Winding Trails is at the midpoint of the 1828-1847 transportation canal which brought about the rapid industrialization that formed Unionville in 1834. Its dam provided the economic incentive to build 3 power dams upstream on the Farmington River. Come and enjoy a late spring luncheon and learn the history of these dames, including an artifact uncovered in 2019. Our guest speaker will be long time Winding Trails member, Alan Perrie. Registration is required by April 29th.

Here is an exciting option to add to your morning sports/half day programs for parents that would like their children to experience all aspects of camp. Campers may sign up for this afternoon program if they are signed up for any Winding Trails Half Day camp that ends at noon. This will include all the best from our sports/half day camps in the morning combined with an afternoon filled with fun and adventure at Archery, Boating, Nature, and more. The fun and excitement is here for you! Transportation provided from our summer day camp buses (no additional cost) and campers can attend early and late program ($22.00 per week for either) if needed. This program will be run as part of our ACA accredited day camp and CT State Licensed Day Camp.

Junior Lifeguarding is a newly revised program which is designed to guide youth to the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course. This course focuses on building a foundation of knowledge, attitudes, and skills for future lifeguards. Please note that this program does NOT provide any type of certification. Registration is required 3 days prior to the start of the session.

Would you like to become a certified lifeguard? Participants who successfully complete the course will be certified in CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Training and Waterfront Training. All candidates must be 15 years or older by the end of the last class. Prerequisite: 1st day is able to swim 550 yards continuously using only front crawl with rhythmic breathing and breaststroke; tread water for 2 minutes using legs only; swim 20 yards pick up brick and swim back with brick within 1 minutes and 49 seconds; and swim 5 yards submerged and retrieve three rings (5 yards apart). Registration is required one week before the start of class.

Bullseye! But can you do that twice? You can after learning the techniques and skills of a great marksman. Come try this challenging and exciting sport. Candidates must be at least seven years of age. All classes will meet at the Archery Range near Walton Pond. Registration is required by 3 days prior to the start of each session. This is a members only class.

Winding Trails will once again be presenting the popular Baked Potato Fest. Bring the family and create your own luscious version of these meal-sized baked potatoes and join in the fun of dancing to the Electric Slide, Chicken Dance and other fun dances. Give yourself a night out and join us for an evening at Walton Pond! Registration is required by July 6th. This is a members only event.
Menu: Garden salad, baked potato (with assorted toppings), dessert, beverages.

Baseball takes the rich history of the game from Cooperstown to your town. Our staff uses our progressionnal curriculum to teach the fundamentals of fielding, catching, throwing, hitting, and base running, all in a fun, positive environment. Specifically designed for beginner and intermediate players, this camp teaches all athletes new baseball skills along with vital life lessons such as respect, teamwork, and responsibility. Participants come away with new friends, new skills, and a love for the game! Participant-to-coach ratio: 12:1.

This fun, skill-intensive program is designed with the beginning to intermediate player in mind. Using our progression curriculum, our basketball staff focus on the whole player, teaching your child the skills needed both on and off the court to be a better athlete. Each day will start with a "skill of the day" and progress into drills and games. After a week of passing, shooting, dribbling, and rebounding, your child will show you why this is one of our most popular programs.

Come join Blair Wlochowski, Winding Trails' volunteer birder, as we explore the Winding Trails' property to discover what birds are found here during the changing seasons. Learn tips on how to enhance your birding skills and work on your Bird Life List. The walks will travel through many habitat areas, so a good variety of birds are expected to be seen. Always dress for the weather and wear a good pair of walking shoes. Registration is required by three days prior to the start of the program. Session 1: Owl Prowl, Session 2 & 3: Late Spring Migration, Session 4 & 5: Summer Breeding

Fishing is a physically and emotionally healthy activity- but can also provide healthy food for your brain and body! Fish are high in protein and Omega 3 fatty acids and low in cholesterol and fat. Everyday more and more people are choosing to eat more sustainable foods- either through gardening, shopping at local markets, or fishing and hunting for protein. The DEEP fisheries division is offering this course to adults who have some previous fishing experience but would like to learn more about keeping fish you catch for food! We will cover what local fish in CT are best for eating, regulations on keeping fish, provide tips on targeting these fish, how to clean your catch, popular cooking methods and recipes, and more! Must have prior fishing experience or have taken the Introduction to Fishing class. Class 9:00am-10:30am, Fishing 10:30am-11:30am, Preparing the catch, 11:30am to 1:00pm. Please register by Wednesday, June 17th.

Some of Connecticut's top-rated bass waters are a short drive from anywhere in the state. Whether you're looking to fish largemouth, smallmouth, or both, bass offer a challenge for those that have been fishing and want to expand their skills. The CT DEEP Fisheries Division in cooperation with the CT BASS Nation is offering a FREE Introduction to Bass Fishing class to help make your fishing season a success! Certified Fishing Instructors with decades of bass fishing experience will share their secrets. We will cover all the basics of bass fishing: species identification, where to catch them, how to catch them in every season, proper equipment, baits and lures, and much more! After the indoor class, you can try out your newly learned skills at Walton Pond and Dunning Lake. If you have been interested in bass but didn't know where to start, this class is for you.
Participants should have some basic fishing knowledge and experience. Participants are asked to bring their favorite rod and reel. Minimum age is 9 years old. Indoor class 9:00am-11:00am, outside demonstration 11:00am-11:30am, lunch (bring your own) 11:30am-12:00pm, practice 12:00pm-2:00pm. Please register by Thursday, May 14th.

Have you or someone you know always wanted to learn how to fish? The CT DEEP Fisheries Division is offering a FREE Introduction to Fishing class to help you have fun as you learn this great life skill. This introductory class is designed for adults and families with children ages 8 and up. Certified Fishing Instructors with decades of fishing experience will share their skills. We will cover all the basics of fishing: how to setup a fishing rod, basic fishing tackle, proper bait selection, how to identify your catch, and much more! After the indoor class, you can try your newly learned skills at Walton Pond. Join us to catch that first fish and start a lifetime of fishing with family and friends. Indoor class is from 9:30am to 11:30am, lunch (bring your own) is from 11:30am to 12:00pm, Practice is from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Please register by Wednesday, May 13th.

This two and a half hour program allows you to get onto the climbing tower and enjoy the vertical realm! The climbing tower is 40 feet high consisting of four sides: a 15 foot beginner wall with incline, a 40 foot intermediate vertical wall, a 40 foot advanced wall with incline and over hangs, and a 60 foot by 45 foot cargo net for the quickest way to the top. Then it is off the tower via a 300 foot long zip line. Registration is required by three days prior to the session date.

PRESENTED THROUGH THE TRAILS FUND
Curious Creatures, established 33 years ago, is joining us again this summer. Their mission is to teach tolerance and respect for all animals that walk, crawl, or slither on the Earth and their habitats in an entertaining, yet educational and interactive way. Touching is encouraged whenever possible. Another goal is to inform those that attend about the need for researching exotic animals in order to make good decisions on the selection of family pets. The animals, which are primarily adopted, abandoned, or rescued exotic pets, are all captive bred, non-aggressive species that are used during the interaction at the show making for a unique, safe, and fun experience for all children, even the adult kind. The mixture of different reptiles, mammals, and insects provides something of interest for all.
Registration is required by three days prior to the event.

Join us at Tunxis Plantation Country Club for a great day of golf, games, food and fun to raise money for our Campership Fund. Play as a foursome or as a single and complete someone else's team. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf (scramble format), a cart, lunch, dinner, games and more. Registration begins at 11:30am followed by a shotgun start at 12:30pm. All proceeds will go to our Campership Fund. Help us make happy campers!

Join us at Tunxis Plantation Country Club for a great day of golf, games, food and fun to raise money for our Campership Fund. Play as a foursome or as a single and complete someone else's team. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf (scramble format), a cart, lunch, dinner, games and more. Registration begins at 11:30am followed by a shotgun start at 12:30pm. All proceeds will go to our Campership Fund. Help us make happy campers!

Get outside on Saturday nights with Miss Judy for an educational walk with hands-on activities with your family and friends. After the walk, return to make a fire, roast a few marshmallows, and enjoy some lively conversation. On those nights when it becomes fully dark, we walk to the recreation fields to view the night sky for seasonal constellation identification and to view special celestial events. Come prepared for the weather by wearing a pair of good hiking shoes and clothes that can get a bit dirty. Registration required three days prior to the session. Topic: Walton Pond Anniversary

Bring your family for a game night at Winding Trails! Join us at the Boathouse Pavilion for food, trivia, board games, a scavenger hunt, and much more. Pizza, snacks, dessert, and beverages will be included. Don't miss out on the fun! Registration is required by August 3rd. This is a members only event.

Flag Football is the perfect introduction to "America's Game" or a great refresher for those who want to brush up on their skills preparing for league play. Through our "skill of the day" exercises, campers will learn skills on both sides of the ball including the core components of passing, catching, and deflagging or defensive positioning- all presented in a fun and positive environment. The week ends with the Sports Bowl, giving participants a chance to showcase their skills on the gridiron!

This program breaks down the fundamental skills of golf through easily understood and applicable games and exercises that increase the athlete's abilities. Each athlete will learn proper grips, footwork, and swing mechanics to help develop the total player. Each day will start with a "skill of the day" and progress into drills and games.

This class will provide instruction in the basics of our watercrafts including canoes & kayaks. Students will also learn some basic water safety skills. Skills and exercises will be presented with the emphasis on FUN! Registration is required at least three days prior to the start of each session.

This is the ultimate night out for any kid! Tons of games, pizza, an ice cream sundae bar, a big screen movie, and endless amounts of fun await you here at the Trails. This program has evolved into a very popular kid's event and space fills up quickly. So parents plan your night out and send the kids here for theirs. Head on over to the Trails for a night out that you will never forget. Sorry, parents not allowed! Please bring clothing that is appropriate for outdoor (weather dependent) and indoor play as well as provide a sleeping bag/blanket and pillow for the movie. Registration is required by May 13th.

Calling all kids ready to have some FUN on the bike! Come and ride the trails and learn a few tips about technique, balance and eye focus. We will work on body position uphill & downhill, shifting, breaking and turning. Mountain bikes only, helmet mandatory. Registration is required by three days prior to event.

Suit up and find out why lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Lacrosse combines the basic skills used in soccer, basketball and hockey into one fast-paced, high-scoring game. Athletes will learn all the fundamentals of stick handling, cradling, passing, and shooting in a fun, non-checking environment. Our staff helps campers learn not only the sport of lacrosse, but also important life skills such as respect, teamwork, and discipline. Designed for ages 7 to 12, this camp ensures that every athlete will come away with a deep understanding of the game and its traditions.

Wrona Soccer is proud to be working with Winding Trails to be able to offer opportunities for players of all ages with our camp this summer. Our experienced staff excels at knowing how to get the best out of players through demonstrating techniques and inspiring players to reach higher. Our players learn the fundamentals of the game, ball control, passing, defending, and scoring. We will teach every child at their own pace.

This program is designed for children ages 3-6 years old. Basketball, soccer, tee-ball and tennis will all be included in this 5 day, 1 1/2 hour program. The program will focus on teaching the very basic beginner skills of each sport and will have a big emphasis on having fun.

Join us for an evening of conversation and dinner with fellow moms. While the kids enjoy dinner, activities and a movie with Winding Trails staff. Whether you are a new mom, seasoned mom, mom to be, or any other type of mom- you are welcome! Pizza, salad, snacks and beverages will be provided. Please register each member of your family who will be attending. Program fee is per family- it includes childcare and dinner for everyone. Registration is required by April 28th.

The Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) and Winding Trails are teaming up for this timely workshop. Aimee Petras, the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the FRWA, will present this program that covers how to manage your lawn without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. We will outline the steps you need to take including getting a soil test through mowing techniques to manage weeds. Additionally, we'll delve into common lawn problems such as grubs and thatch.
Registration is required by April 29th.

Nature on Foot 2020 will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Save Walton Pond. As we did in the summer of 2010, our campers will collect animals to process for data about size, weight, species, and other things. Discover the wonder of Walton and Trout Ponds in real-time with hands-on activities and life skills. This is a water-based session. Begin each day at the Summer Camp Opening before joining Miss Judy for a fun-filled day of Nature. Dress for the weather and water activities, bring your imagination, and plan to have fun as we discover what's out there!

Join Miss Judy, Winding Trails naturalist, for an afternoon family nature walk. This walk is geared toward families with children that enjoy exploring all around the property. Each month, the walk will take your family to a different location for discovering a new topic. Based on the topic, we'll look for animals, catch a few, check out a hidden spot of the forest, observe how things grow, and much more. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather. Registration is required by 3 days prior to the start of the program. Session 1: Early Spring, Session 2: Wildflowers, Session 3: Owls, Session 4: Walton Pond Anniversary

Join Miss Judy, Winding Trails' Naturalist, for a morning family nature walk geared toward families with your children. Each month, the walk will take your family to a different location, so a new topic can be explored through all your child's sense. Be prepared to watch for animals, touch a few of them, smell some cool things, and listen for fun sounds. So we can explore rain or shine, wear good walking shoes and outdoor clothes that are appropriate for the weather and can get wet or dirty. Registration is required by three days prior to the start of the session. Session 1: Wildflowers, Session 2: Owls, Session 3: Walton Pond Anniversary

Sponsored by the Alexander P. Franklin Foundation
Spend a beautiful fall day at Winding Trails. This event is for all ages and generations. Come and see over 90 custom built fairy houses set along a half mile stroll through our wooded trails. Did you always want to build fairy houses? We are looking for new village builders for 2020! Please contact Miss Judy at judy@windingtrails.org for more information.

Calling all Pickleball enthusiasts! If you are one of the individuals who has caught the pickleball craze, you will want to sign up for this new program. Come out and meet new friends, get some exercise, and enjoy the outdoors. Registration is required by three days prior to the start of each session.

Who's ready to go camping? You bring the tent, sleeping bags and toiletries and we will do the rest! This program provides you and your family the opportunity to spend more quality time together and make memories your kids will cherish forever while enjoying dozens of activities and camping out at Winding Trails. Activities available will include soccer, basketball, baseball, boating, archery, and a special night hike ending with a campfire and s'mores. A BBQ on Friday night (6:30pm - 7:30pm) and a continental breakfast on Saturday morning (7:00am - 8:30am) are included. Please note: the availability of archery and boating are based on certified staff availability and cannot be guaranteed. This is a very popular program so early registration is advised. Registration is required by three days prior to the session date. Members Only Event.

This is a free program provided by monies donated through the Trails Fund. We are please to have Riverside Reptiles returning to help us explore the wonderful world of reptiles and amphibians. Meet various examples from these two similar yet different groups of animals. Registration is required 3 days prior to the event.

Sailing classes will be offered on beautiful Dunning Lake. Learn the parts of a sunfish along with set up procedures, basic maneuvering, tacks, jibes, capsizing and safe boating practices. All sailing is two or three people per sunfish. Registration is required at least three days prior to the start of each session.

Shoot and score with our new soccer camp. Participants will learn the fundamentals of soccer including game rules, dribbling and shooting techniques, as well as the proper positions on the field. The program will be a mix of drills and fun games with the intent of getting ready for a full field game on the last day of camp. The main emphasis will be on having fun while playing the world's game!

A soccer program for boys and girls will provide very basic instruction in the fundamentals of the game of soccer. Skills and exercise will be presented with the emphasis on FUN! Registration is required by 3 days prior to the start of each session.

Winding Trails and Kids Who Tri Succeed present the Splash & Dash. This event combines swimming and running and allows kids who don't yet have biking skills to taste the fun of the multi-sport world. The swim will be in Dunning Lake, followed by a trail run. The distances will be as follows:
Ages 4-6: 25 yards swim, half mile run
Ages 7-8: 50 yards swim, 1 mile run
Ages 9-11: 75 yards swim, 1.5 mile run
Ages 12-14: 200 yards swim, 2 mile run
This is a great opportunity to get together with friends by taking part in a fun race with them. Kids may want to graduate to the full triathlon in August, held in Mansfield. (All finishers are entitled to reduced registration before July 4) Swim caps, finisher medals, and refreshments for all participants. Pre-Registration and Day of Registration are both available for this event.

NEW DATE! The Save Walton Pond project was the single largest capital project in the history of Winding Trails. The planning, moving of animals, and subsequent renovations took many years and the efforts of many to see to its completion. Join our staff as we walk you through this project from beginning to end. We will share what we learned and the state of the Walton Pond 10year s after the renovation. A lunch will follow the presentation.

Start the summer off sizzling. Enjoy the sounds of summer provided by our DJ and dance away the night in the evening breeze on Walton Pond beach! Join in on our family summer game tournaments, including bean bag toss, ladder ball, beach volley ball and many more. The kids will also enjoy our inflatable obstacle course and bounce house. Offerings will also include a cookout and activities to delight the young and the young-at-heart. Registration is required by June 22nd. This is a members only event.
Menu: Hot dogs, hamburgers, mixed vegetables, potato salad, fruit salad, dessert, beverages.

Looking for a fun way to improve your stokes, or would you like to learn more about being on a swim team? Join the Winding Trails Swim Team. We are currently not participating in local meets until we are able to grow the team. Join us for daily practices to improve your skills! Register by June 26th.
Prerequisite: Must be a level 4 or higher swimmer.

Sports Tennis breaks down the fundamental skills of tennis through easily understood and applicable games and exercises that increase the athlete's abilities. Each athlete will learn proper grips, footwork, strokes, volleys, and serves to help develop the total player. Participant-to-coach ratio: 8:1.

Do you love our weekly Tri Series? Why not continue Tuesday evenings at Winding Trails with out new Trail Running Series! For 5 weeks on Tuesday nights, there will be a short course (5k) and a long course (10k) race. Awards will be given out at the final race. The top three overall in each age group (male and female on each course) will be recognized. Online registration is for season passes ONLY. One day registration will only be available on site before the race begins. Season passes can also be purchased on race day. Registration opens at 5pm on race day.

Are you a new member and not quite sure where everything is? Then this extensive tour of the park is just for you. Learn about the history of Winding Trails, where all the facilities are, and where the "special" spots can be found. Dress appropriately for weather and walking. Registration is required by Thursday, May 14th.

Your camper will spend 2.5 hours a day participating in a variety of outdoor adventure activities from learning the basics of rock climbing on our 40' climbing tower (consists of a 15' beginner wall, a 35' intermediate wall, a 35' advanced wall, a 60' x 35' cargo net and a zipline). Your camper is sure to leave with lasting memories as well as the opportunity to overcome personal fears and develop new self-confidence and trust.

We are pleased to have The Zoo in Forest Park of Springfield, MA joining us again to provide an entertaining program about animals that live at their zoo. Unique facts will be discussed about where the animals come from, their behavior and diets, how they defend themselves, and their status in the wild.