Clinton Township Newsletter

1 9 j u l y 2 0 2 4 S P E C I A L E V E N T S 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. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the wild, where every moment is an opportunity for exploration, growth and building lasting connections with nature and fellow adventurers. FEATHERED FRIENDS: July 8-July 12. Fly into a week of bird explorations featuring our local feathered friends. From sparrows darting into the brush to hawks soaring in the air, we'll discover the features of the birds that fascinate us. Join us for a week filled with bird watching, discoveries and a whole lot of feathered fun! BRANCHING OUT: July 15-July 19. Let's grow together and learn about all things plants, sticks and trees. Discover the powers of flowers and trees, build survival shelters with sticks and leaves, and explore how even a dead tree teems with life. Join us for a plant-powered adventure. WILD & CRAFTY CREATIONS: July 22- July 26. A week where campers can release their creativity in the beauty of the great outdoors! - 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! 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, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Deer Path Park for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Join us this summer, bring your friends and family, maybe a picnic dinner, your blanket and lawn chair and enjoy the music and the sunset! July 11 - CAPTAIN JACK: The Captain Jack Band is a Billy Joel tribute band consisting of some of the tri-state area's top musicians. The band, in every performance, captures the "live concert" arrangements of these timeless hits which captivated tens of thousands to attend Billy Joel concerts. www.CaptainJackTributeBand.com. July 18 - BEST OF THE EAGLES: Best of the Eagles (BOTE) is the most exact interpretation of the music of the Eagles in America, bar none! www.BestOfTheEagles. com. July 25 - JAKE'S ROCKIN' COUNTRY BAND: Covering hits by current artists and old-school country stars plus country and southern rock, and some Zydeco, Cajun, Bluegrass, Elvis, Eric Clapton, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones! https://esteemlivemusic.com/%20live- music-bands/esteem-live-bands-orchestras/%20 jakes-rockin-country/ C A N O E I N G A N D K AYA K I N G RIVER DAY TRIPS: Saturday, July 13: South Branch of the Raritan River, 8:15 am to about 3:30 pm. Parking at Echo Hill. Ages: 8 - adults, but all children must be accompanied by an adult also registered for the program. $45, Registration closes Wednesday before the trip. Instructor: Patrick Eckard, Recreation Program Coordinator. Your leaders will fit you with a lifejacket and paddle, drive to the river, discuss maneuvering techniques and boating safety, and guide you down the river. We paddle for about two hours, stop for lunch, and paddle for about two more hours, which depends in part on natural forces, such as wind and water levels. Our aim is to return to Echo Hill by 3:30 pm, give or take an hour. PLEASE NOTE: Due to water levels or other circumstances, it may be necessary to pick an alternative river. Leaders may make this change at any time to provide a safe and fun experience. 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. NOCTURNAL INSECTS: Monday, July 22, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Ages: 8 - adult. Free but pre-registration required. Instructor: Laura Bush, Principal Park Naturalist. Nature after dark is fascinating! Katydids sing, cicadas emerge, and wolf spiders hunt. With this lecture, we will learn about insects that are active at night in the summer, hear calls and learn about how they make their sounds. 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: ICE AGE NEW JERSEY: Thursday, July 25, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Echo Hill. Ages: 7 - adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult that is also registered for the program. Free but pre-registration required. Instructor: Tom Sheppard, Chief Park Naturalist. From Jurassic Jersey in the last Harbinger, we now jump to the next era of curiosity in our planet's ancient life – The Ice Age. What do we know about it? What kind of life was walking about New Jersey? Join us as we discuss this frozen period in New Jersey's history. h o m E S c h o o l N a t 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 BAT SURVEY OBSERVANCE: July 17, 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm at Hoffman Park. Guest Presenter: MacKenzie Hall, State Biologist. Bats are secretive creatures who prefer to go unnoticed, so they can be challenging to observe and study. A biologist from NJ Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Non-game Species Program will talk about some bat-focused projects happening in the area and demonstrate how an acoustic detector is set up for passive monitoring. We will then watch bats flying and foraging overhead at dusk while a hand-held bat detector translates their ultrasonic vocalizations into sounds we can hear. F A M I L Y N A T U R E WA L K S & H I K E S KIDS HIKE FOR FUN: Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Hoffman Park. Ages: 5 - adult | All children must be accompanied by an adult that is also registered for the program. Instructor: Debra Reed, Park Naturalist. Summer adventures for young nature enthusiasts await! Unleash the power of hiking by joining us to discover and wander in the woods. A D U L T WA L K S A N D H I K E S CLIP, PICK, AND STROLL: July 30: Point Mountain Central (80 Point Mountain Road) 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Ages: Adults. 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. S E N I O R S T R O L L S July 10: Miquin Woods Preserve (326 Newport Road, Glen Gardner) 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Ages: Adult. 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! 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 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! July 12: Teetertown Preserve. Coarse gravel trail with one hill appropriate for carriers and robust strollers only. BABY PLAYDATES AT THE PARK: July 26: Deer Path Park, 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! T R I P S BREEDING BIRDS OF HUNTERDON COUNTY: Saturday, July 6, 6:00 am to 12:00 pm. Parking at Hunterdon County Arboretum. Ages: Adults. $26. Instructor: Tom Sheppard, Chief Park Naturalist Hunterdon has a rich variety of nesting birds. Prior to this trip, we will scout some of the best spots in the County, such as Hoffman Park, Spruce Run Reservoir, and Voorhees State Park. However, the route of the trip may change up to the last moment depending on reports and findings. We hope to see Bobolinks, a variety of warblers, and more. Two miles of hiking may be required. F I T N E S S P R O G R A M S MOTIVATED MONDAY WORKOUTS: Mondays, 9:00 am to 10:00 am. July 1: Teetertown Preserve, July 15: Deer Path Park, July 29: South County Park. 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. LET'S TRY TRAIL RUNNING! Thursdays, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. July 11: Group Run: Teetertown Preserve, July 25: Group Run: Point Mountain Central. 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! Whether you're new to trails or a seasoned runner seeking a change of scenery or some camaraderie, lace up your shoes, and let the adventure begin. All paces are welcome, but you should be comfortable jogging continuously for at least 30 minutes. J u l y i S t h E B E S t 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 us online for details on these programs.

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