Harkness Memorial Park holds the former mansion of Edward Harkness, a former multi-millionaire philanthropist, overlooking 230-acres of waterfront property. The mansion was purchased by Harkness in 1907, and with the help of landscape designed Beatrix Jones Farrand and over two hundred million dollars of his own money, Harkness restored the grounds into one of the most elegant sites in Connecticut.
There is admission costs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with tours of the mansion available during that same time. The mansion hosts weddings as well, and admission is free from September to May.
River Dale has 250 camp sites and is located on a 100-acre colonial farm. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and there are many nearby attractions for everyone to enjoy. Full-service sites are available, as well as a range of exciting recreational activities.
YMCA Camp Ingersoll is made up of 77 acres to provide youths learning experiences that develop the spirit, mind and body during the summer months. Its campers on average are between the ages of 4-17. Campers have the chance to enjoy several activities, such as archery, swimming, arts and crafts, boating, field games, nature, hiking, family nights, sports, rock climbing and more.
Camp Harkness is a campground and beach on the shores of Long Island Sound. It features 102 acres of wooded land. The state park is exclusively for use by individuals with disabilities, along with their family and friends. Year-round and seasonal cabins and cottages are available, in addition to seasonal tent sites, horseback riding, a dining hall and an infirmary.
Carl and Gail Ford have been running Camp Seawatch Vacation Retreat for Dogs out of their home for years, and in that time have earned themselves a loyal local following. The location is in a residential area, in an old home on a country road. The retreat is very flexible and has no set times for pick-up or drop-off.
The Hide Out is a state certified preschool and daycare center located on Mohegan Road in Shelton. It offers a variety of age-appropriate programs for children from 3 to 12 years old. Facilities include a computer room, large playground, and a bus service from all schools in Shelton. All teachers are CPR certified, and both full and part-time programs are available as well as a full summer camp program.
Camp Cedarcrest is a group campground in the town of Orange founded in 1924. The 43-acre non-staffed grounds can be rented by non-profit organizations, families holding a reunion, colleges, churches, cub scouts and other groups of 10 or more people. The camp's facilities include cabins, dining hall with a full kitchen, hiking trails, fishing in the Wepawaug river running through the grounds, baseball and softball fields, amphitheater, fire pits and basketball courts. By special appointment, team-building sessions can be arranged through Camp Cedarcrest in conjunction with an outside organization involving climbing wall activities and a challenge course. The camp does not host RVs, trucks or trailers or individual campers wanting to pitch a tent for the night. Nor does Camp Cedarcrest itself host summer camps, although an outside organization is more than welcome to use the camp to this end.
