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.
- 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 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
May-Sep: "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
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 our Lead 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.
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!
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
Support The New Weis Center by making a tax-deductible DONATION and receive special member benefits! Learn more
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pre-registration and advance payment is required for most programs. Parking for program attendees is available near the main brick building.
Don’t miss out! Sign up to receive emails about upcoming programs and events
▶ Sat, Jul 27, 1:00-5:00pm - BSA Pulp & Paper Merit Badge
- Pre-requisites must be done beforehand and will be reviewed in class: #6, #7e, #8. Refer to the badge handbook for details.
- Scouts should wear their uniform and bring a signed blue card
- $32 per scout
▶ Sun, Jul 28, 3-5pm: Acoustic Open Mic
Is your special talent craving a relaxed, rustic venue? Join us in a beautiful wooded setting for an afternoon of live music. Come to play, or just to listen and enjoy! We'll gather outside near the old farmhouse (c.1800's) for an afternoon of acoustic music (originals and covers) in a variety of genres. Seating is available at picnic tables, or bring a folding chair if you prefer. You are welcome to bring your own refreshments, but note that smoking and alcohol are not permitted on the property. All ages welcome.
- Signup to perform between 2:30-3:00pm; live music is from 3:00pm-5:00pm
- $5 cover per person (performers and audience)
- Open mics are the last Sunday of every month, May-Sep. Additional dates for 2024: Aug 25, Sep 29
- No registration required
▶ Saturday, August 3, 7-9pm: World Campfire Day Celebration!
Join us in celebrating World Campfire Day by learning fire-building science and skills from our Weis educators, and ending the evening with s'mores around a cozy campfire!
- All ages are welcome
- $12 per person; free for children age 4 and under
> REGISTER NOW!
▶ Sat, Aug 10, 9am-12pm: Volunteer Day at Weis!
We welcome volunteers (scouts, community members, families, groups, clubs) to stop by and help with some much needed TLC in our gardens and grounds, including invasive species removal, spreading woodchips on pathways, mulching, pruning, litter pickup, gathering branches/sticks for campfires. No gardening experience necessary.
- Counts as community service and conservation hours for students and scouts.
- Bring work gloves if you have them.
- Suggested age: 8+; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Volunteer Days are scheduled on the 2nd Saturday of each month, plus an occasional extra day as needed. Additional 2024 dates: Sep 14, Oct 12
> No registration required, but please let us know if you are bringing a group (5 or more)
▶ Sunday, August 18, 2-5pm: Mining for Minerals
Join our Weis educators on a hike to discover why earth rocks! We will learn how to identify rocks and minerals and see how geology shapes the natural world and our daily lives.
- Ages 8 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult
- Portions of the hike contain steep and challenging terrain
- $10 per person
> REGISTER NOW!
▶ Sunday, August 25th 12-2:30pm- Tea & Tree ID
Come check out our Weis tree trails and unwind with foraged tea! We will learn the basics of tree identification for up to 17 species of native trees. Then we will collect materials to make tea bags from scratch.
- All ages are welcome
- Admission is $12 and free for children under 5 years old
> REGISTER NOW!
Returning this Fall:
▶ Forest Bathing Sensory Walk with Foraged Tea
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 and breathing exercises in the forest. Through this practice, we aim to deepen our connection to our mind, our body, and the life around us in nature. At the end of our walk, we'll sample a tea made from pine and spruce needles foraged on the Weis property, with some seasonal variations throughout the year. This tea is meant to show our gratitude and appreciation and is a way of tasting and taking in the land to further connect to it. 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 Lead Educator Lauren Lynch
- Ages 13 to adult; under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult
- $15 per person
> REGISTER NOW!
▶ Classes at Weis from our partner TrailBound Project
- Sat, Aug 3, 9am-1pm: Knots
- Sat, Aug 3, 1:30-5:30pm: Tarp Shelters
- Sat, Aug 3, 9am-2pm: Backpacking Shakedown Hike
- Sun, Aug 4, 9am-5pm: Map & Compass Navigation
- Sat, Aug 10, 9am-6pm: Women in the Wilderness
Summer Camp at Weis
▶ Summer Nature Camp!
- 2nd-5th grade
- 4 Weeks: Jul 22-26 (Animal Adventures), Jul 29-Aug 2 (Backwoods Survival), Aug 5-9 (Arts in the Wild) & Aug 12-16 (Elemental Exploration).
- Discounts for Members, siblings, and multiple week signups
▶ 'Emerging Ecologists' Summer Nature Camp!
- 6th-9th grade
- 2 3-day sessions: Jul 30-Aug 1 (Highlands Homesteaders) & Aug 6-8 (Nature Tech Adventures)
- Discounts for Members & siblings