20th 'Nature Through a Child's Eyes' Begins Tuesday

Annual art exhibit from area schools to run Jan. 3 through Feb. 27 at Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge.

  "Nature Through a Child's Eyes", a childrens' art show including more than 300 pieces with an environmental theme submitted by more than 300 elementary school children in Somerset Couny, will begin on Tuesday at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge. The exhibit at the EEC, part of the Somerset County Park Commission, will run every day except major holidays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Jan. 3 through Monday, Feb. 27, at the EEC's headquarters at 190 Lord Stirling Road. Admission is free. The works in a variety of media have been created by Somerset County schoolchildren in kindergarten through sixth grade. The works communicate their views of nature and the environment though application of textures, shapes and colors. …

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Interactive Nature Program for Children Starts in January

Tree House Gang will introduce kids to nature through hands-on activities

Kids ages three to five will be able to participate in an interactive science and nature learning program starting in January, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, at the Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge. Tree House Gang is an afternoon naturalist program series developed by the Somerset County Park Commission to introduce young children to science and nature through an enhanced learning environment that incorporates outdoor hikes, hands-on activities, interaction with live animals, and crafts. The classes will run in four-day sessions from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on four Thursdays, January 5, 12, 19, and 26, and four consecutive Tuesdays, January 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2012. Each session features a …

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UPDATE: December is 'Frost Fest' at Environmental Center

Somerset County center welcomes winter with a full schedule of programs.

"Frost Fest" at Somerset County's Environmental Education Center will run from Dec. 2-18 at the center's headquarters on the edge of the Great Swamp in Basking Ridge, kicking off with a dog-sledding demonstration on Saturday, Dec. 3 and the opening of an indoor winter wonderland exhibit the previous night, Friday. Naturalists at the center, part of the Somerset County Park Commission, will lead the series of programs for both children and adults that will be part of "Frost Fest 2011." The program celebrates the winter season in New Jersey and beyond. Visitors to the EEC, at 190 Lord Stirling Road, are invited to discover a world of winter fun indoors and out throughout the month. The dogsled demo, which also was held last December, is …

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Halloween Activities Lurking Ahead at EEC in Basking Ridge

Somerset County park facility schedules pre-Halloween activities with eye toward education and fun.

As Halloween approaches, the county's Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge will be the location for night walks for children and their parents in the days leading up to Halloween. The activities are designed to be both fun and educational.   The first event, “By the Light of the Moon,” for children ages 7 and older with an adult companion, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, at the EEC and its surrounding trails at 190 Lord Stirling Road. Led by one of the environmental center's naturalists, adventurers will explore the Great Swamp, listening for animal sounds and experimenting in the night while walking the swampy trails beneath the stars. Walks will depart every 15 minutes with concurrent indoor activities…

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Children Can Join 'Tree House Gang' at EEC This Fall

Science and nature program for preschoolers will run through September.

Just as fall begins, the naturalist staff at Somerset County's Environmental Education Center has announced the return of an entertaining and educational program for children ages three to five, just launched last year, at the EEC's headquarters and trail system off Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge. The Tree House Gang is an afternoon program series designed to introduce children to science and nature learning through a program through a program incorporating outdoor hikes, hands-on activities, interaction with live animals, and crafts. The program is based at the center at 190 Lord Stirling Road. The afternoon classes run from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and are offered on four consecutive Tuesdays, Sept. 6, 13, 20, and 27. Each session …

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Get Out

So Many Things to Do: Plays, Swim Competition, Drive-In Movie, More

Kick back for summer and try something new.

For this week's "Get Out," here's a list of a wide variety of things to do in the coming days, and through this weekend. There's some favorite places to go — such as the annual Bernards Township Plays in the Park, and the Environmental Education Center. And then there's some things we bet you never knew about (or though of!) Check out the list below. Kid-friendly activities are mixed in, such as this Sunday's planned Hills Mini Triathalon and Kids Swim/Run Race. If there's something of interest you think others might want to know about, please add it in the comments section below. We're sure there's some things here you didn't know about. Have fun! Hills Mini Triathlon and Kid's Swim/Run Race When/Where: From 8 to 10 a.m. on Sunday at The …

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Patch Kids

With Dad's Encouragement, Ridge Junior Earns Eagle Scout Award

Timothy Ingling led other volunteers in clearing non-native plant species from a large patch of land at the Environmental Education Center.

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Patch Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing Michael Ingling, a Ridge High School Junior who just last Tuesday was recognized by the Township Committee for earning the status of Eagle Scout, a crowning achievement for Boy Scouting that very few scouts ever reach. However, we also are mentioning Michael's father, Tim Ingling, who has been involved with his sons' scouting activities since being a Cubmaster for Cub Scouts. Happy Father's Day, Tim!  

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