Today, hundreds of people each year flock to the autumn festival and the winter solstice celebration. Some people are attracted by the chance to pass the night in tents, lean-tos or cabins. It seems to touch different people in a different way. Hunters may head to Merck to bag deer, while animal lovers might go there for the chance see wildlife like wild turkeys or domesticated animals like hens and Randall lineback cows, a rare breed developed in Arlington. The Merck center also sponsors year-round learning activities.
Adults can enroll in seminars on topics such as tree pruning, herbal medicine or wild edibles.
Children can take part in a Wednesday gardening program. This makes it more real. Next time they eat a salad, they have a greater appreciation for these things. It makes more of an impact on them if we can meet the cow and then go make butter or meet the sheep and then spin some wool. In addition to single-day workshops, Merck operates overnight summer camps throughout the summer, culminating with a family camping weekend in August.