Tent Camping & Campfires
- DO NOT bring any outside firewood, as this may contribute to the spread of destructive invasive insects. Several recently introduced insects - including the Spotted Lanternfly, Emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle, and Sirex woodwasp – can be transported long distances in/on firewood. Once transported into new areas they can become established and kill local trees.
- There will be an ample supply of free firewood and kindling onsite in our covered woodshed.
- Please review our Camping & Campfire Policies and Ground Rules before reserving, and be sure to follow them once onsite.
Guided Hike
Our staff is first aid/CPR certified and ready to lead your group on a forest exploration. Our 152-acre property in the Highlands Region of northern NJ features a mountain stream, rugged terrain, diverse forest, ruins, and some nice viewpoints.
- Up to 3 hours
- $160 minimum fee for up to 10 people (scouts and/or adults); additional $16/person over 10, up to 25 person maximum
Facility Rentals
Our outdoor facilities are the perfect spot to hold your troop meetings and other events. We also offer a discount off the regular, single day rental fee for troops wishing to reserve multiple dates for their ongoing activities. Learn more about our facilities and see pricing.
Girl Scouts
SERVICE PROJECTS
Girl Scouts have donated many service hours working on much needed garden and grounds work around the Center, and have completed several meaningful projects, including building new picnic tables, grounds and garden cleanups and invasive species removal, and planting flower bulbs.
We are grateful for the service projects that have been completed by area troops, including:
- Linna Liaukus - "Silver" project: built 5 Chickadee/Wren boxes and 2 woodpecker/flicker boxes and install them around the property.
- Girl Scout Daisy Troop #6492 & #6536 (Ringwood, NJ) - re-established a butterfly and pollinator garden
- Ringwood Girl Scout Service Unit - built 3 picnic tables for the pavilion
- Girl Scout Troop 96 (Ringwood, NJ)
There are many projects, large and small, just waiting for the right Scouts! Contact us to schedule service hours or an individual or troop project.
Girl Scout Badge Classes
Important Information:
- Length of Badge Classes:
- Regular Badge Classes: 2 hours.
- Journey Programs: 4 hours with a 30 minute break in the middle.
- Regular Badge Classes: 2 hours.
- Price:
- Regular Badge Classes: $160 (up to 10 scouts), additional $16/scout over 10, up to 25 scout maximum.
- Journey Programs: $350 minimum fee (up to 10 scouts), additional $35/scout over 10, 20 scout maximum.
- Payment is due in full prior to class.
- Regular Badge Classes: $160 (up to 10 scouts), additional $16/scout over 10, up to 25 scout maximum.
- Cancellations:
- Cancellations requested more than 2 weeks in advance will be refunded at the full price, less a $35 processing fee. Refunds are not available with less than 2 weeks notice.
- Cancellations requested more than 2 weeks in advance will be refunded at the full price, less a $35 processing fee. Refunds are not available with less than 2 weeks notice.
- Scheduling: All classes are scheduled upon request by the troop(s); you may also partner with another troop if you'd like.
- Instructors: Badges are taught by our team of trained educators. Click here to learn more about our staff.
- Time of Year: Many badges can be scheduled year-round, while others are best at certain times of the year. Here's a key to the best times to schedule:
- Spring =💐, Summer =🌞, Fall=🍁 Winter=☃️
Badges Offered by Rank:
Daisies (K-1st Grade)
- Eco Learner:💐🌞🍁 Learn the important principles for being outside - such as staying safe, respecting wildlife, and respecting the land - and then head out to discover the forest! This badge will help scouts feel comfortable and confident in their outdoor explorations.
- Trail Adventure:💐🌞🍁 Join us for a hike on our private trails, learn safety tips/how to prepare for outdoor adventures, and play outdoor hiking games in the forest!
- Math in Nature:💐🌞🍁☃️ This badge will take us full circle through the natural world! During this outdoor adventure, we will be searching for shapes and patterns within the living and nonliving elements of nature. Then we will use these observations to create various works of art!
- Coming soon: Outdoor Art Maker
- Coming soon: Math in Nature
Brownies (2nd-3rd)
- Bugs: 💐🌞🍁 We will take a journey into the lives of those tiny critters we all too often ignore - bugs! We will discover fascinating life cycles, behaviors, and adaptations by observing the bugs in action, exploring bug homes, and creating a bug craft. Take your bug field trip to Weis!
- Outdoor Adventurer: 💐🌞 This badge is a stream-stomping exploration! This outdoor adventure will take us to the forest and stream, with a focus on exploring the stream as a habitat, as well as playing some games in the stream, including a miniature boat racing showdown.
- Outdoor Art Creator: 💐🌞🍁 Engage all of your senses to observe the natural world in a new way! We will draw, create natural crafts, play games, and hike through the forest while looking for natural art and creating our own.
- Hiker: 💐🌞🍁☃️ Take your beginners hike at Weis! This badge will teach you how to choose/pack the right gear, how to hike safely while having fun and connecting with nature and a new hiking skill.
- Senses: 💐🌞🍁☃️ Discover how all 5 senses work together to experience the world around us. Our journey will include a short observation hike, a sit spot, listening activity, forest bathing (meditation) walk, a grounding exercise, and finish with foraged tea.
Juniors (4th-5th)
- Animal Habitats: 💐🌞🍁☃️ Learn about forest animals, where they live, and how they’re all connected! Hike with us on our private trails, look for signs of animal life, and learn about the forest ecosystem and its functions.
- Gardener: 💐🌞🍁 Calling all gardeners! Scouts will learn a new gardening skill by joining us for some hands-on gardening in our raised bed garden while learning about how food is grown and cared for. Scouts will plant their own plant to bring home and grow!
- Geocaching: 💐🌞🍁 Take part in this world-wide treasure hunt and learn all about Geocaching! We will create SWAPS and then take to the trails and use GPS to find a cache. We will provide GPS units for the scouts to use.
- Outdoor Art Explorer: 💐🌞🍁☃️ Nature will be our inspiration as we find music in nature, learn to be a nature photographer, and design your own art project.
- JOURNEY PROGRAM: Think Like a Citizen Scientist*💐🌞🍁☃️ (see below)
Cadettes (6th-8th)
- Eco Trekker: 💐🌞🍁To become Eco Trekkers, Cadettes will prepare for a hike and learn camp skills that have minimal environmental impact for an eco-conscious trek. Learn local native and invasive species as we hike, then scouts will make their own portable camp stove for future expeditions!
- Night Owl: 💐🌞🍁 Are you ready for a nocturnal creature hike, stargazing, campfire, and nighttime party? Join us for this super fun program while we learn about our world after the sun goes down, with an end of the night celebration!
- Public Speaking: 💐🌞🍁☃️
- Trees: 💐🌞🍁☃️
- Coming Soon: Outdoor Art Apprentice
- JOURNEY PROGRAM: Think Like a Citizen Scientist* 💐🌞🍁☃️ (see below)
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation | 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456 | 973-835-2160
Owned and operated by the Highlands Nature Friends, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
Camping, Facility Rentals, Badges, Service Hours/Projects
Interested in programs for Scouts BSA or Cub Scouts? Click here
We also welcome and provide programs for Homeschool and Outdoor Service Guides groups!
Contact us to schedule a private class for your troop. $160 minimum fee (up to 10 scouts), additional $16/scout over 10, up to 25 scout maximum.
We LOVE welcoming ALL types and levels of Scouts to The New Weis Center!
Here are some of the program and activity options we offer for the Scouting community:
- Two separate overnight tent camping areas, with a firecircle, stocked and covered woodshed, outdoor latrines and access to indoor restrooms.
- Firecircles with rustic seating for campfire ceremonies and special occasions; wood supplied onsite.
- Facility rentals: covered pavilion, picnic grove, recreation field, indoor classrooms, and large multi-purpose room for troop meetings and events.
- Year-round programs, including badge classes and seasonal programs (pumpkin chunkin and maple sugaring) and guided hikes (day or night).
- Service Projects: we have large and small projects that are perfect for your troop to earn community service hours or complete a project.