Upcoming Events

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Hempstead House Tours


  • Tours at 12pm & 1:30pm
     February 15, 2026
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Tours at 12pm & 1:30pm
     March 1, 2026
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Tours at 12pm & 1:30pm
     March 15, 2026
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Tours at 12pm & 1:30pm
     March 29, 2026
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Tours at 12pm & 1:30pm
     April 26, 2026
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Tours at 12pm & 1:30pm
     May 24, 2026
     12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Interior access to Hempstead House is available by scheduled guided tours only. Tours are limited in group size and tend to sell out. Tickets are only available to purchase day-of in Castle Gould’s Welcome Center, open Wednesday – Sunday at 11am. Please arrive early to purchase tickets. PLEASE NOTE: Hempstead House tours are designed for adults, (more…)

Nature Detectives & Story Makers


  •  February 16, 2026
     10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Join us for a winter writing adventure where young authors explore the Preserve like detectives – uncovering nature clues left in the ice, snow, and winter woods – and transform their discoveries into curious, magical tales. Instructors from the Story Round and the Preserve’s Outdoor Nature Exploration program will help students connect with the natural world (more…)

Introduction to Ballroom Dancing


  •  February 19, 2026
     7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Take the first step and learn how to dance today! Discover the joy of ballroom dance in a fun, relaxed setting at the Sands Point Preserve! Join us for an introductory class led by Donatas Nacajus of Ballroom Boutique, and take your first steps on the dance floor with confidence and style. The aim of (more…)

Ink & Impressions


  •  February 22, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm

This program has been rescheduled from January 25 due to inclement weather. Instructor Mike Evans invites participants to step into the role of ancient scribes by crafting their own reed pens and natural ink using plant-based materials, all while exploring how ancient writing evolved from the land itself. This workshop blends history, artistry, and reflection—perfect for (more…)

Booked: An Afternoon of Reading by the Hempstead House Hearths


  •  March 1, 2026
     3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

“Booked” is a new winter program that invites adults to enjoy the warmth of Hempstead House for an afternoon of quiet, independent reading.  Bring your book, find a cozy spot by the fire, and enjoy!  Complimentary tea and coffee will be provided. No advanced registration is required.  To maintain a quiet atmosphere, this program is (more…)

Monthly Meditation


  •  March 5, 2026
     6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  •  April 2, 2026
     6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  •  May 7, 2026
     6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  •  June 4, 2026
     7:00 pm
  •  July 2, 2026
     7:00 pm
  •  August 13, 2026
     7:00 pm
  •  September 3, 2026
     6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  •  October 1, 2026
     6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  •  November 5, 2026
     6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  •  December 3, 2026
     6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Join Hildur Palsdottir for an evening of nature-based mindfulness and meditation on the first Thursday of every month. Classes will be held in the beautiful rooms of the Preserve’s mansions, or in the Hempstead House Garden when weather permits. With these sessions we will explore techniques specifically aimed at stress reduction. With kind curiosity Hildur (more…)

Princess Day at the Castle


  • Session One
     March 8, 2026
     12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
  • Session Two
     March 8, 2026
     12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Session Three
     March 8, 2026
     1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

A Grand Event at the Sands Point Preserve! Guests are welcomed into the majestic Hempstead House, where they meet their first Princess who sends them on a magical quest to become a true Princesses (or Prince!). As they stroll through each room of the Castle, guests will encounter each Princess and learn that being a (more…)

Wilderness Survival Series 2026


  • Making Cordage
     March 14, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Shelter Building
     April 18, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Wayfinding & Navigation
     May 16, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Applied Edgecraft/Tool Making
     June 13, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Applied Edgecraft/Tool Making
     June 13, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Foraging
     July 11, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Primitive Firecraft
     August 8, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Modern Firecraft
     September 19, 2026
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join us for the third year of our Wilderness Survival series! Ideal for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike, this series is led by survival enthusiast Mike Evans. Dive into essential survival skills, from emergency preparedness to advanced bushcraft techniques, exploring key concepts like the Rule of 3s and the 5 Cs. Perfect for those starting (more…)

Northwinds Symphonic Band Children’s Concert


  •  March 21, 2026
     1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

The Northwinds Symphonic Band presents an afternoon of music, fun for families with children of all ages. Conductors Helen P. Bauer and Brandon Bromsey have put together a program designed to excite the imagination of young listeners and aspiring young musicians. The program will include well-known selections from The Sound of Music, featuring vocalist Karen (more…)

Photograph of a forest in spring
Photograph of a forest in spring.

Ecotherapy


  • Spring Equinox: Balance, Renewal and Growth
     March 22, 2026
     2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Earth Day Connection with Nature
     April 19, 2026
     10:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Health and Wellness with Nature
     June 27, 2026
     10:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Ecotherapy at the Beach
     August 8, 2026
     10:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Celebrating the Fall Equinox
     September 20, 2026
     2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Exploring the Colors and Textures of Autumn
     November 14, 2026
     10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Ecotherapy, also known as Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, is the practice of connecting with Nature; of walking with Nature rather than through it. Certified guide Linda Lombardo leads monthly sessions of this relational practice that lowers cortisol, improves cognitive function, boosts your mood and energy, and most of all, grounds you so you are better prepared (more…)