Join an HNA naturalist for a leisurely walk looking at and learning about the many wildflowers at the High Ponds Farm. The area around the Moosewood Ponds is a rich site supporting a great many species of native plants. Free. All ages. No Pets.

Visit the High Ponds Farm for a leisurely walk listening and looking for numerous songbirds with Debbie Benjamin, HNA Staff Naturalist and President of the Vermont Botanical and Bird Club.

Numerous sparrows, flycatchers and warblers can be found here. Year-round resident birds and spring migrants may include: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Veery, Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, and Tree Swallow. Also likely to be present are Broadwing Hawk, Barred Owl, Ruffed Grouse, Turkey and Woodcock.

Bring binoculars and a lunch if you would like to picnic either at the Moosewood Ponds or at the High Meadow after the walk. Free. All ages. No Pets.

Take a tour of the Hazen's Notch Summer Camp at Bear Paw Pond. Meet some of the summer camp staff and learn about this summer's programs. Free. All ages. No Pets.

Session 1   July 14 - 20, 2013
(Ages 10, 11)

Sunday 1 p.m. - Saturday 11 a.m.
$400 Nonmembers / $375 Members

Family Programs 2013

These programs are primarily intended for families with children ages infant to age 8. The programs are free. Donations are appreciated. Please register with the Hazen’s Notch Association before your visit. Contact the HNA at info@hazensnotch.org. Location: Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area, 1000 Hazen's Notch Road (Route 58), Montgomery Center Vermont.

Each program has a different theme and starts with an exploration of part of the Bear Paw Pond area. Next is a hands-on art and/or craft project that adults and their children can enjoy at the Boat House. Each program ends with a picnic lunch and wading in the shallow area of Bear Paw Pond.

It is a 7 to 10-minute leisurely walk up a gradual woods road to Bear Paw Pond from the lower parking area. Changing rooms, a toilet, and a grassy picnic area are near the Bear Paw Pond. Bring your own lunch and drinking water. Programs end at 12 Noon. Parents must accompany their children on this program. Please leave pets at home.

 June - August

Sunday, June 16, 2013 - Family Hike at High Ponds Farm - Hike to Window Rock and return via the High Meadow where we can picnic at the tables under the apple trees and enjoy the spectacular view and the wildflowers. Meet at High Ponds Farm, 478 Rossier Road, 2 miles east of Montgomery Center on Route 58. 10 am - 12 pm. No pets.

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Family Day Camp

Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 12 Noon
Ages: Infant through age 7 and their parents

Monday, June 24, 2013 - Forest, Ferns, and Fur - Visit the woods near Bear Paw Pond where a cool brook flows and learn about the trees and ferns that grow there and the animals that call the forest home. We will make art pieces with leaves and bark.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - Frogs and Pond Life - Explore Little Rock Pond and Bear Paw Pond for signs of life - frogs, salamanders, bugs - through careful hands on viewing. We will build a water garden with wet plants in a tray that will be a temporary home for these creatures.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 - Butterflies, Dragonflies, and Damselflies and the Sun - Walk the edges of Coyote Meadow to see what colorful flying insect life and flowers are present. We will decorate butterfly cutouts and make pressed flower note cards.

Thursday, June 27, 2013 - Birds, Bird Nests and Hummingbirds - Look for birds and learn about their calls and life histories. We will build a soft bird "nest" out of a variety of plant materials.

Friday, June 28, 2013 - Native Americans and the Garden - Visit the tipi and the garden. Learn about some of the plants that native people grew or collected from the forest. Help make a healthy salad that we can enjoy with the lunch that we brought from home.

Sunday, June 30, 2013 - Family Hike at Bear Paw Pond - Hike to the Old Sugar House via the Dark Entry Trail and return via Coyote Meadow where we can picnic and enjoy the spectacular view and the wildflowers. Meet at Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area, 1000 Hazen's Notch Road. 1 mile east of Montgomery Center on Route 58. 10 am - 12 pm. No pets.

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Saturday, August 10, 2013 - Butterflies and Other Flying Creatures at Moosewood Pond and the High Meadow. We will walk up the Beaver Ponds Trail to the Moosewood Ponds which are ringed with Joe Pye Weed and Goldenrod. Then, we will walk up to the High Meadow with spectacular views of the northern Green Mountains. Bring a lunch for a post-walk picnic. Meet at High Ponds Farm, 478 Rossier Road. 2 miles east of Montgomery Center on Route 58, turn right on Rossier Road. 10:00 AM - Noon. No pets.

Saturday, August 17, 2013 - Hike in Hazen's Notch in Search of Ferns and their Allies. We will explore the woods in Hazen's Notch State Park and hike a short distance on the Long Trail in search of ferns and their allies: horsetails and clubmosses. Meet at the height of land on the Hazen's Notch Road, midway between Montgomery Center and Lowell. 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. No pets.

Sunday, August 18, 2013 - Family Hike at Bear Paw Pond. Hike to the Old Sugar House via the Dark Entry Trail and return via Coyote Meadow where we can picnic and enjoy the spectacular view and the wildflowers. Meet at Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area, 1000 Hazen's Notch Road. 1 mile east of Montgomery Center on Route 58. 10 am - 1 pm. No pets.

FALL

Fall 2013 Events and Dates

Saturday, September 7, 2013 - Hike to Ritterbush Pond and Devil's Gulch. Walk along a gentle woods road half a mile into the Robert Babcock Preserve in Eden to Ritterbush Pond. Continue on the Long Trail to Devil's Gulch to enjoy late summer wildflowers and fruits. Bring a lunch to have along the way. Route 118 east of Belvidere Pond, turn right (south) on Crooks Road, then right (west) on Baker Road to Babcock Preserve parking area. 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. No pets.

Sunday, September 8, 2013 - Family Hike at High Ponds Farm. Hike to Window Rock and return via the High Meadow where we can picnic at the tables under the apple trees and enjoy the spectacular view and the wildflowers. Meet at High Ponds Farm, 478 Rossier Road, 2 miles east of Montgomery Center on Route 58. 10 am - 1 pm. No pets.

Volunteer Trail Project
Sunday, September 22, 2013