Learn To Kayak In A Nice Warm Pool (Friday Eve.)

The CT chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club is running a whitewater kayaking course Friday night (Jan 17th) at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.

There probably won't be any whitewater in the pool, but you can learn basic skills like the Eskimo roll, etc.  Plenty of instructors for one-on-one training, but limited spots and registration required.  

Here's the link for details:  http://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/72237

Join the Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint

The Great Park Pursuit is a four-week contest that will have you decoding clues, discovering parks and forests across the state and participating in fun activities and challenges — all for a chance to win cool prizes. Hundreds of Connecticut families have accepted the challenge - will you be among the adventurous competitors to join the game this year? Decipher clues, visit beautiful State Parks and Forests, participate infun activities, win prizes -

it's all part of the 2012 Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint!

Over the past four years, families from all across the state have discovered the exciting opportunities available at Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests. If you missed the chance to explore these venues or you’re ready to experience the fun again, then get ready for the return of The Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint!

With a whole new line-up of clues, hints and featured locations, you and your family will be journeying around the state to learn about new places while having fun in the great outdoors. Explore a forest on foot and in a canoe, try and set a new state record for the largest caught fish, celebrate 20 years of bird conservation, and “get wet”— all without leaving Connecticut!

If you can meet the “challenges” at each of the four game locations, then you’ll have a chance to win cool prizes.

Be sure to check out the Schedule and Rules to learn about eligibility requirements.

Ready for action? Then sign up now!

Think you have what it takes to come together as a team, travel to new sites across the state, enjoy the great outdoors, meet other families and have a good time over a four-week period? Then join the Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint!

For more information please contact Rachael Sunny, No Child Left Inside Coordinator at rachael.sunny@ ct.gov or (860) 418-5981

Photo Contest

Connecticut Forest & Park Association 2012 Photo Contest The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) is sponsoring an amateur digital photo contest open to members and the public. The contest is intended to provide a venue for amateur photographers to display their work and provide CFPA with new materials to use in our publications and communications. You are invited to submit up to three digital, high resolution, photos for consideration. Prizes First prize - Connecticut WalkBook Set (both West & East - $50 retail value) and CFPA Water Bottle will be awarded for each category. Second prize - CFPA Tee Shirt and hat ($30 retail value) will be awarded for each category. All Entrants will receive a copy of CFPA's newly revised "Trees of Connecticut" booklet when published. Categories Connecticut Trails - Trails, views from the trail, notable features on the trails, etc. People on trails in Connecticut - What more needs to be said? Connecticut Wildlands - Photos without man-made structures, special places off the beaten path, CT flora & fauna Requirements All images must be 2 MB minimum, in a jpg or tif format accompanied by the photographer's name and address, date the photo was taken, and description of the photograph (location and any story about the photo). How to enter - Email each photo separately to info@ctwoodlands.org (with "Photo Contest" on the subject line), or send a CD/DVD with the images to CFPA, 16 Meriden Rd., Rockfall, CT 06481. Eligibility - Amateur photographers over 18 years old are eligible. Professional photographers, CFPA staff and families, and CFPA Board Members and families are ineligible. Deadline - All entries must be received by March 15, 2012. Winners will be notified by April 15, 2012. Prizes will be awarded June 1, 2012 at CFPA in Rockfall. Exhibit and Publication - Winning photographs will be featured on the CFPA Website (www.ctwoodlands.org). Entrants grant permission to CFPA to publish their work, in whole or in part, for any CFPA purpose, including, but not limited to, CFPA publications, merchandise, and website with credit to the photographer but no further compensation.

WalkCT Family Ramble Tomorrow

Saturday, 9/24/11

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Flat Stanley's CT Outdoor Adventure #7

Giuffrida Park, Meriden

Help find Flat Stanley! Flat Stanley has gone missing on the Connecticut portion of the New England Trail (NET) and we need your help to find him. Join us for a fun adventure as we embark on a scavenger hunt and search for clues to find the hidden CT Flat Stanley letterbox. Find Flat Stanley as we hike the NET and have your picture taken with him to be entered into a random drawing for a CT Walk Book. Fun for families with school-aged children. Bring your own letterbox and journal if you have one or borrow one of ours. Wear comfortable, waterproof shoes; bring your camera (optional), and plenty of water.

Based on the character, stories, and adventures of Flat Stanley created by the late Jeff Brown of Stonington, CT. FLAT STANLEY® is a registered trademark of the Trust u/w/o Richard C. Brown f/b/o Duncan Brown.

Rain/inclement weather date: Sunday, 9/25/11, 10:00 a.m.

For directions, please visit www.walkct.org. RSVPs to CFPA are requested before the event date. CFPA: www.ctwoodlands.org

Reminder: Connecticut Trails Day Celebration this weekend

Middletown has 7 hikes to offer on Trails Day, second only to Guilford for most active town in the state! Details are available in previous EYE postings:

http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/05/celebrate-ct-trails-day-with-rockfall.html

http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/05/more-chances-to-hike.html

Connecticut Forest & Park Association has been the state coordinator for Connecticut Trails Day, part of the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, since 1993. Participating in these events is a great way to experience the many trails around the state, including three National Scenic or HIstoric Trails: the New England Trail (NET),

Appalachian Trail (AT), Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R). Visit CFPA’s website, www.ctwoodlands.org, to check for Connecticut Trails Day updates.

Additonal program:

Join the Great Park Pursuit:

Outdoor Recreation Challenge As part of the CT DEP’s No Child Left Inside® initiative, families will be provided with a passport to Connecticut State Parks and Forests, which they will use to collect 11 outdoor recreational stamps during the Family Days events scheduled the second Saturday of each month.

For more information and details on how to get your passport, visit www.NoChildLeftInside.org