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8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
1/14
communityecologyeducation
www.commongroundct.org
C MMUNIT
EC LOG
EDUCATI2010-2011 Program Catalog
358SpringsideAve
New
HavenCT06515
(203)389-
4333
www
.commongroundct.org
Non-
ProfitOrg
.
U.S.
Postage
PAID
New
Haven
,CT
Permit#657
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
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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
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
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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
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
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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
Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month
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.
4 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 5
September
Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month
Childrens ProgramsFall Sessions Begin!
Open Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00
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
Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month
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
Family Hiking Club2 hikes this month
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
Family Hiking Club1 hike this month
February
Family Hiking Club1 hike this month
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
Family Hiking Club1 hike this month
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
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
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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.
Open Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00
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
andevents,pleasecall
203.389.4333ext1213,ORseeourwebsiteat
www
.comm
ongroundct.org
Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 7
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
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8 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011
FALL Public Programsat Common Ground
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 .
Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 9
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.
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
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10 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011
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),
and about 20 minutes to go back down.
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.
FALL Public Programsat Common Ground
Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 11
Toregiste
r
forprogram
sand
receiveup
-to-date
information
onprogra
ms
andevents
,pleaseca
ll
203.389.43
33ext121
3,
ORseeou
r
websiteat
www
.commongro
undct
.org
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
8/14
12 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011
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.
Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 13
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
informationonprograms
andevents,pleasecall
203.389.4333ext1213,ORseeourwebsiteat
www
.comm
ongroundct.org
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
9/14
14 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011
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.
Open Farm DaysSaturdays, 10:00 2:00
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.
Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 15
Toregisterforprogramsandreceiveup-to-date
informationonprograms
andevents,pleasecall
203.389.4333ext1213,ORseeourwebsiteat
www
.comm
ongroundct.org
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
10/14
16 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011
SPRING Public Programsat Common Ground
May
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,
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
ages 6 and up. This is a free event.
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!
Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 17
Toregisterforprog
ramsandreceiveup-to-dateinformationonprograms
andevents,pleasecall
203.389.4333ext1213,ORseeourwebsiteat
www
.comm
ongroundct.org
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
11/14
18 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011
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,
and about 15 minutes to go back down.
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.
Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 19
SPRING 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, 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
ages 6 and up. This is a free event.
June
Toregisterforprogramsandreceiveup-to-date
informationonprograms
andevents,pleasecall
203.389.4333ext1213,
ORseeourwebsiteat
www
.comm
ongroundct.org
8/6/2019 Common Ground Programs New Haven
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
20 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 21
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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13/14
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.
22 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 Common Ground Programs 2010-2011 23
Summer Camps at Common Ground
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