Educational Public Programs for March 2023

Pre-registration is required for all programs. Registration for January, February, and March programs is available beginning 9:00am on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. 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.

Participants should not attend any programs if they are not feeling well, have a fever, or have tested positive for Covid-19 within 5 days prior to the program. 

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.

Self-drive Option for Trips

Programs noting “self-drive option” allow the participant the choice to ride in a Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) vehicle or drive themselves to the trip destination. Due to the specifics of each trip, not every trip will allow the self-drive option.  During the registration process, the customer will be prompted to make a choice.

Expectations for Self-drive Option

  • Naturalist will provide the participant with the trip destination’s meeting time and address.  Participant is responsible for obtaining directions.
  • Participants choosing to drive 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.

MARCH

Trailblazers                                                                                                              NEW
(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-03          Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
                         4:00pm-5:00pm

Virtual Birding Seminar: March Madness                                                     
(Adult)                                                                                               
Virtually traverse north, south, east, and west across the country to determine what is the best species of bird in the United States! Each week will feature a different region, presented in bracket format, with carefully pre-selected species seeded from one through 16. The Naturalist will present a case for each head-to-head matchup, and you will choose which one advances to the next round. The last class will feature the final four with one species picked to represent each region. By the end of March, we will identify your selection for the best bird in America!   
$25 per household
Activity Number: 51934
EEC-02          Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
                         7:00pm-8:00pm

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!                   
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Hip, hip, hooray for Dr. Seuss!  Bring your blankets and your imaginations as we prepare to enter a world of mixed-up and silly creatures, where the weird and wacky are normal. We will read Seuss stories and of course celebrate with birthday cake!
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child
Activity Number: 51140
EEC-13          Thursday, March 2
                         10:30am-11:30am

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!
$50 for 5-day session per person
Activity Number: 51820               
EEC-47          Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30                       
                         4:00pm-5:00pm

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-42          Saturday, March 4
                        1:00pm-4:00pm
EEC-43          Saturday, March 11
                        1:00pm-4:00pm
EEC-44          Saturday, March 25
                        1:00pm-4:00pm

Woodcock Watch
(All Ages)
We mark the return of spring by the fanciful flight of the adorable American Woodcock! Take a walk into the fields and meadows of Lord Stirling Park as we look and listen for these elusive and amorous bog suckers.
$9 per student/senior
$11 per adult
Activity Number: 51458
EEC-14          Saturday, March 4
                         5:30pm-7:00pm

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-26          Sunday, March 5
                        4:30pm-5:30pm
EEC-27          Thursday, March 16
                        10:30am-11:30am

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.
$40 per pair/$20 per additional child for 4-day session
Activity Number: 51667                      
EEC-28          Mondays, March 6, 13, 20, 27
                        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!
$40 for 4-day session per person
Activity Number: 51666               
EEC-92      Mondays, March 6, 13, 20, 27                                                         
                    4:00pm-5:00pm                                              

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. 
$24 for 4-day session per senior
$28 for 4-day session per adult
Activity Number: 51708
EEC-24          Tuesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28     
                         9:00am-10:00am                                                                

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-11          Tuesday, March 7                            “Worm Moon”    
                        6:00pm-7:30pm

Friday Featured Film                                                                           NEW
(All Ages)
It’s showtime! Join us for some delicious maple popcorn and a big screen presentation of “My Octopus Teacher”. Pre-registration is required.
FREE
Activity Number: 51949
EEC-01          Friday, March 10
                        7:00pm-9:00pm

Boondocks & Back!
(All Ages)
To infinity and beyond on the trails! Take a hike and enjoy the furthest, most remote location in the park.
$12 per student/senior
$14 per adult
Activity Number: 51554                                                              
EEC-15          Sunday, March 12                           
                        3:00pm-5:00pm

Bugtastic!                                                    
(All Ages)
Do you love bugs, insects, and arthropods?  Then this is the class for you!  We will hit the gardens and trails to look for these critters. Observation tools will be provided. Exotic bugs from our building collection will also be shown and if time allows, we will read a fun story about bugs!
$6 per student/senior
$7 per adult
Activity Number: 51866
EEC-04          Tuesday, March 14
                         4:30pm-5:30pm

Spring Sensations            
(Ages infant-5 with parent)
Welcome to the wonderful world of spring with your five senses. Enjoy a guided walk with a Naturalist. Put your senses to the test by feeling, listening, looking, smelling, and tasting. 
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child
Activity Number: 51121
EEC-12          Thursday, March 23
                        10:30am-11:30am

Birding Over Breakfast                                                                                         NEW 
(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-02          Saturday, March 25
                         7:30am-9:30am

Winter Walkin’ in the Pines
(Adult)
Join us on a winter’s day for some easy walking down in the 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 five to six miles total, at an easy pace, while doing some winter birding. Bring a bag lunch, binoculars, and, of course, dress for the weather. Participants will meet at the EEC.
$40 per student/senior 
$50 per adult
Activity Number: 51376
EEC-21          Sunday, March 26
                         8:00am-6:00pm

Storytime Adventure                                                                                               NEW
(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-03          Sunday, March 26                            “Geckos”
                         10:00am-11:00am

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show
(Adult)
The Orchid Show, in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, will be the perfect way to welcome the return of spring!  This irresistible display of fragrance and color will be assembled from thousands of blooms in every conceivable color and shape and will include rare and endangered species. Dress to be outside and enjoy walking the extensive grounds. Plan to purchase lunch in the Pine Tree Café or Hudson Garden Grill Restaurant. Participants will meet at the EEC, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge.
$85 per senior
$95 per adult                      
Activity Number: 51181                           
EEC-65          Tuesday, March 28
                         9:00am-4:30pm

West Jersey Birding                                                                                        
(Adult)
Plenty of good birding is done out west…. west Jersey that is. Meet at the Environmental Education Center and travel by van to areas with great birding history and potential. Locations will include Round Valley and Spruce Run reservoirs. Participants will meet at the EEC, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge. 
$40 per senior
$50 per adult
Activity Number: 51543
EEC-11          Thursday, March 30
                        1:00pm-8:00pm