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I chose to participate in the Association's environmental Education Program,
"because all the ones in the past, and today's, have been so outstanding!
They're always well planned, instructed by terrific naturalists who work
so well with children and who teach so much in such meaningful ways!"

The Association offers a variety of opportunities for everyone to experience the natural world, a chance to socialize, and learn something new. All of our programs are focused on nourishing respect and awe for nature and establishing a sense of stewardship.

We offer year-round programs that parents, grandparents, and others can enjoy with kids. Some of our family activities include hiking, nature observation, and crafts. Our family programs are not only fun, but they are also a great way to grow closer to nature and your family at the same time!

The Association also organizes several trips each year for adults and families to explore outside the boundaries of the reserve. Past trips include excursions to the Pine Barrens, Delaware Water Gap, Lakota Wolf Preserve, and the Meadowlands. We've canoed the Millstone, rafted the Lehigh, and sailed the Hudson aboard the sloop Clearwater. We've watched whales in Boston and camped in the Adirondacks.

Our Children's Series programs are available for tiny tots from age 18 months through middle school children. Our 90-minute preschool sessions are open to children ages 3 to 5 years and focus on stimulating growing minds and personalities and providing new experiences with the natural world. Every Thursday during the school year, we offer after school programs that change seasonally for children ages 6 to 9 years.

Our naturalists also assist scouts in earning badges and achievements. The Association offers a variety of educational and project opportunities for scouts including Eagle Scout and Girl Scout projects in our Scout Program. Scouts can also participate in education programs, community service opportunities or visit the reserve for self-guided tours.

During the summer months, children from grades one to nine eagerly await our one and two week summer camp sessions where they explore pond life, hike through the reserve's forests and meadows, wade in the Stony Brook, engage in an insect safari and more! We encourage everyone to join us weekly during the summer for tours of our Butterfly House where visitors witness magnificent changes that occur between the first caterpillar hatchings in spring to the explosion of winged color fluttering about at summer's height.

For members of the Watershed Association, we offer a birthday party for children ages 4 to 12 years. Birthday parties at on our 860-acre reserve focus on themes such as discovering the seasons, exploring animal habitats, tracking, learning about Native Americans and more.

Our adult programs occur throughout the year and include a variety of topics such as identifying edible plants, exploring wild areas with a naturalist, and marveling at the sights and sounds of night ecology during an evening hike. We invite adults and teens to participate in Our Literature & the Environment Group that provides an opportunity discuss selected nature writings.

"Dear Stony Brook Millstone Watershed, I had lots and lots of fun, especially seeing and catching crickets, seeing a turtle and catching caterpillars, it was the best!"

"Dear Stony Brook Millstone Watershed, Thank you. It was fun exploring the plants. I am coming back again. It was wonderful. Thank you for letting us come, it was a good experience."

"Dear Stony Brook Millstone Watershed, I am writing you this letter because you were so nice to me when we were at the watershed. I liked when we caught bugs and talked about them. I'm glad we let them go. I enjoyed the puzzles and animals in the discovery rooms. Thank you very much for inviting us to the watershed."