Events and Programs for Children, Adults and Families

For full details and registration information about any activity, go to the events page of our website: www.merckforest.org/event . Pre-registration (including the completion of a liability waiver) is required for all activities; and state-mandated COVID regulations will be followed.

SUMMER DAY CAMP FOR KIDS 4-14

AG CAMP: INQUIRY & EXPLORATION ON THE FARM

June 21 to 25, 9am to 3pm

4th through 6th graders

$250

Campers will explore the biology and interdependencies of animals found on the farm and in the fields. Campers will probe into pollinators, track chickens, and ruminate with sheep as they engage in agricultural-related activities.

TRAIL CREW CAMP (Session 1)

June 28 to July 2; 9am to 3pm

TRAIL CREW CAMP (Session 2) uly 26 to July 30; 9am to 3pm

7th and 8th graders

$250 per session

Through hands-on explorations and projects, trail crew members will develop practical backcountry and primitive skills, engage in citizen science, and participate in service learning projects. Crew members will navigate with map and compass, construct shelters, lop invasives, and tackle trail work as they explore the front- and backcountry of Merck Forest.

AQUA CAMP: INQUIRY & EXPLORATION OF PONDS & STREAMS

July 12 to 16

9am to 3pm

4th through 6th graders

$250

Campers will monitor waterways, inventory invertebrates, and collect amphibians, as they engage in hands-on aquatic activities.

WILDERNESS CAMP: INQUIRY & EXPLORATION IN THE FOREST

July 19 through 23, 9am to 3pm

4th through 6 graders

$250

Campers will explore the biology and interdependencies of Northern Taconic forest mammals. Campers will sketch squirrels, investigate skulls, and sleuth for evidence of creatures as they engage in forestry-related activities.

Meet the Lambs... Virtually

Lambs are on the ground, and we’re always eager to show off these bundles of wooly cuteness! In past years, Meet the Lambs allowed us to share the joy of new lambs bounding across green fields with our visitors. Once again, though, we’ll be celebrating through our social media avenues on the run up to May 15, with additional social medial posts, rather than holding the event in person. Watch for Facebook and Instagram posts featuring our new arrivals. We encourage you to come on up to the farm to meet the lambs with your family. Just remember to follow current Covid guidelines when you are visiting!

Programs For Adults

BASIC CHAINSAW SAFETY

Sunday May 9, 8am to 4:30pm

$200

These are workshops for people with no prior experience with handling a chainsaw. Topics covered include the parts of a chainsaw, safety, and basic maintenance. Chainsaw use is limited to bucking -- no trees will be felled at this level of training. Minimum age is 14 with a parent or guardian in attendance.

GAME OF LOGGING, LEVELS 1 & 2, FOR WOMEN

Saturday May 15 & Sunday May 16, 8am to 4:30pm

GAME OF LOGGING, LEVELS 1 & 2, FOR MEN & WOMEN

Sold Out, Waiting List Available

Saturday May 22 & Sunday May 23, 8am to 4:30pm

$400

Participants receive training and certification in safely using a chainsaw, felling trees, and chainsaw maintenance. Level 1 focuses on introducing the participant to precision felling techniques; Level 2 focuses on maximizing chainsaw performance.

GAME OF LOGGING, LEVELS 3 & 4

Saturday June 5 & Sunday June 6, 8am to 4:30pm

$400

Level 3 focuses on limbing, bucking, and handling difficult trees. Level 4 focuses on storm damage cleanup.

SOLO WILDERNESS FIRST AID/FIRST AID with CPR MODULE

Saturday June 5 & Sunday June 6, 8:30am to 5pm

$200/$240

Participants gain essential skills in emergency first aid in a backcountry setting through instruction by Solo School trainers. This course serves as recertification for SOLO Wilderness First Responders. Certification for WFA is valid for 2 years. Minimum age is 14 years old.

MUSHROOM ID FOR ADULTS

Saturday August 28, noon to 2pm.

$10

Mycologist (and MFFC Boardmember) Sue VanHook will train participants to identify edible and non-edible mushrooms and send them out into the woods to forage additional examples; you may bring fungi from your home landscape as well.

Outdoor Family Activities

Minor children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

SECOND SATURDAY HIKE

May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9 2pm to 4pm

$5 per hike

Enjoy guided hikes each month with a MFFC staff member who will discuss the ecology, history, farming culture and forestry of the area. Wear proper hiking footgear for our rugged trails, and bring water, snacks and bug spray.

MEET & FEED

Sundays from May 23 through September 26; 3pm to 4:30pm$5 per person each Sunday

Bring your youngsters and join Merck staff on Sunday afternoons as they go about afternoon chores feeding our animals. Get to know our sheep, horses, chickens, and pigs during our daily routine.

Volunteer Work Party

Last Saturday of the month from May 29 through October 30; 10am - 3pm

Free

From mulching raspberries to maintaining trails, volunteers work side-by-side MFFC staff in stewarding the land. Come give a hand and learn while you work!

FARM CHORES FOR CHILDREN

Thursdays from June 17 through August 12; 2pm to 4pm

$5 per person each Thursday

On Thursday afternoons, under the bright blue sky of Vermont, you and your children can take part in an ages-old tradition: daily chores on our hillside farm. Your family will assist in feeding the chickens, collecting eggs, and feeding & watering the sheep, horses and pigs. You might even weed the children’s garden, or pick berries.

Merck Forest Bioblitz

Saturday July 24- Sunday July 25; noon to noon

Free

Join fellow naturalists of all experience levels for one or both days of exploration of everything natural across any of 3167 acres of forests, fields, and waters. From experts to novices, all curious minds are welcome. The goal of this BioBlitz is to document as much natural life as possible on Merck Forest property over the weekend.

FAMILY MUSHROOM HUNT

September August 28, 10am to 11:30am

$10 per person

Hunt for mushrooms through the woods with your children -- bring a basket to gather them up (the mushrooms, not the kids ...).

Membership & Donations Surge at MFFC!

Our active membership and donor base has been growing, thanks to all of you! Your support, especially through the challenges of 2020 and Covid-19, has been an invigorating driver for the team at Merck to keep at it - allowing us to innovate in how we offer programs and promote our work virtually and make a difference in our community. Membership contributions allow us to “keep the gate open” - by offering free access to MFFC’s 3,200 acres with its 30 miles of trails and a myriad of ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Our membership numbers have doubled in the last few years - special thanks to Communications Coordinator Marybeth Leu for her great work administering this program. For those of you who are able to go further with your support of operations and program, our continued heartfelt appreciation. We love this place as much as you do and appreciate your partnership. Share your enthusiasm for Merck Forest with others and come visit soon!