YMCA Spring Programs Announced

FAIRFIELD — Great Hollow Wilderness School, Conference and Retreat Center, at 225 Route 37, has prepared a spring schedule of programs and classes for young adults and teens. For more information on programs or to request a private outing with a group, class, Scout troop, or family, call 746-5852.

“Wilderness First Aid” (WFA) for ages 16 and older, will run April 17–18. May dates are also being planned.

The 16-hour course will prepare participants to deal with medical emergencies when help is miles away and dialing 911 is not an option, to handle emergency situations that involve severe environments, and to use improvised equipment.

For students looking for work at a camp or in any recreational setting this summer, WFA is a valuable certification to have.

“Caving: Kids and Adults” is an underground adventure to discover the geology and lore of Indian Ovens Cave in Millerton, N.Y. Participants need to be prepared to spend approximately four hours underground in the strenuous, very physical activity. Transportation will be provided from Great Hollow. The program, for ages 9 and above, will run on Sunday, May 9, from 9 am to 4 pm. Group rates are available for Girl and Boy Scout groups.

“Big Men, Little Men: Father/Son Overnight” is a program for men searching for an adventure to share with their son, nephew, or someone they mentor. Activities for the May 1–2 trip will include fire building and cooking over that fire, canoeing, and caving. The outdoor adventure will also include camping at a platform campsite and storytelling. The trip will be led by a dynamic father-son team. The program is for boys ages 8 and older.

For area females who enjoy the outdoors, their chance comes with “Women in the Wilderness: Mother/Daughter Overnight,” with participants spending Mother’s Day Weekend bonding as mother and daughter in the outdoors.

This wilderness adventure is for women, led by women. Activities include dinner, fire building, storytelling, camping, high ropes course, and light hiking. All camping and technical equipment is provided.

Enrollment is not limited to mother/daughter pairs — the same options offered to men are open for women. The program is for ages 8 and up, and the trip will be May 7–8