Flanders Summer 2020 Enrollment Notice:  If signing-up for FULL DAY Camp at Flanders this summer–one CAMP SITE-must be selected (example – your child will be at ONE location all day for the week), Flanders is following best practices as outlined by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood for Day Camp Operations–and will be maintaining small group camp sizes not to exceed 14 children per group.  Camp groups will be physically separate from each other and Campers will not change locations during the day.  Please read our NEW drop off & pickup protocols

   COMMUNITY EVENTS

Flanders Field & Forest Challenge 2020

A Unique Dining Experience And An Amazing Auction

Same great cause.  Same amazing food. Different seat.  Support Flanders Nature Center this year by pre-ordering a gourmet picnic meal made by renowned chefs using local, farm fresh ingredients from Connecticut farms.  Your multi-course meal will be packaged in a cooler tote you get to keep.  We  have convenient curb-side pickup.  We invite you to enjoy the picnic on one of our preserves or to enjoy at home.  The Van Vleck  Farm & Nature Sanctuary promises scenic views, gardens in bloom and farm animals in the pasture.

Sunday, August 23 |  Pickup 12 – 4 PM | Van Vleck Farm & Nature Sanctuary | $75 per meal | Purchase your meal or volunteer call 203.263.3711 x 14 or email Program Coordinator, Ana Jordan | email Development Director,  Jennifer Callery for sponsorship opportunities

Photography Club 2020

Want to join the Flanders Photography Club?  Our focus is outdoor nature photography “to foster understanding and appreciation of nature, art and the wonders of the natural world . . .” The Club’s purpose is to promote the  development of photographic skills and the art of photography. Meetings will include instruction on the basics of outdoor photography, camera operation, features, techniques and tips as well as presentations, forums, and guest speakers. Plus there will be outdoor exercises and projects, such as macro, wildlife and bird photography.
Every third Wednesday of the month | 5:30 PM | Studio |$20 members & $40 non per year  | Register

Flanders Trail Blazers 4-H Club

Do you have a child age 5-18 that loves animals and being outdoors?  Then joining the Flanders 4-H Club is the perfect fit!  UCONN 4-H is a youth organization whose mission is engaging youth to reach their fullest potential with a motto “To Make the Best Better.”  Members will learn all about caring for a variety of farm animals, beekeeping, responsible land care, gardening and forestry.  Also, as a club member you will have the opportunity to attend educational meetings, go on field trips or show off your new skills at a 4-H Fair.  In the process, you will make new friends, solve problems and make a difference in your neighborhood or even in the world!

The Van Vleck 200-acre campus with our North Barn animals presents perfect opportunities to learn the responsibilities of raising livestock and many land management challenges.  For more information, please contact the Flanders office at 203-263-3711 x12.
Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, starting October 14 | 7 PM | North Barn | Complimentary, but registration required | Register

   CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS

Summer Camp – Openings Available!

Registration is now open for Flanders popular summer camp where children can explore nature, art, agriculture and ecology in a fun, healthy and stimulating outdoor environment.  From farming fun to outdoor explorations, art adventures or creative cooking, our summer camp offers more than 60 programs to keep children ages 3 to 13 entertained.  Morning and afternoon programs can be combined to provide a full-day, outdoor experience. There is an “all day” discount and available extended afternoon as well as morning care.

Fun Nature Activities At Home

While at home with your family here are some fun  nature related videos of activities that you can do right in your own backyard. From building fairy or troll houses to decorating rocks there is so much to do. So get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather and your time together creating beautiful memories! Don’t forget to post your creations to our Facebook page and Instagram – we look forward to seeing the creativity!  Watch our videos!

Birthday Parties at Flanders!

We offer birthday parties on Saturdays or Sundays year round! Affordable and fun there are a variety of nature themed parties to choose from including animals and art to fairy fun. Hiking, games and stories, live animals and even tractor rides can all be made a part of the celebration! Download a flyer or call us for more information to brainstorm what will make for an unforgettable party for your birthday child!

   SUMMER TRAIL HIKES

Connecticut Trails Day Hike

Come out to Flanders’ Van Vleck Farm & Sanctuary to celebrate CT Trails Day 2020!  CT Trails Day 2020 is a DIY (Do It Yourself) event this year!  A network of well-marked, well-maintained, color coded trails traverse the fields and forest of Flanders Van Vleck Farm and Sanctuary and include the award-winning Botany Trail designed and maintained by the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club. Most of the trails are under one-mile and are laid out in loops making it possible to create longer hikes. Difficulty ranges from easy to moderate.  Van Vleck Farm & Sanctuary Trail Map

Manville Kettle Hike

Join Flanders’ Land Management Committee Chair John Trainor on an easy and brief hike of the first property held in trust by Flanders. This unique property contains an open field, mixed trees and a swamp. It is located in the center of town and is known as a “kettle” because geologists believe the depression was formed during the last ice age and filled with water from melting ice.
Hike Postponed | New date to be determined / announced

Senior Hike With A Master Naturalist

Join Master Naturalist Dr. Ed Boisits for an easy to moderate casual walk taken on forest trails. A great opportunity to get outside, observe what’s happening in the natural world in early spring, learn something new and maybe even meet new friends. This hike is not just for seniors. This will be a small group hike.
Thursday, August 6 | 10 AM | Sugar House | Complimentary members & $5 non | Register

Short Is the New Long:  Thru-Hiking New England’s Shorter Long Distance Footpaths

Thru-hiking is an incredible experience that everyone should try. There are many hidden gems and lesser known trails all around New England for all to explore. Enjoy stories, photos, learn tips and more drawn from, Reach Your Summit owner and guide, Mat’s personal experience out on these trails and beyond. We will also be going over backpacking opportunities in our home state of Connecticut.
Saturday, August 29 | 9 AM | South Barn | $10 members & $15 non| Register 

Marzahl Refuge Hike

Flanders volunteer Mike Carlo will lead a hike of our Marzahl Refuge. This property has a spectacular, quintessential new England stream with multiple small waterfalls that winds its way through a pine forest.
Sunday, August 30 | 9 AM | Marzahl Refuge @ Rt 132, Woodbury | Complimentary members & $5 non | Register

Hiking With An Average Jill Series

Hiking Under the Moon – Experience the spell of the moon’s magical iridescence, while you thrill over the unique sounds of nature at night. We’ll make a short trek to a wide clearing that offers a spectacular view of the night sky. There, we’ll take in the brilliance of the majestic moon before we hike back under the stars. It’s sure to be an exhilarating experience. 1 mile.
Monday, August 3  | 8 PM | Studio Parking Lot, 5 Church Hill Rd, Woodbury | $5 members  & $10 non| CLOSED

  ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS

Overcoming Adversity On The Trail

Thru-hiking is more than walking millions of steps along a footpath, it is a transformative experience. No matter the trail or gear, one of the most important tools for any successful long distance hike is carried by all of us. Our mind. Join Reach Your Summit owner and guide, Mat Jobin, as he shares his experiences from the trail, the challenges along the way and how we can apply overcoming these adversities to events off of the trail.
Tuesday, June 2 | 6 PM | Studio | $10 members & $15 non | Register   Postponed , new date to be determined / announced

Goat Yoga

Come out and connect with nature and furry baby Nigerian dwarf goats at Goat Yoga classes being held at Flanders’ Van Vleck Farm and Sanctuary. Experienced yoga instructors will be leading guests in this one-hour gentle class suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced yogis & yoginis! Adorable goats will be frolicking & cuddling with you as you flow through the class on the picturesque farm. Participants should keep in mind that they’ll be outside, practicing with live animals—and some degree of messiness (and a LOT of silliness) may be involved so they should dress accordingly, wearing comfortable clothes. Bring along a yoga mat or towel. No mats will be provided.
Sunday, August 16 at 10 AM | North Barn | $20 members & $25 non, $10 ages 15 & under | Register

Insects at Night

Become A Flanders Ambassador!

Do you love Flanders?  Enjoy coming to Flanders programs and events?
Then why not sign-up to be a Flanders Ambassador?

Flanders’ Ambassadors serve as the “The Face of Flanders” helping us to communicate all that Flanders has to offer to our visitors. Serving as our hosts for adult and family education programs these volunteers are asked to help with set up and closing down of the program venue as needed, greeting and checking in of attendees and introduction of the guest speaker. New Ambassadors will participate in an orientation and train with experienced Ambassadors so no prior experience needed! Programs take place at our main campus , the Van Vleck Sanctuary in Woodbury. The proposed time commitment i s 2 to 3 hours per program once a month.

As an Ambassador you attend the program for free!  Please contact Flanders’ volunteer coordinator Ana Jordan to learn more about becoming a Flanders ambassador or other available volunteer opportunities today!

Flanders Wish List!

Flanders’ mission is to foster the understanding and appreciation of nature, art, and the wonders of the natural world through land preservation, stewardship and education.  To help reduce  expenses,  the donation of supplies, services and/or equipment that are used for fulfilling our mission are greatly appreciated! >Learn more