Looking for something fun and educational for your child to do during the winter school break? Get them off their phones and sign them up for Great Hollow’s  winter day camp program! Our program offers children ages 5 to 9 the opportunity to forge lasting connections with the natural world on our 825-acre preserve in New Fairfield. Days will be spent outdoors (with plenty of breaks inside to warm up) exploring Great Hollow’s creeks, forests, meadows, and trails, learning about the critters that make this special place their home. Each full-day session includes science-based environmental education activities, games, hikes, animal encounters, and time for self-directed nature play.

Join us for one day, two days, or the entire week! Members: $45/day for one day or $40/day for multiple days. Non-Members: $50/day for one day or $45/day for multiple days. Drop-off is at 8:30am and pick-up is at 3:30pm. Please contact our Camp Director, Sena, at  or (203) 546-7789 with any questions or to register your child.

 Schedule:

Tuesday, 12/26: Biomimicry—Nature Got There First!

What do airplanes, Velcro®, and wind turbines all have in common? They are three of the many human inventions that were inspired by nature. Through hands-on activities we’ll learn about biomimicry—an innovative method of problem solving that looks to the natural world for solutions to human challenges—and use that knowledge to inspire inventions of our very own.

Wednesday, 12/28: Wild Winter

Join us as we explore the many adaptations that animals have for surviving the winter months. Through games, hand-on activities, and hikes in the woods, we will discover how interesting nature in winter can be.

Thursday, 12/29: Winter Survival Challenge!

Could you survive being lost in the wintertime woods? Join us for the day to see if you have what it takes to make your own fire and shelter, read a map, and travel off-trail. Through hands-on activities and cooperative challenges, we’ll practice the art of staying found while learning the necessary steps to take in actual survival situations.

Friday, 12/29: Reasons for the Seasons

What causes winter and the other seasons? Where does snow come from and how is it formed? How can snow keep animals (including you!) warm? We’ll spend the day learning the answers to these questions and more through games, hands-on activities and hikes in the woods.