Summer Camps
Summer Camp 2025
Registration starts 9:00 AM on March 1 for residents of Union County
Registration starts 9:00 AM on March 3 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.
Session Times
- A: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- B: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- A & B Full Day: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- *Full Day Rates A & B include a ½ hour lunch time & ½ hour free time.*
4-Day Program: Tuesdays – Fridays
- Half Day Rate:
- Union County Resident $132/ A or B
- Out of County Resident $168/ A or B
- *Full Day Rate:
- Union County Resident $264/ A & B
- Out of County Resident $336/ A & B
- *Full Day Rates A & B include a ½ hour lunch time & ½ hour free time.*
3-Day Program: July 1-3 only (Tues – Thurs)
- Half Day Rate:
- Union County Resident $100 / A or B
- Out of County Resident $125 / A or B
- *Full Day Rate:
- Union County Resident $200 / A & B
- Out of County Resident $250 / A & B
- *Full Day Rates A & B include a ½ hour lunch time & ½ hour free time.*
Family Evening Programs:
- Union County Resident $8/person
- Out of County Resident $10/person
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.
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 3rd to June 13th with a non-refundable registration fee of $35 charged for each half-day session. No refunds will be given after June 13th.
- 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
2025 Trailside Summer Camp Programs for Children Ages 6-7
Arctic, Ocean & Desert – Take an imaginary journey to some of the world’s most extreme habitats. Find out how animals, such as arctic fox and polar bears, survive the sub-zero temperatures of the arctic, while camels and armadillos thrive in the heat of the desert. Learn about the magnificent ocean and its inhabitants, including whales and sharks.
Around the World – Become a world explorer and use your imagination to travel to different continents each day. Explore oceans and wetlands, trek through savannahs, creep through tropical rainforests and learn about many unique creatures that live all around the world. Have fun hiking a different color coded trail each day as we find out fun facts about the continents and their animal inhabitants.
Feather, Fur & Scales – Have fun learning about birds, mammals, reptiles & amphibians as we explore the fascinating world of the animal kingdom. Investigate the different habitats of the Watchung Reservation in search of our animal neighbors, their homes & hideouts. Meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’s reptile collection.
Have to Have a Habitat – Food, water, shelter and space are necessary for all animals to survive. Have fun investigating the forest, meadows and wetland habitats in search of the many animals that live in the Watchung Reservation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2025 Trailside Summer Camp Programs for Children Ages 8-9
Art of Nature – Nature has inspired artists for many years. Investigate different habitats in the Watchung Reservation in search of nature’s beauty. Discover art in nature through sketches, painting and storytelling. Using natural items, create rock cairns, clay pots and water color paintings. Let nature be your inspiration.
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.
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.
Call of the Wild – Discover the variety of mammals that inhabit the Watchung Reservation, from flying squirrels to white-tailed deer. Listen to bird songs and find out how to identify our feathered friends by sight and sound, and have fun investigating local wetlands in search of amphibians, aquatic insects and fish. Meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’s reptile collection.
Junior Naturalist – Learn about the plants and animals living in and around water, and develop a heightened awareness about the importance of conserving and preventing the pollution of this natural resource. Using dip nets, capture and release aquatic insects, fish, frogs, toads and salamanders. Keep a journal of the number and types of plants and animals found in these areas.
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.
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 and bring a backpack with a water bottle and snack.
2025 Trailside Summer Camp Programs for Children Ages 10-12
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 works around us. 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.
Backwoods Lore – Learn how to identify plants that are safe to eat, build an emergency shelter that can keep you warm and dry and follow a course using only a map and compass. Find out how to identify and track local wildlife and see what it takes to get a fire going without matches. Are you ready for the challenge?
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 stream for salamanders and find out how all living things are connected.
Extreme Earth – Through hands-on experiments, explore the reasons for Earth’s natural disasters. Understand the science behind avalanches and earthquakes, and investigate the causes and effects of tsunamis, tornadoes and volcanoes. Learn about the three lava flows in the history of the Watchung Reservation and collect rocks that help tell the story. Learn to use Mohs scale of hardness, find out why minerals fluoresce and excavate for “fossils.”
2025 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.
Children
Toddler Time – Spring 2025
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: Tuesdays 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Saturdays 9:30 – 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
- Animal Detectives – Investigate clues that animals leave behind, such as feathers, fur, antlers, shed scales, nibbled twigs and tracks. Use your ears to listen for different animal calls and let your eyes search for tracks, colors and patterns. Scour the scene for animal clues and see if you can figure out who has been here.
- Cool Camouflage – Learn what camouflage is and find out how it works. Discover how animals use protective coloring to keep safe. Take a hike to try and find some crafty critters.
- ABC’s of Nature – Take a walk in search of Amphibians, Berries, Catbirds, Dogwood trees and more. See if you can find all the letters of the alphabet.
- Wonderful World – Say “Thank You” to the Earth for good food, fresh air and clean water. Take a nature appreciation hike and make a craft of recycled materials to take home.
- Flower Power – Examine the parts of a flower and find out their importance to animals. Meander through the spring woods and meadow as we go on a flower scavenger hunt. Search for blossoms of all colors, sizes, and shapes.
- Big or Small – Find out how plants and animals use size to survive in the wild. Take a look around, what do you see? Who is that, taller than me? Find out how you measure up to the tallest tree and the shortest animal. Have fun comparing heights of plants, animals and people!
- Woodpecker Wonders – Learn about downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers. Take a short walk to look and listen for these special birds. Discover how they use dead trees as fast food restaurants and apartment houses.
- Animal Architects – Take an up-close look at some animal homes and find out what materials are used to build them. On our walk, we will search for nests, burrows and tree cavities as well as other animal homes, hideouts and “apartment houses.” Discover how our animal friends are preparing for the cold winter months ahead.
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
Senior Walks – Spring 2025
Seniors, ages 55 and older, are invited to investigate Union County Parks with a Trailside Park Naturalist.
Registration Required
Time: Tuesdays, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Buds & Blooms – Celebrate the earth as we take a closer look at the reawakening of nature that comes with the spring season. Longer days and warmer temperatures are a sign that spring has begun. Plants, in response to these changes, begin to produce their fruits, leaves and flowers in preparation for the great diversity of birds and insects that will soon arrive. Take a walk through the different habitats of the Watchung Reservation to explore the shift of the seasons and find out how to identify trees that are just leafing out and early blooming flowers.
- Animal Adaptations at Echo Lake Park – Take a seasonal spring walk at Echo Lake Park with an April Fool’s Day twist! Listen for blue jays and hear how they mimic other birds, look for chipmunk burrows with their decoy entrances and find out how different animals use camouflage to fool the local predators. Nature’s tricksters will be busy this spring! **Meet: at Echo Lake parking lot by the Sledding Hill/Gazebo.**
- Vernal Pools – Vernal pools are important seasonal wetland habitats that provide homes for many invertebrates and amphibians that are specially adapted to this unique breeding site. These pools hold water for at least two consecutive months out of the year and offer habitat to many species of amphibians, insects, reptiles, plants and other wildlife. Take a walk to investigate nearby vernal pools and find out who is living in this special environment.
- Deserted Village Tour – Over the course of three centuries, this area has been a farming community, a mill town, a deserted village and a summer resort. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the Deserted Village of Feltville and discover the rich history of this popular attraction. **Meet at Masker’s Barn in the Deserted Village – 2 Cataract Hollow Road Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922**
- Bird Migration at Oak Ridge – Early May is prime time for spring bird migration! Join the Trailside staff at Oak Ridge Park 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. ***Meet at the parking lot near the turf sports field.***
- Endangered Species – New Jersey is home to many endangered and threatened species of animals, including the peregrine falcon, bog turtle, blue-spotted salamander, Indiana bat, Atlantic sturgeon and, most recently, the monarch butterfly. Animals become threatened/endangered for many reasons. Find out what is being done locally and globally to protect these special creatures and learn some simple things you can do around your own home to help them thrive.
- Peregrine Falcons – The fastest animal on the planet, the peregrine falcon, once faced regional extinction in the eastern United States. Now their numbers have rebounded, and they are often seen perched or zooming through cities and shorelines in search of their prey. Learn about the life history of the peregrine falcon and other birds of prey on a walk through the Reservation. See live footage from the only peregrine falcon nest camera in the state of New Jersey, which is located atop the courthouse in Elizabeth, NJ.
- Pollinators – As the weather warms up in the Watchung Reservation, early blooming flowers and insects add color and sound to the environment. Enjoy a walk to the native plant garden, butterfly garden and Girl Scout meadow to look for spring wildflowers and the animals that pollinate them. Learn about the important impact pollinators such as bees, flies, butterflies and moths have on the ecosystem.