Homeschool Programs


ANIMAL EVIDENCE HIKE

  • Date: Wednesday, December 6 IMG_7177
  • Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Location: Cushetunk Mountain Preserve
  • Ages: 7 to 17 (children must be accompanied by an adult)
  • Cost: $8 (pre-registration required)
  • Instructor: Tom Sheppard, Chief Park Naturalist

We will take a walk at Cushetunk Mountain Preserve, situated on the northern slope of Round Valley Reservoir and be on the lookout for the evidence that our wild fauna is around. With some luck we will hopefully see some of them. We will be walking for most of the program, the trail is rocky and has some slope to it. Please dress for the conditions.

SCREECH OWL EXPLORATION

  • Date: Friday, February 2
  • Time: 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  • Location: South Branch Reservation-Sunnyside
  • Ages: 7 to 17 (children must be accompanied by an adult)
  • Cost: $8 (pre-registration required)
  • Instructor: Tom Sheppard, Chief Park Naturalist

This program will teach you the etiquette for owling, with a focus on the screech owl. During the program we will take a walk into the park’s interior and we will attempt to call to the Eastern Screech Owls for a response. Depending on the assumed distance, we will try to draw one in for viewing, but no guarantees. The group is not permitted to bring flashlights or headlamps. The trail at Sunnyside is wide and flat and we will provide red lights for the limited walking that will be done.

SEARCH FOR THE WOOD FROGS

  • Date: Wednesday, February 14
  • Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Location: Sourland Mountain Preserve
  • Ages: 7 to 17 (children must be accompanied by an adult)
  • Cost: $8 (pre-registration required)
  • Instructor: Tom Sheppard, Chief Park Naturalist

February is the start of the amphibian calling season. The Wood Frog is one of the first to call.  We will take a walk into the heart of the 
Sourland Mountain Preserve in the hopes of hearing and possibly even finding some of them calling. During the walk, we will talk about 
amphibian and their habitat needs and why Sourland is a prime location to find them.  Please dress for the conditions.