Common Ground Programs New Haven

8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven

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communityecologyeducation

www.commongroundct.org

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EDUCATI2010-2011 Program Catalog

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tableof

contents

Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 1

About Common Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Common Ground High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Urban Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Environmental Education Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Fall Public Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

September . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

October/November . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11

Winter Public Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Spring Public Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-19

April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17

June . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8-19

Childrens Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-23

AfterSchool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Weekend. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

February & April Vacation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Summer Camp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Birthday Parties & Special Events . . . . . . . . . . 24

Additional Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

ommon Ground is a c e n t e rf o r e n v i r o n m e n t a l l e a r n i n g a n dl e a d e r s h i p , located at the baseof New Havens West Rock Ridge

State Park. At Common Ground,

a diverse community of children,

young people, and adults cultivate

habits of healthy living and sustainableenvironmental practice.

Common Grounds community includes

children and adults, eager for outdoor

adventures and learning opportunities

provided through our E n v i r o n m e n t a lE d u c a t i o n C e n t e r . It is also home tothe students ofC o m m o n G r o u n dH i g h S c h o o l , moving on

pathways to college success and

environmental leadership. All those

who partake of the harvest from

our U r b a n F a r m are part of thiscommunity, as well. The glue that

bonds our community together is this

unique place, and our common efforts to

grow a more sustainable future.

We hope that you, too, will find Common

Ground this year.

C

AboutCOMMON GROUND

ommon Ground is a place: a unique

20-acre site at the intersection of f a r m ,f o r e s t , a n d c i t y . It is home to gardens andfarm animals, solar panels and camping

platforms, technology-rich classrooms and

forests. It is the classroom for community

environmental programs, the textbook for

Common Ground courses. It is also al a b o r a t o r y f o r u r b a n s u s t a i n a b i l i t y , helpingto test and teach practices from local foodproduction to water conservation.Common Grounds site is also a gateway toW e s t R o c k R i d g e S t a t e P a r k one of thestates largest natural areas, rich in hikingtrails and opportunities to explore nature.

By this fall, visitors will find nearly two dozen

new student-designed i n t e r p r e t i v ee x h i b i t s , all exploring the lessons that canbe learned from this unique place.

Not far from the ,Common Ground offers a chance to step

back from the city and a launching point

for engagement in critical issues at the

intersection of the urban environment and

the natural world. Our place is perhaps our

richest asset, and is the starting point for all

that we do.

Over the next year, look for new additions

to Common Grounds site, guided by a 20-

year master plan, and by the voices of the

Common Ground community A H a r v e s t P a v i l i o n will house an on-sitefarmers market and community events. We will officially launch our C o m m u n i t yK i t c h e n , offering a commercial cooking

facility to local gardeners and entrepreneurs.

We will prepare for construction of a n e ws c h o o l b u i l d i n g, incorporating an array of

student-developed sustainability proposals.

Our Sitefrom theGROUNDUpC


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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

Outdoor Adventures&Deeper Lessons

very year, more than 6 , 0 0 0 c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s joinus at Common Ground. They come to dig in the dirt,harvest local food, go on a hike, learn about sustainable living,buy organically grown vegetable seedlings, ask garden advice,and enjoy the life on the farm. Our a f t e r - s c h o o l p r o g r a m s for grades K-8 build environmental

leadership and understanding through a mix of outdoor adventures, hands-on

science, work on the farm, and opportunities for service.

Through our s c h o o l f i e l d t r i p s , we aim to get every child outside: connectingseveral thousand New Haven elementary students with first-hand experiences

in the farm and forest, all linked to educational standards.

Our G r e e n J o b s C o r p s links more than 30 high school students with acombination of real environmental work opportunities, structured leadershipand career development opportunities, and academic supports. Our s u m m e r c a m p s and v a c a t i o n p r o g r a m s get more than 500 local kidsout into the natural world exploring and playing, learning and growing. C o m m u n i t y p r o g r a m s f o r a d u l t s a n d f a m i l i e s teach about home gardening

and composting, help city residents access the natural world, and build our

capacity for healthy living.

Beyond offering a chance to g e t y o u r h a n d sd i r t y , our programs reveal the d e e p e r m e s s a g e sof the farm and forest. These places have storiesto tell about the e n v i r o n m e n t a l c h a l l e n g e s weface as a people. How will we reduce ourecological footprint in order to preserve thesplendor and sustenance of nature here at homeand across the globe? Practices modeled atCommon Ground offer some suggestions and

solutions. C o m e l e a r n a n d t a k e a c t i o n w i t h u s .

E

h e r e i s m u c ht o d o a n dm u c h t oc e l e b r a t e o n t h ef a r m . Last summersaw abundant food in

the gardens, new pigletsand sheep, a hard-working crew from our

Green Jobs Corps, and more than 400happy summer campers keeping the farmbuzzing with learning, growing, and buildingcommunity. Staff and young people workedside-by-side to bring in the harvest and putfood by for healthy winter meals, aided byvolunteers from the community and internsfrom area colleges.W h y g r o w a f a r m i n t h e c i t y ? The morethan 5 0 0 0 p o u n d s of fresh, healthy,organic produce are certainly the mostvisible and tastiest product. But as weplant, and tend, and harvest, CommonGrounds community reaps much more, aswell. All of our high school students eat

f r e e l u n c h e s from the farm, and studyits seasons and cycles through theirhigh school classes cultivating valuableknowledge healthy living and sustainablefood systems. Much of our harvestalso goes to l o c a l f a r m e r s m a r k e t s ,contributing to local food security. Thissame produce is the inspiration and raw

material for small student- and community-generated b u s i n e s s v e n t u r e s .The results of our harvest keep growing.More than thirty young people learn thechallenges and rewards of hard work inour G r e e n J o b s C o r p s helping tooperate our farm and city farmers markets,and to lead environmental educationprograms and other efforts across thecity. Summer campers learn and play inthe gardens, along with thousands ofcommunity members and children fromNew Haven elementary schools. A s t h eg a r d e n s g r o w , s o d o w e a l l

closer toour food, this land, and our community.

COMMON GROUND HIGH SCHOOL

URBAN FARM:A Rich Harvest

T

This fall, 155 students arrive at Common

Ground High School for another year of growth:

They will study and perform with the actorsof the E l m S h a k e s p e a r e C o m p a n y , andcreate museum exhibits with curators fromthe Y a l e P e a b o d y M u s e u m .They will launch and run s m a l l b u s i n e s se n t e r p r i s e s using produce from our urbanfarm, and help to design a major n e w g r e e nb u i l d i n g on our site.

They will study p r e - c a l c u l u s a n db i o d i v e r s i t y , participate in over t w o d o z e na f t e r - s c h o o l p r o g r a m s , work with c o l l e g em e n t o r s from the University of New Haven,and head out into the community to

participate in c o l l e g e c o u r s e s a n dl e a d e r s h i p o p p o r t u n i t i e s .Through all this and many other

experiences

CommonGround students

will become the

next generation

of successful college students and powerfulenvironmental leaders. In each of the last twoyears, 9 3 % o f o u r g r a d u a t e s w e r ea c c e p t e d t o c o l l e g e . For three yearsrunning, these students have made some ofthe s t a t e s l a r g e s t t e s t s c o r e g a i n s literallydoubling the percentage of students earningproficient scores, surpassing the New Havenaverage in every subject, and beating the

state average in reading. The recipe for their

success? A mix of authentic learning, smallschool support, environmental courses,

leadership opportunities, and consistently high

academic expectations.

Growing Successful Students& Environmental Leaders

2 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 3

For more information aboutCOMMON GROUND

visitwww.commongroundct.org


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CalendarofEvents AprilFamily Hiking Club

2 hikes this month

Childrens ProgramsSpring Sessions Begin!

Open Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00

Apr 2 (Seed Starting & Ask theFarmer), 9 , 1 6 , 3 0 (CompostingBasics: Backyard Bins & Wiggly Worms)Soils & Compost"The Best Soil for the Garden"(NOFA Workshop)

Sat, Apr 2 , 10:00 12:00Growing Food in Small Spaces(NOFA Workshop)

Sat, Apr 9 , 10:00 12:00Farm Volunteer DaySat, Apr 1 6 , 10:00 2:00Vacation Programs for ChildrenApr 1 8 2 2Full Moon Campfire& Night HikeTue , Apr 1 9 , 6:00 8:30 PMEarth Day Family CampingThu, Apr 2 1 Fri, Apr 2 26:00 PM 10:00 AM

Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride& Open Farm DaySat, Apr 2 3

May

Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month

Campfire & Night Hikes6:00 8:30 PM

Fri 6 , Fri 1 3 , Tue 1 7 (Full Moon!)Open Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00May 7 (Meet Baby Chicks), 1 4 , 2 8Family CampingFri, May 1 3 Sat, May 1 46:00 PM 10:00 AM

Seedling Sale & Farm FestivalSat, May 2 1 , 10:00 3:00

June


Campfire & Night Hikes6:00 8:30 PM

Wed, 1 , Wed 1 5 (Full Moon!)Open Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00

Jun 4 (Guided hike to Judges Cave),1 1 , 1 8 (Weed Walk), 2 5 (12:00 3:00)

Summer Camp Open HouseSat, Jun 1 1 , 10:00 2:00Family CampingFri, Jun 1 7 Sat, Jun 1 86:00 PM 10:00 AM

Common Ground's

Summer Camps,Farm Market,&Open Farm Daysrun throughout July and August.

This Spring, check our Web site

for additional details.


September


Childrens ProgramsFall Sessions Begin!


Sep 4 , 1 1 , 1 8 (Bug Walk for kids &families), 2 5 (Harvest Celebration)Campfire & Night HikeTue 1 4 , Thu 2 3 (Full Moon)6:00 8:30 PMFamily CampingFri, Sep 2 4 Sat, Sep 2 56:00 PM 10:00 AM

October


Open Farm Days

Saturdays, 10:00 2:00Oct 2 , 9 , 1 6 (Guided hike to JudgesCave), 2 3 (End of Season GardeningWorkshop), 3 0 (Garden Trick or Treat)Feast from the FieldsSat, Oct 2 , 5:30 PMCampfire & Night HikesTue 5 , Thu 2 1 (Full Moon!)6:00 8:30 PM

Preserving the Harvest(NOFA Workshop)

Sun, Oct 1 0 , 9:00 12:00

Cold Weather Crops(NOFA Workshop)

Sat, Oct 1 6 , 10:00 12:00Family CampingSat, Oct 1 6 Sun, Oct 1 7Fri, Oct 2 2 Sat, Oct 2 36:00 PM 10:00 AM

Farm Volunteer DaySat, Oct 2 3 , 10:00 2:00

November


Campfire & Night HikeMon, Nov 1 , 6:00 8:30 PMOpen Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00

Nov 1 3 , 2 0 , 2 7 (Guided hike toWest Rock Summit)

End of Season

Farm Volunteer DaySat, Nov 6 , 10:00 2:00)

December

Family Hiking Club1 hike this month

Wreath Makingfrom the Farm & ForestSat, Dec 1 1 , 10:00 2:00

January


February


Vacation Programs for ChildrenFebruary 2 1 2 5Planning Your Organic Garden(NOFA Workshop)Sat, Feb 5 , 10:00 - 12:00Starting Seedlings(NOFA Workshop)

Sat, Feb 1 2 , 10:00 - 12:00March


WinterfestSat, Mar 1 9 , 11:00 2:00

Toregisterforprograms

and

receiveup-to-dateinformationonprograms

andevents,pleasecall

203.389.4333ext1213,ORseeourwebsiteat

www

.comm

ongroundct.org

July&August


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6 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011

Sep 18At 11:00 join us for a

Bug Walk and Talk to learn

all about the smallest

creatures on the farm.

Identify good bugs andbad bugs, search for

spiders and worms, and

discover what the insects

you find can tell you about

your garden and your home.

Sep 25 Join us to celebrate the

fruits of our labor at our Harvest

Celebration! Tour the tasting stations in

the garden and enjoy fresh samples of

all the heirloom and hybrid vegetables,

fruits, and herbs we grow on our organic

farm. Take home copies of some of ourfavorite recipes, visit with our family of

friendly farm animals, and take home

some treats from our on-site farm stand.

Family CampingFri, Sep 24 Sat, Sep 25, 6:00 PM 10:00 AM

Camping out at Common

Ground is a great way

to connect with

nature without

leaving the city.

Bring a picnic

dinner, roast

marshmallows over the campfire, andparticipate in an optional guided night

hike through West Rock. On Saturday

morning you and your family can help

feed the farm animals before enjoying a

farm fresh breakfast including eggs from

our chickens and other seasonal foods

from the farm. $85 for a private

cabin that holds up to 10

people, $35 to rent a tent

that holds up to 4 people,

$5 per person ages 4 and

up if you bring your owntent. Pre-Registration

required; register and

pay online or by calling

203-389-4333 ext 1213.

FALL Public Programsat Common Ground

Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month!

Meet new friends and enjoy

the company of fellow families

who value active, outdoor

adventures through our monthly hiking

series! When you join for the year, youwill receive monthly emails with

upcoming guided hikes in West Rock

Park just for members of our Family

Hiking Club. We will explore familiar trails

and favorite places as well as venture to

parts of the park that you have probably

never seen! We will explore all sorts of

trails, including long hikes and plenty that

are friendly to less experienced hikers

and small children. Hikes will be on

weekends and holidays; dates,

destination, and hike length and difficultyto be shared by email 4-6 weeks in

advance. A family membership

is $35 for the year (16 hikes

from Sept-June;

attend as many or as

few as you like).

Member families are

invited to bring

friends for $3 per

person per outing.

Register online or

by calling (203) 389-4333 ext 1213.


Sep 11,18 & 25

(see details for Sep 18 & 25 right)

Fall is a great time to

enjoy locally grown food.

Explore our beautiful

urban, organic farm andimmerse your senses in the colors

and smells of early fall harvest.

See ripening fruits, sample

veggies, taste fresh herbs and talk to

farm staff about growing an urban

organic garden. The animal yards will be

open for visitors of all ages. This is a

free event.

September

Toregisterforprogramsandreceiveup-to-date

informationonprograms



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.comm

ongroundct.org



6/14



October

Open Farm DaysSaturdays, Oct 2, 9, 16,23 & 30

(see details for Oct 16, 23 & 30 below)

10:00 2:00

Immerse your senses in the

sights, smells and sounds of our

beautiful urban, organic farm at the peak

of fall. Taste fresh herbs from the

garden, visit the farm animals or take a

walk through 12 foot tall pole beans!

This is a free event.

Oct 16 Guided hike to Judges Cave:At

12:30, farm staff will lead a hike to historic

Judges Cave, a West Rock landmark that

is perfect for leaf peeping from high above

the city. Hike is moderate in difficulty;

about 25 minutes of mostly uphill ascent,

and about 15 minutes to go back down.

Oct 23 End of Season Gardening

Workshop:At 10:00, join our farm

manager for a talk on putting your garden

to bed for the winter. The key to a

successful garden is how it goes to sleep.

Learn about soil amendments, when to

turn your soil, cover crops, cold frames,

and putting your compost pile to rest for

the winter. We will be indoors and outside

for this workshop.

Oct 30 Garden Trick or Treat: Enjoy a

healthy Halloween treat! Children and their

families are invited to trick-or-treat through

our farm and taste some healthy and

delicious garden grown foods. Our friendly

farm animals will be waiting to greet you,

too. Costumes welcome.

Feast from the FieldsSat, Oct 2,5:30 PM

The best of the fall harvest from Common

Grounds gardens and local farms preparedby New Havens most creative chefs.

Organic wines and local beers. Tastings and

cocktails, followed by a beautiful family-style

dinner. Music and theater. Live and silent

auctions. All outdoors, on Common

Grounds site at the base of West Rock

Ridge State Park. Join us to celebrate

community, sustainability, and the harvest

season and to support Common Grounds

vital mission and programs. Tickets are $50

per person, and sell out quickly; RSVP to

[email protected] or 203.389.4333 x1214.

October/November

Campfire & Night HikeTue, Oct 5;

Thu, Oct 21 (Full Moon!)

6:00 8:30 PM

Experience the sights

and sounds of the night

forest as we stargaze, roast

marshmallows over an open

campfire and take a guided hike in

West Rock. Campfire is appropriate for allages; guided night hike is recommended

for ages 6 and up. Please bring a

flashlight. This is a free event.

Preserving the HarvestSun, Oct 10, 9:00 12:00

Join C T N O F A at Common Ground todiscover the joys of canning, freezing,

pickling and drying of the abundant

harvest. The fruits of our labor will be

donated to a local soup kitchen. Due to

limited kitchen space, this event is forages 18 and up only. This is a free event.R S V P t o C T N O F A r e q u i r e d :w w w . c t n o f a . o r g .


Family Hiking Club2 hikes in October and2 in November!

Meet new friends and enjoy thecompany of fellow families whovalue active, outdoor adventuresthrough our monthly hiking series!

When you join for the year, you will

receive monthly emails with

upcoming guided hikes in West

Rock Park just for members of our

Family Hiking Club. We will explore

familiar trails and favorite places as

well as venture to parts of the park

that you have probably never seen!

We will explore all sorts of trails,

including long hikes and plenty that

are friendly to less experienced

hikers and small children. Hikes will

be on weekends and holidays;

dates, destination, and hike length

and difficulty to be shared by email

4-6 weeks in advance. A family

membership is $35 for the year (16

hikes from Sept-June; attend as

many or as few as you like).

Member families are invited to bring

friends for $3 per person per outing.

Register online or by calling (203)

389-4333 ext 1213.


7/14


Cold Weather CropsSat, Oct 16, 10:00 12:00

Join C T N O F A at Common Ground forthis outdoor, hands on workshop. Adiscussion of continuing the harvestthrough the fall and winter seasons willencourage gardeners to consider coldweather crops. Lists of vegetables to

plant, demonstrations of planting and

suggestions for a healthy harvest will be

available. Information is for home

gardeners, but also helpful for those

working with school gardens. Program feeof $5 per person, registration and details

at www.ctnofa.org.

Family CampingSat, Oct 16 Sun, Oct 17,

Fri, Oct 22 Sat, Oct 23

6:00 PM - 10:00 AM

Camping out at Common Ground is a

great way to connect with nature without

leaving the city. Bring a picnic

dinner, roast marshmallows

over the campfire, and

participate in an optional

guided night hike through

West Rock. In the morning you and your

family can help feed the farm animals

before enjoying a farm fresh breakfast

including eggs from our chickens and

other seasonal foods from the farm. $85

for a private cabin that holds up to 10

people, $35 to rent a tent that holds up to

4 people, $5 per person ages 4 and up if

you bring your own tent. Pre-Registrationrequired; register and pay online or by

calling 203-389-4333 ext 1213.

Farm Volunteer DaySat, Oct 23, 10:00 2:00

Experience our beautiful urban, organic

farm ablaze in fall color while helping us

get our farm ready for winter. Projects are

intended for adults; children ages 12 and

up may participate with a parent. The

farm is also open for non-volunteers to

explore and enjoy.

October/November cont.

November

Campfire & Night HikeMon, Nov 1, 6:00 8:30 PM

Enjoy a crisp November

evening roasting marsh-

mallows and gazing at the

night sky. We will take a guided night

hike into West Rock so dont forget your

flashlight! Campfire is appropriate for all

ages; guided night hike is recommended

for ages 6 and up. This is a free event.

Open Farm DaySaturdays, 10:00 2:00

Nov 6, 13,20 & 27

(see details for Nov 27 below)

Visit the farm as harvest is

winding down and farmers are preparing

for winter. Spend time in the animal yard

and seek out those last perennial herbsand hardy greens from the organic

gardens. Spend time in the quiet

of the late fall gardens, visit the

animals in their yards, or take a

self-guided hike into West

Rock. Farmers will be available

to answer questions about fall

plantings and preparing gardens

for winter. Trail maps are also

available. This is a free event.

Nov 27 Guided Hike:At 12:30, farm staff

will lead a hike to the Summit of West RockPark which offers a stunning view of New

Haven and Long Island Sound. Hike is

moderate difficulty, about 30 minutes of

mostly uphill ascent (steep in some parts),


End of SeasonFarm Volunteer Crew

Sat, Nov 6, 10:00 2:00

Volunteers are invited to

join us from 11:00 2:00 to

work on getting our farm

ready for winter. Your

helping hands are much

appreciated as we take

down trellises, clean fence

lines, roll up irrigation, and

get the farm ready for its long

winter rest. Volunteer projects are

intended for adults; children ages 12 and

up may participate with a parent. Thefarm is also open for non-volunteers to

explore and enjoy. This is a free event.



Toregiste

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forprogram

sand

receiveup

-to-date

information

onprogra

ms

andevents

,pleaseca

ll

203.389.43

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ORseeou

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websiteat

www

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undct

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8/14


WINTER Public Programsat Common Ground

December

Wreath Makingfrom the Farm and ForestSat, Dec 11, 10:00 2:00

Celebrate natures ornaments with a

beautiful wreath made from fresh greens,

vines, pinecones, and other natural

materials from the farm and forest. Hot

beverages, soup, and snacks from our

organic farm will be shared with all. Large

wreath, $15; small wreath or swag, $8.

February

Planning Your Organic GardenSat, Feb 5, 10:00 12:00C T N O F A presents this workshop at

Common Ground to cover the basic

principles of planning for organic

vegetable and flower gardens.

Choosing the site and style, soil

testing and improvements, selecting the

right vegetables for the season, crop

rotation and companion planting will be

covered. Program fee of $5 per person,

registration and details at www.ctnofa.org.

Starting SeedlingsSat, Feb. 12, 10:00 12:00C T N O F A continues this series with thebasics of starting vegetables and flowersfrom seed. Demonstrations for both

planting and transplanting, plus a list of

which plants are set out by seedlings and

which ones are directly sown by seed into

the ground. Program fee of $5 per person,

registration and details at www.ctnofa.org.

December to March March

WinterfestSat, Mar 19, 11:00 2:00

Just as winter begins to give way to

spring, the New England forest gives us

the sweetest of gifts maple syrup!

We invite families to join us for a

celebration of the end of winter,

and to learn about all aboutmaple sugaring. See our

tapped trees, taste raw sap,

and taste-test fresh maple

syrup. Learn about our wood-

fired evaporator and warm up by

a campfire in the woods. Finally, a

delicious brunch will be served inside

featuring locally made maple syrup,

pancakes, and Common Ground raised

eggs and bacon. Admission is $8 per

person for ages 4 through adult; ages 3

and under are free.


Family Hiking Club1 hike in each

month of winter!

Meet new friends and enjoy thecompany of fellow families whovalue active, outdoor adventures

through our monthly hiking

series! When you join for

the year, you will receive

monthly emails withupcoming guided hikes

in West Rock Park just

for members of our

Family Hiking Club. We

will explore familiar trails

and favorite places as well

as venture to parts of the park

that you have probably never seen!

We will explore all sorts of trails,

including long hikes and plenty that

are friendly to less experienced

hikers and small children. Hikes willbe on weekends and holidays;

dates, destination, and hike length

and difficulty to be shared by email

4 6 weeks in advance. A family

membership is $35 for the year (16

hikes from Sept June; attend as

many or as few as you like).

Member families are invited to bring

friends for $3 per person per outing.

Register online or by calling

(203) 389-4333 ext 1213.

Toregisterforprogram

sand

receiveup-to-date




www

.comm

ongroundct.org


9/14


SPRING Public Programsat Common Ground

Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month!Join this year-long program,

and receive monthly emails

about guided hikes in West

Rock Park just for members of our

Family Hiking Club. Visit our web site or

call (203) 389-4333 ext 1213.


Apr 2, 9, 16 & 30

(see details for Apr 2 & 30 below)

Enjoy spring on the farm with a walk in the

gardens, visits to the animal yards, and a

self-guided hike on the trails that depart

from the farm and venture into West Rock

Park. Come explore the sprouts and

seedlings in the gardens, spend time with

the farm animals or enjoy the glory ofspring leaf-out with a self-guided hike into

West Rock. This is a free event.

Apr 2 Seed Starting and Ask the Farmer:

Enjoy the greenhouse full of seedlings,

search for emerging perennials in the

garden, visit the farm animals, and learn

which early spring crops you can prepare to

plant in your garden. Farm staff will be

available to answer garden questions and

provide tips on anything from planning and

planting to tricky garden pests. We

welcome beginner and seasoned gardeners

to join us. A wide variety of seeds and

organic soil will be available for starting your

own vegetables, flowers, and herbs to take

home. Event and advice are free; start your

own seed trays for $8 for 12 flat (12 cells) or

$16 for a whole flat (24 cells).

Apr 30 Composting Basics: Backyard Bins

and Wiggly Worms:At 1:00 PM join us for

a talk on getting started with home com-

posting. Learn how worms help your com-

post piles and gardens, the basics of home

composting, and how to make the perfect

soil for your own garden. This is a free event.

Soils & Compost

"The Best Soil for the Garden"Sat,Apr 2, 10:00 12:00

In this workshop at Common Ground,C T N O F A will cover the basics of buildinggreat soil in our gardens and in the

compost pile. Demonstrations of

composting skills as well as great hand

outs will be available. Program fee of $5

per person, registration and details at

www.ctnofa.org.

April

Growing Food in Small SpacesSat,Apr 9, 10:00 12:00C T N O F A shares this workshop atCommon Ground to stimulate creativethinking about the use of a variety of

containers and small spaces to grow

abundant, healthy food on a deck, patio,

small yard, windowsill and more. Program

fee of $5 per person, registration and

details at www.ctnofa.org.

Farm Volunteer DaySat,Apr 16, 10:00 2:00

The arrival of spring brings many

important farm jobs! Learn to

prepare your own garden as you

help us add compost, dig garden

beds, mulch pathways, and plant

early spring crops. Come dressed

to get dirty; gloves and tools provided.

Projects are intended for adults; children

ages 12 and up may participate with aparent. The farm is also open for non-

volunteers to explore and enjoy.

Full Moon Campfire & Night HikeTue,Apr 19, 6:00 8:30 PM

Enjoy the nighttime forest under a full moon

while roasting marshmallows and gazing at

the night sky. We will take a guided night

hike into West Rock so dont forget your

flashlight! Campfire is appropriate for all

ages; guided night hike is recommended for

ages 6 and up. This is a free event.

Earth DayFamily CampingThu, Apr 21 Fri, Apr 22,

6:00 PM 10:00 AM

A family camp out at

Common Ground is a

wonderful way to

celebrate Earth Day! Bring

your own picnic dinner, roast

marshmallows, and participate in anoptional guided night hike through West

Rock. On Friday morning, help us feed the

animals before enjoying a fresh breakfast

including eggs from our chickens and

other foods from the farm. $85 for a

private cabin that holds up to 10 people,

$35 to rent a tent that holds up to 4

people, $5 per person ages 4 and up if

you bring your own tent. Pre-Registration

required; register and pay online or by

calling 203-389-4333 ext 1213.

Rock to Rock Earth DayRide and Open Farm DaySat,Apr 23

Join several hundred cyclists, park lovers,

friends and families on a bike ride across

New Haven, connecting East Rock and

West Rock, raising funds to support our

parks and local environmental

organizations. See www.rocktorock.org

for registration and details. Cant make the

ride? The farm is open for exploring,

enjoying, and cheering on the cyclists.






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May

Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month!Meet new friends and enjoy



adventures through our monthly

hiking series! When you join for the year,

you will receive monthly emails withupcoming guided hikes in West Rock Park

just for members of our Family Hiking

Club. We will explore familiar trails and

favorite places as well as venture to parts

of the park that you have probably never

seen! We will explore all sorts of trails,

including long hikes and plenty that are

friendly to less experienced hikers and

small children. Hikes will be on weekends

and holidays; dates, destination, and hike

length and difficulty to be shared by email

4 6 weeks in advance. A family

membership is $35 for the year (16 hikes

from Sept June; attend as many or as

few as you like). Member families are

invited to bring friends for $3 per person

per outing. Register online or by calling

(203) 389-4333 ext 1213.

Campfire & Night HikeFri, May 6, 6:00 8:30

Enjoy the nocturnal forest while roasting

marshmallows and gazing at the night sky.

We will take a guided night hike into West

Rock so dont forget your flashlight!

Campfire is appropriate for all ages;

guided night hike is recommended for


Open Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00May 7, 14 & 28

(see details for May 7 below)

Visit Common Ground and take

a springtime stroll through our

1-acre organic garden, sit in the

chicken yard, watch butterflies in the

wildflower field or hike on the Old Oak

Nature Trail. Farm staff will answer your

questions and point out all that we have

springing up around the farm. Late May

should bring lettuce and peas in the

May garden, herbs in the perennial beds andchicks and piglets in the animal yards.

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy an

afternoon on the farm! This is a free event.

May 7 Meet Baby Chicks: Just like the

eggs, baby chicks come in many different

colors! We invite families to visit the

farm and meet our mother hens

and their new baby chicks.

Learn about the amazing

journey from egg to chick

and take home information

about free-range, humanely

raised poultry and eggs. This

is a free event.

Family CampingFri, May 13 Sat, May 14, 6:00 PM 10:00 AM

Camping out at Common Ground is a

great way to connect with nature without

leaving the city. Bring a picnic dinner, roast

marshmallows over the campfire, andparticipate in an optional guided night hike

through West Rock. On Saturday morning

you and your family can help feed the farm

animals and enjoy a farm fresh breakfast

including eggs from our chickens and other

seasonal foods from the farm. $85 for a

private cabin that holds up to 10 people,

$35 to rent a tent that holds up to 4

people, $5 per person ages 4 and up if you

bring your own tent. Pre-Registration

required; register and pay online or by

calling 203-389-4333 ext 1213.

Full Moon Campfire & Night HikeTue, May 17, 6:00 8:30 PM

Enjoy the nighttime forest under a full

moon while roasting marshmallows and

gazing at the night sky. We will take a

guided night hike into West Rock so dont

forget your flashlight! Campfire is

appropriate for all ages; guided night hike

is recommended for ages 6 and up. This

is a free event.

Seedling Sale& Farm FestivalSat, May 21, 10:00 3:00

Enjoy Common Grounds

annual ORGANIC SEEDLING

SALE and SPRING FARM

FESTIVAL! A variety of strong,

healthy seedlings for your home

garden will be offered for sale.

Choose from heirloom and

hybrid varieties oftomatoes, hot and sweet

peppers, broccoli, kale,

parsley, basil, cucumbers,

eggplant, and more.

Seedlings are priced from

$1.00 - $4.00. At the Farm

Festival, celebrate community and

the beginning of a new growing season.

Festivities include tractor-pulled hayrides,

music, face-painting, ice cream making,

games, and live sheep shearing!

Admission to all events is FREE!


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11/14


Open Farm DaySaturdays10:00 2:00

Jun 4, 11,18,

Jun 25, 12:00 3:00

(see details for Jun 4 & 18 below)

Jun 4 Guided Hike to Judges Cave:

Visit the farm animals, explore the

beautiful gardens or relax and enjoy

butterflies and birds in the meadow. At

12:30, farm staff will lead a hike to historicJudges Cave, a West Rock landmark and

a unique spot to enjoy the view from high

above the city. Hike is moderate difficulty,

about 25 minutes of mostly uphill ascent,


This is a free event.

Jun 18 Weed Walk: Farm staff

will lead a weed walk at 11:00

where you can learn to tell

good weeds from bad and

discover what weeds can

tell you about your soil.Explore the farm and trails

to search for purslane, a

traditional Native American

soup base, or for chickweed

to add to salads.

Summer Camp Open HouseSat, Jun 11, 10:00 2:00

While Summer Camps are

typically fully enrolled by

June, this is a great time for

registered families to visit the

campus, fill out paperworkand meet some of our camp

staff. This is a free event.

Family CampingFri, Jun 17 Sat, Jun 18, 6:00 PM 10:00 AM

Camping at Common Ground is a great

way for families to escape into nature

without leaving New Haven. Bring your

picnic dinner, roast marshmallows over

the campfire and participate in anoptional guided night hike through West

Rock. On Saturday morning, help with

farm chores and enjoy a farm fresh

breakfast including eggs from our

chickens and other seasonal foods from

the farm. $85 for a private cabin that

holds up to 10 people, $35 to rent a

tent that holds up to 4 people, $5 per

person ages 4 and up if you bring your

own tent. Pre-Registration required;

register and pay online or by calling

203-389-4333 ext 1213.



Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month!Meet new friends and enjoy



adventures through our monthly hiking

series! When you join for the year, you will

receive monthly emails with upcoming

guided hikes in West Rock Park just for

members of our Family Hiking Club. We will

explore familiar trails and favorite places as

well as venture to parts of the park that you

have probably never seen! We will explore

all sorts of trails, including long hikes and

plenty that are friendly to less experienced

hikers and small children. Hikes will be on

weekends and holidays; dates, destination,

and hike length and difficulty to be shared

by email 4 6 weeks in advance. A family

membership is $35 for the year (16 hikes

from Sept June; attend as many or as

few as you like). Member families are

invited to bring friends for $3 per person

per outing. Register online or by calling

(203) 389-4333 ext 1213.

Campfire & Night Hike6:00 8:30 PM

Wed, Jun 1; Wed, Jun 15 (Full Moon!)

Enjoy the nighttime forest while roasting

marshmallows and gazing at the night sky.

We will take a guided night hike into West

Rock so dont forget your flashlight!

Campfire is appropriate for all ages;

guided night hike is recommended for


June




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12/14

CHILDRENS Programsat Common Ground

Kids Unpluggedgrades K 5

Get your childunplugged andoutside, exploring

nature, hiking,

imagining, growing

food, making friends,and having fun! Children

have a choice of activities at

each weekly meeting. Participants might

build forts, hike to Judges Cave, play

nature games, learn to identify trees, or

enjoy a campfire in the woods. On the

farm, feed the animals, learn to hold a

chicken, bring in the harvest, and climb

compost mountain. Budding artists can

choose to make art with natural and

recycled materials and practice illustrating

the animals and plants on our campus.Aspiring chefs can make delicious food

from the farm homemade pizza, sorrel

muffins, harvest soup, and more!

9 week sessions:Tue, Wed & Thu from 3:30-5:30Children may attend one, two, or three days per weekFall Session: Sep 14 Nov 18Spring Session:Apr 5 Jun 9Program fee: $45 for New Haven Public Schoolstudents and $150 for all other students (New Havenresidency NOT required). Fee is per day of the weekfor each 9-week seasonal session. Limited financial aid

is available to qualified applicants from any town please inquire.

West Rock Rangersgrades 6 8

This unique and exciting project-basedprogram will bring together students ingrades 6-8 from many different schools to

learn and play on the trails of West Rock

Park. This year, the Rangers will create a

West Rock hiking guide that can be used

by local hikers for years to come. Students

will hike, map the trails, and keep a

personal trail journal and then share what

they learned as they plan, design and

publish the guide. They will also add

personal touches to the guide through

creative writing, art and photography. This

active and engaging program is looking for

dynamic you people who enjoy learning

through experience, solving problems and

collaborating with others. At the end of the

season, to celebrate our hard work, there

will be an overnight camp-out at CommonGround where we will cook out under the

stars, share our guide and play games.

Students need not be expert hikers, writers

or outdoor enthusiasts only excited to

learn with others and have fun in the forest!

9 week sessions:Tue, Wed & Thu from 3:30-5:30,Children may attend only ONE day per weekFall Session: Sep 14 Nov 18Spring Session:Apr 5 Jun 9Program fee: $45 per 9-week seasonal sessionfor all students (New Haven residency NOT required).Limited financial aid is available to qualified applicants please inquire.

Weekend Programs

Farm to FeastKids Cooking Class

ages 8 - 12

K ids will try newfoods andpractice cooking

skills as they

chop, dice, saute,

shred, knead, and

stir ingredients

harvested right from

our organic gardens!

Weekly menus will vary with the season,

but foods will be kid-friendly, nutritious,

and delicious. Class time will be spentharvesting, preparing food, and sharing

each weeks dishes as we sit down for

lunch together. Families are invited to visit

the animals and explore the farm together

after class (the farm remains open to the

public until 2:00).

Saturdays from 10:00 - 1:00

Children may attend any number & combination of classes

Fall Dates:

Sep 18,25;Oct 2,16, 23, 30

Spring Dates:Apr 16, 30;May 7,14; Jun 4, 11

Program fee: $25 per class, all materials included.

Farmers Helperages 6 - 10

Come join in the

seasonal jobs

on our organic

farm! Kids will

help bring food

and water to the

goats, sheep,

chickens, ducks,

turkeys, and pigs, as

well as tend to (and enjoy snacks from!)

our childrens garden. Dig potatoes, pull

weeds, turn soil, nibble carrots, and go

home dirty! Each weekly session includes

chore time and supervised play time with

the animals and in the childrens garden.

Children should bring a packed lunch,

which may be supplemented with a made-

from-scratch taste test from the Farm to

Feast Kids Cooking Class!

Saturdays from 10:00 - 1:00

Children may attend any number & combination of classes

Fall Dates:

Sep 18,25;Oct 2,16, 23,30

Spring Dates:Apr 16, 30;May 7,14; Jun 4, 11

Program fee: $25 per class, all materials included.

After School Programs


To Register for Childrens Programs:See our website, www.commongroundct.org, to download the

program registration form or to register online. Pre-registration and

payment must be received in full for your place to be reserved.


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Vacation Programs

FEBRUARY & APRILVacation Programs

Vacation weeks at Common Ground are a choose-

your-own-adventure exploration of the farm and forest!Children will have a choice of 4 or more daily activities

based on seasonal events.

FEBRUARY is maple syruping season, and we will also cross our

fingers for snow! Activities may include winter animal tracking,

building snow forts, hiking and sledding, learning about and cooking with maple

syrup, and plenty of time with the farm animals.

APRIL brings seedlings and baby animals to the farm!

Activity choices may include time with the baby

chickens, recycled and nature arts, planting in the

garden, building forts in the woods, going on hikes in

West Rock, and searching for native wildlife andspring wildflowers.

All programs include both indoor and outdoor

activities in all weather so it is important to make sure

your child is appropriately dressed each day Shoes

must have a closed toe and heel and be good for walking, running, and hiking.

Children should also bring their own bagged lunch each day.

February Vacation dates:

Feb 21 - 25, 9:00 - 2:00 daily, extended day available until 4:00

April Vacation dates:

Apr 18 - 22, 9:00 - 2:00 daily, extended day available until 4:00

Program fee: $35 per day, $15 per day for extended day.

Children may be registered for any number and combination of days.

Each summer,campers ages

4 13 roam the farm

and forest at Common

Ground, picking

radishes, searching for

salamanders, learning

about local food, making

friends, playing games,

caring for farm animals,

and hiking throughout

West Rock Park. Details

will be posted on ourwebsite in February, and registration

begins in March. Spaces fill quickly; email

[email protected] to be placed on

a list that will receive notice when camp

registration is open (previous campers

will automatically receive notification).

Camp mission:

Common

Ground

campers willcome home

happy, dirty,

and tired, full

of stories of

adventure and

discovery. Each day is spent making

friends and learning about how all things

are connected, from thefood we eat to the air we

breathe, throughout the

farm, the forest, and the

city. Common Ground

camps emphasize ch ildrens

connection to nature, as

well as the spirit of summer

time fun mud, frogs,

sprinklers, and sun. We

pride ourselves on allowing

children to explore and play,

growing in independenceand discovery, while providing a safe and

educational environment.

Supervision

& safety:

We have a

very low

camper to

staff ratio,

allowing us to

offer personal,hands on experiences in a safe and

supervised environment. Campers are

always supervised by one adult and one

teenage staff member for every 10

campers. Adult staff have first aid and

CPR training, and we are licensed and

inspected by the State of CT.To Register for Childrens Programs:See our website, www.commongroundct.org, to download the

program registration form or to register online. Pre-registration and

payment must be received in full for your place to be reserved.


Summer Camps at Common Ground


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Common Ground Programs New Haven

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