No Child Left Inside℠ is comprised of many programs, including the following:

The Great Park Pursuit, The Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure

This multi-week adventure takes families to state parks across Connecticut. Teams participate in a variety of outdoor activities at some of Connecticut's most beautiful parks and forests while competing for fabulous outdoor prize packages.

Park Passes for Foster Families

Through a generous donation from Bank of America, the DEP has offered free of charge state park season passes to more than 2,500 Connecticut foster families. The program is organized in cooperation with the state Department of Children and Families and the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents.

Park and Forest Interpreters

The DEP has increased staffing at several state parks to help make visits to these locations more rewarding and enriching. These additional seasonal park interpreters serve as guides to the park and teach educational and recreational programs.

Urban Fishing Program

To ensure an outdoor experience is convenient for all families in Connecticut, the DEP has developed an Urban Fishing program. Through this program, ponds and rivers in cities are stocked with trout; city school children participate in fish stocking events; and volunteers work with students both in the classroom and outdoors to teach them lifelong fishing skills.

Environmental Education

DEP is expanding efforts to provide educational experiences for youth that stimulate their interest in the environment. Programs include year round activities at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby and Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill; special activities at state park nature centers around the state; a hands-on summer research program for high school students; an "oil drum" art program in urban schools to create colorful recycling containers; and programs to expose youngsters to the wonders of state forests and farms.

State Park Passes at Libraries

The Connecticut Library Consortium and the DEP have partnered to provide Connecticut state park day passes to public libraries across the state. Library patrons may borrow the pass to obtain free parking at state parks where fees are charged and free admission to any museum located within a park. The DEP and public libraries have also created a special summer reading program focused on environmental topics.

Water Safety

To help ensure families and youngsters are safe at the beach, the DEP provides a focus on water safety. This includes expanded boater safety classes and working with the YMCA, Red Cross, and city and town recreation departments to promote the availability of swim lessons.