Summer Camp and Winter Events Slated at Morris County Parks

Published on February 03, 2022

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Registration is open for three of the Morris County Park Commission's popular summer camps. Choose from farm, nature and garden camp. Spots go quickly.  Registration for hockey, figure skating and Camp Sunrise Lake will open at a later date.

A full slate of winter 2022 events also are planned at Morris County's parks, from visits to the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center and Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, to virtual classes on horticulture and history, and many activities for youngsters. Register for an account to sign up for events.

What's in Bloom Tour
What’s in Bloom Tour

Adults

Explore The Frelinghuysen Arboretum with Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education, on this guided tour of the gardens and grounds. Enjoy the ever-changing beauty each month.

Register here.

  • Date: Wednesdays, Feb. 9 and March 9
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
  • Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, 07960
  • Cost: $10 per person
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7601.
Floral Arranging with Supermarket Flowers for Kids
Ages 6 - 12
In this in-person class, young floral arrangers will create a centerpiece perfect for Valentine's Day gifting.  Greens, container, and décor are supplied.  Attendees should bring one bouquet of supermarket flowers. 
Register here.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 8
Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, 07960
Cost: $25 per child
Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7601.
 
Virtual Floral Arranging with Supermarket Flowers for Adults

Just in time for Valentine's Day! Use your own supermarket flowers to create a knockout bouquet to give to your special Valentine. Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education, will lead this hands-on, virtual class. We supply greens and the container and you supply the flowers.

Register here.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 8
Time:10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, 07960
Cost:$25 per person
Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7601.

Virtual Plant of the Month Club

Ages 6 - 12. 

Pomegranate treeIn this virtual program, meet with other plant lovers and get your hands dirty! Each month plant a new kind of interesting, creepy, unusual, or rare plant and learn how to take care of it.

Monday, Feb. 7: Pomegranates - The World Traveler of Fruits. Pomegranate trees have travelled across the world following the Silk Road, the Spice Trade, and travel to "the New World." Learn the history and how to grow your own pomegranate tree!

Monday, March 7: Ancient Giants - Once thought to be extinct, Dawn Redwoods are now found around the world.  Learn its ancient history and discover just how easy they are to grow. 

Register here.

  • Date: Mondays through March 7
  • Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Virtual program through Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
  • Cost: $10 per child.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7601.
 
Winter Tree ID
Winter Tree ID

Adults.

Stroll the trails and learn how the bark, branches and buds of trees are used in winter identification.

Register here.

  • Date: Wednesday, Feb. 16
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Bamboo Brook Outdoor Educaiton Center, 11 Longview Rd, Far Hills, NJ 07931.
  • Cost: $15 per person.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7601.

 

Winter's Day on the Farm

carl the ox in snow cropped 1200px.jpg Sunday Feb. 13, 2022, at Fosterfields

10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.

$10 per person, under 3 is free

Farm activity continues right through the winter! Come to Fosterfields for Winter's Day on the Farm. Learn how to cut and harvest ice, tap trees for maple sugaring,  help the staff saw wood, pet the cows and see an outdoor cooking demonstration. Take a wagon ride around the farm to see its wintery splendor!

Pre-registration required. To register: Scroll to February on this calendar

Photo at right: Carl the Ox likes snow! Visit him at Fosterfields.

Pre-K Nature on the Farm
Pre-K Nature on the Farm

Ages 2 - 4 with an adult.

Families with pre-K kids will take a walk on the trails and around the farm, learning about the natural world around them. 

Register here.

  • Date: Select Thursdays: Feb. 17, March 10 and 24
  • Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ  07960.
  • Cost: $10 per child.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7645.
Wild Animal Experts
Wild Animal Experts
Ages 6 - 10.

Friday, March 18: Frogs

After school is a great time to take a nature walk and discover new facts about New Jersey's wildlife.  Join a naturalist to learn about a new animal every month! 

Register here 

  • Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Location: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, 07928.
  • Cost: $6 per child.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 635-6629. 
Bark, Branches and Buds
Bark, Branches, and Buds

Ages 8 & up

Thursday, February 9: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, 07928.

Monday, Feb. 14: Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, 472 Boonton Avenue, Montville Township, 07045 (intersection of Mars Court and Boonton Avenue).

Identifying trees in winter gets a bit more complicated without the leaves to help you, but once you begin to look closely, differences in bark, buds and branching patterns come to light.  Learn the tricks on a guided walk with a naturalist.

Register here.

  • Dates and Location: See above
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Cost: FREE
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7645
 
Maple Sugaring Demo

Maple Sugaring Demos

Ages 5 & up

Saturdays & Sundays: Feb. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27, March 5, 6, and 12

Dates are booking quickly. If you're interested, sign up now.

Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator.  This year, the program will be held entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. Spiles and syrup will be available for purchase, while supplies last.

Register here.

  • Date: Through Saturday, March 12
  • Time: Sessions at 1 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, 07928
  • Cost: $5 per person
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 635-6629
Hands on History: Craft Series
Hands-On History: Craft Series

Thursday Programs

Thursday, February 10: The Ancient Craft of Weaving - Adults

Create your very own unique textile piece to take home!  Learn how the tapestry loom works.  No experience necessary, all supplies provided. 

Thursday, March 31: The Art of Tea Blending - Adults

Join us for a wonderful cuppa tea!  Learn the history of tea and create your own original blend to take home.  No experience necessary, all supplies provided.

Saturday Programs

Saturday, Feb. 12: Victorian Valentine Craft - All Ages

Celebrate Valentines Day by creating your own Victorian valentine!  Using pressed flowers, Victorian stickers, and other supplies, impress your loved one with this festive craft!  No experience necessary, all supplies provided.

Saturday, February 19: Natural Dyeing with Flowers and Bugs - Adults

Come dye with us!  Learn how to create natural dyes using flowers and bugs.  Everyone gets to take swatches home at the end of program.  Please wear older clothes, as the dyes are permanent. No experience necessary, all supplies provided.  

Register here.

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 15—Thursday, March 31
  • Time: Times vary
  • Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
  • Cost: Varies according to program
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7645.

Virtual Lunch & Learn

Virtual Lunch & Learn

Environmental Education - Register here. 

Feb. 17: Maple Sugaring - It's sugaring season!  Learn why maple sugaring can only take place during a few weeks in winter and only in the northeastern part of North America.  Discover how the process works, from identifying a maple tree all the way to grading the finished syrup, and many other interesting facts along the way.

March 17: Deer Me! - White-tailed deer are both a scourge and a beauty in NJ.  How did we get to this point?  You'll be amazed to learn the history of deer in NJ and their adaptations for survival.  Learn solutions for keeping deer out of  gardens.

Horticulture - Register here. 

Feb. 24: The Dirt on Dirt - Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education, will discuss the science of soil and and the importance of adding compost or not! Learn easy ways to start or speed up your compost pile and make a simple home soil test.

March 24: The Story of Tulip - Did you know that tulips used to be worth more than gold?  Discover their amazing history and botany of this garden favorite. 

  • Time: Noon - 12:45 p.m.
  • Location: Locations vary
  • Cost: $10 per person
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 635-6629 (Environmental Education) or (973) 326-7601 (Horticulture).  

Photo Scavenger Hunt: Growing Presidential

Photo Scavenger Hunt: Growing Presidential

All ages. 

Nothing like a month full of presidents to get you thinking about plants.  Lots of plants are named in honor of presidents and lots more are just plain presidential.  Thomas Jefferson described botany as "among the most useful of the sciences," so put on your thinking cap and keep your eyes open!  Get outside and explore the gardens with this contact-less family photo scavenger hunt. 

Register here.

  • Date: Tuesday, Feb. 1—Monday, February 28
  • Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, 07960
  • Cost: $10 per family (Family/group of 6 or less)
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7601
How Does Your Garden Grow?
How Does Your Garden Grow?

Ages 9 & up.

Winter is the ideal time to start seeds for vegetables! Help the farmers get the crops going for the spring season. 

Register here.

  • Date: Saturday, Feb. 26
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
  • Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
  • Cost: $10 per person
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7645
Wood Stove Cooking

Ages 16 and up

Register here

  • Date: Saturday, Feb. 26
  • Time: 10 a.m. -  3 p.m.
  • Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 326-7645

Maple Sugaring for Seedlings

Maple Sugaring for Seedlings

Ages 2 - 5 with an adult.

Since the little ones are too young for our regular maple sugaring demos, the GSOEC is offering a special session just for them.  Enjoy a maple sugaring story and a walk and talk with a naturalist all about making maple syrup from trees.

Register here.

  • Date: Saturday, March 19
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
  • Location: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, 07928
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call (973) 635-6629
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