Grab your warm weather gear, bundle up your children and join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) No Child Left Inside® 9th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park at 384 Burr Mountain Road in Torrington Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A full range of fun, outdoor winter activities for the entire family will be offered. “Whether your favorite winter sport is toasting marshmallows over an outdoor bonfire or meeting the challenge of ice fishing and actually reeling in a fish, DEEP’s annual Winter Festival is the place to be for wintertime fun, exercise and a social experience with families from all over the state,” said Commissioner Robert Klee. “Year after year families look forward to this Festival where they can spend the day outdoors, bonding with each other and participating in good old-fashioned fun.”
The Festival is FREE and there is no registration required. Everyone is welcome to attend. Activities will include ice fishing, a fish fry, ice sculpting, wildlife tracks, ice safety rescue demonstrations by the Torrington Fire Department, visits from resources in Search and Rescue, winter games, a marshmallow roast and bonfire.
Ice fishing equipment and instruction will be provided by DEEP’s Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) instructors. Dress for the cold weather and bring your skates.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) www.healthychildren.org has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm on a cold winter day.
- Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Don’t forget warm boots, gloves or mittens (to keep hands warmer), and a hat. Layering is a good idea; so are moisture-wicking fabrics and clothing that’s geared to the sport.
- The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
- Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Have children come inside periodically to warm up.
- The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they reflect off snow. Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.
Visit No Child Left Inside® at www.NoChildLeftInside.org to learn more and visit Burr Pond State Park at www.ct.gov/deep/BurrPond for directions.
