Summer Camps
Summer Camp 2026
Three Day Program – June 30th to July 2nd (Tuesday to Thursday)
Registration starts 9:00 AM on March 7 for residents of Union County
Registration starts 9:00 AM on March 9 for Out-of-County residents
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites you to take part in outdoor, educational summer programs offered in the scenic Watchung Reservation. Children ages 6-12 can enroll in a morning session, afternoon session or a full day. Programs are designed to foster an awareness & appreciation of the natural world.
Please read all general and cancellation policies before registering.
- Children must be age appropriate by the first day of their program.
- Children will not be permitted to repeat camps.
- In order to accommodate everyone, please let us know in advance if you or a member of your family has special needs.
- Parents must list an additional emergency contact
General Policies for Summer Programs
- Program spaces are non-exchangeable and non-transferable.
- You may register your family members in your household only.
- In developing programs, Trailside keeps in mind the abilities of different aged children. Please pay attention to age guidelines when registering. If an inappropriately aged child attends a program, the child will be removed and no credit or refund will be issued.
- Children must be age appropriate by the first day of the program.
- Children will not be permitted to repeat camps.
Cancellation Policies for Summer Programs
- Credits will not be given at any time for summer programs.
- Refunds will be given from March 9th to June 12th with a non-refundable registration fee of $35 charged for each half-day session. No refunds will be given after June 12th.
- Trailside is unable to process refunds for summer programs directly to your credit cards. Call Trailside at 908-789-3670 for refund procedures
Cancellation Policies for Evening Family Programs
- Refunds will not be given at any time for Evening Family Programs.
- Credits will only be issued for Evening Family Programs cancelled by Trailside due to inclement weather.
Program Chart for Children Ages 6-12
2026 Trailside Summer Camp Programs for Children Ages 6-7
- Wanishi, Wigwams & Wampum – Use your imagination to see what it was like to live as a Native American child. Touch real tools and animal skins, visit a wigwam and play games like corn darts. Listen to stories, work with clay and learn how the Lenape Native Americans survived in the wilderness.
- Nature’s Olympians – Discover who is the fastest flier, strongest swimmer, highest jumper and quickest sprinter as we explore nature’s most extreme athletes. Through active games, hikes & experiments, campers will find out who are our nature’s champions.
- Nature Discovery Club – Take an in-depth look at the world of 6-legged creatures (insects). Visit a different habitat each day and use collecting equipment to discover a variety of critters, from ants to whirlygig beetles.
- Mythical Creatures of Field & Forest – Use your imagination to explore nearby forests, meadows, lakes and streams in search of mythical creatures, such as fairies, elves and gnomes. Through art projects, stories and hikes, participants will enjoy a world of make-believe set within the natural world.
- Around the World – Become a world explorer and use your imagination to travel to different continents each day. Learn about amazing animals that live in the Rocky Mountains, creep through the Amazon rainforest, run in the African deserts and investigate the outback “down under.”
- Feather, Fur & Scales – Enjoy learning about birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians as we explore the fascinating world of the animal kingdom. Take a walk each day in search of our many animal neighbors, their homes and their hideouts. Meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’s reptile collection.
- Seasonally Artistic – There are many ways nature can influence art. Find out which season inspires you the most! Use your creativity to make tools from natural objects. Have fun turning pine needles into a paintbrush to paint a winter scene, let flowers be your inspiration for a springtime watercolor painting and harness the sun’s rays for a summertime solar printing.
- Nature’s Music – Join us in this new camp as we investigate the infinite symphony of sounds in nature from chirping birds and croaking frogs to rustling leaves and whistling winds. Through fun and engaging activities, crafts and outdoor explorations, campers will have fun identifying backyard birds by the songs they sing, learn how animals communicate with sound and find out which animals make nighttime noises. Enjoy listening to the babbling brook and find out which animals live there. Create the sounds of gentle summer rain with your own rain stick and make your own instrument out of recycled materials to play in the “Nature’s Music Band.”
2026 Trailside Summer Camp Programs for Children Ages 8-9
- Aquatic Avengers – Learn about the plants and animals living in and around water; develop a heightened awareness about the importance of conserving and preventing pollution of this natural resource. Use special nets to collect, identify and release aquatic insects, fish, frogs, toads, crayfish and salamanders. Find out how these animals indicate the health of the environment.
- Magical & Natural Marvels – Prepare to have fun in this entertaining camp based on ideas from the ever popular Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling. Campers will enjoy learning about medicinal and useful plants (herbology), practicing chemistry experiments (potions), learning about transfiguration (metamorphosis) and exploring the solar system (astronomy). Investigate habitats suitable for natural creatures, such as snakes and salamanders, and use your imagination to discover which magical animals may inhabit these different environments.
- Bugs & Beyond – Did you know that insects represent over 90% of all living things on the Earth or that a honeybee can travel up to 60 miles in one day to collect food? Build a spider web, play the monarch migration game and discover why bugs are important to people and the environment. Use sweep nets and magnifiers to investigate the diversity of insect life found in the gardens and meadows around Trailside. Visit stream, pond, meadow and forest habitats to learn about the adaptations and lifecycles of these amazing creatures.
- Life in Cold Blood – Take an in-depth look into the world of reptiles and amphibians. Find out important facts about these fascinating creatures. Search each day at different sites in the reservation to find out where they live. Discover what adaptations help these cold blooded animals survive. Meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’s reptile collection.
- Birds of a Feather – Explore the diverse world of birds and discover what makes them unique in the animal kingdom. Find out about different bird groups and the characteristics that make them different from one another. Explore some of the finer points of bird identification and start your own life list of bird sightings.
- Eco-Explorers – Join us in this new camp where curiosity evolves and scientific skills are learned while having fun as an Eco-Explorer. Inspired by the popular Pokémon games and animated series, children will discover how the world of Pokémon connects to real-life plants, animals and ecosystems. Use field guides, similar to a Pokédex, to identify plants and animals of the Watchung Reservation. Participate in elemental “Trailside Trainer” challenges, and explore forest, pond, stream and meadow habitats in search of animals that inspired the creation of many Pokémon.
- Solar System Surfers – Join the Space Team and discover Trailside’s new Solar System Walk. Learn about the planets in our solar system, the sun, stars, comets and asteroids. Each day will be a fun-filled adventure in the Milky Way. Activities include playing the weightlessness race and navigating the astronaut obstacle course.
- Trailside Treks – Join a Trailside Naturalist for a series of challenging excursions to various sites in the Watchung Reservation. Each day, we will hike a different trail with a new destination. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a backpack with a water bottle and snack.
2026 Trailside Summer Camp Programs for Children Ages 10-12
- Nature Treks – There’s a lot happening in nature during these hot summer months. Take a hike on a different trail each day and investigate the natural world around you. Look under rocks and logs for nature’s recyclers, try to catch a frog, fish or tadpole at Lake Surprise, explore the river for salamanders and find out how all living things are connected.
- All About Animals – Take an in-depth look into the animal kingdom. Find out interesting facts about mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and insects. Meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’s reptile collection. Hike to different habitats to learn about the variety of wildlife inhabiting the Watchung Reservation.
- Nature Watch – Calling all future scientists! Citizen science provides the opportunities for people of all ages to make important contributions that help scientists understand how the natural world around us works. Using free downloadable apps such as Seek and iNaturalist, we will visit different habitats and work together to observe and identify plants, trees, insects, mammals, birds and all things nature. Bring: your mobile device if you have one.
- Junior Naturalist – Go behind the scenes and step into the role of a Naturalist. Meet live snakes, turtles and fish that reside at Trailside and learn how to care for them. Improve your observation skills through nature journaling, learn how to tell water quality by sampling macroinvertebrates in a near-by stream and discover fun facts about your favorite trees, flowers, insects, birds and mammals. Gain knowledge and appreciation of the natural world while having fun with hands-on, engaging activities.
- Lenape Life Hacks – No smartphones, no internet, no television…no problem! Travel back over 10,000 years and discover what life was like for the Lenape Native Americans who inhabited New Jersey and surrounding areas. Work together to create a model 3-D village that includes single dwelling wigwams and multi-family/communal longhouses. Try your hand at making tools and pots from clay and stone, and have fun playing games that taught youngsters how to hunt, forage and survive in the wild. Find out how they tracked animals and learn how to identify plants and trees used by the Lenape to make rope, tea, canoes, medicine and more.
2026 Family Evening Programs
- Evening Pond Search – Join us at Seeley’s Pond as we search for aquatic life as the sun goes down. Use dip nets and strainers to catch, identify and release frogs, fish, insect larvae and tadpoles. Wear: Shoes that can get wet and muddy. Meet at: Seeley’s Pond upper paved parking lot.
- Benefit of Bats – Bats are one of the most misunderstood animals. They have a reputation as being spooky or even fearsome, but they are extremely beneficial for people. Learn about these amazing, insect-eating mammals & find out what you can do to help them.
- Buck Moon Hike – The sun is setting earlier as the weeks of summer fly by. Tonight, the sun sets around 8:16 and a full moon will illuminate this evening’s night sky. July’s full moon is known as the Buck Moon. Find out how the moon got its name and enjoy a walk with the setting sun. Search for crepuscular animals, those that are active at dawn and dusk, and learn about our nocturnal neighbors such as bats, raccoons and opossums, that come out at night.
Children
Toddler Time – Spring 2026
Sensory hikes, stories and activities to acquaint adults and children with the natural world. Dress for the outdoors. Bring a baby carrier or sling; strollers are not recommended. Program is for adult with child/children three years of age and younger. Maximum 4/family per class.
Please register for this class using the adult’s name.
Meets: Thursdays or Saturdays 10:00 – 11:00 AM.
March 26 or 28
Evergreens – Use your senses and learn to match evergreen trees with their cones. Search for prickly spruce and soft white pine. Feel sticky sap and smell pine needles. Look for clues from animals that make evergreens their home.
April 2
Tricky Tracks – Big tracks, little tracks, hoppers and runners, straight trails and windy ones – can you guess which animal belongs to each track? Learn to identify tracks of different animals that live in the Watchung Reservation.
April 9 or 11
Patterns & Shapes in Nature – Learn about the honeycombs in a beehive, spots on a bird and stripes on a snake. Take a walk to look for trees that have branches that are opposite, evergreens with needles of five and footprints that are heart-shaped. Enjoy searching the reservation for different shapes and signs of repetition.
April 16 or 18
Earth Day Play – Learn how you can help our Earth by reducing, reusing and recycling. Have fun playing games, learning fun facts about the Earth and discovering how you can make a difference!
April 30 or May 2
Spring Scavenger Hunt – Take a walk in search of signs of spring. Enjoy a scavenger hunt to look for red birds, orange rocks, yellow insects, green leaves, blue skies and purple flowers. Have fun exploring nature for all the colors in the rainbow.
May 7 or 9
Animal Mothers – Discover how wildlife moms care for their young. Learn what babies live under ground, find out which babies hatch from eggs and who lives in a nest. Make a special gift for your mom to say thanks.
May 14
Sun & Moon – What makes daytime bright? What lights up the night sky? Discover fun facts about our sun and moon and learn how they take turns in the sky. Have fun exploring sun shadows and moon shapes. Find out what happens when the sun and moon seem to meet in the sky.
May 21
Ladybug, Ladybug…Fly Away Home – Learn about the ladybug’s life cycle and find out why they are good for the environment. Search for these special beetles outdoors and make a ladybug craft to take home.
May 28 or 30
Naturally Artistic – Everything in nature has a unique color, shape and pattern. Discover nature’s beauty on our hike as we search for bird feathers, mitten-shaped leaves, “popcorn” berries, tree bark that looks like army camouflage and pine needles that look like a paintbrush. Using nature as your inspiration, create a beautiful masterpiece to take home with you.
Adults
Space is Limited
Teachers
Teacher Training – Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree “PLT” is a nationally recognized activity guide that provides educators with tools for increasing student environmental awareness. Whether you are a formal or informal educator, PLT activities will engage your students in inter-disciplinary, hands-on experiences that develop skills in problem solving, evaluation and research.
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Participants receive six (6) NJDOE professional development credits.
- Fee: $25 which includes activity guide with over 100 lessons.
- Bring: Lunch
- Morning refreshments will be provided.
- Dress for outdoors.
Seniors
Seniors, ages 55 and older, are invited to investigate Union County Parks with a Trailside Park Naturalist.
Registration Required
Fridays, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
March 27
Maple Sugaring – Maple sugaring is unique to areas of North America and parts of Canada. It was discovered by the Native Americans and was shared with the colonists. Collecting maple sap occurs for a brief period of time in this area. During February and March, the trees are “waking up,” and conditions are just right for the sap to start running. See how 100% real maple syrup is made from the sap of a sugar maple tree. Find out what equipment is needed to collect sap and take a walk to a tapped sugar maple tree.
April 10
Echo Lake Waterfowl Walk – Mallard ducks are always great to see year-round in lakes and ponds, however, in late winter to early spring there are many less common species of waterfowl; such as, wood ducks, ring-neck ducks and hooded mergansers. These wetland birds visit lakes and ponds to find food and shelter. Enjoy a walk through Echo Lake Park in search of these seasonal birds. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair of ours.
Meet: at Echo Lake parking lot by the Sledding Hill.
April 17
Plant This, Not That – Invasive plants threaten native species and habitats by competing for critical and often limited resources like sunlight, water, nutrients, soil and space. Left unmanaged invasive plant populations displace existing native vegetation and provide little or no wildlife value. Discover how to identify the many invasive species of plants, trees and shrubs growing in the Watchung Reservation and learn what to plant in your own backyard.
May 1
What is Citizen Science – Whether you’re wandering in a park or watching through a window, there’s always something to be noticed in nature. Citizen science occurs when everyday people help to collect data (like counting birds, identifying insects and plants or tracking weather patterns) and submit it to professional scientists. Find out how to use a smart phone and special apps such as Merlin and iNaturalist to become a citizen scientist. Learn how to share your findings with professional scientists around the world. Smart phones are not required.
May 8
Migratory Bird Day – Early May is prime time for spring bird migration! Migratory Bird Day falls on Saturday, May 9. Join the Trailside Naturalists for an hour-long bird watching excursion. Learn how to identify common bird species in our area and find out which migrators are passing through. Bring binoculars, or borrow a pair of ours.
May 15
Rain Gardens – One of the largest problems facing towns and property owners is heavy storms and pooling rainwater. Rain gardens are a great way to help reduce flooding, prevent pollution from reaching waterways and create habitats for wildlife. They help to reduce flooding by collecting and soaking up storm water runoff from parking lots, patios, driveways and other impermeable surfaces. Take a walk to see the different rain gardens around Trailside. Learn how to use native plants, grasses and flowers to fight flooding in and around your community.
May 22
Importance of Insects – As the weather warms up in the Watchung Reservation, insects begin to emerge from the long winter chill. Visit Trailside’s native plant garden, butterfly garden, Girl Scout meadow and surrounding woodland habitats to look for insects, their eggs and host plants. Discover the important role that bees, flies, beetles, butterflies and ants have in the food chain as well as the impact they have on our ecosystem as pollinators.
May 29
Nature Journaling – Slow down, relax, and appreciate the small details of nature. Learn the basics of nature journaling through guided prompts and activities as we take a seasonal spring walk around Trailside. Nature journaling offers a creative avenue to immerse yourself and connect with the natural world through sketches, words, notes and reflection. Take time to enjoy the sights and sounds that surround you, calm your mind and improve your attention to detail as you learn more about the local environment and its inhabitants.