tracking and, depending upon weather conditions, maple sugaring will be part of this two-day vacation program.

Daily Rate: $35 members, $40 nonmembers

Pre-registration with payment required

Click here to sign up online

 

Tuesday
February 19
7 pm — 8:15 pm

Under the Full ‘Snow’ SUPER Moon
Family Night Hike

Dress warmly and join us for a guided walk under a full moon. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Snow Moon because the heaviest snows usually fell during this time of the year. Since hunting is difficult, this moon has also been known by some tribes as the Full Hunger Moon, since the harsh weather made hunting difficult.

This is also the second of three supermoons for 2019. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.

Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. 

Cost: Members - $5 each / $15 family of four;
        Nonmembers - $7 each / $20 family of four

Pre-registration required.

Sunday
February 24
2 – 3 pm

Winter Tree ID Scavenger Hunt

If you look closely, winter trees aren’t bare at all. Their buds, twigs, bark, and general shape give plenty of clues as to their identity. Join us for a late winter hike to learn who’s who in our woods.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to preregister.

Sunday, March 10
2 — 3 pm

Sunday, March 17
2 — 3 pm    SNOW DATE

Maple Sugaring in Your Own Backyard

Our annual demonstration teaches you how to make maple syrup the easy way. We’ll cover the entire process from identifying the tree to the best part – tasting the final product.

Cost: $5 members; $7 nonmembers. Pre-registration is not required.

 

The Wonderful, Wacky Wood Frog

The wood frogs are waking up from their long winter’s frozen nap. Join us as we celebrate these remarkable creatures. Listen to stories about frogs and salamanders. Take a hike to our vernal pool to listen to their spring ‘quacking’ and make wood frog crafts.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to preregister.

Thursday
March 21
7:00 pm — 8:15 pm

Under the Full ‘Sap’ SUPER Moon
First Day of Spring Family Night Hike

Join us for a guided walk under a full moon. This moon was known to Native Americans as the Full ‘Sap’ Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.

This is also the last of three supermoons for 2019. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.

Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. 

Cost: $5 members; $7 nonmembers. Pre-registration required.

Spring Family Wildlife Trivia & Pizza Night

Celebrate Spring at the Nature Center and test your nature trivia knowledge. Pizza slices & sodas available for purchase. BYOB.

Pre-registration: $5 per person / $15 for family of four
At door: $7 per person / $20 for family of four

Call the Nature Center to register or click here to sign up online

Friday
March 29
7:30 pm — 9:00 pm

March Madness Owl Prowl

Listen and look for barred owls and other nocturnal creatures along our trails. Not geared for very young children.

Cost: $5 members; $10 nonmembers
Pre-registration required - space is limited

Vernal Pool Walk / Amphibians Program

Join us for a program on the amphibians that inhabit vernal pools followed by a walk to local wetlands to view nocturnal wildlife. Not geared for very young children.

Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. 

Cost: $5 members; $10 nonmembers
Pre-registration required - space is limited

Spring Fever!
Vacation Program for Grades K - 5

How do animals know that spring has arrived? Join us for a week of morning fun & exploration in forest, field and pond. Spend vacation mornings looking for wildlife at Roaring Brook Nature Center

Daily Rate: $35 members, $40 nonmembers
Full Week: $165 members, $190 nonmembers
Pre-registration with payment is required

Call the Nature Center to register or click here to sign up online.

 

Welcome Back Birds!
April Scavenger Hunt

Many birds have been spending the winter in warmer places. Where did they go? Why are they returning? Which birds are the first to arrive and who can we expect later? Join us for an outdoor scavenger hunt and crafts. Learn what you can do to welcome our birds back.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to pre-register.

Spring is for Babies

Spring is in the air and it’s time for babies! Join us Wednesday to Saturday afternoons for games and crafts that are all about wild babies, their habitats, families, and diet.

Bring in a baby shower gift donation from our Amazon wishlist
or a monetary donation to enter for a chance to attend
a rehabbed animal release


Drawing is on Sunday at 3:45pm at the April Animal Baby Shower.

Sunday
April 14
anytime 1 — 4 pm

April Animal Baby Shower

Join us on Sunday for a baby shower to benefit the orphaned wildlife that come to the Roaring Brook Nature Center for rehabilitation.

Enjoy an animal demonstration with “Roger” the baby box turtle, hear a 30- minute presentation at 2 pm about what to do when you encounter wildlife babies, and play games inspired by our wild friends!

Bring in a baby shower gift donation from our Amazon wishlist
or a monetary donation to enter for a chance to attend
a rehabbed animal release

Drawing is on Sunday at 3:45 pm at the April Animal Baby Shower.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to pre-register.  

 

Eggs, Eggs, Eggs! Spring Scavenger Hunt

Spring is the season of eggs – bird eggs, frog eggs, turtle eggs, fish eggs! Learn about the animals that laid them and the nests they have built to hold them. Find the hidden “nests” around the Nature Center, then head out on the trails on a scavenger hunt to see where eggs will be laid this spring.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to preregister.

Flatbread Pizza Night Fundraiser
for the Nature Center

Bring your friends, bring your family for dinner at Flatbread’s at The Shoppes at the Farmington Valley.

A percentage of the pizza sales supports the Nature Center.

Earth Day Talk:
Gardening for Bees & Other Wildlife

Learn what you can do to attract bees, butterflies, frogs and other wildlife in your yard.

Admission free to the Nature Center on Earth Day.  Donations welcome!

 

Weekend Bird Walks

An early morning walk through Werner’s Woods provides welcome sights and sounds for beginning birders as well as those with more experience in the field. Bird walks are not geared for younger children. Bring binoculars and dress for wet ground underfoot.

Cost: $5 members; $7 nonmembers Pre-registration is not required

The Roaring Brook Turtle Derby:
A Run for the Strawberries

Join us for an afternoon of turtle races.  Will the winner be Tobey, the ornate box turtle; Juliette, the box turtle;  Timber, the wood turtle; or Sunshine, the Russian tortoise?  Turtle crafts.

Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to preregister.

MOTHER'S DAY
Sunday
May 12

Talk 1 —2 pm
Walk 2 —2:30 pm

Annual Mother's Day Wildflower Talk & Walk

Connecticut has a myriad of spring wildflowers. Find out why they bloom in the spring, where to find them, how they got their names and what makes these plants so special. Join us for a special lecture from 1 pm to 2 pm and at 2 pm for a guided walk through our native plant gardens looking for wildflowers. Geared for all ages.

Cost: $5 members; $7 nonmembers. Moms admitted free.
Pre-registration required.

Nature Center closed for Memorial Day - May 28
Trails open dawn to dusk

Friday
June 21 (Summer Solstice)
6 – 7:30 pm

Summer Solstice Family Wildlife Trivia & Pizza Night: Under the Full Strawberry Moon

Spend the summer solstice evening at the Nature Center and test your nature trivia knowledge. Pizza slices, sodas, & strawberry shortcake available for purchase. BYOB.

Pre-registration: $5 per person / $15 for family of four
At door: $7 per person / $20 for family of four

Call the Nature Center to register or click here to sign up online

 

Roaring Brook Nature Center's SUMMER 2018 Discovery Programs
offer your child a unique blend of education and recreation
that takes advantage of the curiosity and sense of wonder
that all children feel toward the natural world.  

Click here for our SUMMER DISCOVER DAYS 2018 brochure