Bugs, Swamps, Creatures: Kids Science Programs In Somerset

From the Reitman Group: Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center (EEC), located at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge, New Jersey has opened registration for Eco-Explorers, a summer science and nature program for children ages 7 to 9.

Eco-Explorers offers a series of four one-week and two two-week summer sessions of day-long programming exploring nature and science through hiking, canoeing, games, crafts, and exciting day trips. The Naturalist-led series takes a hands-on approach to learning through creative expression, educational games, imagination, nature exploration, and physical skill development.

Each of the six sessions offers field trips, guest speakers, nature walks, canoeing, games, arts and
crafts, and more.

Swamp Scientists (One-Week Session)
Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Put on a lab coat and join Naturalists to conduct some fun and wacky experiments
to find out more about the science behind nature! Use these newfound science
skills while hiking and playing to discover how things work.

$360 per person
$42.50 optional extended care

Swamp Scientists II (One-Week Session)
Monday, July 1 to Friday, July 5 (No programs July 4) from 8:30 A.M. to
4:30 P.M.
Continue the science fun by conducting interesting science experiments to
discover the ways nature works. Participants will make use of a microscope,
ponding equipment, and more!

$288 per person
$34 optional extended care

Junior Naturalists (Two-Week Session)
Monday, July 8 to Friday, July 19 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Hike! Track! Explore! During this session, participants will gain identification
skills and learn what it is like to be a Naturalist. This two-week adventure will
include pond studies, bug collecting, tracking, and more!

$720 per person
$85 optional extended care

Creature Feature (Two-Week Session)
Monday, July 22 to Friday, August 2 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

The Earth has some pretty amazing animals; whale sharks, newts, lemurs, and
lion fish –just to name a few. Each day participants will learn about the variety of
animals that live on this planet while meeting some special animal guests.
$720 per person
$85 optional extended care

Bugtastic (One-Week Session)
Monday, August 5 to Friday, August 9 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Fly, crawl, hop, and buzz through the week, learning all about bugs and their
amazing characteristics! Bugs from around the globe and our own backyard will
be seen during the program.

$360 per person
$42.50 optional extended care

Mystery in the Swamp (One-Week Session)
Monday, August 12 to Friday, August 16 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Lord Stirling Park is nestled within the Great Swamp, an area with a history that
goes back hundreds of years! There are a lot of mysteries to solve by
strengthening observation skills and using senses to explore interesting and
historical parts of the park.

$360 per person
$42.50 optional extended care

Registration may be made on-line at www.somersetcountyparks.org, in-person at
the Environmental Education Center, via mail, or by telephone (if using a credit card) at 908-722-1200, ext. 5002. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center is located within Lord Stirling Park, in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, and is nestled within 500 acres of the western portion of the Great Swamp Basin of the Passaic River. A swamp vivarium, and an environmentally based library are located within the Center itself.

“The Great Swamp Experience” on the lower lever at the EEC features interactive displays, vignettes, taxidermy, and archeological artifacts highlighting the history and ecology of the Great Swamp. The exhibit is open 7 days a week from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free.

Information on this event and other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org

Please note that dog walking is prohibited on the trails at the Environmental Education Center.