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Dr. Randi Eckel Presentation on September 23, 2013 To Boil or not to Boil, that is the Question:

Dr. Randi V. Wilfert Eckel is the owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm in Frenchtown, NJ where she has been propagating and promoting native plants since 1996. Randi frequently lectures and gives workshops on native plants and the interactions between plants and insects – her specialty while at college, graduate school and working at the USDA. Randi’s primary goal at Toadshade is to make little known plants available to the public and educate gardeners about the use of native plants and their important place in our world. On September 23, 2013, there program is on “To Boil or not to Boil, that is the Question! Collection and Proper Treatment of Native Plant Seeds.” Different types of seeds require different treatments to get them to grow. There is a discussion of how to properly collect, store and treat seeds for maximum germination.

Please register here!

Adventure Trip Week for Ages 11-15

Adventure Trip Week: $700


The Adventure Trip leaves the Arboretum every morning via bus and goes to local environmental education sites.

Please pack a bag lunch and snack.

The trips will include:

• An Eco-Cruises tour on the Hackensack River aboard the Hackensack Riverkeeper’s pontoon boat. Learn about the tidal reaches of the Hackensack River and its wildlife-rich estuary. Visit numerous wetlands and the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area, the “The Jewel of the Meadowlands”, which is home to a staggering amount of wildlife including shorebirds, waterfowl, herons, raptors, muskrats and more.

• The Essex County Treetop Adventure Course is an aerial zip course. Designed and built in the trees, each tree is equipped with a platform. Visitors traverse from platform to platform through a variety of “elements” that will make the trip a challenge. After the adventure course, we will take a leisurely tour through the Turtle Back Zoo. Turtle Back Zoo is committed to providing an enriching recreational experience that fosters excellence in wildlife education and wildlife conservation so that present and future generations are inspired to understand, appreciate and protect the fragile interdependence of all living things.

• The Newark Museum offers many interesting programs including Dynamic Earth which reveals nature’s secrets. Peek inside the earth’s core and discover why earthquakes shake and why volcano's blow. The Museum’s Planetarium offers a spectacular interactive theater for learning about astronomy, space, and planetary science. Audiences can explore the constellations, travel through the Solar System, visit distant galaxies, and soar to the edge of the universe.

• The Raptor Trust is one of the premier wild bird rehabilitation centers in the United States. Located in Millington New Jersey, the Trust includes quality exterior housing for several hundred birds and an education building. A stalwart advocate for birds of prey for three decades, it is now recognized as a national leader in the fields of raptor conservation and avian rehabilitation. We will also venture into the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for a leisure hike.

• Sunfish Pond is a popular destination that is located on the NJ side of the Delaware Water Gap, in Worthington State Forest. Hike through some of the prettiest forest in New Jersey and arrive at Sunfish Pond, a glacial lake 1,000 feet above the surrounding area. Sunfish Pond is one of the most popular hiking destinations in New Jersey, with good reason. The rocky shores of this crystal clear glacial lake are postcard perfect. Before starting, we will stop at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Information Center at Kittatinny Point for a spectacular view of the Water Gap. The river flows by in a graceful curve, while the towering heights of Pennsylvania's Mt. Minsi and New Jersey's Mount Tammany rise 1200 feet above. Exposed rock strata display millions of years of geological history.


Click here for a Nature Discovery Camp flyer.

Click here to register online.


Download the Parent/Guardian Information Packet

Download the Camper Health and Emergency Form

2013 Nature Discovery Summer Camp for Ages 3 - 11

Our beautiful Stone House education facility, live animal displays and 16 acres of woodlands provide a perfect environment for children to learn to appreciate the natural world around them. Children’s innate curiosity and joy in learning will be sparked by hands-on discovery led by our staff of experienced teachers. A variety of creative activities are planned for each week, incorporating art, science and imagination. The camp nurtures children by promoting a positive interest in nature and encouraging a protective attitude toward living things.

New this year, CHA is offering age appropriate programs for youth.
ALL groups please bring a bag lunch and one snack!

Turtle Tots: Age 3–5 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Monday – Friday
Explorers: Ages 6-8 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Seniors: Ages 9-11 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Adventure Trip: 11–15 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday

• A child must be 3 and be able to use the bathroom on their own.
• Children are accepted on a first- come, first- served basis.
• Notification of acceptance will be made by phone or e-mail.

Location and Camp Hours:
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Drive South
Short Hills, NJ 07078
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday


Week 1 (July 1 -3, 2013) TT= $150 Exp & Sr $210
Week 2 (July 8-12, 2013) TT 250 Exp & Sr $350
Week 3 (July 15-19, 2013)TT 250 Exp & Sr $350
Week 4 (July 22-26, 2013)TT 250 Exp & Sr $350
Week 5 (July 29-Aug 2, 2013)TT 250 Exp & Sr $350
Week 6 (Aug 5 -9, 2013)TT 250 Exp & Sr $350
Week 7 (Aug 12-16, 2013)TT 250 Exp & Sr $350
Week 8 (Aug 19-23, 2013) TT 250 Exp & Sr $350

Adventure Trip Week for Ages 11-15
Week 8 - August 19-23, 2013 (See details Below)
Adventure Trip Week $700

Registrations will be accepted in the order they were received. Refunds are given if the program is over–subscribed or cancelled by the Arboretum. All cancellation requests must be made in writing. If you cancel prior to June 7th, a refund will be made less the $100 deposit. All other cancellations after June 7th would need a doctor’s note for a full refund. If a check is returned, there is a $50 fee due for processing. The Arboretum has the right to cancel any program.
FEES: All fees are due in Full by June 7. (This includes a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee.) You must be an Arboretum member to register ($50 per year).


Click here to register online.


Download the Parent/Guardian Information Packet

Download the Camper Health and Emergency Form

Rain Barrel Workshop

Come an learn about rain barrels in the rain barrel workshop on Monday, June 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. Rain Barrels allow for collection and storage of rain water .Rain water can be used for gardening, lawn watering, and more. Rain barrels also serve environmental purposes. An interactive discussion led by a CHA educator.
Fee: Free to Arboretum members; $10 for non-members.


Register Here!

Volunteer with the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum

Volunteers are vital to the daily operations of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum (CHA). No experience is required and training is provided when necessary.

The CHA is a fun place to learn and meet new people. In particular, volunteers are needed for trails maintenance, animal care, special events, assist with public relations, and office work. Whatever your skills and interest, we can use your help.

If you are fulfilling community volunteer hours, please contact us four weeks in advance so we can schedule accordingly.

Internships and teaching opportunities are also available.

For more information please contact: education@hartshornarboretum.org

Download the Volunteer Application

June 10-14 Mini-Camp For Preschoolers

Don't wait to register! Space is limited!
Please bring a bag lunch and a snack with your name clearly written on it.
Ages: 3 - 5
Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Price: $215/Week


Have your child come to the Arboretum June 10-14 to enjoy the mornings that are fun and educational! All classes are led by the Environmental Educator! We will go outside, so please dress appropriately.

Register Here!

Download the Camper Health and Emergency Form

Spring After-School Clubs

This course is designed especially with age-appropriate programs for children who almost universally have a love for nature. It will emphasize the general features of the woods and animals with a different topic each week that includes discovery walks, “hands-on” exploration and nature games and crafts.

The Arboretum’s After School Club series is designed so students can have some time dedicated solely to topics related to the natural world. Children will engage in age-appropriate activities that become more challenging as the program progresses club by club. There will be art projects, hands-on investigations and experiments, microscope work and integrated field studies.
Students will have access to the arboretum’s indoor Stone House classroom with its many animals, and its outdoor classroom which includes 16 acres of woodlands, miles of trails, vernal pool, sugar maple, and many other special features.

Participants are sure to have a fun educational experience as they explore and investigate the wonders of nature with others their own age.

Click here to print Emergency Form


Click here to register online.

Spring Parent and Child Discovery

Bring your 2½- or 3-year-old and explore with them the mysteries of nature through storytelling, crafts, nature walks and the Arboretum’s resident animals. Dress Appropriately for out-door activities and hikes.


Click here to register online.

Environmental Eagles for Grades 3-12

The Environmental Eagles is a club that fosters leadership skills and gives participants the chance to do something important within local communities. The Eagles are a group of local youth interested in working on solutions to a variety of environmental issues. Projects may include stream cleanups, water quality testing, monitoring native and invasive plants, public education, etc. The Eagles also help care for the live animals and participate in community service.

6th to 8th grade Eagles are mentors to younger participants during field trips, community service, and animal care. 9th to 12th grade Eagles have the opportunity to mentor by teaching, leading, and implementing service-learning projects.

Membership: Not required.
Advance registration: Not required; Completed Emergency Form required
Fee: A donation of $2 per session is recommended.

Adopt an Animal

The Adopt an Arboretum Animal Program allows you to sponsor your favorite animal to help pay for its care for one year. The purpose of us having animals is to provide an educational opportunity for visitors to learn more about their habitat, diet, survival techniques and care.

This year's adoption period runs from Aug. 1 2012- Aug. 1 2013.

Click here for more info or to adopt

Click here to adopt

Birthday Parties at the Arboretum

Description of an Arboretum Birthday Party: Nature -themed birthday parties are available for children ages 3 -12. The party can be customized to incorporate a particular theme your child is currently interested in. Party duration is 90 minutes. At least 1 adult for every 6 children are required to stay for the party. Your child and 15-20 of their friends will have a short lesson on the selected topic of their choice followed by a theme-related nature craft.

The group will have a guided hike through the woodlands with the Arboretum’s Environmental Educator, then return to the Stone House. The last 20 minutes is reserved for food, cake or family time.

• Price: $300 ($200 if using a hired animal show – see Party Themes)
• Length: 90 minutes (extra charge of $50 for 30 additional minutes if specified in advance, $100 if requested day of the party)
• Number of Attendees: 15-20 children (extra charge of $50 for up to 10 additional children)
• Dates Available: Please try to call at least 1 month in advance.

Arboretum birthday parties currently are scheduled for Saturdays. Other weekdays are available during school vacations.


Party theme ideas
(or customize one for your child!):


• Meet the Arboretum animals that live in the Stone House
• Birds 101
• Trees and their leaves
• Animal Tracks
• Worms 101
• Birds 101
• Bugs and Slugs
• Shelter Building ( ages 10-12)

Other party theme options
from outside vendors:
Eyes of the Wild: Traveling zoo owner Travis Gale mixes comedy and charisma into every program he presents to show his true passion for educating children about wildlife. With over 200 animals - from porcupines to parrots, armadillos to wallabies - you never know who will show up at your party! It’s a fantastic live animal show that will entertain and educate through storytelling. Please contact Eyes of the Wild at www.eyeswild.com for more information and pricing.

Rizzo’s Wildlife Discovery: A fun and educational presentation that includes snakes, lizards, alligators, turtles, frogs, insects, and mammals. A portion of Rizzo’s profits are donated to various charities, including Conserve Wildlife. Please contact Rizzo’s at www.rizzosreptiles.com for more information and pricing.

There is a $200 fee for use of the Stone House.


The Arboretum Stone House includes:
• A kitchen with sink, stove and refrigerator
• Plenty of counter space
• Tables and chairs
• Open space for games and activities
• One party facilitator who will lead and oversee the activities
• Arboretum Party Plan (for party without hired animal show)
• Mammals, reptiles, fish and an observational beehive for your party goers to view!
• 3 bathrooms
• A coatroom



Outside there are over 16 acres of enclosed woodlands to explore.

You will need to provide food, cups, plates, utensils, matches, and wrap or bags for leftovers.

School Field Trips

The Arboretum offers a series of environmental programs available to school classes to supplement their science curriculum. Students experience the natural world through creative, interactive indoor activities and outdoor exploration of our 16-acres.

Topics include woodland habitats, insect ecology, tree studies, maple sugaring, bird adaptations, plant life cycles and local geology.


Learn more about lessons here.
For information on scheduling and fees, please call 973.376.3587.


TOPIC & LESSON CONCEPTS
Birds
Offered: October-June
Different lessons designed for each appropriate grade level.
o Bird adaptations
o Bird habitats
o Bird identification
o Bird ecology
o Bird migration

Trees
Offered: February-March
o Parts of a tree
o How a tree functions
o Legend of maple syrup discovery
o Observation of tapped sugar maple tree

Flowers and Pollinators
Offered: April-June
o The anatomy of a flower
o How flowers make seeds
o Outdoor investigation of flowers

Insects
Offered: October-June
o The difference between insects, spiders and "bugs"
o Insect ecology
o Live cricket experiment
o Outdoor investigation of insects

Compost 101
Offered: October-June
o Investigate soil
o How to recycle your organics to create nutrient rich soil
o View a red wiggler worm bin with hand lens.

Seasonal Woodland Habitat
Offered: October-June
Local Geology and Rocks Woodland Habitat
o What is needed in a habitat to support life
o Outdoor exploration of the structure of life in a woodland habitat (Fall or Spring)
o Life cycle of a chipmunk
How rocks are formed:
o How to use a dichotomous key to identify rocks
o Outdoor identification of local rocks
o Local geology trail hike

Scouting at the Arboretum

The Arboretum offers prearranged nature and environmental scouting programs. The classes are taught by an Arboretum teacher and run for one hour. We will assist scouts with lessons to cover badge specifications.



There is a fee of $5.00 per scout. Leaders are free.