EDUCATION, ARTS & RECREATION
Education
Programs for individuals and groups of all ages
- Afterschool nature-based yoga and art program from our partner Eclectic Kids
- Public programs: include guided nature walks and talks by Weis staff and guest experts, historical and culture programs, as well as special presentations and events.
- Primitive survival skills classes taught by Joe Blevis of Earth Living Skills. Topics include firebuilding, shelter making, bird languages, basketry, local plants, awareness & movement.
- Group programs: include field trips for schools,homeschoolers, rec departments and area camps.
- Nature focused day camps run during thesummerand 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 a special holiday show and occasional public workshops.
Music
"Music at Midvale" Acoustic Open Mic! An afternoon of live music on the last Sunday afternoon each month. Signup to perform at the door starting at 2:30pm; music starts at 3:00 and ends at 5:00pm. Light refreshments are available. Details and performance guidelines.
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 beautiful and inspiring nature photography by talented local artists Vera Lazar, Tom Tarbutton, and Karin Ahmed! Main building.
Recreation
Goat Yoga! Classes conducted by Totes Goats LLC. An hour of Vinyasa yoga and time to ask questions and play with the adorable goats.
Highlands Obstacle Adventure course! Classes conducted by Tobin Osusky of Temple Qinesis. Trail run and obstacle course, with mountaintop yoga and mindfulness! Sundays at 1:00pm.
Public guided hikes may be offered throughout the year, and can be scheduled for private groups, party or special event. 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.
Swimming in 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!
UPCOMING EVENTS
O N G O I N G
Every Mon, Tue, Thu, 5:00-6:00pm: Drop-in Fitness Class - from Tobin Osusky of Temple Qinesis
> $20 per class; NO registration required
Every Wednesday: Eclectic Kids Afterschool Yoga, Mindfulness, and Nature-based Art - from Giselle Cuevas.
Ages 4-6, 4:00-5:00pm; Ages 7-12 @5:15-6:15pm
> $15 per child; multiple session packages available. Register NOW
Last Sunday of every month, 3:00-5:00pm: Music at Midvale Acoustic Open Mic. Next dates: May 26, Jun 30.
Come to play - or just to listen to great music (originals and covers). Light refreshments will be available.
> $5 per person. No registration required; sign up to perform at the door between 2:30-3:00pm.
J U N E
Sun, Jun 1, 9:00am-2:00pm: National Trails Day Guided Hike
Join Proactive founder Joe Proscia and his team as they lead a challenging hike through the rugged terrain. Joe is excited for people to experience a lot of views they otherwise might miss if they took the more-traveled routes. Proactive is a metropolitan hiking & adventure collective committed to exploring, embracing, & conquering the great outdoors. Note: trail maps for the area will be available for purchase at the start of the hike. Meet at the main building, where restrooms will be available.
Sun, Jun 2, 12:00-1:00pm: Goat Yoga, from Totes Goats
45 minutes of Vinyasa yoga with the fun and frisky goats from Totes Goats! Perfect for beginners. This will be our first outdoor class of 2019 (weather permitting)
> $30 per person. CLASS FULL
Sat, Jun 8, 9:00-11:00am: Meet Our Local Plants, from Joe Blevis of Earth Living Skills. Come join us as we explore and get first hand experience meeting and interacting with the local plants. We will be studying, drawing, photographing, and eating plants, as well as learning about some medicinal qualities and utilitarian purposes - such as which plant fibers work best for rope making, or which trees have good bark for baskets. We will also identify some poisonous plants, and talk about their hazards.
> $35 per person. Register NOW
Sat, Jun 8, 12:00-4:00pm: Geocaching BSA Merit Badge
Geocaching is a fun, challenging and healthy way to spend time with your family and friends. It is a free sport - modern day treasure hunt - you can participate in anywhere in the world! Learn about the geocaching lingo, how to identify the many types of geocaches, how to safely search for them and what to do when you find one. Weather permitting we will practice finding caches on the grounds. No equipment needed, although you may bring a handheld GPS unit if you have one. Instructor: Weis Board member Tom Strube. Tom is an experienced, registered merit badge counselor with the BSA, is first aid/cpr certified, wilderness first aid certified, and is current on his youth protection training.
> $18 per person. CLASS IS FULL
Sat, Jun 15, 9:00am-3:30pm: CPR/AED & First Aid class
> $95 per person. Registration opens soon
Sat, Jun 22, 10:00am-12:00pm: Chestnut Tree Talk & Walk, from the American Chestnut Foundation.
"The Finest Chestnut Tree in the World!" The American Chestnut Foundation (ACF) will present a slideshow presentation and guided walk to learn about this iconic and once dominant species of deciduous trees, and ACF's ongoing effort to restore the Chestnut tree population in eastern North America, after the species was devastated by a fungal blight.
> $5 per person, payable in cash or check at the start of the event. No registration required.
Sun, Jun 23 AND Sun, Jun 30, 8:30am-4:30pm: Wilderness First Aid (2-day class). Do you know what to do if there’s an accident or illness when you are hiking, camping, mountain biking, or on an outdoors adventure? Learn what to do in this 2-day class, which is ideal for hikers, mountain bikers, Scout leaders and outdoor adventure lovers. Includes classroom instruction and outdoor hands-on scenarios. Ages 16+; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Definitions, philosophy, legal/ethical & psychological/emotional issues
- Prevention & action at emergencies, planning, equipment, survival, crisis mgmt
- Scene survey, patient assessment, rescuer safety, vital signs, palpation
- Shock & physiology types, recognition
- Bleeding, wounds, burns, blisters, bandaging, practical (demo & hands on)
- Hot & cold, bugs & bites, altitude
- Medical emergencies, diabetic, allergic, heart, brain, respiratory
- Patient hands-on assessment scenarios and outdoor practice
- Specific injuries, acute abdomen, eyes, head/face
- Bones/joint/muscle injuries, immobilization, improvisation, splinting, extremities
- Summary, review, written test and practical exam
Note: current CPR/AED certification is required to receive a WFA certification card; contact us for suggestions about where to take a class. If you take the CPR/AED class after the WFA, you will receive your WFA certification upon proof of completion to the instructor
> $190 non-members (Join NOW); $170 New Weis Center members (Supporter level and up); REGISTER NOW!
Sun, Jun 23, 10:00am-12:00pm - Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat!
Don’t miss this terrific presentation from Don Torino, President of Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS), as he shows you what you'll need to create a healthy backyard wildlife habitat. Find out about the BCAS Certified Wildlife Garden program - and how to get your yard certified! After the indoor presentation, there will be a chance to ask questions, followed by a short guided walk.
> FREE, but donations are always appreciated! No registration required
J U L Y
Jul 8-Aug 16: Nature Camp!
6 week camp for ages 6-12, 9:00am-3:00pm. Signup for a week...or the whole summer!
Sun, Jul 14, 9:00am-2:00pm: Intro to Basketry-Basic Splintwork, from Joe Blevis of Earth Living Skills
Basketry is the art of working with flexible organic materials - bark, sapling, fibers, splints, etc. - and interweaving them into usable containers of various sizes. Baskets were an essential tool for our ancestors, and still are highly valued today. Whether you're looking to make a collection basket, a long-term pack basket, or a simple container for household goods, this technique is for you! In this program, we'll dive into one of the most basic styles of basic weaving: splintwork. We will spend our time weaving a small, model-sized basket to teach you the basic principles. After that, there is no limit to what is possible with this simple technique!
> $50 per person; includes all materials. Register NOW
Sun, July 14, 6:00-7:00pm: Goat Yoga, from Totes Goats
45 minutes of Vinyasa yoga with the fun and frisky goats from Totes Goats! Perfect for beginners. Class will be outdoors, but will move inside in case of bad weather.
> $30 per person. Register NOW
Aug 19-23: Highlands Forest Expedition Camp!
Special 1-week camp for ages 12-14! 9:00am-3:00pm