190 Lord Stirling Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ
908 766-2489    EEC Home Page

Educational Public Programs for October 2017

The Environmental Education Center has partnered with the national Let's Move! initiative to fight childhood obesity by encouraging participation in outdoor activities and promoting healthy eating. Those programs are listed with the Let's Move! logo by the program titles.

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. Please be dressed for all kinds of weather and waterproof boots are a must.
$30 per pair/$15 per additional child for 4-day session
Course Code: 51667

KinderNats
(Ages 5-7)
KinderNats is a program designed and geared for children who love being outdoors. This afterschool series will get them outside on the trails 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 and waterproof boots are a must.
$24 for 4-day session per person
Course Code: 51666

Forest Fitness
(Adult)
Join a weekly walking group and enhance your exercise regimen with Mother Nature! Improve your health, clear your mind, and enjoy nature as you traverse the level trails of Lord Stirling Park with a Naturalist as your guide. Leave cool, calm, and collected. Participants must be able to walk continuously at a moderate pace with occasional breaks. Bring a water bottle and a desire to leave your troubles behind. Comfortable, waterproof boots are a must in the swamp.
$25 for 5-day session per person
Course Code: 51708

Tot Trek
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Calling all tots! Leave the stroller behind and join a Naturalist for a walk on the trails of Lord Stirling Park. Explore the natural world around you by using all of your senses! You will be surprised to find out how much fun you can have outside!
Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51214

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 spending up to two hours outside exploring, hands-on activities, meeting live animals, and learning by experimenting. Each month has a different theme. Please provide a small snack for your child. Comfortable, waterproof boots are a must in the swamp. Please register for only the Tuesday session or the Thursday session per month. Both monthly sessions cover the same material on a weekly basis.
$65 for 4-day session per person
Course Code: 51488

Swamp Kids - New program
(Ages 8-10)
Too old for KinderNats? Join Swamp Kids! This program is designed to let the child's curiosity and passion guide their learning. Nature is the greatest teacher! Each week this outdoor afterschool series will focus on a different seasonal theme. Please be dressed for all kinds of weather and warm, waterproof boots are a must.
$24 for 4-day session per person
Course Code: 51820

Fossil Hunt: New Jersey
(All Ages, 10 years and older)
Join a Naturalist on a day trip to collect fossils in New Jersey! This public collecting spot has an interesting history and a variety of marine fossils from the Cretaceous; some of the most numerous fossils are sharks teeth and belemnites. Please wear long pants that will get wet and dirty, bring boots or old sneakers for walking in the brook, bring a hat, sunscreen, lunch, something to drink and money for a post fossil hunt stop for drinks and snacks. Note youth under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
$25 per person
Course Code: 51816

Owl Prowl
(All Ages, 8 years and older)
Join EEC Naturalists and explore the nocturnal world of these fascinating raptors. Whether with long or short ears, barred or great horned, these raptors are truly special. Fall is a great time of year to hear, and possibly even see, some of the owls that live in Lord Stirling Park. Dress in layers for inside and outside. Good warm footwear is a must.
$12 per person
Course Code: 51475

The Green Team
(Ages 12-15)
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 and contribute your talents to our fun and educational projects and special events. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51438

Fungus Among Us
(All Ages)
Fungus is integral to all life on Earth plus it tastes great if you pick the right one. Please join us as we learn about things that rot and things that we can add to our pizzas, salads or omelets.
$9 per person
Course Code: 51291

Sunday Forest Fitness
(Adult)
Join a weekend walking group and enhance your exercise regimen with Mother Nature! Improve your health, clear your mind, and enjoy nature as you traverse the level trails of Lord Stirling Park with a Naturalist as your guide. Leave cool, calm, and collected. Participants must be able to walk continuously at a moderate pace with occasional breaks. Bring a water bottle and a desire to leave your troubles behind. Comfortable, waterproof boots are a must in the swamp.
$20 for 4-day session per person
Course Code: 51708

Fabulous Fall Foliage - New program
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Come explore the beautiful colors of fall with crafts, activities, and a short hike where we will look at the gorgeous yellows, oranges, and reds that make autumn so wonderful!
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child
Course Code: 51821

River Rats
(Ages 5-8)
Come join us for this exciting weekend learning adventure. During each monthly session, we will hike, observe, interact with live animals, create crafts, and explore the Great Swamp. Bring a water bottle, a snack, and dress to be both indoors and out.
$27 for 3-day session per person
Course Code: 51740

Birding Identification Workshops: Sparrows - New program
(Adult)
Introducing a new program series geared toward beginning, refining or reinforcing your birding skills. Throughout the course of the year we will spend either one or two hours on a Saturday learning about one specific group of birds. Whether it is ducks, raptors, gulls, warblers or sparrows we will address the ins and outs of how to identify some of birding's trickiest species. Depending on the season there will be an inside and outside component. This program will be all about sparrows, affectionately called little brown jobs. Mid-October is the prime time to find sparrows in Lord Stirling Park, so we will have the chance to practice identification in the field as well as in the classroom. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51822

Storm King Art Center - New program
(Adult)
Widely celebrated as one of the world's leading sculpture parks, Storm King Art Center is a pristine 500-acre landscape of fields, hills, and woodlands. Among the colorful fall foliage back drop, tour the collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time. Please bring a bag lunch or money to purchase lunch from the outdoor café.
$60 per adult/$50 per senior
Course Code: 56391

Bones, Bones, Bones
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Your bones help you run, skip, and jump. But why else are they important? Do all animals have bones? Join us to learn more about the skeleton inside your body and the creatures that keep theirs on the outside.
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child
Course Code: 51715

The Green Team
(Ages 12-15)
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 and contribute your talents to our fun and educational projects and special events. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51438

Crazy Carnivorous Plants - New program
(All Ages)
Does the thought of a plant eating animals intrigue you? Ever wonder how a Venus fly trap catches its next meal? Would you like to learn how to grow your own "killer" plants? If you answered yes to any of these questions, join us at the Environmental Education Center and learn about some of the most interesting plants on the planet. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Course Code: 51827

Origami Birds
(All Ages, 8 years and older)
Origami is the ancient art of paper folding. Whether you are a novice or an experienced paper folder, join us and spend an hour relaxing while challenging yourself to make origami birds to take home. These festive birds make a memorable touch on a special occasion or holiday table.
$9 per person
Course Code: 51119