Essex County Environmental Center
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view our Parks Calendar & Register Online Today!
Click
HERE for
our Public Programs Brochure
SPRING CAMP Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4 9:30am to
3:30pm For children ages 6 to 10. Restore the bond between children
and nature. Children will have the opportunity to explore nature
right here at the Essex County Environmental Center’s varied
habitats—forest, wetland, pond and river.
Fee: $210 per child for all 3 days OR $85 per child/per day.
Register HERE
WILDERNESS
SKILLS SUMMER CAMP
July 8 to July 12 1:30pm to 4:30pm For grades 5 to 8 Join Senior
Staff Naturalist David Alexander for some exciting lessons in outdoor
skill building.
Participants will identify wild plants, learn to track animals,
create fires, go canoeing, make natural cordage, build shelters &
much more!
Fee: $300 per child/per week
Register HERE
NATURE
EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP
July 8 to July 19, Grades Pre-K and Kindergarten 9:30pm to 12:30pm
July 22 to August 2, Grades 1 and 2 9:30pm to 1:30pm August 5 to August 16, Grades 3 and 4 9:30pm to 1:30pm
Enjoy exploring and discovering woodland and river habitats for
insects, birds, amphibians, Lenape life and much more.
Fee: $210 per child/per week for Pre-K and K, $230 per child/per week
for Grades 1 and 2; $250 per child/per week for Grades 3 and 4
Register HERE
LITTLE
EXPLORERS CLUB
Mondays – March 11, 25; April 8, 22; May 6, 20; June 3, 17
For Ages 2 and 3; 10am to 11am For Ages 2 and 5; 3pm-4pm Join us for
explorations of nature as we study plants and animals and observe the
colors, shapes, textures, and sounds in the Environmental Center’s
forest habitat. Please come dressed for the weather; all classes
include an outdoor adventure. All children must be walking and
accompanied by an adult. Paths cannot accommodate strollers. Please
be prepared for all weather conditions. Maximum of two children per
adult. All sessions are limited to 10 children.
This is not a drop off class; adults must accompany children. Fee:
$15 per child per session. Register HERE
GARDEN
DISCOVERY CLUB
Tuesdays – April 23; May 7, 21; June 4, 18; July 9, 23; August 6, 20;
Sept. 10 4pm to 5pm For ages 5 and up. Together we’ll grow food in our garden plot and learn about
everything from soil to seeds along the way. Participants will get
hands-on experience with planting, harvesting and cooking. Session
themes include soil and composting, seed planting and labeling,
thinning, weeding and watering, selective harvest, garden pests,
healthy eating and more! This is a drop-off and pick-up class
(children only). Fee: $15 per child per session
Register HERE
FOREST
FRIENDS CLUB
Thursdays – March 14, April 11, May 9, June 6, 4pm to 5pm For children ages 5 through 10. We’ll explore the forest using nets,
binoculars, magnifiers, and microscopes to investigate nature in our
wooded wetland habitat. Together we hope to foster an ethic of
stewardship and offer an opportunity to take part in hands-on
conservation projects. Fee: $12 per child per session
Register HERE 
FROG POND
CLUB Wednesdays – March 20, April 17, May 15, & June 12, 4pm to 5pm For
children ages 5 through 9. Uncover and discover ecosystem interactions at the frog pond. Explore
with nets, magnifiers and microscopes to investigate what lives at
the pond and learn from a naturalist what can be done to protect and
conserve the pond inhabitants. Fee: $12 per child per session Register HERE
SPRING
FOREST EGG HUNT
Saturday, March 23, 9:30am to 10:30am OR 11am to 12pm
For families with children ages 1 to 6.
Celebrate the beginning of spring with a reading of the Little White
Rabbit and an egg hunt within the forest grounds of the
Environmental Center. Kids can bring their favorite basket to collect
eggs and earn surprises! In the spirit of being “green,” participants
will exchange eggs for small prizes. The eggs are sanitized and
reused for future programs. The Rutgers 4-H Small Animal Club makes a
special visit with a live bunny rabbit. Refreshments and a spring
craft giveaway per child included. Limited space available. Fee: $15
per child Register HERE  
gARTbage Art
Contest
2024 ESSEX
COUNTY PARKS PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Submissions are due by Wednesday, September 11, so grab a camera and
visit an Essex County Park! Anyone with a camera is invited and
encouraged to submit photos that capture a part of your visit to the
County Park System. For rules and regulations, please click here. 
EXTRA! EXTRA! Calling all Nature
Enthusiasts…. Grades Pre-K through 7. Youth
Eco-Activity Boxes are Available for Purchase! Looking
for enrichment ideas? The Environmental Center educational staff has
custom made boxes designed to excite and engage youth in nature
exploration and active learning. The boxes are intended to keep
children in pre-K through seventh grades excited and engaged in
environmental science related outdoor activities. Box themes include:
Seasonal Discovery—Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall, Butterfly Safari, Buzz
Box (Bees), Flying Friends (Birds), Hop, Walk & Slither, Junior
Naturalist, Wilderness Skills and more! Fee: $40/Box The boxes include
crafts, projects, activities and outdoor fun opportunities! Boxes
available for pick-up only at the Essex County Environmental Center
Limited Availability! For more information, please call 973.228.8776. 
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