Eco-Explorers at the EEC - Summer Programs for Ages 7 to 9

The 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.

Eco-Explorers runs from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Tales of a Planet (One-Week Session) Monday, June 18-Friday, June 22

Take a journey through time, starting all the way back at the Earth’s beginnings! Campers will talk about geology, dinosaurs, unique places, early mammals, and all the things that happened to make Earth like it is today. A field trip, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun.

Fee is $360 per person

Creature Feature (One-Week Session) Monday, June 25-Friday, June 29

The Earth has some pretty amazing animals; whale sharks, newts, lemurs, and lion fish –just to name a few. Each day campers will learn about the variety of animals that live on this planet with an opportunity to meet some special animal guests and become an expert. A field trip, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun.

Fee is $360 per person

Junior Naturalists (Two-Week Session) Monday, July 2-Friday, July 13

Hike! Track! Explore! During this session camper will gain identification skills and learn what it is like to be a Naturalist. This week-long adventure will have pond studies, bug collecting, tracking, and more! Two field trips, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun. (No program Wednesday, July 4)

Fee is $648 per person

Swamp Scientists (Two-Week Session) Monday, July 16-Friday, July 27

Campers will put on a lab coat to conduct some fun and wacky experiments and find out more about the science behind nature, using newfound science skills while hiking and playing to discover how things work. Two field trips, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun.

Fee is $720 per person

Creature Feature II (One-Week Session) Monday, July 30-Friday, August 3

There are so many fun creatures to see and learn about campers will continue the

journey with a second round of animal fun. Each day campers will learn about the variety of animals that live on this planet, meeting some special animal guests.

A field trip, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun.

Fee is $360 per person

Habitat Trackers (One-Week Session) Monday, August 6 -Friday, August 10

Campers will get their imagination fired up with a week of learning all about the world’s many habitats and what makes them so special by exploring some of the habitats right here in NJ and on a trip or two to discover others. A field trip, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun.

Fee is $360 per person

Detailed program descriptions mat be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org, clicking on Environmental Education Center link followed by the Summer Science Fun link.

Post program extended care options are available for all sessions. 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. 5322. 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.