Connetquot River State Park Preserve Schedule Of Events

Connetquot River State Park Preserve, in Oakdale offers the following interpretative programs during the fall of 2023. There will be a fee of $4.00 per adult, $4.00 per child, and children under 3 are free.  An $8.00 parking fee must be paid during the fee collection season. Reservations are taken 2 weeks prior to the program. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please call or cancel so others may have the opportunity to attend.  Please be prompt.  If others are waiting, your place may be given to them if you have not arrived when the program starts.  Outdoor programs will take place rain or shine, so please dress appropriately.

To make a reservation, visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Tiny Tots: “Nature Discoveries”
Explore the natural world around us.  These programs will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. Children ages 3-5.
Held on Wednesdays                                                     10:00-11:00am
Pumpkins                                                                              October 25^th
Leaves and Trees                                                                November 15^th
Squirrels and Acorns                                                           November 29^th
Nocturnal Animals                                                               December 6^th
Welcome Winter                                                                   December 20^th

Apple Bird Feeders: (Family Program)
Saturday        October 7^th                                        10:00am – 12:00pm
There’s a chill in the air and summer songbirds are migrating! Learn about where our summer visitors go and how we can help songbirds on their winter migration by creating seasonal and natural bird feeders with Autumn harvest fruits!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Life at the Fish Hatchery: (Family Program)
Sunday          October 8^th                            1:00pm ~ 3:00pm
Enjoy a leisurely hike to the fish hatchery where we will explore what we see in nature along the way. Once at the hatchery, we will take a tour to learn about the trout raised there and the history of hatchery operations at Connetquot River State Park Preserve. This hike is approximately 2 miles.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Haunted House and Grounds Tour (Family Program)
Friday                         October 20^th                                                 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Walk the halls of the Connetquot Preserve Clubhouse as spirits and monsters come back to life! Then find your way through the woods as you encounter the wandering ghosts of Long Island’s local myths and legends. Recommended for children ages 8 and up. Beware strobe lights will be used! Free event!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Haunted House and Grounds Tour (Family Program)
Saturday                                October 21^st                                     7:00pm – 9:00pm
Walk the halls of the Connetquot Preserve Clubhouse as spirits and monsters come back to life! Then find your way through the woods as you encounter the wandering ghosts of Long Island’s local myths and legends. Recommended for children ages 8 and up. Beware strobe lights will be used! Free event!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Haunted House and Grounds Tour (Family Program)
Sunday                                  October 22^nd                         7:00pm – 9:00pm
Walk the halls of the Connetquot Preserve Clubhouse as spirits and monsters come back to life! Then find your way through the woods as you encounter the wandering ghosts of Long Island’s local myths and legends. Recommended for children ages 8 and up. Beware strobe lights will be used! Free event!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Haunted Tails on Trails: (Family Program)
Sunday                                  October 29th                                     10:00am ~ 12:00pm
Come with the family for a morning walk on the trails. Collect prizes along the way as you unravel the myths and tails associated with some of the world’s spookiest animals! Feel free to join us and dress in costume to celebrate the spooky holiday.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Sunset Up North: (Adult Program)
Friday                                     November 3^rd                                    5:00pm ~ 7:00pm
Join us for a hike as we explore the trails north of the trout hatchery at sunset! This is great opportunity to see and hear wildlife in an undisturbed part of the preserve!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Clubhouse Tours: (Family Program)
Sunday                                  November 5^th                                    1:00 – 3:00pm
A docent will discuss the history of the tavern and the high society Club which shaped Connetquot River State Park Preserve into what it is today. Tours of the historic Nicoll Grist Mill are included and will be offered after your house tour. Recommended for children 8+.
House tours are about an hour long and run consecutively every half hour. There will be a short talk outside before viewing the inside. Held on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Mystical Creatures: (Family Program)
Friday                                     November 10^th                      7:00pm ~ 8:30pm
When the sun goes down, all Connetquot’s mysterious creatures come out to play. Woodland pixies, unicorns, and even bigfoot roam around the preserve for a night of adventure after the wandering ghosts of Halloween have left. Come learn all about these mystical creatures on this unique night hike! We’ll be looking for traces of them with a fun scavenger hunt for all to enjoy! Bring a flashlight and your imagination!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Clubhouse Tours: (Family Program)
Sunday                                  November 19^th                      1:00 – 3:00pm
A docent will discuss the history of the tavern and the high society Club which shaped Connetquot River State Park Preserve into what it is today. Tours of the historic Nicoll Grist Mill are included and will be offered after your house tour. Recommended for children 8+.
House tours are about an hour long and run consecutively every half hour. There will be a short talk outside before viewing the inside. Held on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Colonial Games: (Family Program)
Saturday                                November 25^th                      10:00am – 12:00pm
Take a journey to the past and visit Colonial America! Leave that smart phone behind in modern times and test your coordination with a ball and cup. How far can you roll a hoop? Join us for these and many other fun games to test your skills.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Clubhouse Tours: (Family Program)
Sunday                                  December 3^rd                                    1:00pm – 3:00pm
A docent will discuss the history of the tavern and the high society Club which shaped Connetquot River State Park Preserve into what it is today. Tours of the historic Nicoll Grist Mill are included and will be offered after your house tour. Recommended for children 8+.
House tours are about an hour long and run consecutively every half hour. There will be a short talk outside before viewing the inside. Held on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Holiday Wreaths: (Adult Program)
Saturday                                December 9^th                                    10:00am-11:30am
                                                                                                1:00pm- 2:30pm
It’s the holiday season again! Whatever holiday you celebrate a beautiful smelling natural wreath is enjoyable during these cold months. We will have all the natural plants to decorate with. Feel free to bring ribbons or anything else you like to decorate your wreath with for the season. One wreath per household.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Northern Hikers Special: (Adult Program)
Sunday                      December 10^th          10:00am ~ 2:00pm
Wander through wetlands, pine barrens and oak forests while observing wildlife and native plants. We will hike approximately 6 miles to the pristine, less traveled northern section of the preserve. We will stop and have lunch along the way. 
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Clubhouse Tours: (Family Program)
Sunday                      December 17^th         1:00pm – 3:00pm
A docent will discuss the history of the tavern and the high society Club which shaped Connetquot River State Park Preserve into what it is today. Tours of the historic Nicoll Grist Mill are included and will be offered after your house tour. Recommended for children 8+.
House tours are about an hour long and run consecutively every half hour. There will be a short talk outside before viewing the inside. Held on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm.
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

Ursids Meteor Shower: (Family Program)
Thursday                   December 21^st          8:00pm-10:00pm
A short lecture about meteor showers and all things astronomy will be followed by early evening stargazing. Viewing is weather permitting! Bring a lawn chair!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure

Magical Manifest: (Adult Program)
Saturday                    December 30^th                                 10:00am-11:30am
Help your intentions and goals for the New Year become a reality! Learn about the historic and cultural associations certain plants and herbs held according to people of the past in their day to day lives. Then assemble your own magical manifest jar as a perfect aid for accomplishing your New Year’s Resolutions!
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

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