No Child Left Inside�
 
January, 2015


A Newletter from the Connecticut Department
of Energy & Environmental Protection 
 Volume 22 

ice auger
marshmallow roast
boy with fish






 

 
















 

 
No Child Left Inside� 
Celebrates its 10th Year in 2015

Happy 10th Anniversary! Don't forget to mark your calendars for the 2015 Great Park Pursuit: CT State Parks Family Adventure, May 9 - June 20, 2015.

We would love to see some photos of your children when they first joined our NCLI� family. If you would like to share them, or any stories you have, post them on Facebook . Don't forget to tell us what year you joined the Great Park Pursuit and how many years you have participated. 
Winter Festival

Grab your warm weather gear, bundle up your children and join us for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) No Child Left Inside� ninth annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park, 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington. A full range of fun, outdoor winter activities for the entire family will be happening on Saturday, February 7, 2015, 10 AM to 3 PM.

"Whether your favorite winter sport is toasting marshmallows over an outdoor bonfire or meeting the challenge of ice fishing and actually reeling in a fish, DEEP's annual Winter Festival is the place to be for wintertime fun, exercise, and a social experience with families from all over the state," said Commissioner Robert Klee. "Year after year families look forward to this Festival where they can spend the day outdoors, bonding with each other and participating in good old-fashioned fun."

The Festival is FREE and there is no registration required. Everyone is welcome to attend. Come out and enjoy a day full of outdoor adventure. Activities will include ice fishing, fish fry, ice sculpting, wildlife tracks, ice safety rescue demonstrations by the Torrington Fire Department, visits from Resources in Search and Rescue, the Connecticut Horse Patrol, winter games, a marshmallow roast and bonfire.

Ice fishing equipment and instruction will be provided by DEEP's Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) instructors. Dress for the cold weather and bring your skates.
The 2015 Sky's the Limit

We have selected 14 peaks in Connecticut's State Parks & Forests for our Sky's the Limit Hiking Challenge. You must complete 10 hikes to win a hiking staff medallion. If you complete all 14 hikes, you will be entered in a drawing to win a hiking staff. Visit No Child Left Inside for more information. Hope to see you on the trails!
Nature Centers at State Parks & Forests 
Open During the Winter

Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill
All State Parks and Forests continue to be open throughout the year.


FeaturedEvent

Featured Events 

Bird Program by Horizon Wings 
 
Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill
Sunday, February 15, 2015
1 PM
This live bird program includes 4 birds and an eagle. Tickets are available with admission at 9:00 AM on the day of the program. Admission is $6.00 for ages 13 and up, $2.00 for ages 6-12 and 5 and under is free. Space is limited to 100 visitors. 
For more information: Contact Margaret Enkler (860) 529-5816 or margaret.enkler@ct.gov  
Snowshoeing
James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, Hampton
Monday, February 16, 2015 
12 PM - 2 PM 
Join Master Naturalist participant Ed Alibozek to experience the wonders of winter in a different way! Both beginners and experienced snowshoers welcome!

For more information:  Emma Lorusso (860) 455-9534 or

Bluebirds Program
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, Burlington
Saturday, February 28, 2015
1:30 PM
Join Master Wildlife Conservationist Fred Lowman for an informative discussion on bluebirds, one of Connecticut's favorite songbirds.
For more information:  Laura Rogers-Castro (860) 675-8130 or laura.rogers-castro@ct.gov 
 
No Child Left Inside� is an initiative of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.