Founded in 1985 by actress and philanthropist Carmen Mathews, New Pond Farm is an independent, year-round environmental education center set on 102 acres of protected woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and pastures in Fairfield County, CT. From a summer camp for underserved NYC youth, we have grown into a vibrant community resource serving learners of all ages. Each year, over 5,000 students and 1,000 children and families engage with our farm, property, and programs — forging meaningful, lasting connections with the land.
Our diverse landscape is central to how we teach. As a Connecticut Dairy Farm of Distinction, our working farm and surrounding habitats are real world learning labs that bring environmental lessons to life.
Our programs connect people, land, and community through five core pillars:
- Environmental Studies: Exploring diverse habitats through hands-on learning
- Sustainable Agriculture: Engaging with livestock and the land in our barns, gardens, and pastures
- Cultural History: Discovering local indigenous peoples’ history at an authentically recreated Eastern Woodland encampment
- Astronomy: Inspiring curiosity about our solar system and beyond
- Arts & Culture: Encouraging creativity through live performances, improv classes, art shows, and community events.
Together, these foster wonder, responsibility, and lifelong bonds with nature.
Join us this Fall! The New Pond Farm Education Center offers after-school programs in arts, creativity, cooking and more for both elementary and middle school students. Programs such as Artsynergy Productions: Creating Immersive Theatre for grades 3-4 runs on Thursdays and for grades 5-8 on Tuesdays, Farm to Table Kids for grades 2-4 runs on Tuesdays and After-School Improv: Laugh, Create and Shine! for grades 5-8 runs on Wednesdays.
- Dates: Classes begin week of September 7th
- Ages: Grades 2-8
- Location: 101 Marchant Road, Redding
- Direct bus service is available for Artsynergy and After School Improv classes from Redding Elementary School and John Read Middle School!
- Mention Macaroni KID when registering!
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