Welcome to historic Walden Woods!
Henry David Thoreau, one of America’s greatest writers,
philosophers and naturalists,
continues to inspire people of all ages. Our interactive programs,
led by knowledgeable guides, help bring a greater understanding of
Thoreau’s land, literature, and legacy to visitors of all ages, from
middle school students to elder hostel groups.
Look through our program offerings. Any of these programs may be
combined or tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you choose to
visit the Thoreau Institute, Walden Pond and Woods, Thoreau’s Path at
Brister’s Hill or several vernal pools in the area, visitors will be
able to walk in the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau, the man who
stepped to the beat of a different drummer.
Select from the following programs below and then
fill
out the program registration form. To help you get oriented to the area, click on
Map of
Walden Woods
to view the locations of the following outings.
Thoreau Gallery Talk
Walden Woods Outing
Thoreau's Cabin Tour
Walden
Pond
Hike
Thoreau’s Path on Brister’s Hill
Tour
Vernal Pools of Walden Woods Tour
Thoreau Gallery Talk
“I
have sometimes imagined a library, i.e. a collection of the works of
true poets, philosophers, naturalists, etc., deposited not in a brick
and marble edifice in a crowded and dusty city…But rather far away in
the depths of the primitive forest…”
Journal, 3 February 1852
Curator of collections, author and Thoreau
scholar,
Jeffrey
Cramer,
will give a talk at the Thoreau Institute’s library. The library
provides the most comprehensive body of
Thoreau
related
material available in one place. Mr. Cramer will provide an introduction to
Thoreau and the era in which he lived, and he will discuss Thoreau’s
life and writings in relation to historical items on display in the
library.
There
will be plenty of time for questions and answers and further discussions
sparked by visitors’ interest. Additional topics may include:
-
Thoreau and civil disobedience
-
Thoreau and Transcendentalism
-
Thoreau as a writer
-
Other topics generated
by groups' interests
Optional Extension: Groups may wish to spend some quiet time
journaling and reflecting, or having lunch on the Thoreau Institute
grounds. This talk combines well with the Walden Woods Outing or
Walden Pond Hike.
Time
Frame:
Usually 1 hour (flexible).
Meeting Point:
Directions will be sent once reservation is confirmed.
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Walden Woods Outing
“Nature will bear the closest inspection; she invites us to lay our eye
level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.”
Natural History of Massachusetts, Writings
Naturalist and conservation coordinator, Matthew Burne,
will
lead your group on a walk in historic Walden Woods.
-
Walk through
some of Thoreau’s favorite ‘berrying’ grounds, climb Pine Hill, and
explore the many acres of Walden Woods.
-
Explore the
ecosystem that surrounds and supports Walden Pond, with a particular
focus on the environmental history of the area.
Optional Extension:
Groups may wish to spend some quiet time journaling and reflecting, or
having lunch on the Thoreau Institute
grounds. This outing combines well with the Thoreau Gallery Talk.
Time
Frame:
1 hour
Meeting Point:
Directions will be sent once reservation is confirmed.
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Thoreau’s Cabin Tour
“I went to the woods
because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts
of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach…”
Walden
Curator of collections and
Thoreau scholar,
Jeffrey Cramer, will give a talk on
Thoreau’s life and the era in which he lived, beginning at the replica
of Thoreau’s Cabin, and continuing at the site where Thoreau made his
home during his stay at Walden. There will be plenty of time for
questions and answers and further discussions sparked by visitors’
interest.
-
Visit the replica of
Thoreau’s Cabin and its actual site at Walden Pond.
-
Leave behind a stone
from your hometown at the Cairn, a site to honor the memory of Henry
David Thoreau.
-
See the bean field
where Thoreau farmed.
Additional topics may
include:
-
Thoreau and civil
disobedience
-
Thoreau and
Transcendentalism
-
Thoreau as a writer
-
Other topics generated
by group’s interest
Optional Extension:
Groups may wish to spend some quiet time journaling and reflecting, or
having lunch by the shores of Walden Pond. This tour combines well with
the Walden Pond Hike.
Time Frame:
Usually 1 hour (flexible).
Meeting Point:
Directions will be sent once reservation is confirmed.
Parking: Trip leader
or teacher needs to contact the
Walden Pond State Reservation at
978-369-3254 to reserve bus parking spaces. $10 Bus Parking Fee.
(back to top)
Walden Pond Hike
“A
lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is
Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his
own nature.”
Walden, ‘The Ponds’
A
Walden Woods Project staff member will guide your group on this tour
around the pond. Thoreau’s literary legacy or the pond’s natural history
may be highlighted, as we tailor the program to your needs.
-
Learn about
the inter-woven natural and cultural history of this landscape,
including Thoreau’s experiences at Walden, the Transcendentalists,
and Thoreau’s literary legacy.
-
Walk the
1.5-mile trail around Walden Pond, visiting the replica of Thoreau’s
cabin and its site on the pond shore, Thoreau’s bean field, and
other points of interest.
Optional Extension:
Groups may wish to spend some quiet time journaling and reflecting, or
having lunch by the shores of Walden Pond. This outing combines
well with the Thoreau Cabin Tour.
Time
Frame:
1 - 1.5 hours
Meeting Point:
Directions will be sent once reservation is confirmed.
Parking:
Trip leader or teacher needs to contact the
Walden Pond State Reservation at 978-369-3254 to reserve bus parking
spaces. $10 Bus Parking Fee.
(back to top)
Thoreau’s Path on Brister’s Hill Walking Tour
“I
have great faith in a seed…Convince me that you have a seed there, and I
am prepared to expect wonders.”
The Succession of Forest Trees
Thoreau’s Path on Brister’s Hill is an innovative interpretive trail in the heart of Thoreau’s
Walden Woods. The path interprets the ecological and
social context of
Walden Woods. It also provides an excellent opportunity to observe
ecological processes, such as forest succession, that Thoreau was among
the first to describe. Under threat of development, the Walden Woods
Project raised money to purchase the land in order to protect and
celebrate its rich cultural heritage and natural history.
-
Take this
one-mile walking tour of Brister’s Hill, located a quarter mile away
from Walden Pond, led by a Walden Woods Project staff member.
-
Visit the
Reflection Circle, a place for rest and contemplation, where the
words of a diverse group of leaders and thinkers echo and extend
Thoreau’s message.
Optional Extension:
Groups may wish to spend some quiet time journaling and reflecting, or
having lunch at the circle.
Time Frame: 1 – 2 hours
Meeting Point:
Directions will be sent once reservation is confirmed.
Parking:
Trip leader or teacher needs to contact the
Walden Pond State Reservation at 978-369-3254 to reserve bus parking
spaces. $10 Bus Parking Fee.
(back to top)
Vernal Pools of Walden Woods Tour
“The
question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
Journal, 5 Aug.
1851
This
walking tour, led by naturalist and conservation coordinator, Matthew
Burne, could serve as a supplement
to any
of the above programs, or can stand on its own.
-
Walk through
Walden Woods to view several vernal pools and wetlands that dot the
landscape
-
Have hands-on
experience learning about the rich plant communities and wildlife
these ecosystems support.
-
Bring back
ideas to the classroom to help enhance your own natural science
activities.
Time
Frame:
1 –
2 hours
This
tour will be available for Spring and Summer trips
Meeting Point:
Directions will be sent once reservation is confirmed.
Parking:
Trip leader or teacher needs to contact the
Walden Pond State Reservation at 978-369-3254 to reserve bus parking
spaces. $10 Bus Parking Fee.
(back to top)
Fill out Programs
Registration Form
Guidelines and Tips for Group Leaders:
Contact Walden Pond State Reservation
at 978-369-3254 prior to your visit to reserve bus parking spaces.
Lunch
There
are no public dining facilities at the Reservation or Thoreau Institute,
so you’ll need to bring bag lunches. Areas are available at the Pond and
grounds of the Thoreau Institute for your convenience. During inclement
weather, groups of 30 may eat in the dining room of the Thoreau
Institute.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located near the parking area of Walden Pond Reservation,
and at the Institute.
Snacks
Providing snacks to your students prior to any of the walking tours will help
make the outings more enjoyable.
Gear
As
scheduled trips will proceed rain or shine, unless cancelled early in
the morning, please be sure that all students have appropriate rain gear
and foot wear.
Additional materials
If you are
bringing
extra materials for nature journaling activities, i.e.
clipboards, notebooks, pencils, etc., please be sure they are not too
heavy and are kept in easily transportable containers or backpacks, to
keep the walk pleasurable.
Individuals needing special assistance
Please
contact us prior to your visit for information about handicap
accessibility and to make arrangements for individuals needing special
assistance.
Additional Concord sites of
interest
For more places to visit
while in the area, go to the
Concord Chamber of Commerce website.
