Seedlings Pre-K Nature Club Series - Ages 3-5. Two 3-day programs; choose one or both to fit your schedule

Let your preschooler discover the wonders of nature this summer! During our Seedlings Pre-K Nature Club Series, children will explore the plants, animals, and natural habitats of The New Weis Center in a beautiful outdoor setting. Each 3-day session features hands-on science activities, engaging stories and songs, creative nature-inspired art projects, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration and play. Join us as we learn, create, and connect with nature together!

  • This is a drop-off program for children ages 3-5. Children must be potty trained.
  • Please pack a snack, lunch and change of clothes for your child.
  • Drive in through the outer gate and park near the main brick building; we will meet you at the kiosk next to the picnic grove.
  • ​FEE: $355 for both 3-day sessions; $195 for a single 3-day session

Session One: Tue, Jul 28-Thu, Jul 30; 9:00am-12:30pm

  • Things that Grow in the Dirt!: Plants and Bees/Trees/Moss
  • Things that Live in the Water!: Insects/Dragonflies
  • Things that Thrive in the Forest!: Squirrels/Chipmunks/Deer

Session Two Tue, Jul 28-Thu, Aug 4-6; 9:00am-12:30pm

  • Things that Grow in the Dirt!: Isopods/Worms/Millipedes
  • Things that Live in the Water!: Frogs/Toads/Salamanders
  • Things that Thrive in the Forest!: Woodpeckers/Mushrooms/Spiders

2026 Summer Series!

▶ ​​Mon, Jul 20, 10am-1pm: Summer Series at Weis Kickoff
Welcome to our summer series! We are excited to welcome our sprouts to the highlands of New Jersey where we will learn all about the wonders of nature. We will make flower crowns and shelters in our forest hamlet and observe all of the life that we find!
​​▶​​ Mon, Jul 27, 10am-1pm: Sensory Stream Adventure!
Join us for a day exploring the land and stream in this sensory filled exploration! We will be going on a sensory scavenger hunt through the forest and explore the beautiful Blue Mine Brook, learning about and observing all of the biodiversity that exists there!  

​​▶​​ Mon, Aug 3, 10am-1pm: Meet Your Trees
Come learn all about our beautiful trees! From observation hikes to sketching plants, and creating a nature journal, we will learn many ways to connect with and meet our local trees!. We will also learn about how to press flowers and leaves to add to our observations and make art!

​​▶​​ Mon, Aug 10, 10am-1pm: Things with Wings!

This week is all about animals that fly! From insects to birds, the life cycles of these animals, and how they live is fascinating. Come join us while we look for our winged friends and learn about how they all live in the forest!
​​▶ ​​Mon, Aug 17, 10am-1pm: Tending the Garden

Each of us is a flower, growing in life’s garden join us for a fun week tending to the land and gardens, learning about the harvest, and making delicious treats from what we have grown over the season!
▶ ​​Mon, Aug 24, 10am-1pm: Best of the Best! 

This week is all about the favorites of Weis! We will explore our beautiful stream, go on an observation hike, and have fun playing nature themed games. We will learn all about making rock paint and other fun ways to make art in nature too!


Details

  • Please pack a snack, lunch and change of clothes for your child. Closed toe shoes required.
  • Drive in through the outer gate and drop-off at the picnic grove where staff will meet you.
  • FEE: $275 for all 6 days; $50 per day(s) for individual registration.

Little Sprouts Summer Series! Ages 6-10 / K-5th grade. 6 Mondays; choose individual days or the whole series

​CODE OF CONDUCT

  • Children are entitled to a safe and supportive environment while participating in all parts of our 2026 summer series. All kids are expected to follow our main rule of RESPECT: respect each other, respect the natural world, respect the leader (Educator), and respect themselves.
  • Fighting, physical contact (pushing, shoving, kicking, etc.), name-calling, harassment and bullying are not permitted under any circumstances.
  • Children must be willing and able to follow the Educators' directions, stay with the group, and participate safely in activities.
  • Children who don't comply with our policy will receive a warning and the Lead Educator will discuss the situation with the parent/guardian. Repeat incidents may result in the child being removed from all or part of their remaining registered days.*


REGISTRATION & PAYMENT


​CANCELLATION & REFUNDS

  • Non-refundable. In case of inclement weather we will move the fun to our covered pavilion or the main room or classrooms in the main building
  • ​We cannot offer partial refunds if you miss a day; refunds due to major illness or family emergency will be assessed on a case-by-case basis​​

*We reserve the right to remove any child from a program without refund due to unacceptable behavior, and to reschedule or change programs as needed.​
 

 The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation  |  150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456  |  973-835-2160

Owned and operated by the Highlands Nature Friends, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization​

Our 2026 Summer programs will be held primarily outdoors on our beautiful 152 acre property. Our facilities include a picnic grove, recreation field, covered pavilion, fire circles, private hiking trails, raingarden, butterfly garden, vegetable & herb garden, bird feeding station and a clear mountain brook.

Our mission is to create a safe and supportive space for kids of all ages to express themselves, build confidence and social skills, grow friendships - and learn some cool science along the way. By engaging children in outdoor learning, we strive to provide them with an unforgettable experience and a lifelong connection to the natural world around them. Each day incorporates fun and immersive experiences and a variety of nature-based activities, exploration, science and fun. Activities incorporate age appropriate STEM concepts and focus on the local ecology, flora and fauna.

​Summer programs are rain or shine; in inclement weather we'll take cover in the pavilion or move the fun inside to our large main room or classrooms.

Emerging Ecologists Summer Series! 6-8th grade, Thursdays from 10am-1pm; choose individual days or the whole series​

THEME: Do you have what it takes to become a Citizen Scientist?!

Once a week program series, (repeating on Thursdays) with each topic building on the last, to help kids become a citizen scientist. Kids will receive a certificate after each individual session in accordance with its specialized theme. At the last session each child will become an "Honorary Citizen Scientist" and receive a signed Certificate listing all attended courses/programs.

​​

▶​​ Thu, Jul 23, 10am-1pm: Water Pollution Stream Study

​Calling all emerging ecologists! See if you have what it takes to become an Citizen Scientist, through our Summer Series! We’ll be conducting our very own stream study to discover the biodiversity in our stream. Then, we’ll do our own water pollution test & ID the aquatic organisms we catch.

​​▶ ​​Thu, Jul 30, 10am-1pm: Geology Study & Hike

We’ll be conducting our very own Geologic Study to identify key resources nearby and to assess for environmental impact. We'll be hiking rocky terrain, identifying rock types & minerals, & discussing the impact of geologic time on the landscape.

​​▶ ​​Thu, Aug 6, 10am-1pm: Plant Science Bioblitz

​Calling all emerging ecologists! See if you have what it takes to become an Citizen Scientist, through our Summer Series! We’ll be conducting our very own Bioblitz through the iNaturalist App by hiking through our private trails and collecting field data. After we'll learn how to identify and check the different layers of the forest canopy to check for biodiversity and overall forest health.

​​▶ ​​Thu, Aug 13, 10am-1pm: Sustainable Stewardship

Future architects and thinkers of tomorrow -  join us for a day of of exploring the best environmental design and resource management practices. We will learn what green design is and how to implement it, understand the ethics of resource management, and take hands on action with invasive species removal.

​​▶​​Thu, Aug 20, 10am-1pm: Conservation Initiatives & Becoming an Honorary Citizen Scientist!

We’ll learn how to identify future and current conservation projects, assess for ecosystem dynamics, work on a conservation project, & become honorary Citizen Scientists!


Details

  • Please pack a lunch and change of clothes for your child. Closed toe shoes required.
  • Drive in through the outer gate and drop-off at the picnic grove where staff will meet you.
  • FEE: $50 per day