Common Ground | For Children and Youth

FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH

For children and young people, Common Ground is a place to explore the outdoors, develop environmental understanding, and learn in a way far different than traditional classroom learning. Common Ground provides programs during school vacations, after-school opportunities, and summer camp. Common Ground’s site can also be rented for birthday parties and other events with educational and environmental themes.

After-School Programs for Ages 6-16
New this Spring: Kids Unplugged!
Get your child unplugged and outside, exploring nature, hiking, imagining, growing food, making friends, and having fun! This 5 week after school program offers children a choice of activities at each weekly meeting:

Hiking and Outdoor Adventure: hunt for spring wildflowers and salamanders, hike to Judge's Cave, and wade in Wintergreen Brook!
Farm Care and Gardening: Help feed the farm animals, dig in the garden, and start your own garden plants to take home!
Nature Arts and Journaling: Learn from a professional nature artist as you make crafts and practice drawing and writing about the animals and plants you see on the farm and in the forest!

Kids Unplugged takes place on Common Ground's urban farm, located in West Rock Ridge State Park. One experienced adult leader is present for every 10-12 children, and a healthy snack is included with the program. Program fee: $50 per child. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail.

Spring Session:

Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5:30, April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27

Farmer’s Helper
Calling all kids who love animals and enjoy being outside on the farm and in the garden! This program offers children ages 6-8 the opportunity to really participate in the daily operations of a small organic farm. Activities will be age-appropriate farm jobs ranging from feeding chickens to turning soil in the garden. Children should be dressed to participate! Children may be registered for Fall and/or Spring sessions. Enrollment limited to 12 participants per age group. $75 per 5-week session, OR $125 for both sessions if paid in-full before the start of Fall Session. Includes snack. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail.
Spring Session:
Ages 6-8: Mondays, May 4, 11, 18, June 1, 8, 3:30 – 5:30

West Rock Rangers: NEW for 2008 – 2009 (replaces Adventure Club)
Students ages 11-14 are invited to join the West Rock Rangers Club to meet new people, be with friends, and have active, outdoor adventures. Each monthly meeting will focus on different natural history topic or outdoor skill, including birding, animal tracking, outdoor survival skills, compass reading & orienteering, West Rock geology, vernal pools & spring amphibians, tree & wildflower ID, and more. Our final meeting of the year will be an overnight camp-out at Common Ground (date to be determined). Enrollment limited to 30 members; yearly membership fee: $60 (includes snack). To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail.
Monthly Meeting dates: 1st Thursday of MOST months, 3:30 – 5:30 (some meetings may be longer in order to have time to explore all of West Rock). September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4, January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4

TrailTeam Service Club: NEW for 2008 – 2009
Students ages 11-16 are invited to partner with Common Ground High School, the West Rock Ridge Association, and the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain trails and participate in community service projects in West Rock Park. TrailTeam Service Club members will host a public event to share their accomplishments at the end of each three week work project. Documentation of community service hours available if needed. Members may register for the fall project, the spring project, or both. Enrollment limited to 16 students per work project. $25 fee per work project includes all activities/tools and snack. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail.
Spring TTSC Project: Mondays & Fridays, June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 3:30 – 5:30

Vacation Programs

Common Ground offers educational, active environmental programs for children ages 6-12 during the New Haven Public School February and April Vacations. All programs take place both indoors and outdoors in all weather. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately each day. Shoes must have a closed toe, a closed heel, and be good for walking, running, and hiking. Children should bring their own bagged lunch each day. Space is limited to 30 children per program, registrations accepted until each program is full. Payment must be received in full for your place to be reserved. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail.

April Vacation Programs

Farmer for a Day: Monday, April 20, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Spend a day learning about spring life on the farm. This day-long session focuses on farm animals as we care for the chickens, learn about baby chicks, make a scrambled egg snack, card and spin wool, and help with daily animal chores. Program fee: $35/child.

Growing Gardeners: Tuesday, April 21, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Grow your gardening skills with a day of activities in Common Ground's organic garden. We will learn about worms (and how you can compost with worms at home!), dig in the soil, play garden games, investigate the compost pile, make garden art, and plant seeds to take home. Program fee: $35/child.

Signs of Spring: Wednesday, April 22, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Celebrate Earth Day with a hike through West Rock Park. Look for frogs, salamanders, wildflowers, budding trees, and other signs of spring. We will visit several West Rock landmarks as well as have time for playing games and exploring the farm and forest. Participants should bring their own lunch in a small backpack that they can carry while we hike. Program fee: $25 per child.

West Rock Survival: Thursday, April 23, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Spend a day in the forest practicing basic outdoor skills and knowledge. Learn basic bird, wildflower, and tree ID, make your own natural shelter, and identify animal tracks and other forest signs. Program fee: $25 per child.

To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail.

Summer Farm and Nature Camps for ages 4-13

Information is now available about Common Ground's summer camps! Read more.


	For children & youth FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH For children and young people, Common Ground is a place to explore the outdoors, develop environmental understanding, and learn in a way far different than traditional classroom learning. Common Ground provides programs during school vacations, after-school opportunities, and summer camp. Common Ground’s site can also be rented for birthday parties and other events with educational and environmental themes. After-School Programs for Ages 6-16 New this Spring: Kids Unplugged! Get your child unplugged and outside, exploring nature, hiking, imagining, growing food, making friends, and having fun! This 5 week after school program offers children a choice of activities at each weekly meeting: Hiking and Outdoor Adventure: hunt for spring wildflowers and salamanders, hike to Judge's Cave, and wade in Wintergreen Brook! Farm Care and Gardening: Help feed the farm animals, dig in the garden, and start your own garden plants to take home! Nature Arts and Journaling: Learn from a professional nature artist as you make crafts and practice drawing and writing about the animals and plants you see on the farm and in the forest! Kids Unplugged takes place on Common Ground's urban farm, located in West Rock Ridge State Park. One experienced adult leader is present for every 10-12 children, and a healthy snack is included with the program. Program fee: $50 per child. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail. Spring Session: Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5:30, April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27 Farmer’s Helper Calling all kids who love animals and enjoy being outside on the farm and in the garden! This program offers children ages 6-8 the opportunity to really participate in the daily operations of a small organic farm. Activities will be age-appropriate farm jobs ranging from feeding chickens to turning soil in the garden. Children should be dressed to participate! Children may be registered for Fall and/or Spring sessions. Enrollment limited to 12 participants per age group. $75 per 5-week session, OR $125 for both sessions if paid in-full before the start of Fall Session. Includes snack. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail. Spring Session: Ages 6-8: Mondays, May 4, 11, 18, June 1, 8, 3:30 – 5:30 West Rock Rangers: NEW for 2008 – 2009 (replaces Adventure Club) Students ages 11-14 are invited to join the West Rock Rangers Club to meet new people, be with friends, and have active, outdoor adventures. Each monthly meeting will focus on different natural history topic or outdoor skill, including birding, animal tracking, outdoor survival skills, compass reading & orienteering, West Rock geology, vernal pools & spring amphibians, tree & wildflower ID, and more. Our final meeting of the year will be an overnight camp-out at Common Ground (date to be determined). Enrollment limited to 30 members; yearly membership fee: $60 (includes snack). To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail. Monthly Meeting dates: 1st Thursday of MOST months, 3:30 – 5:30 (some meetings may be longer in order to have time to explore all of West Rock). September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4, January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4 TrailTeam Service Club: NEW for 2008 – 2009 Students ages 11-16 are invited to partner with Common Ground High School, the West Rock Ridge Association, and the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain trails and participate in community service projects in West Rock Park. TrailTeam Service Club members will host a public event to share their accomplishments at the end of each three week work project. Documentation of community service hours available if needed. Members may register for the fall project, the spring project, or both. Enrollment limited to 16 students per work project. $25 fee per work project includes all activities/tools and snack. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail. Spring TTSC Project: Mondays & Fridays, June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 3:30 – 5:30 Vacation Programs Common Ground offers educational, active environmental programs for children ages 6-12 during the New Haven Public School February and April Vacations. All programs take place both indoors and outdoors in all weather. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately each day. Shoes must have a closed toe, a closed heel, and be good for walking, running, and hiking. Children should bring their own bagged lunch each day. Space is limited to 30 children per program, registrations accepted until each program is full. Payment must be received in full for your place to be reserved. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail. April Vacation Programs Farmer for a Day: Monday, April 20, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Spend a day learning about spring life on the farm. This day-long session focuses on farm animals as we care for the chickens, learn about baby chicks, make a scrambled egg snack, card and spin wool, and help with daily animal chores. Program fee: $35/child. Growing Gardeners: Tuesday, April 21, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Grow your gardening skills with a day of activities in Common Ground's organic garden. We will learn about worms (and how you can compost with worms at home!), dig in the soil, play garden games, investigate the compost pile, make garden art, and plant seeds to take home. Program fee: $35/child. Signs of Spring: Wednesday, April 22, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Celebrate Earth Day with a hike through West Rock Park. Look for frogs, salamanders, wildflowers, budding trees, and other signs of spring. We will visit several West Rock landmarks as well as have time for playing games and exploring the farm and forest. Participants should bring their own lunch in a small backpack that they can carry while we hike. Program fee: $25 per child. West Rock Survival: Thursday, April 23, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Spend a day in the forest practicing basic outdoor skills and knowledge. Learn basic bird, wildflower, and tree ID, make your own natural shelter, and identify animal tracks and other forest signs. Program fee: $25 per child. To register, download and follow the instructions on the program registration form, or call Rebecca Holcombe at (203) 389-4333 ext 213 to receive a registration form by mail. Summer Farm and Nature Camps for ages 4-13 Information is now available about Common Ground's summer camps! Read more.