Capturing A Garden - Photography Workshop
2017-04-30 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Halifax) | Cranberry Mountain WMA, Patterson, NY, 12563, United States
The Great Hollow Photographers Club is pleased to announce a workshop for all those who love the beauty of a garden and want to learn more about nature photography. Come hear photographer, Linda T. Hubbard’s tips for using a camera to capture those special moments of nature’s beauty. She will be talking about “Ten Things to Think about When Photographing a Garden.” All ages and all skill levels are welcome. Bring your camera and enthusiasm! Suggested donation of $5 per person.
Linda T Hubbard is a well known photographer, gallery owner and art activist from the Hudson Valley who recently moved to Sherman. For more information about Linda, visit her website http://www.LindaTHubbard.com.

Mother's Day Birding Walk
2017-05-14 07:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Join us this Mother’s Day, when local birding expert Angela Dimmitt will lead a walk to look for colorful spring migrants that are currently undertaking their journey from their Central and South American wintering grounds to their northern breeding grounds. Ms. Dimmitt will show us where to look and how to identify the more than 50 migratory bird species that can occur at Great Hollow this time of year. Bring binoculars if you have them. We’ll meet in front of the Merritt House, by the trail head to the Red Trail.

Family Night Hike
2017-05-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
By popular demand, we are pleased to offer another Family Night Hike at Great Hollow on Saturday, May 20th. We will start off the evening by engaging in games and activities for kids that demonstrate the amazing adaptions of nocturnal and crepuscular animals. Once the sun sets we’ll hit the trails and discover the different world that comes to life at night. Feel free to bring a flashlight or headlamp. If your light doesn’t have a red setting, you will be provided with red cellophane to put over it so that our vision won’t be hindered. Recommended for ages 4 and up. No strollers or dogs, please. As with most of our programs, a suggested donation of $5 per person is greatly appreciated. Please register by contacting Sena, our Education Coordinator, at sena@greathollow.org.

World Turtle Day®
2017-05-27 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Celebrate World Turtle Day® at Great Hollow with a fun afternoon learning about turtles and tortoises from around the world! Come see live 200 pound African tortoises as well as several species of native turtles from Connecticut. Three turtle experts will be giving presentations on topics such as turtle conservation, rehabilitation, and natural history of native species that live in our area. Saturday, May 27th from 1-4 pm (rain date June 3).

National Trails Day, Hike the Hollow
2017-06-03 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Visit Great Hollow for our second annual “Hike the Hollow” event in celebration of National Trails Day®. Come take a naturalist-guided tour through Great Hollow Nature Preserve and the neighboring Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area. The hike might be challenging in spots and include uphill and downhill terrain, so please wear proper footwear, and bring a snack and plenty of water. We’ll meet at the Great Hollow parking area and then carpool to the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area. Please register by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Eco-Discovery Camp
2017-06-26 08:30 - 2017-08-25 15:30 (America/New_York)
Sign your child up for summer fun at Great Hollow before space is gone! Our new day camp program offers children ages 4-12 the opportunity to forge lasting connections with the natural world on our 825-acre preserve in New Fairfield. Your child will spend the day outdoors, 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, and daily time for self-directed nature play. Please visit our Summer Camp page for more information.

Hollow Fest 2017: Live Music, Kid's Activities, and More **Will be held today, rain or shine**
2017-07-01 14:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
**Hollow Fest will be held today, rain or shine. Cross your fingers for nice weather!**
Come out to Great Hollow on Saturday, July 1st for our first annual Hollow Fest extravaganza! There will be fun and entertainment for the whole family, including live music, a variety of activities for kids, live animal demonstrations, and raffles. There will be naturalist-guided hikes, a fly fishing demonstration, a scavenger hunt, craft-making opportunities, and much much more. The Connecticut Wood Carver’s Association will be here, helping children carve their very own walking sticks, and a local bee expert will be here to demonstrate the art of beekeeping. Our local land trusts will be on hand informing visitors about lesser known places to hike in the surrounding area and discussing the pivotal role that land trusts play in protecting our natural resources. We will be raffling off a free week of Great Hollow summer camp, outdoor yoga lessons, a naturalist-guided canoe trip through the Great Swamp, and more. Enjoy all of this over some burgers and hotdogs while listening to live music by Sherman’s very own Don Lowe and Putnam Lake’s finest, Mike Latini. Feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and picnic on our Great Lawn. No dogs, please. Tickets are available below for a suggested donation of $12 per person over the age of 12 (no tickets required for children ages 12 and under). Only a limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event, so be sure to get yours in advance.
Click here for a schedule of activities

Astronomy Night
2017-09-09 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York)
Join us on September 9th for an astronomy event that will be out of this world! The Litchfield Hills Amateur Astonomy Club will be here to teach us “how the sky works” and then take us out for some stargazing with their high-power telescopes. Ever look at the sky and wonder why the stars rise in the East and set in the West? For that matter, why does the Sun rise in the East? Why not the North or the West? And why does a particular star rise 4 minutes later each day? We’ll answer these questions and many more. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required – just curiosity! Please bring binoculars and a red flashlight, if you have them. As with most of our community events, a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated.

George Cain 9/11 Memorial Hike
2017-09-10 09:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
On Sunday September 10th, Great Hollow Nature Preserve and the Putnam County Parks & Recreation Commission will be leading a special joint hike in remembrance of FDNY firefighter, George Cain, who lost his life in the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Cain, a Patterson NY resident and outdoor enthusiast, was often found hiking, skiing and bicycling throughout the Putnam County park that borders Great Hollow. After 9/11, the Putnam County Parks & Recreation Commission commemorated him with a trailhead and outdoor monument in recognition of his heroism. We will meet at the Great Hollow parking lot at 9am and then carpool up to the George Cain Memorial trailhead on Quaker Hill. The hike will take about 2.5 hours and is moderately difficult in some sections. To register, please contact John at jfoley@greathollow.org.
Photo by Michael Duffy

Guided Hike for Celebrate New Fairfield Day
2017-09-16 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Great Hollow will be participating in the 5th annual Celebrate New Fairfield Day by leading a family-friendly hike through our 825 acre preserve – the second largest natural area in town. Come on out for what will hopefully be a beautiful Fall day, and don’t forget to also check out all of the other activities that will be going on to promote New Fairfield’s great organizations and businesses. We’ll meet in the Great Hollow parking area and then head up the Red Trail. The hike will be moderately easy and suitable for you.

Travel Photography Workshop
2017-09-17 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
The Great Hollow Photographers Club is pleased to host veteran travel photographer, Neil Zobler, who will give a presentation featuring his outstanding “Cuba” portfolio as an example of how to create successful and meaningful travel photography. Neil will discuss the best steps to plan and produce your own photo trip, including tips on cameras and lenses, and how to maximize your current equipment. Whether you are a novice or a pro, you’ll enjoy Neil’s brilliant photos and recommendations.

Monday Homeschool Program
2017-09-18 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Great Hollow offers popular drop-off programs intended just for homeschoolers, ages 7-12. Join us for a single day, a season, or the whole school year! Students spend their days at Great Hollow exploring the natural world through science-based environmental education activities, games, hikes, and self-directed play. Each season is structured around a set of related themes that will be the jumping off point for our daily adventures, with plenty of opportunities for students to pursue their individual interests.
Fall dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2. 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18. Winter dates: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19. Spring dates: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18. Drop-off is 10 am and pick-up is 3 pm.
Members: $45/day for one class or $35/day when you sign up for more than one; non-members: $50/day for one class or $40/day when you sign up for more than one. Please email Sena at sena@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Themes

Fall
Winter
Spring

how seasons change
winter adaptations
ecosystems

color loss in leaves
animal tracking
biodiversity

leaf and tree ID
winter tree ID
plant and tree ID

dichotomous keys
the science of snow
wild edibles

nature art
winter survival skills
outdoor survival skills

map skills
map skills
map skills

observation skills
observation skills
observation skills

nature journaling
nature journaling
nature journaling

Naturalist-guided Fall Foliage Hike
2017-10-07 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Great Hollow and FrOGS (Friends of the Great Swamp) are leading a joint hike to explore the northern portions of Great Hollow Nature Preserve and the overlook at the neighboring Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area. Our hike will begin off of Hardscrabble Road and traverse through second-growth forest and Mountain Laurel thickets. We’ll then finish at a scenic overlook that provides beautiful views of Great Hollow and Pootatuck State Forest in their fall foliage. We’ll meet at Great Hollow’s visitor parking area and carpool up to Hardscrabble Road. The hike will last about an hour and will be moderately difficult in some sections. Leashed dogs are permitted. Please register by emailing John Foley.

Haunting at the Hollow
2017-10-13 19:30 - 2017-10-28 23:00 (America/New_York)
Haunting at the Hollow is back! The haunted trail from last year has been replaced with all new, custom-built haunted houses to scare the pants off you! It officially opens Friday the 13th and then runs every Friday and Saturday for the rest of October. Don’t wait to get your tickets for this haunting experience being put on by By Night Productions and the New Fairfield Department of Parks & Recreation. Click here for tickets and more information.

Apple Cider Making & Pumpkin Painting
2017-10-28 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Fall is apple season, and apple season means apple cider! Come down to Great Hollow on Saturday, October 28th to try your hand at making cider with our hand-cranked apple press. You’ll grind the apples, press the mash, and collect a pint of your very own cider to take home with you. To make sure you’re staying warm, we’ll have some freshly made mulled cider on hand. We’ll also have a pumpkin painting station for kids, so there will be plenty to do for the whole family. $5 per person.

Slime Lab!
2017-11-11 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Are your kids crazy about slime? Bring them down to Great Hollow on Saturday, November 11 to ooze into a gooey hour of sliming around and learn all about the chemistry of slime! For this special event, Great Hollow is hosting instructors from Mad Science who will teach students about slime and its basic ingredients in a series of hands-on activities. This Slime Time workshop provides an entertaining lesson on polymers and their properties, and introduces elementary school-age kids to relatively complex chemistry concepts in tactile, visually-engaging experiments. Varied concoctions of slime will be stirred up in scientific style, and we will finish by testing the properties of slime in team-spirited fashion at the Slime Olympics! $15 per child; $10 per sibling. Most suitable for children ages 6 to 11. Please email us in advance to register.

Nature Photography for Beginners
2017-11-12 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Join three of Great Hollow’s favorite photographers for a fun workshop presentation, starting with the basics of photography (John Charles), and then the application of those basics to landscape photography (Linda Hubbard) and wildlife photography (John Foley). Bring your own camera (and manual!) and feel free to ask questions and request advice from anyone in the room. For all ages and levels of photo experience.

Map and Compass Basics for Kids
2017-11-12 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Bring your junior explorers down to Great Hollow on Sunday, November 12th to learn the basics of map and compass use. We’ll spend the first portion of the program learning how to work the compass and how to use it with a map. We’ll then put our skills to the test by following a treasure map and collecting clues to solve a riddle that will lead us to a prize. This is a drop-off program and space is limited. Suitable for children ages 7 to 12. Please email us in advance to register. $5 per child. Compasses provided or you may bring your own.

Handmade for the Holidays **Registration Full**
2017-12-09 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
**Note: registration is currently full**
Join us on Saturday, December 9th for our first annual Handmade for the Holidays event! Children will be provided with supplies and instruction to make nature-themed holiday gifts for their family and friends. There will be a variety of age-appropriate projects for children to choose from, and each child will leave the event with 2-3 wrapped gifts of their own creation. Hot chocolate and tea will be provided.
This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 5 to 12. Registration is $10 per child. Please contact our Education Coordinator, Sena at (203) 546-7789 or sena@greathollow.org with any questions or to register your child. Space is limited.

DEEP Presentation of the CT Bird Atlas Project
2017-12-12 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Come to Great Hollow on Tuesday, December 12th to hear a presentation about the exciting and long-awaited Connecticut Bird Atlas Project. The Connecticut Bird Atlas is being led by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the University of Connecticut, and aims to (1) better understand breeding bird distribution and abundance in the state, (2) document changes in bird species distributions since the last atlas that was conducted in the 1980’s, (3) understand the distribution of overwintering birds in the state, (4) identify important stopover habitats for migrants, and (5) establish predictive relationships about where species occur on the landscape. The results of this statewide, 5-year initiative will be publicly available on an interactive website and of myriad uses to government agencies, conservation organizations, environmental consultants, and other stakeholders throughout Connecticut who are involved in the conservation of our natural resources. Its success will depend on the volunteer support of the birding community, so if you are a birder and are interested in getting involved, please come to the presentation to hear about how you can help out. The presentation will be given by Dr. Min Huang of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Dr. Huang has been a wildlife biologist for the Department for the past 16 years and heads the agency’s Migratory Bird Program. He is also an adjunct research scientist at the University of Connecticut.

School Break Adventure Program
2017-12-26 08:30 - 2017-12-29 15:30 (America/New_York)
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 sena@greathollow.org 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.

Winter Hike
2018-01-21 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Come enjoy the beauty and serenity of Great Hollow in winter by taking a guided hike with naturalist, John Foley. We’ll explore scenic areas of the preserve, and if snow is still present, search for animal tracks. You’ll learn how to identify the tracks and interpret the animal’s behavior at the time they were left. Please dress warmly and wear proper footwear. We’ll meet in the visitor’s parking area by the main entrance. $5 per person for non-members; members free. Please email John Foley at jfoley@greathollow.org to sign up.

Winter Tree ID Workshop
2018-01-27 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Identifying trees by their leaves can be easy, but how do you tell one species from another during the 6 months that trees in Connecticut have no leaves? Come down to Great Hollow on Saturday, January 27th where naturalist, John Foley, will teach some basic skills for identifying trees during the winter by looking at subtle details in their bark and branch structure. There will also be a discussion of the many emerging diseases that trees in our region now face. We will be hiking some of Great Hollow’s trails, so please wear appropriate footwear and dress warmly. Meet in the visitor’s parking area by the main entrance. $5 per person for non-members; members free. Please sign up in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Make Your Own Bird Roosting Shelter
2018-02-03 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Calling all kids who want to help their backyard birds stay warm this winter! Join us on Saturday, February 3rd to weave your very own bird roosting pockets and learn all about the winter adaptations of local birds. These mini-houses will provide your feathered friends with shelter from storms, snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures. Open to children ages 5 to 12 (children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult; older children may be dropped off). $10 per child and $5 per sibling; members free. Please email Sena at sena@greathollow.org to register.

Trail Camera Workshop
2018-02-11 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
From wildlife research and hunting to basic security, motion-activated cameras have become increasingly common, inexpensive, and high quality in recent years. They are an especially valuable tool for surveying and studying the behavior of elusive and nocturnal wildlife species that are otherwise so difficult to observe. For homeowners, they are a fun way to find out what wildlife roams your property and see what pesky critter keeps knocking over your garbage cans! In our workshop at Great Hollow on Sunday February 11th, we’ll go over all there is to know about the many types of cameras on the market and how to use them. The workshop will be held in the Lecture Room in the Merritt House; follow signs to the office from the visitor’s parking area. Free for members and non-members.

Winter in the Woods
2018-02-24 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Great Hollow and the Friends of the Great Swamp (FRoGS) are co-leading a guided winter hike through Great Hollow Nature Preserve and the neighboring Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area. Join us for a fun and educational hike to learn about local flora and fauna that can be observed in winter. The hike will be moderately difficult. Please wear appropriate foot gear, as parts may be slippery. We will meet at the Great Hollow Nature Preserve visitor’s parking area at 10am. Registration in advance is preferred. Please email John at jfoley@greathollow.org to sign up.

Kid's Nature Night - Worm Moon Gazing
2018-03-03 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
**Registration for this event is now full. Please keep an eye on our calendar for similar events in the near future.**
Parents, take the evening off while your kids have a fun-filled time with other kids at Great Hollow! Did you know that each full moon has a name? This one is called the “Worm Moon” and we’ll spend the evening learning why. We’ll start things off by cooking dinner over a campfire, and then go on a moon-lit hike, climb our observation tower to identify some basic constellations and get even better looks at the moon, learn about earthworms through a variety of games and activities, and get a visit from one of our resident animals that loves to eat worms! We’ll even imitate our earthworm friends by making and eating some “dirt” for dessert!
This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 5-12. We will be outside at least half of the evening, so please dress your child(ren) accordingly. Dinner options include hotdogs or veggie dogs with all the fixings, and juice. We’ll make our “dirt” dessert out of chocolate pudding, chocolate sandwich cookies, whipped topping, and gummy worms. Please feel free to send your child with an alternate dinner and/or dessert from home if you would prefer.
$20 per child for non-members, $15 per child for members. Please email our Education Coordinator, Sena at sena@greathollow.org with questions or to register.

Weaving & Wine
2018-03-10 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
**Registration for this event is now full. Please keep an eye on our calendar for similar events in the very near future.**
Adults, join us for a relaxing evening of good conversation and wine while you learn to weave bird feeders and shelters! There will be 10 different feeder and shelter projects to choose from, and as the techniques we’ll use are surprisingly simple to learn, no prior weaving experience is necessary.
$20 per person for non-members; $15 per person for members. Includes up to two glasses of wine, light refreshments, and weaving supplies. Please contact Sena at sena@greathollow.org with any questions or to register.

St. Paddy's Day Hike - A Search for Green!
2018-03-17 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Wear green and join our naturalist, John Foley, for a special St. Patrick’s Day, almost spring hike! We’ll explore the fields and forests of Great Hollow in search of green (tree buds and sprouting plants, of course), while learning some helpful tips on plant identification and keeping our eyes and ears open for any early spring migrant birds. We’ll meet in the visitor’s parking area by the main entrance. $5 per person for non-members; members free. Please email John at jfoley@greathollow.org to sign up.

Spring Eggstravaganza
2018-03-31 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for a fun morning of learning about the many different animals that lay eggs. We’ll also learn about the special structures that our local species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates make to protect their eggs, and then go on a hunt for some of them on our preserve. We may even find a few eggs filled with special treats just for us! We’ll end the morning with visits from Great Hollow’s resident egg-laying animals.
$10/child for non-members; $5/child for members. Open to children ages 5-12 (children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult during the program). To register or find out more, please email our Education Coordinator, Sena, at sena@greathollow.org.
