EDUCATION, ARTS & RECREATION
Programs for individuals and groups of all ages
Education
- Public programs: guided nature walks and hikes, led byWeis staff, historical and culture programs, first aid classes and special events.
- Group programs: including field trips for schools, homeschoolers, rec departments and area camps.
- Nature focused day camps during thesummerand school breaks.
Arts
Performing Arts
Iron Mountain Stage Company, a local non-profit theatre company that has been performing continuously since 1993, makes Weis their permanent home for rehearsals and some performances. They present a spring and fall production, as well as fun public acting improv workshops.
Music
May-Sep: "Music at Midvale" Acoustic Open Mic! Join us near the old farmhouse for an afternoon of acoustic, outdoors music (originals and covers). Please bring your own refreshments and a folding chair. Smoking and alcohol are not permitted on the property.
> $5 per person, additional donations welcome! Signup to perform from 2:30-3:00pm; music starts at 3:00. NO registration required. Details and performance guidelines
Recreation
Guided Nature Hikes - Led by our Educators & Naturalists. Public guided hikes are offered throughout the year, and can also be scheduled for private groups, party or special events. Hikes are led by a first aid certified staff member, and may focus on local history, flora, and fauna found along the trail.Learn more about hiking at Weis and in the adjacent Norvin Green State Forest.
Forest Bathing Walks - Led by our Lead Educator and Naturalist Lauren Lynch
Seasonal programs - Including Pumpkin Chunkin' (fall), Halloween Wicked Walk at Weis tours (fall), Natural Wreath Making (fall/winter), Maple Sugaring (Feb/Mar), and Solstice/Equinox celebrations. Details and registration
Swimming is available at our neighbors and partners the Highlands Natural Pool, which is adjacent to our property. Experience a mountain-stream fed, chemical-free Olympic size pool in a beautiful, forested setting. Snack bar on premises.
Scouting
We are happy to welcome ALL Scout groups to The New Weis Center. We offer many programs for Scouts, including badge classes, service projects, camping and firecircles, and hosting special events. Please check our Scouting page for all the details and upcoming events!
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
Support The New Weis Center by making a tax-deductible DONATION and receive special member benefits! Learn more
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pre-registration and advance payment is required for most programs. Parking for program attendees is available near the main brick building.
Don’t miss out! Sign up to receive emails about upcoming programs and events
▶ Tuesdays, Nov 5-Dec 10, 1:30-4pm: 6-week Homeschool Program, Fall Session #2
- Ages 5-10
- Discounts for siblings and New Weis Center Members
▶ Sat, Nov 30, 1-2:30pm & Sun, Dec 8, 1-2:30pm: Natural Winter Wreaths!
Decorating for the season is always better with a DIY spirit - and natural materials! We’ll learn some methods for creating a wreath, collect our own materials, and get creative with our nature-inspired decorating. Great idea for a fun winter outing with family and friends! We'll start with an easy walk to explore our local winter plants and gather materials, then return to the pavilion (with patio heaters) to create our masterpieces while sipping hot chocolate with all the toppings. If the temperature is too cold, we may move indoors to create the wreaths after our walk to gather natural materials.
- All tools, supplies, trimmings and ribbon provided
- Hot chocolate with all the toppings is included
PUBLIC programs: Sat, Nov 30, 1-2:30pm or Sun, Dec 8, 1-2:30pm
- Open to ages 8 to adult; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult
- $18 per person
> REGISTER NOW! (either date)
GROUP programs:
- This program may be scheduled year round
- Minimum fee to schedule a group program is $225 (up to 10 participants); $18 for each additional participant over 10 (maximum is 25)
- Program works best with medium-large groups. We encourage small scout troops (under 10) to partner together, or to register for a public program (see below)
- Small troops or groups troops may be paired with other small troops/groups or non-scout participants
- No charge for non-participating scout troop leaders or teachers/chaperones
> To schedule, contact us at: 973-835-2160 or email: staff@highlandsnaturefriends.org
▶ Sat, Dec 7, 1-5pm: Scouts BSA Citizenship in the Community (Eagle required)
- There are several pre-requisites that must be done beforehand; we will review in class. Pre-requisites: #3a; #4 a & b; #5; #7 a, b & c; #8
- Scouts must bring a signed blue card and wear their uniform
- $32 per scout
> SOLD OUT
▶ Sun, Dec 8, 1-5pm: Scouts BSA Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge
There are 2 pre-requisites that must be done beforehand; we will review them in class. Pre-requisites: #7d; scout's choice of #7e or 7f
- Scouts must bring a signed blue card and wear their uniform. Portions of this class will be held outdoors; please dress accordingly.
- $32 per scout
▶ Sat, Dec 8, 1-2:30pm: Natural Winter Wreaths!
Decorating for the season is always better with a DIY spirit - and natural materials! We’ll learn some methods for creating a wreath, collect our own materials, and get creative with our nature-inspired decorating. Great idea for a fun winter outing with family and friends! We'll start with an easy walk to explore our local winter plants and gather materials, then return to the pavilion (with patio heaters) to create our masterpieces while sipping hot chocolate with all the toppings. If the temperature is too cold, we may move indoors to create the wreaths after our walk to gather natural materials.
- All tools, supplies, trimmings and ribbon provided
- Hot chocolate with all the toppings is included
- Open to ages 8 to adult; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult
- $18 per person
▶ Sun, Dec 15, 9am-1pm: Scouts BSA Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge (Eagle required)
There are 5 pre-requisites that must be done beforehand; we will review them in class. Pre-requisites: #5, #6, #7 (scouts choose two), #8
- Scouts must bring a signed blue card and wear their uniform. Portions of this class may be held outdoors; please dress accordingly.
- $32 per scout
> SOLD OUT
▶ Sun, Dec 15, 1-4:30pm: Weis Winter Wonderland Community Event!
> Get all the details for this festive free event!
▶ Dec 23, 27 & 30: Winter Break Mini Nature Camp
- Winter fun and adventure when schools are closed for the winter break
- 2nd-5th grade
▶ Dec 27 & 30: Winter Break Emerging Ecologists Nature Camp
- Winter fun and adventure when schools are closed for the winter break
- 6th-9th grade
▶ Sun, Jan 5, 1-5pm: Citizenship in the World Merit Badge
▶ Sat, Jan 11, 1-5pm: Environmental Science Merit Badge
▶ Sun, Jan 19, 1-5pm: Communication Merit Badge
▶ Tuesdays, Jan 7-Feb 11, 1:30-4pm: 6-week Homeschool Program, Winter Session #1
- Ages 5-10
- Discounts for siblings and New Weis Center Members
▶ Wed, Jan 29: Tree Tapping & Foraged Tea
▶ February-March: Maple Sugaring!
Join us for this fun 90-minute program as we learn about the process, history, and ecology of maple sap & syrup. We'll take a short hike to learn about winter tree ID, sap ecology, and tree biology. We'll discuss the history of tree tapping and some of the many things sap is used for. Next we'll visit our tapped trees where we'll learn how to tap, collect and taste the sap, then see how the evaporator works. We'll finish with a blind syrup taste test in the covered pavilion (with heaters)! Open to all ages, so grab your family and friends for a fun winter outing. There is an option to purchase local organic syrup if you like (cash or Venmo).
- Group programs: Scout troops, schools, clubs, businesses and homeschool groups may schedule a Maple Sugaring program on a date of their choosing on weekdays or weekends in mid Feb-mid Mar
- All ages; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. No charge for children age 4 and under.
- $18 per person
▶ Returning in early 2025: Forest Bathing Sensory Walk with Foraged Tea
The practice of forest bathing means to immerse oneself in the forest and soak in the atmosphere through the senses. Today's walk at an easy pace will focus on connecting to nature through mindfulness, as we explore our senses and the present moment through short, guided, meditations and breathing exercises in the forest. Through this practice, we aim to deepen our connection to our mind, our body, and the life around us in nature. At the end of our walk, we'll sample a tea made from pine and spruce needles foraged on the Weis property, with some seasonal variations throughout the year. This tea is meant to show our gratitude and appreciation and is a way of tasting and taking in the land to further connect to it. Forest bathing has been shown to help decrease stress levels and anxiety, and to improve the immune system and symptoms of depression, to name a few benefits. Come explore a new way of walking through the forest!
- Led by Weis Lead Educator Lauren Lynch
- Ages 13 to adult; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult
- $15 per person