The goal of the Weis Ecology Center is to increase people's awareness of the environment, stress their relationship to it, and stimulate the development of sound environmental ethics.

 
DAY PROGRAMS

Price includes use of outdoor grounds but not dining room, meeting room or picnic pavilion

Click to view Weis's Educational Program brochure.

• $4.00 per person per program for a 1 to 2-hour program; minimum $60 per program
• $8.00 per participant for 2 to 4-hour program (i.e. iron mine or orienteering); minimum $120

Deposit required.

Class content can very according to group size, age, specific curriculum needs, or badge work requirements.

Classes are held outdoors rain or shine.  Please emphasize to your group the importance of proper clothing and shoes (no open-toed shoes) and to dress warmly in layers, dressing according to weather conditions.

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ON-SITE DAY PROGRAMS:

Group Initiatives: The program involves an array of physical problem solving activities that foster efficient cooperative and communicative skills among small groups of participants striving to achieve common goals. (Grade 4 and up).

Bird Basics:  Through games and activities, including building a bird nest and bird watching, participants will discover the physical adaptations and behavioral differences among bird species.                            (Grades 2- adult)

Compass Skills: Participants will learn the parts of a compass and how to use a compass to locate directions. Small teams will then work together using this new skill to complete the compass course(s) we have designed. (Grade 4 and up).

Stream Study:  Through the use of collecting equipment and identification slides, participants will observe the inhabitants of a freshwater stream and explore their life cycles and adaptations. Also included are activities and discussions focusing on water quality and the water cycle.  (Grades 3 - adult)

Interesting Insects: Participants will examine the characteristics and adaptations of insects to their environment, including metamorphosis, during the course of an outdoor search for these organisms. (Grades 1 - adult)

Interpretive Hikes: Two to four hour interpretive hikes are available to Wyanokie Falls, High Point, Chikahoki Falls, and other sites in Norvin Green State Forest. Lunches are eaten on the trail. (Grade 4 and up).

Non-Competitive Games: This program involves an array of "new games" and other activities designed to promote fair and honest play in a fun way. (Grade 2 and up).

Orienteering: During this 3-hour class, participants will learn the parts of a compass, how to read a topographical map, and how to "bushwhack" from one point to another in Norvin Green State Forest. (Grade 5 and up). Pre-requisite: Compass Skills.

Sensory Adventure: Participants will gain a better awareness of wildlife's dependency on their natural senses as a result of the sensory awareness activities utilized in this class. (Pre-school - Grade 2).

Shelter Building: Participants will cover topics including tips on preparing for an outdoor excursion, prioritizing needs, and building a natural shelter. (3rd grade and up).

Talking Trees: The inner workings of a tree and the physical characteristics defining some common species are highlighted during this class. Additional topics include other local plants in Northern New Jersey and human uses of this valuable resource. (Grades 1-6).

Wildlife Ecology: From insects to mammals, the tracks, the signs and adaptations of local wildlife species will be examined, along with the impact of humans on the needs of various wildlife species in New Jersey. (Grades 1 - adult).

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BIRTHDAY PARTY PROGRAMS

Prices: $180 for one program plus mileage; $315 for two programs (consecutive, same location same day) plus mileage; $450 for three programs (consecutive, same location same day) plus mileage.  Mmileage fees are 58.5¢ per mile round trip (to and from your location). Maximum 40 participants per program; we recommend 60 days advance notice to reserve the date you prefer.  Deposit of $45 (per program or per date) required in advance.  Payment in full is due on the day of the program.  Call Phaedra Demers at 973-835-2160 if you have any additional questions or would like to reserve a date.

Snakes Alive:  This program provides an overview of New Jersey's snakes and is followed by a live encounter with two of these incredible reptiles up close. A Corn snake and a Rat snake provide living examples of snakes' special adaptations. (Kindergarten through adult)

Meet the Wildlife of NJ/The Highlands: Learn first-hand about New Jersey's wild inhabitants and the special adaptations they have for surviving in our field, forest, and wetland habitats. Meet a live snake and a Box Turtle. (Grades 3 through adult, families)

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 SCOUT BADGES

Click here for our Badges and Beyond brochure

Wolf Achievements

Elective #13 Birds:  Find out all about the basics of birds through games, nest building, and bird watching, participants will discover physical adaptations and behavioral differences among various birds.

Elective #18 Outdoor Adventure: Learn about the natural world around you through exploration and fun games. Also, learn how to identify poisonous plants.

Achievement #5 Building for Birds: Feeders or Houses: Offered on select weekends in the autumn (feeder) and spring (house). Call for this season's dates. *additional per-scout cost for materials.

Bear Achievements

Achievement #5 Sharing your World with Wildlife: Participants will find out about habitats and creatures that might live in our forests or backyards.  Learn about animals, how they are protected, and what is an endangered species.

Webelos

Forester: Participants will learn how to identify trees and plants in the area using field guides.  Find out what a tree cookie is and what it can tell you about a tree.  Learn about the different layers of the forest and how animals and humans use this valuable resource.

Naturalist: Participants will study the ecology of the forest with a hands on look at the plants, wildlife, and decomposers of the forest floor.

Outdoorsman: Schedule and overnight camping trip at Weis.  Weis has campsites year round with access to a fire circle and picnic tables.

Traveler: A badge that overnight camping or residential groups can earn simply by arranging a trip to Weis and packing your bags!

 

Boy Scout Merit Badges

Bird Study, Mammal Study, Geology, Environmental Science...call for more info and other possible badges.

Throughout the year, we offer Boy Scout Merit Badges as public programs.  However, if you have a group of boys that would like to work on the badge together, you can sign up for a private program as well.  These (generally) 4-hour classes are taught by a certified Merit Badge Counselor, and with a little pre-work, the scouts will earn the badge during to program.  $12 members, $18 non-members.  $120 minimum per program.

Girl Scouts Brownie Try-Its

Animals: Find out more about wild animals and their needs by exploring different habitats and places where they live.

Earth and Sky: Explore a forest from the ground up and find out who lives at which level, what they do there and why.

Eco-Explorer: Learn how the plants and animals of the forest live together through fun hands-on activities.

Outdoor Adventurer: Take a Hike! And take a closer look at the things that hide in the forest.

Plants: Go on a leaf hunt through the forest and explore the different types of trees that live there. Learn how to identify the different trees that live on the grounds at Weis.

Senses: Using their "animal senses", participants will discover how living things depend on their senses for survival.

Watching Wildlife: From insects to mammals, the tracks, signs and adaptations of local wildlife specimens will be examined, along with the impacts of humans on various wildlife species in New Jersey.

Water Everywhere: Through the use of collecting equipment and identification guides, participants will observe the inhabitants of a freshwater stream and explore their life cycles and adaptations.

**Ready, Set, Go Camping: Schedule an overnight camping trip at Weis.  Weis has campsites available all year round with access to a fire circle and picnic tables. Or check out our residential facilities too!

**Space Explorer: Learn about the stars and which constellations are in the sky at the different times of the year.  Check out the moon and learn about its different phases.

Junior Girl Scouts

Earth Connections: Participants will learn how to identify trees and plants using field guides.  Find out what a tree cookie is and what it can tell you about a tree.  Learn about the different layers  of a forest and how animals and humans use this valuable resource. (Previously known as Ecology)

Plants and Animals: Go on a scavenger hunt to find different plants and animals that live in our forest.  Look at what different animals eat and where they go for food.

Your Outdoor Surroundings: Participants will take a hike through the forest, learn who lives there and how they get around.

Rocks Rock: Participants explore different forest habitats on their way to an abandoned iron mine {2 hours}

Hiker: Participants will take a naturalist lead hike through Norvin Green State Forest.

Wildlife: From insects to mammals, the tracks, signs and adaptations of local wildlife specimens will be examined, along with the impacts of humans on various wildlife species in New Jersey.

Finding Your Way: Participants will learn the basics of a compass and how to use a compass to locate directions.  Small teams will work together using this new skill to complete the compass course (s) we have designed.

**Outdoor Fun: Learn how to build a campfire, then gather around for fun songs, tales, and group activities around the fire.

Cadette and Senior Scouts

All About Birds: Through games and activities, including nest building, and bird watching, participants will discover physical adaptations and behavioral differences among various birds.

Eco-Action: (Skill builders #3 and #5) Through the use of collecting equipment and identification guides, participants will observe the inhabitants of a freshwater stream and learn about their life cycles and adaptations.

Orienteering: During this 3-hour class ($6/participant), scouts will review the parts of a compass. learn how to read a topographical map, and then "bush-whack" from one point in Norvin Green State Forest to another.  Pre-requisite: Compass skills (see above).  Make a day or weekend out of it!

Backpacking: Two to four-hour interpretive hikes are available to Blue Mine Falls, Wyanokie High Point, Chikahoki Falls, and other sites in Norvin Green State Forest. Lunch can be eaten on the trail.

Outdoor Survival: Participants will cover topics including tips on preparing for an outdoor excursion, prioritizing needs, and building a natural shelter.

 

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