Register for Summer Eco-Explorers for Ages 7 to 9 at EEC

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.

Mystery in the Swamp - Monday, June 19 to Friday, June 23

Lord Stirling Park at the EEC is nestled within the Great Swamp and has a history that goes back hundreds of years with a lot of mysteries to solve. Adventurers will strengthen observation skills and use their senses to explore interesting and historical parts of Lord Stirling Park. A field trip, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun. Fee is $360 per person.

Program

Swamp Scientists – Monday, June 26 to Friday, June 30

Explorers will put on their lab coats and join Naturalists to conduct some fun and wacky experiments and find out more about the science behind nature. Using newfound science skills Explorers will hike and play to discover how things work. A field trip, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun. Fee is $360 per person.

Most Extreme Earth - Two-Week Session Monday, July 3 to Friday, July 14 (No program Tuesday, July 4)

Explorers will venture to the highest and lowest, hottest and coldest places on Earth while researching the fastest and slowest, biggest and tiniest, smelliest and most beautiful living things that this planet has to offer. Two field trips, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun. Fee is $648 per person.

Forest Fanatics - Monday, July 31 to Friday, August 4

Explorers will become forest ecologists, exploring the relationships between plants and animals in the woods of the Great Swamp. Each day will focus on a different habitat within the swamp and discover how the plants and animals are adapted to live there. A field trip, canoeing, and water games will be part of the fun. Fee is $360 per person.

Junior Naturalists - Monday, August 7 to Friday, August 11

Hike! Track! Explore! During this session Explorers 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! A field trip, canoeing, and pool time 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 908-766-2489. 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 425 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. 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.