Free Nature Programs in July!

Now through July 26, you can enjoy free nature-inspired programming at the award-winning Groton Nature Center, for free!

Tuesdays, July 7, 14 & 21

• 10:00 AM – Jr. Ranger Roundup How to start or finish working on earning an official Vermont State Park Junior Ranger badge. Ages 4 and up, includes activities + half-hour service project.

• 11:00 AM – Be Nice to Snakes! Meet the famous Groton Nature Center garter snakes! Learn how helpful snakes are for your garden and property while doing snake-related crafts. 1hr

• 2:00 PM – Morse Code Bingo

Decipher the Montpelier-Wells River Railroad's communications while playing Bingo. 1hr

• 4:00 PM – Art in the Park

More Groton-themed coloring sheets than you can complete during one camping trip + animal track painting, games & other activities. 1hr

Wednesdays, July 8, 15 & 22

• 10:00 AM – Birds By Ear

An introduction to some of the 100+ bird species dwelling in Groton State Forest and what they tell us about where they live. 1hr

• 11:00 AM – Here Be Dragonflies

Groton is a dragonfly paradise with over 60 species found so far. Get a look at what's flying today and see if you catch up to 300 million years of evolution! 1hr

• 4:00 PM – Kettle Pond Walk

Join a fully immersive slow nature walk along the Kettle Pond Trail's ADA access to boat launch. 1hr, option for longer walk.

• 5:00 PM – Jr. Ranger Roundup How to start or finish working on earning an official Vermont State Park Junior Ranger badge. Ages 4 and up, includes activities + half-hour service project.

Thursdays, July 9, 16 & 23

• 10:00 AM – Jr. Ranger Roundup How to start or finish working on earning an official Vermont State Park Junior Ranger badge. Ages 4 and up, includes activities + half-hour service project.

• 11:00 AM – Rockin' Groton Geology Tour

Step into the geological basement of time to discover the origin of these "Granite Hills" as told through rocks and landforms. 1.5hrs, includes field trip.

• 12:00 PM – Morse Code Bingo

Decipher the Montpelier-Wells River Railroad's communications while playing Bingo. 1hr

• 7:00 PM – Rotating Program

7/9 - Owl's Head Sunset Walk: Meet at summit parking area

7/16 - Kettle Pond Walk: Meet at Kettle Pond Day Use Parking

7/23 New Discovery Owl Prowl & Twilight Ghost Hike: Meet at Osmore Pavilion

Fridays, July 10, 17 & 24

• 10:00 AM – Jr. Ranger Roundup How to start or finish working on earning an official Vermont State Park Junior Ranger badge. Ages 4 and up, includes activities + half-hour service project.

• 11:00 AM – Kettle Pond Walk Join a fully immersive slow nature walk along the Kettle Pond Trail's ADA access to boat launch. 1hr, option for longer walk.

• 2:00 PM – Mushrooms Demystified

Introducing some fabulous, fearsome and perhaps deliciously forageable members of Kingdom Fungi. 1hr, option to extend to 2.5hrs

Saturdays, July 11, 18 & 25

• 10:00 AM – Be Nice to Snakes! Meet the famous Groton Nature Center garter snakes! Learn how helpful snakes are for your garden and property while doing snake-related crafts. 1hr

• 11:00 AM – Boreal Forest Hike

Guided tour with a naturalist through a slice of the "Great North Woods." Up to 2.5hrs, customized to ability. Sturdy shoes REQUIRED (No crocs/flip-flops!).

• 2:00 PM – Beaver Scavenger Hunt

Meet at the Nature Center for a presentation followed by a field trip to the Kettle Pond beaver lodge. 90min.

• 4:00 PM – Tracks, Skins & Skulls

Meet your furbearing friends of Groton State Forest while making and painting plaster-of-paris animal tracks to take home. 1hr

• 5:00 PM – Jr. Ranger Roundup How to start or finish working on earning an official Vermont State Park Junior Ranger badge. Ages 4 and up, includes activities + half-hour service project.

• 7:00 PM – Sunset Aquadventure Paddle Tour

Naturalist-guided paddle tours of Ricker Pond & Lake Groton. 1.5-2hrs, MUST RESERVE via Boulder Beach State Park (802) 584-3823 or Nature Center (802) 584-3827. 1st-come/1st-serve for limited supply of park boats, please bring your own if you have one. Steady rain or thunder at start time rain cancels program.

Sundays, July 12, 19 & 26

• 10:00 AM – Birds By Ear

An introduction to some of the 100+ bird species dwelling in Groton State Forest and what they tell us about where they live. 1hr

• 11:00 AM – Here Be Dragonflies

Groton is a dragonfly paradise with over 60 species found so far. Get a look at what's flying today and see if you catch up to 300 million years of evolution! 1hr

• 2:00 PM – Mystery Program

• 4:00 PM – Art in the Park

More Groton-themed coloring sheets than you can complete during one camping trip + animal track painting, games & other activities. 1hr

Discover more about the Groton Nature Center including directions and contact information.

Learn more about how Vermont Parks Forever is investing in nature education in the Vermont State Parks, and how you can get involved!

View a calendar listing all of the nature programming in the Vermont State Park system