The 2015 season of the Watershed Nature Camp at the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association is underway.
More than 450 children will attend nature camp programs this summer at the new Watershed Center for Environmental Advocacy, Science & Education.
This is the first year programs are being held in the new facilities on the Watershed Reserve.
The camp will make use of the science laboratory, expandable classrooms, geographic information systems technology and the interactive exhibits about sustainability and natural history.
Nature camp brought surprises for parents entering Gorrie Hall as well. After letting the children off, many parents stuck around to take advantage of the free coffee and WiFi. There are touch-screen monitors, microscopes and the new Kate Gorrie Butterfly House.
The new Watershed Academy also got off to a start with a full class of 12 students. The pilot program developed for high school students entering grades 10 to 12 features an adventure into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principled sustainability education.
Students are working on a stormwater management project, brainstorming green infrastructure design. They will have the opportunity to build their own rain garden system at the end of the week.
Over the course of this week, campers and students will meet guest speakers and take a trip for a water quality field study.
Visitors are encouraged to stop in and see the nature shop and resident wildlife and try the sustainability audio tour for a look at the features of the new Watershed Center.
The Watershed Association’s education department offers public drop-in hours in the Kingsford Community Room.
Visit the nature center critters in their relocated home, chat with a teacher-naturalist, learn about upcoming public programs or pick up a trail map and get information about seasonal outdoor happenings on the trails.
Public visitor hours are Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. No registration or appointment is necessary.
Families and adults are welcome; all children must be accompanied by an adult. Questions? Call 737-7592.
The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed’s nature reserve is open to the public for hiking seven days a week, dawn to dusk.
Stop by the main office to pick up a complimentary trail map before heading out.
The Watershed Reserve is at 31 Titus Mill Road in Hopewell Township.
For fee and other information, call 737-7592 or visit www.thewatershed.org.
