​​EDUCATION, ARTS & RECREATION

Programs for individuals and groups of all ages


​​Education

  • Public programs: guided nature walks and hikes, led byWeis staff, historical and culture programs, first aid classes and special events.
  • After-school nature programs for grades 1-8
  • Primitive survival skills classes taught by Joe Blevis, founder of Winding Waters Earth Skills. Topics include firebuilding, primitive cooking, shelter making, bird languages, basketry, local plants, awareness & movement.
  • Group programs: including field trips for schools,homeschoolers, rec departments and area camps.
  • Nature focused day camps and during thesummerand winter and spring schoolbreaks.


​Arts

Performing Arts
Iron Mountain Stage Company, ​a local non-profit theatre company that has been performing continuously since 1993, makes Weis their permanent home for rehearsals and performances. They present a spring and fall production, as well as fun public acting improv workshops.


Music

"Music at Midvale" Acoustic Open Mic! Join us near the old farmhouse for an afternoon of acoustic, outdoors music (originals and covers). Please bring your own refreshments and a folding chair. Smoking and alcohol are not permitted on the property.
> $5 per person, additional donations welcome! Signup to perform from 2:30-3:00pm; music starts at 3:00. NO registration required. Details and performance guidelines


"Music at Midvale" Concert Series! Our 2021 Series included performances by Rave Tesar, E'lissa Jones and Loretta Hagen. Artists profiles


Photography

  • Exhibit of landscape and nature photographs, taken locally by Joann Lightbody, a lifelong Ringwood, NJ resident. Joann has captured the beauty of the area in her photos, which are on display in the main building.
  • Enjoy an exhibit of inspiring nature photography by talented local artists Vera Lazar, Tom Tarbutton, and Karin Ahmed! Main building.


Recreation​

Guided Nature Hikes - Led by our Educators & Naturalists. Public guided hikes are offered throughout the year, and can also be scheduled for private groups, party or special events. Hikes are led by a first aid certified staff member, and may focus on local history, flora, and fauna found along the trail.Learn more about hiking at Weis and in the adjacent Norvin Green State Forest. ​


Forest Bathing Walks - Led by Weis Educator Lauren Lynch


Seasonal programs, including ​Pumpkin Chunkin' (Fall), Natural Wreath Making (Winter) and Maple Sugaring (Feb/Mar)


Swimming is available at our partners the Highlands Natural Pool, which is adjacent to our property. Experience a mountain-stream fed pool in a beautiful, forested setting. Snack bar on premises.

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Scouting

We are happy to welcome ALL Scout groups to The New Weis Center. We offer many programs for Scouts, including badge classes, service projects, camping and firecircles, and hosting special events. Please check our Scouting page for all the details and upcoming events!

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Support The New Weis Center by making a tax-deductible DONATION, which includes many member benefits. Learn more

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​UPCOMING EVENTS​

Pre-registration and/or advance payment may be required. Parking for program attendees is available near the main brick building. Masks are OPTIONAL

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​​▶ Aug 1-26: Summer Nature Camp


​▶ Aug 1-5: Emerging Ecologists Summer Camp


​▶ Sat, Aug 13, 7:00-9:00pm: Guided Sunset Hike
Join us for a moderate but leisurely hike up to a beautiful viewpoint over the highlands at sunset. The hike up during golden hour will be at a slow pace, and then we will take a break to enjoy the sunset over the mountains for a while. Then, on our hike back down we'll get to experience some of the nocturnal creatures beginning their night!

  • Ages 8+
  • $8 per person

>REGISTER NOW!


​​​▶ Sun, Aug 14, 10:00-11:15am: Forest Bathing (2nd Sunday of every month)
From the Japanese 'shinrin-yoku', the practice of forest bathing means to immerse oneself in the forest and soak in the atmosphere through the senses. Today's walk at an easy pace will focus on connecting to nature through mindfulness, as we explore our senses and the present moment through short, guided, meditations in the forest. Forest bathing has been shown to help decrease stress levels and anxiety, and to improve the immune system and symptoms of depression, to name a few benefits. Come explore a new way of walking through the forest! Led by Weis Educator Lauren Lynch.

  • Ages 10-adult; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • $8 per person

> REGISTER NOW!


​​▶ Sat, Aug 20, 9:00am-12:00pm: Volunteer Day at Weis! (3rd Saturday of every month, Apr-Oct)
We welcome volunteers (individuals, families, groups, clubs, scouts) to stop by and help with some much needed cleanup in our gardens and grounds. May include weeding and invasive species removal, raking, planting, pruning, spreading woodchips/mulch, litter abatement, and special projects. Bring a rake and gloves if you have them.

  • Suggested age: 8-adult; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Participation counts towards community service or scout conservation service hours

​> No registration required, but please let us know if you are bringing a group (5 or more)


​​▶ Mon, Aug 22, 9:00am-12:00pm: Scouts BSA Merit Badge - Swimming (public class, open to all)

The first portion will be held outdoors at The New Weis Center; the swimming portion will be held at the adjacent Highlands Natural Pool. Please wear a bathing suit, bring a towel and change of clothes; goggles are optional. Dropoff/pickup near the Center's main brick building.

  • Meets ALL requirements - no prerequisites
  • $26; includes visitor pass at the Highlands Natural Pool

> SOLD OUT


​​​▶ Sun, Aug 28, 3:00-5:00pm: Outdoor Acoustic Open Mic (last Sunday of every month from May-Sep)
​Come to play, or just to listen and enjoy! Join us for an afternoon of live music near our old farmhouse (c.1800's) for an afternoon of acoustic music (originals and covers), in a variety of musical genres. You are welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic refreshments. Seating is at picnic tables, or bring a folding chair. Smoking and alcohol are not permitted anywhere on the property.

  • Signup to perform between 2:30-3:00pm
  • Live music is from 3:00pm-5:00pm
  • $5 cover per person (performers and audience)

​​> No registration required


​​▶ Sat, Sep 17, 9:00am-12:00pm: Volunteer Day at Weis! (3rd Saturday of every month, Apr-Oct)
We welcome volunteers (individuals, families, groups, clubs, scouts) to stop by and help with some much needed cleanup in our gardens and grounds. May include weeding and invasive species removal, raking, planting, pruning, spreading woodchips/mulch, litter abatement, and special projects. Bring a rake and gloves if you have them.

  • Suggested age: 8-adult; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Participation counts towards community service or scout conservation service hours

​> No registration required, but please let us know if you are bringing a group (5 or more)


​​​▶ Sun, Sep 25, 3:00-5:00pm: Outdoor Acoustic Open Mic (last Sunday of every month from May-Sep)
​Come to play, or just to listen and enjoy! Join us for an afternoon of live music near our old farmhouse (c.1800's) for an afternoon of acoustic music (originals and covers), in a variety of musical genres. You are welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic refreshments. Seating is at picnic tables, or bring a folding chair. Smoking and alcohol are not permitted anywhere on the property. Learn more
Signup to perform between 2:30-3:00pm

  • Live music is from 3:00pm-5:00pm
  • $5 cover per person (performers and audience)

​​> No registration required


Special Fall Program (October only) - Pumpkin Chunkin!  
​▶ Bring your Scout troop or other group or club to participate in a fun outdoor fall tradition: pumpkin chunkin! Carve or decorate your pumpkin, and then launch them across the field using our trebuchet, to see how far they can get their pumpkins to fly. 

  • Pumpkin chunkin can be scheduled as a private program for scout troops or any other group or club.
  • Minimum 10 participants, maximum of 50. Program works best with larger groups.
  • You may bring your own pumpkins or we can supply them. They should be small “sugar pumpkins” to get the best results with the trebuchet.
  • Depending on the age of your scouts, you can choose to carve or decorate your pumpkins with markers before launching (we provide carving equipment and markers). We leave the option up to you! 
  • 1 1/2 - 2 hours, depending on group size.

> $12 per participant (bring your own pumpkins); $14 per participant (we supply the pumpkins). To schedule a program, contact Sarah Crosby: sarah@highlandsnaturefriends.org or 973-835-2160.

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