2023 Event Calendar Announcement
Dear Members and Supporters
It's is looking to be an exciting year, even bigger and better then the last. We'll have some fascinating events, in addition to our new for 2023 themed programs, more workshops ands programs. More details on events will be released as the year continues.
Here are the main 2023 Calendar dates to look forward to at the Conococheague Institute:
10am to 4pm, Saturday 15th April: Get to Know Nature: Learning then Conserving
Prepare for Earth Day 2023 (April 22nd) by attending this wild event at CI and learn the importance of conservation!
We've partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Conococheague Audubon, Wonderfully Wild, Miller's Wildlife, F&M Trust and the Franklin County Libraries Bookmobile to provide activities that will bring nature to you.
Don't miss a special animal encounter program by Wonderfully Wild at 11am that provides a fun and educational way to help foster a love of our natural world, and a unique bird of prey flight display with Miller's Wildlife at 1pm, along with the chance to to see various rescue birds up close on the glove.
Their programs consist of a variety of small mammals, reptiles, owls and falcons from around the world. By understanding that the Earth we seek to protect through conservation has a GLOBAL impact, not just locally, we can see the results of actions we take.
- 11am 'Wonderfully Wild' Animal Encounter Program (Sponsored by F+M Trust)
- Tree Conservation: Learn how to plant trees with us for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and take a tree home to plant yourself
- 1pm 'Miller's Wildlife' History of Falconry Program with flight display (Sponsored by F+M Trust)
- Conococheague Audubon Society, Bird Activities and crafts
- Nature Crafts for Kids and Adults! Make a 'Seed Bomb or a Simple Bird Feeder (Sponsored by F+M Trust)
- Medicinal Plant walks
- Franklin County Bookmobile
- Climate Change and Forest Preservation talks
- Stone House History will be keeping our regular 18th Century life alive in the cabin during all the festivities!
The special live creature programs and take home activity kits are made possible by a generous contribution from F&M Trust Bank. Their sponsorship of the event brings these unique experiences available to our community. Thank you!
Program is free to the community, with a parking donation available for non-members.
Summer Camps: Date TBD
Saturday 23rd September: Fall Frolic Fundraiser
An Evening of live music, food, and festivities to raise money for CI's educational programs
Saturday 4th November: Bonfire Night
Special free community event that includes:
18th Century Games, Tavern Life Recreated, Craft Demonstrations, History of Guy Fawkes, Open Hearth Cooking Demos, Unique Bonfire Program 7pm
10am to 4pm, Saturday 16th December: Colonial Christmas at CI
Join us on the homestead and learn about the traditions of Christmas time during the 18th Century. See a Feast prepared, try your hand at Gingerbread baking, Wassailing, Games and more make the holiday season come alive. Plus pick up a Stocking stuffer in our store!
11am: Wassail!
Experience the historic traditions of Wassailing as they would’ve been practiced in the 18th century. Used for both harmless mischief and a blessing for future harvests, Wassailing dates back hundreds of years and brought the community together.
12pm: Preparing a Christmas Feast
Join us by the hearth and learn about the food that people of the 18th century would’ve enjoyed to celebrate Christmas.
1pm: Gingerbread!
Gather around the warmth of the oven and learn about the timeless Christmas tradition of baking gingerbread. Gingerbread was just as much a decoration in the 18th century as it was an enjoyable treat! Make your own gingerbread man or woman or anything to bake in our earthen oven!
2pm: Bows of Green and Garlands of Orange
Decorations in the 18th century were much simpler than their modern counterparts. Join us at the Visitors center to make traditional decorations made from pine, Oranges, and more!
3pm: Games and Gambols
Keep warm by playing some historic games, compete for prizes in skill and speed and impress each other with dancing and singing. Fun for all ages!
4pm: Wassail Bowl at the Ordinary
Join us at the Ordinary and witness as we make a traditional Christmas punch, a Wassail Bowl! We’ll be making punch that is both alcoholic and non alcoholic. Visitors must be 21+ to taste the Alcoholic variety. Recipes will be given to all so you can make it yourself at home too.
Free Admittance, donations appreciated.
We hope you will bring your friends and family to all these events (and our weekly Saturday Programs too).
For more information contact us and stay tuned for more announcements and press releases as we move forward
Collaborations and Outreach
At the Conococheague Institute we are proud to partner with organizations in the area that are in line with our mission to preserve our cultural and natural resources.
You can often find CI doing outreach and partner events and vice versa. Some groups even use CI as a host for some of their own programs.
“SOAR” Bird Walks (“Studying Ornithology Around the Region”) May 6th and 20th
Birding enthusiasts Larry and Sharon Williams lead bird walks along hiking trails at various locations around the region. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and may bring identification books and binoculars. Free.
Check their Calendar of Events to find the location for specific dates, or email them at: info@natureandcultureinstitute.org.
Soar will be using CI's grounds and trails on May 6th and 20th. Walks start at 8am at the Visitor Center and are free to all.
To learn more about the Institute visit https://natureandcultureinstitute.org/
Event Sponsorships
Our Events are made Possible thanks to our Donors, Grants and Event Sponsors. To learn more about how you can support these great community events at CI contact info@cimlg.org
After successful growth, being named 2022 Non-Profit of the Year from the CVBA, outstanding educational programs, and national recognized programs CI is in an incredible position for a vibrant and exciting Event Year.
With smaller free educational events and workshops making our site accessible and open to all, larger holiday themed events for Bonfire Night and Christmas, and a large Fall Fundraiser on September 23rd, an event sponsorship can make a huge impact on 1000's of members of the community, while having your business recognized in its support of our Cultural and Natural Resources.
Align your business with engaging, innovative programs and events that encourage a love and appreciation of our History and Natural Environment with families and donors of the Conococheague Institute. Our patrons are a mixture of highly educated, affluent members passionate about preserving our resources for the next generation, and families with young children interested in hands on experiences that will shape their lives and education.
We offer varying levels of sponsorships with associated benefits and are happy to work with you to create unique packages that meet your needs.