Learn

Adult Programs
Group Tours
Homeschool
Horticulture Therapy
Outreach
School Field Trips
Scouts

Join us for lectures, activities, and workshops on a wide variety of topics in history, horticulture, and the natural world. Schedule a private session for you and your group. These programs are led by educators at the top of their fields with a deep knowledge of the subject matter. Virtual programs are also available.

For private groups the Park Commission offers a wide variety of interactive programs to connect to any type of group. Tour the gardens, take a guided hike on the trails, or visit The Willows (our historic mansion) as part of a private tour with your group. Tour topics can be customized to fit your group’s needs. Our staff can adapt many of its programs to be accessible to anyone who would like to participate.

The Morris County Park Commission offers a wide array of homeschool classes to fit your child’s needs. Students can explore different topics like agriculture, the natural sciences, history, horticulture and more! Our education sites offer unique locations for lessons as well as skilled instructors to work with children of all learning levels. Note: Programs at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum are drop off only.

All are welcome! We customize our programming to meet the special needs of your group. Options include:

Attend a hands-on, creative workshop at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum! Participants will learn about a horticulture topic and do a hands-on activity. Each month has a different theme. $10 per participant.
Want to Volunteer? Have your group visit the Arboretum to weed and help in the gardens.
Student internships are available for High School students. Learn the trade of horticulture: weed, water, propagate, and work in the gardens. Students will learn valuable vocational skills.

Enjoy a Field Trip . . . Without Leaving Your Facility! Outreach programs are conveniently presented at your location and are individually tailored to the interests and needs of your audience. Outreach Programs are interactive, multimedia presentations with touchable artifacts and lots of audience participation designed to engage, entertain, and educate all ages. All outreach programs are taught by seasoned educators with deep knowledge of their subject matter. We offer 4 Outreach options:

Standard Outreach at your location, designed for a maximum of 30 participants per program. These programs are 45 minutes to one hour long. You must provide a projection screen, table, and AV cart for projector.
Assembly Program at your location, designed for groups larger than 30 participants, such as an entire grade level or school population. You must provide a projection screen, table, and AV cart for projector. -Virtual Program are 30 minutes long and are just as engaging as our in-person programs. We recommend projecting programs onto a screen or large TV for the best experience.
Reverse Field Trips are outdoor environmental education programs conducted at your location on a topic of your choosing. Our staff visit your site and work with you to come up with a topic that fits both your needs and what your grounds have to offer ahead of time. These are for up to 30 participants and last 1 hour.

Our experienced educational staff are your partners in educating students of all ages. As fellow educators, we understand the challenge for teachers to find time for field trips when more and more content is required to be taught each year. Let us do some of your work for you! Take advantage of our many engaging field trips at sites that are both close at hand and offer a wealth of educational experiences at affordable prices. Our lesson topics and objectives are closely correlated to the NJ Core Curriculum Standards as well as the most commonly taught science and social studies topics in local schools. Our programs may include hands-on activities, pre- andpost- trip lessons, and take-home follow-up activities.

The education sites at the Morris County Park Commission offer many different opportunities for scouts big and small! Scout groups can register for their own private programs as well as attend public programs hosted by our educational sites. Whether you are seeking to fulfill badge requirements or are looking for a fun experience with your troop, there is something for everyone. Learn about history, animals, the natural world, or horticulture in one of our many immersive programs!

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Group Tours, Homeschool, School Field Trips

Fantastic Forest

Program Type : Group Tours, Homeschool, School Field Trips
Grade(s) : 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade
Study Type : Environmental Education
Program Length : 2 Hours
Location : Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center

Contact Information

Great Swamp

T: 973.635.6629

Questions: GreatSwampReservations@morrisparks.net

Explore the wonders of the forest habitat and its inhabitants through hands-on activities and a guided walk. Focus on trees, plant life cycles, and the jobs of roots, leaves, bark, branches, and more. Act out the tree life cycle, grow your branches towards the sun, and see if your roots can keep you from getting blown over!

Group Tours, Homeschool, School Field Trips

Farm Friends

Program Type : Group Tours, Homeschool, School Field Trips
Grade(s) : Kindergarten, 1st Grade
Study Type : History
Program Length : 1.5 Hours
Location : Fosterfields Living Historical Farm

Contact Information

Katie McGuinness

T: 973.631.5345

Questions: KMcGuinness@morrisparks.net

Meet our farm animals...horses, cows, chickens and goats. Then try out some farm chores including feeding the chickens and churning butter! Finish the field trip with a fun farm story!

Outreach

Felting Workshop

Program Type : Outreach
Grade(s) : 18+
Study Type : History
Program Length : 1.5 Hours
Location : Fosterfields Living Historical Farm

Contact Information

Eva Bakshis

T: (973) 829-8419

Questions: ebakshis@morrisparks.net

Embrace the fiber arts! Participants will learn the basics of needling felting while making a felted decoration for the season.

Adult Programs

Ferns, Flowers, and Fun!

Program Type : Adult Programs
Study Type : Horticulture
Program Length : 1 Hour
Location : Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Contact Information

Ann Fahey

T: (973) 631-5396

Questions: afahey@morrisparks.net

Get inspired with this presentation that teachs you great new plants and give you ideas for designing your garden.

Adult Programs

Floral Arranging with Supermarket Flowers

Program Type : Adult Programs
Study Type : Horticulture
Program Length : 1 Hour
Location : Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Contact Information

Ann Fahey

T: (973) 631-5396

Questions: afahey@morrisparks.net

Guided demonstrate for how to make a simple supermarket bouquet into show stopping arrangements.

Scouts

Forestry

Program Type : Scouts
Grade(s) : 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Study Type : Horticulture
Program Length : 3 Hours
Location : Bamboo Brook, Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum

Contact Information

Megan Stypulkoski

T: (973) 631-5004

Questions: MStypulkoski@MorrisParks.net

Trees are a crucial part of our habitat and in this workshop, with the help of Merit Badge Counselors, scouts will work on requirements #1, #2, #5, and #8 of the Forestry Badge. Scouts will learn how trees are propagated, work with staff on other badge requirements, and plant a tree to take home. Some requirements must be completed prior to workshop.

Scouts

Fosterfields Fun Patch

Program Type : Scouts
Grade(s) : 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade
Study Type : History
Program Length : Program is set at own pace.
Location : Fosterfields Living Historical Farm

Contact Information

Allie Simakowicz

T: (973) 631-5022

Questions: asimakowicz@morrisparks.net

Fosterfields has its very own fun patch! Scouts from 2nd to 10th grade can earn the fun patch by exploring our site through a scavenger hunt. Follow the clues and earn your patch.

Scouts

Fur, Feathers, and Ferns

Program Type : Scouts
Grade(s) : 3rd Grade
Study Type : Horticulture
Program Length : 1.5 Hours
Location : Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Contact Information

Megan Stypulkoski

T: (973) 631-5004

Questions: MStypulkoski@MorrisParks.net

Grab a magnifying glass and hike the trails of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Look for and record evidence of other living things along the way. Find out about extinct plants and animals, and explore how Bear Scouts can help endangered species. Complete the workshop by planting either a vegetable or herb plant and learn how this simple planting can help the environment.

Scouts

Gardening

Contact Information

Megan Stypulkoski

T: (973) 631-5004

Questions: MStypulkoski@MorrisParks.net

Working with staff who are Merit Badge Counselors, scouts will begin working on requirements #2, #4, #5, and #8 and leave the workshop with the information, skills, and materials needed to complete this workshop? Seeds and other materials are supplied?

Adult Programs

Gardening for the Birds

Program Type : Adult Programs
Study Type : Horticulture
Program Length : 1 Hour
Location : Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Contact Information

Ann Fahey

T: (973) 631-5396

Questions: afahey@morrisparks.net

Whether your garden is big or small, you can attract birds. Learn what birds need and how you can invite them into your garden.