Clinton Township Newsletter

2 4 j u n e 2 0 2 4 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M Summer! S P E C I A L E V E N T S NATURE CAMP AT ECHO HILL: In partnership with the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, we're excited to launch the 2024 Nature Camps! SLITHER AND SPLASH: June 24-June 28 An unforgettable journey where curious minds can uncover the secrets of slithering snakes, magnificent turtles, and enchanting amphibians... and get up close and personal with these incredible creatures! SURVIVING THE WILDERNESS: July 1-July 5. Embark on a wilderness adventure! This week will be packed with outdoor activities, survival skills, teamwork, and personal development. FEATHERED FRIENDS: July 8-July 12 Fly into a week of bird explorations featuring our local feathered friends! BRANCHING OUT: July 15-July 19 Let's grow together and learn about all things plants, sticks and trees! WILD & CRAFTY CREATIONS: July 22-July 26. A week where campers can release their creativity in the beauty of the great outdoors! Through interactive and nature-infused craft projects and activities, this engaging camp fosters a love for both crafting and the environment in an interactive and exciting way. BUG OUT: July 29-August 2 It's a buzzy, bug-bonanza! This week campers focus on insects for a creepy-crawly adventure! Let your camper unleash their inner entomologist, exploring nature's tiny wonders, while making lifelong bug buddies – don't let this opportunity crawl away! MAMMAL MYSTERIES: August 5-August 9 Bats, beavers, bears and coyotes! Explore the captivating world of Hunterdon's mammals! DRIP, DRIP, DRENCH: August 12-August 16. Prepare to get wet this week and dive into why water is so important to our world! Meet aquatic turtles up close, explore the insects and crayfish of Prescott Creek and of course, cool off with a favorite camp game, Drip, Drip, Drench! www.ymcabhc.org/camp/flemington- echo-hill-park S u m m e r C o N C e r t S e r i e S Thursdays 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Special Youth Concert: Saturday, July 27, 10 am-12 pm. Location: Deer Path Park. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your friends and family, maybe a picnic dinner, your blanket and lawn chair and enjoy the music and the sunset! HUNTERDON SYMPHONY ~ FORCES OF NATURE: June 27 Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Rossini, Strauss, and more, the dual musical themes of "Out to Sea" and "Thunder and Lightning on Land" collide perfectly to create a program of works perfect for a summer evening in the park! www.hunterdonmusicalarts.org C A N O E I N G A N D K AYA K I N G RIVER DAY TRIPS: Time: 8:15 am to about 3:30 pm. Parking Location: Echo Hill. Ages: 8 – adults. Dates: Saturday, June 22, July 13 and August 3: South Branch of the Raritan River. Naturalist Guided Paddle Saturday, June 29: Delaware River, Kingwood to Bull's Island. Saturday, August 10: Delaware River, Kingwood to Bull's Island. N A T U R E P R O G R A M S WEBINARS: These nature webinars offer a window into the region's diverse and stunning natural landscapes and provide a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of local flora and fauna, ecological conservation, and sustainable practices. Ages: 8 – adults. Cost: Free but pre-registration required. WOODPECKERS OF HUNTERDON COUNTY: Wednesday, June 1, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Ages: 8 - adults. F A M I L Y N A T U R E P R O G R A M S ANIMAL SHOW WITH EYES OF THE WILD: Thursday, June 2, 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. Location: Deer Path Park Soccer Lot Pavilion. Ages: All ages | All children must be accompanied by an adult that is also registered for the program. Meet a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects from around the world with Eyes of the Wild! h o m e S C h o o l N at u r e S e r i e S Wednesdays, Ages: 7 to 17 years with adult. Cost: $8/session. Instructor: Tom Sheppard, Chief Park Naturalist. STATE KESTREL STUDY OBSERVANCE: June 26, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Location: Deer Path Park. Students will get to observe a State Naturalist as they survey a Kestrel Box on the County Park land. ADULT WALKS AND HIKES CLIP, PICK, AND STROLL: Date: Tuesdays, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Ages: Adults. Cost: Free but pre- registration required. Help to beautify our county park trails and help control invasive plants. The group will "clip," prune back the plant growth and "pick," pick up the litter while taking a stroll with like-minded folks. June 25: Charlestown Preserve SENIOR STROLLS Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Ages: Adult Cost: Free but pre-registration is required Instructor: Liz Braidwood-Fulmer, Recreation Program Coordinator. Our walks not only promote a healthier and more active lifestyle but also offer the chance to form meaningful connections with peers, making each walk an enjoyable and socially enriching experience. June 26: Uplands Reserve/Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve (103 Capner Street, Flemington) H A B I T A T W O R K S H O P S B U I L D A N U T H A T C H B O X W O R K S H O P ! Thursday, June 13, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Location: Echo Hill Main Lodge. Ages: 8-adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $15 per box (limit one box per family) Y O U T H N A T U R E S E R I E S PRE-K NATURE CLUB WEEK: Monday-Thursday, August 5 to 8. 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Location: Hoffman Park. Ages: 3 to 6 with adult. Cost: $100 per child. PreK Nature Club Week offers a half-day excursion for your budding nature lover! BABY WALKS: Fridays, 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Ages: 0 to 23 months with adult. Cost: Free but pre-registration required. Get outside with your baby and explore your local trails! June 14: Landsdown Trail Parking Lot 1. BABY PLAYDATES AT THE PARK: Fridays, 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Ages: 0 to 23 months with adult. Cost: Free but pre-registration required. Be prepared to sit on the grass and experience nature! June 21: Hunterdon County Arboretum. TRIPS BIRDING VAN TRIPS: SUSSEX COUNTY BIRDS Saturday, June 8, 5:00 am to 2:00 pm. Parking Location: Hunterdon County Arboretum. Ages: Adults. Cost: $37. Most participants on Sussex trips of years past consider this destination to be one of the best. With potential birds like Scarlet Tanagers, Cerulean Warblers, Great Crested Flycatchers, and Northern Ravens, it is easy to see why. Sussex County is just great for northern nesting birds. We will be visiting portions of Stokes State Forest and High Point State Park. Moderate walking required. Please note the early start time, which will put us in the field at prime time for birding. RECREATIONAL VAN TRIPS WILLLOWWOOD & BAMBOO BROOK PARKS Wednesday, June 5, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Parking Location: Hunterdon County Arboretum. Ages: Adult. Cost: $26. Instructor: Liz Braidwood-Fulmer, Recreation Program Coordinator & Tom Sheppard, Chief Park Naturalist. This van trip includes a walk among the flowers and unique plants at two Morris County parks: Willowwood Arboretum and Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center. Adventure on your own, or with the group! The gardens are on the National and State Register of Historic Places. Please bring your own lunch and drink, wear sturdy walking shoes, and dress for the weather. We will cover about three miles of walking throughout the day. This trip is rain or shine; a light rain will not cancel the trip. BASKETRY TWIZZLER BASKET: Friday, June 28, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, 30-minute lunch break. Location: Assembly Room Building 1, 314 State Route 12, Flemington, NJ, 08822. Ages: Adults. Cost: $38 Instructor: Liz Braidwood-Fulmer, Recreation Program Coordinator. Skill Level: beginner to advanced. Beginners make a basic rectangular flat reed basket measuring 10"x 4"x 5" high. More advanced students will weave a crisscross pattern. Bring a bag lunch and drink for a 30- minute lunch break. FITNESS PROGRAMS MOTIVATED MONDAY WORKOUTS Mondays, 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Ages: Adults. Cost: $8. Instructor: Laura Tarlowski, Superintendent of Recreation. Join us at various county parks for a dynamic and energizing fitness experience. Our expert instructor will guide you through a series of intervals, combining cardio and strength exercises to maximize your workout in the beautiful outdoor settings of different parks. Get ready to sweat, challenge yourself, and elevate your fitness routine. June 3: Echo Hill Park. June 17: Hoffman Park LET'S TRY TRAIL RUNNING! Thursdays, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Ages: 14 through adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult that is also registered for the program. Cost: Free but pre-registration is required. Instructor: Laura Tarlowski, Superintendent of Recreation. Experience the joy of trail running with "Let's Try Trail Running," a program catering to both beginners and seasoned runners alike! June 13: Intro to Trail Running: Deer Path Park. June 20: Group Run: Echo Hill Park. June 27: Group Run: Sourland Mountain. F u N i N J u N e w i t h P a r k S a N D r e C r e a t i o N ! County Arboretum, 1020 Hwy 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833 | www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/parks.htm email: parks@co.hunterdon.nj.us 908.782.1158 | Pre-registration required – no walk-ins! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit our website for details on these programs. "Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers, and singers of song." ~ Unknown

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