Tree House Gang
(Ages 3-5)
Bring your little ones to the Environmental Education Center for fun science and nature programming. These two and a half hour afternoon classes will enhance learning by going outside for hikes, hands-on activities, meeting live animals, and creating one cool craft to take home at the end of the month. Each month has a different theme. A snack is provided. Please dress for the weather.
$65 for 4-day session per person
Course Code: 51488

Tree House Gang
(Ages 3-5)
Bring your little ones to the Environmental Education Center for fun science and nature programming. These two and a half hour afternoon classes will enhance learning by going outside for hikes, hands-on activities, meeting live animals, and creating one cool craft to take home at the end of the month. Each month has a different theme. A snack is provided. Please dress for the weather.
$65 for 4-day session per person
Course Code: 51488

Mega Mammals
(Ages 4-6)
Mammals of all shapes and sizes exist in the world. This program will focus on the larger species of mammals and how interesting they truly are. Through activities, crafts, stories, and games your child will go home with a good understanding of nature's mega mammals!
$9 per person
Course Code: 51637

The Age of Aquarium
(Ages 7-9 with parent)
Want to learn how to set up your own aquarium? Then this is the program for you! First we will take a walk into the swamp and see how nature does it. Then we will put together our own fresh water tank. Price of program includes tank, pond study instruction, and a Siamese fighting fish.
$20 per pair
Course Code: 51425

Story Hour
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Come and listen to a Naturalist read a story, relax in our comfortable library, and take a short walk. Story hour is a great way to spend some quality time with your young one while enjoying wonderful environmentally oriented books. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51628

The Green Team
(Ages 12-15)
Do you need to fulfill your community service requirement for school? Is natural science a subject you find interesting? Do you like the outdoors? Is the Great Swamp a place you like to visit? If so join us at the Environmental Education Center for educational and fun volunteering opportunities. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51438

Full Moon Hike
(All Ages)
Join a Naturalist for a hike through the forests of Lord Stirling Park as the full moon rises.
$6 per person
Course Code: 51251

The Young Explorers Club
(Ages infant–5 with parent)
It is never too early to get little ones outdoors to experience the wonders of nature. This series will focus on developing their five senses through simple activities. Parents will share the excitement with their children during this special hour and return home with ideas to explore nature close to home.
$22 per pair/$11 per additional child for 3-day session
Course Code: 51667

KinderNats
(Ages 5-6)
KinderNats is a program designed and geared for children currently enrolled in kindergarten. This afterschool series will get them outside to study science and explore the natural world.  These Junior Naturalists will be engaged through games, activities, and much more! Each week will focus on a different seasonal theme. Please be dressed for all kinds of weather.
$18 for 3-day session per person
Course Code: 51666

Colors of Nature
(Ages 4-6)
Join a Naturalist to explore the plants, animals, and natural things that are richly hued for a reason and that brighten up this dreary season. Blue whales, red pandas, black-capped chickadees, and green turtles are the stars, with many more!
$9 per person
Course Code: 51268

Fly with Me!
(Ages 7-9)
Brisk spring winds just cry out for kites! In this class we will build and fly a variety of flying objects such as a boomerang, kite, and paper bats! Be prepared to soar as we take flight on this spring day at Lord Stirling Park. Come and join the fun!
$9 per person
Course Code: 51429

Darling Dragons and Dainty Damsels!
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Have you ever wondered what was swimming with the fishes and spying on the frogs? Join a Naturalist to get to the bottom of this often asked question and find out how fun it is to play in swamp water. Not for the faint of heart! Just kidding. Program includes a story and outdoor exploration.
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child
Course Code: 51416

Plant Swap
(Adult)
Share all things green during our seasonal plant swap. Entire plants, cuttings, seeds, and old garden magazines are all welcome for the swap. This is a great way to go green, learn something new, and save money. Remember: whatever you bring that is not swapped goes home with you. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51626

Basically Bats
(All Ages)
The only true flying mammals are often misunderstood and feared, rather than appreciated for their prowess as our best natural insect predators. Did you know that a single bat can consume approximately 600 insects per hour? So, pull the plug on your bug zapper and learn some bat biology. Class includes our famous bat quiz, power point, and lecture about bat ecology, as well as a field walks to look for these elusive nocturnal creatures.
$9 per person
Course Code: 51273

Eight-Legged Freaks - NEW
(Ages 7-9)
Spiders, ticks, and daddy long legs! Oh my! We tend to be afraid of these little eight legged animals, but these creatures are important members of our natural world. Let's spend some time learning about and looking for these creepy crawlies.
$9 per person
Course Code: 51684

Tree Time
(Ages 7-9)
Trees can be tall, trees can be tan. Can you tell which tree is which? Take a walk with a Naturalist to discover the differences between the trees that surround us. Collect leaves from each tree and create your own tree ID book to take home.
$9 per person
Course Code: 51342

Hortulus Farm and Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve -NEW
(Adult)
Take a tour of Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, 134 acres featuring over 800 species of native plants. Then step back in time and visit Hortulus Farm, a 100-acre 18th century farmstead featuring 20 separate formal gardens. Ponds, streams, woodlands, pines, fountains, and a kitchen garden are sure to pique your interest; and the historic barns are home to a variety of farm animals. Please bring a bag lunch.
$65 per adult/$55 per senior
Course Code: 51678

Garrett Mountain, Great Falls, and Lambert Castle - NEW
(Adult)
Can you believe that such a fantastic birding spot is located in Paterson, NJ? We will bird Garrett Mountain Reservation and then eat lunch while viewing the majestic Great Falls of the Passaic River, the second largest waterfall by volume east of the Mississippi and America's newest national historic park - #397! We will finish the day with a tour of Lambert Castle, the home of Catholina Lambert – Paterson's prominent silk baron. Bring lunch, binoculars, and dress for the weather.
$55 per adult/$45 per youth/senior
Course Code: 51691

Homeschool Offering: The Rock Cycle
(Ages 7-12)
This session is meeting at the main parking area for the SCPC Sourland Mountain Preserve on East Mountain Road in Hillsborough. We will be taking a hike in search of musical rocks, and learning about how the landscape came to look so odd. Wear sturdy boots, and bring a drink and a snack.
$12 per person
Course Code: 51648

Down Jersey
(Adult)
Join the Naturalists for a full day birding adventure on the Delaware Bayshore. This time of year is excellent for migrating birds! We will welcome back the Jersey residents and wish the rest good luck for the remainder of their journey. Enjoy exploring a variety of habitats which will make the day's bird list nice and long! Bring lunch, binoculars, money for dinner and dress for the weather.
$65 per person
Course Code: 51065

Story Hour
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Come and listen to a Naturalist read a story, relax in our comfortable library, and take a short walk. Story hour is a great way to spend some quality time with your young one while enjoying wonderful environmentally oriented books. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51628

HELP!
(Adults)
Do you love the Environmental Education Center? We could use your help with a variety of endeavors. Throughout the year, different projects will be tackled depending on the season. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and helping hands will be used to enhance the Center. An hour here or there could be spent gardening, preparing for a program or special event, helping us catch up with administrative work, etc. As thanks, we will provide yummy treats. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51594

Silk Spinners - NEW
(Ages 4-6)
Silk is spun by a surprising diversity of animals not just spiders! Join a Naturalist and learn which arthropods spin silk and how they use it. Take a brief walk into the fields in search of this amazing substance!
$9 per person
Course Code: 51697

Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog
(Ages 7-9)
Splash into the world of vernal pools! Vernal pools are these amazing little pools of water that only exist for short amounts of time. Find out who lives there and why before they dry up! Rubber boots are a must.
$9 per person
Course Code: 51646

Irises and Ice Cream
(Adult)
Prepare to be inspired. Join Naturalists for a visit to Montclair's famous Presby Memorial Iris Garden, with 10,000 irises from approximately 3,000 varieties, together they create about 100,000 blooms per season! Whether you are interested in classics or contemporary, antiques or heirloom, tall or dwarf there will be irises here for you to see. After our visit to the garden we will be stopping at the Jersey-famous Applegate Farm Dairy for some amazing home-made ice cream.
$45 per adult/$35 per senior
Course Code: 51181

Tot Trek
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Get your strollers ready and your sturdy shoes tied up tight! We will head out on the trails of Lord Stirling Park for a brisk walk, with breaks here and there for a snack, a story, and to admire the natural world.
$15 per pair/$8 per additional child
Course Code: 51214

The Green Team
(Ages 12-15)
Do you need to fulfill your community service requirement for school? Is natural science a subject you find interesting? Do you like the outdoors? Is the Great Swamp a place you like to visit? If so join us at the Environmental Education Center for educational and fun volunteering opportunities. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51438

Shopping at Well Sweep
(Adult)
Come with us to Well Sweep Herb Farm to shop for your 2012 garden. Well Sweep has a large variety of plants, from herbs to natives and lots of special varieties that are not seen at the large nurseries. Two Naturalists will assist you in navigating through their spectacular garden beds. You will soon be on your way to the garden of your dreams. From sun to shade, wet to dry, animal resistant plants, you name it, Well Sweep has it. Take the day off for shopping in the morning and go home to plant in the afternoon.
Suggested Donation: Plants (valued at $25) for the gardens at the Environmental Education Center.
Course Code: 51450

MOST CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED OUTSIDE,
SO PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY

    • Program Registration Application (pdf)
    • Monthly Newsletter (pdf)  
    • Calendar (pdf) 

PROGRAM OFFERINGS
    • Program Registration Information & Locations
    • Environmental Education Center
    • Canoe & Kayak Programs & Trips
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Birthday Parties
    • School Group Programs
    • Scouts/Other Group Programs
    • Maple Sugaring

 PARK FEATURES
   • Special Events
    • Exhibits
    • Workshops
    • Family Program Series
    • Trips
    • Library
    • Trails
    • Natural History Book & Gift Shop
    • Room Rental

E-mail the EEC any questions or comments