Educational Public Programs for January 2024
Pre-registration is required for all programs. Registration for January, February, and March programs is available beginning 9:00am on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the start of a program. Pending availability, enrollment may still be possible by calling 908-722-1200 Ext. 5002.
For programs listed as ‘All Ages’, children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots for all in-person programs.
CANCELLATIONS (by us): Programs are sometimes cancelled due to low enrollment or weather conditions. You will be notified by phone and given an option of a credit or a full refund.
CANCELLATIONS (by you): The Somerset County Park Commission will refund program registration fees if notified a minimum of seven days prior to the start of the program.
The EEC Program Punch Pass
The EEC Program Punch Pass can be secured when you attend an in-person program at the Environmental Education Center. Present the Punch Pass each time you attend a paid program at the EEC. Receive a hole punch for each paid participant within your household. Once you receive 10 hole punches, redeem the Punch Pass for one Leisure Pursuit Card!* Collect as many as you can! Advance registration is required for all paid programs.
*A Leisure Pursuit Card’s value is a maximum of $20 per use and may be applied towards one of the following activities: paddle boat rental, Colonial Park Putting Course, Green Knoll Pitch and Putt, admission to Warrenbrook Pool, tennis court rental, one round of golf, Environmental Science program, hack or intro ride at Lord Stirling Stable or reduced fee for a picnic grove. The cards cannot be redeemed through online or phone-in registration.
Please note: Promotion may end anytime at the Environmental Education Center’s discretion.
Expectations for Meeting at Off-site Locations
- Naturalist will provide the participant with the trip destination’s meeting time and address. Participant is responsible for obtaining directions.
- Participants driving themselves are not permitted to follow the SCPC vehicle.
- Participant must arrive on time. Program will begin at the scheduled meeting time. No exceptions.
- Participant may contact the Naturalist cell phone at 908-801-2925. The Naturalist will only answer the phone when they can safely do so.
- Arriving at the location is the responsibility of the participant. Refunds will not be issued for any reason.
JANUARY
Forest Fitness
(Adult)
Get active with us! Walking outdoors is proven to help your wellbeing. Join a Naturalist on this weekly walking group that will walk continuously at a moderate pace with occasional breaks.
$30 for 5-day session per senior
$35 for 5-day session per adult
Activity Number: 51708
EEC-31 Tuesdays, January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
9:00am-10:00am
Trailblazers
(Ages 11-13)
Become a Trailblazer! This program is designed for kids who enjoy outdoor exploration and nature-related experiments. Join Naturalists for this weekly, hour-long adventure!
$50 for 5-day session per person
Activity Number: 52009
EEC-11 Wednesdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
4:00pm-5:00pm
Swamp Kids
(Ages 8-10)
Become a Swamp Kid! This program is designed to let the child’s curiosity and passion guide their learning. Nature is a great teacher for this outdoor, afterschool series!
$40 for 4-day session per person
Activity Number: 51820
EEC-55 Thursdays, January 4, 11, 18, 25
4:00pm-5:00pm
Keeping Up with Science
(Adult)
Join Naturalists to explore and discuss different aspects of the natural sciences, emerging scientific innovations, and their impacts on our changing communities. Each month will focus on a different topic. Light refreshments will be provided.
$6 per senior
$7 per adult
Activity Number: 51959
EEC-0 4 Friday, January 5
6:30pm-7:30pm The Anthropocene
& The Future Earth by Eric Holthaus
West Jersey Birding
(Adult)
Begin the new year of birding by searching for ducks in the reservoirs of west Jersey. Locations will include Round Valley and Spruce Run reservoirs. Participants will meet in the East Picnic Area in Round Valley Recreation Area, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Transportation is not provided to either location. Pre-registration is required.
$30 per senior
$40 per adult
Activity Number: 51543
EEC-12 Saturday, January 6
8:30am-1:00pm
Introduction to Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing NEW
(All Ages, 10 years and older)
Get outdoors this winter season! Join a Naturalist on this indoor program and learn about the art and sports of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. We will discuss equipment, clothing, pre-conditioning, safety procedures, and great places to ski and snowshoe in New Jersey.
$6 per youth/senior
$7 per adult
Activity Number: 51962
EEC-01 Saturday, January 6
10:30am-11:30am
The Green Team
(Ages 13-17)
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
Activity Number: 51438
EEC-62 Saturday, January 6
1:00pm-4:00pm
EEC-63 Saturday, January 20
1:00pm-4:00pm
Snowshoe Hike
(All Ages)
Join a Naturalist for fun in the snow! Snowshoe on the trails and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow a pair (limited number of snowshoes available – first come, first serve). If there is no snow, we will go for a hike, but without snowshoes!
$6 per student/senior
$7 per adult
Activity Number: 51670
EEC-29 Sunday, January 7
3:00pm-4:00pm
EEC-30 Wednesday, January 24
3:00pm-4:00pm
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 outdoor exploration.
$30 per pair/$15 per additional child for 3-day session
Activity Number: 51667
EEC-36 Mondays, January 8, 22, 29 (no class January 15)
10:30am-11:30am
KinderNats
(Ages 5-7)
KinderNats is a program designed and geared for children who love being outdoors. These Junior Naturalists will be engaged through hiking, activities, and much more!
$30 for 3-day session per person
Activity Number: 51666
EEC-01 Mondays, January 8, 22, 29 (no class January 15)
4:00pm-5:00pm
In the Swamp Tonight
(All Ages, 6 years and older with parent)
Join a Naturalist and learn about life after dark in the swamp. On the darkest night of the month head out for an exploratory hike and or look through the telescope at the planets and stars. In the event of bad weather, the reschedule date is Saturday, January 13, 7:00pm-8:00pm.
$6 per student/senior
$7 per adult
Activity Number: 51888
EEC-05 Friday, January 12
7:00pm-8:00pm
Warmer in Winter
(All Ages, 10 years and older with parent)
Do you dread going outside in winter because of the temperature? Do you know the best method to keep warm outside? The answer has two parts; movement and clothing. Join a Naturalist, who loves cold weather, to learn how to dress for outdoor winter success and how fun outdoor activities will keep you warm!
$6 per student/senior
$7 per adult
Activity Number: 51892
EEC-02 Saturday, January 13
10:30am-11:30am
Birding Over Breakfast
(Adult)
The early birder gets the worm, we mean breakfast. Upon arrival, place your order with our Naturalist "chef", embark on a bird walk, burn some calories, and return for a delicious meal. Yum!
$17 per student/senior
$19 per adult
Activity Number: 51948
EEC-04 Saturday, January 20
8:00am-10:00am
Walkin’ in the Pines
(Adult)
Join us for some easy walking down in the amazing Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Our travels may include Whitesbog Village, the Evert Nature Trail, the Franklin Parker Preserve, and/or Lebanon State Forest. We will hike several miles, at an easy pace, while doing some birding. Bring lunch, binoculars, and, of course, dress for the weather. Participants will meet at the EEC, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ (bus transportation provided). Pre-registration is required.
$60 per student/senior
$70 per adult
Activity Number: 51376
EEC-23 Sunday, January 21
9:00am-5:30pm
Family Nature Walk
(All Ages)
Be curious with a Naturalist on these one-hour adventures into the Great Swamp. Dress for the weather; waterproof boots are strongly recommended. Pre-registration is not required.
FREE
Sunday, January 21
11:00am-Noon
Virtual Birding Identification Workshop: Ducks
(Adult)
This program will be all about the wide array of ducks we have in New Jersey during winter. Learn how to identify drakes and hens of each species and break the species into easy to remember groups. Learn field markings, behavior, and other identification tips for each species.
$5 per household
Activity Number: 57006
EEC-04 Tuesday, January 23
7:00pm-8:00pm
Diggin’ Dinosaurs
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Even though dinosaurs are extinct, they are interesting creatures! Join us as we become paleontologists and discover just what this scientist does all day. We will learn how fossils are formed, uncover some of our very own fossils, and learn some cool dinosaur characteristics.
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child
Activity Number: 51037
EEC-22 Thursday, January 25
10:30am-11:30am
Moonlight Meander Series
(All Ages)
Star light, star bright! Who wants to see the moon tonight? Join us each month while we explore a different theme and walk through the park underneath the light of a full moon.
$9 per student/senior
$11 per adult
Activity Number: 51887
EEC-16 Thursday, January 25 Wolf Moon
5:00pm-6:30pm
Nature Ramblers
(Adult)
Join the Nature Ramblers and learn more about New Jersey’s natural areas while making new friends and enjoying the fresh air. Stroll the trails stopping to view natural items such as interesting plants, insects, butterflies, and mushrooms as part of the experience. Participants will meet at different locations within Hunterdon, Morris or Somerset Counties. Detailed information and address will be provided to registered participants prior to the trip date.
$9 per senior
$11 per adult
Activity Number: 51955
EEC-07 Friday, January 26 The Tourne, A Morris County Park
10:30am-Noon
Eat, Create, Share!
(Adult)
Join us for this monthly program as we meet new people, try new things, create taste sensations, get crafty, and have fun together. This month, we will focus on the tapping of maple trees and enjoying homemade maple syrup and various maple treats.
$23 per senior
$25 per adult
Activity Number: 52010
EEC-04 Saturday, January 27 All Things Maple
1:00pm-3:00pm
Storytime Adventure
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Come with your little one and enjoy nature and animal stories paired with a small adventure each month. Adventures may include a live critter, a short hike, a craft or show and tell items.
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child
Activity Number: 51947
EEC-12 Sunday, January 28 Dinosaurs
10:00am-11:00am
Cool Critters!
(All Ages)
Come and see some truly cool, live critters and learn what helps them to survive in nature. Our guest list includes bugs, reptiles, and more!
$6 per student/senior
$7 per adult
Activity Number: 51424
EEC-27 Sunday, January 28
3:00pm-4:00pm
Birding at Liberty State Park NEW
(Adult)
Spend the day at Liberty State Park searching for winter waterfowl. Participants will meet at the Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ (bus transportation provided). Pre-registration is required.
$45 per senior
$55 per adult
Activity Number: 51961
EEC-01 Wednesday, January 31
9:00am-3:00pm
