​​EDUCATION, ARTS & RECREATION

​​Education

Programs for individuals and groups of all ages

• Public programs: include guided nature walks and talks byWeis staffand guest experts, historical and culture programs, as well as special presentations and events.
  
• After-school nature programs for grades 1-12
  
• Primitive survival skills classes taught by Joe Blevis of Earth Living Skills. Topics include firebuilding, primitive cooking, 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 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 a special holiday show and acting improv workshops several times a year. On Hold due to COVID-19

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. Resumes Spring 2021!

"Music at Midvale" Concert Series. On Hold due to COVID-19

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

Goat Yoga! Classes conducted by Totes Goats LLC. An hour of Vinyasa yoga and time to ask questions and play with the adorable goats. On hold due to COVID-19

Guided Hikes 

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!

​

If you have the option to include a note, please indicate what your payment is for (i.e. new membership, renewal, program payment, etc.)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​UPCOMING EVENTS​

Please note: some programs require pre-registration and/or advance payment, please see details below

​

IN-PERSON PROGRAMS​​

​​​​​​​▶ Apr 13-Jun 1, 1:30-3:30pm: Homeschool Spring Session for ages 6-12!

▶ Apr 15-Jun 3, 3:30-5:30pm: "Nature Discovery"Spring Session afterschool nature program for grades 1-4

▶ ​Apr 16-Jun 4, 3:30-5:30pm: "Eco-Adventure Challenge" Spring Session afterschool nature program for grades 5-8

▶ Apr 25, 10:00-2:30pm: Celebrate Earth Day Event!  FREE, fun programs and activities scheduled throughout the day, including:

• Registration Required: 1 hours Spring Walks, Talks and Crafts! Group size is limited, so register now!
  
  • 10:00-11:--am - Signs of Spring Hike
    
  • 10:30-11:15am - Pre-K Scavenger Hunt  SOLD OUT
  • 11:00am-12:00pm - Nature Craft Activity
    
  • 12:30-1:30pm - History of Weis Walk & Talk
    
  • 1:30-2:30pm - Macroinvertebrates & Our Watershed Walk
• No Registration Needed: Sustainable Ringwood Green Team will be onsite with a fun activity to promote their "Bring Your Own Bag" campaign to reduce plastic bag use. They will have fabric tote bags and fabric markers for you to design your own masterpiece to keep.
  
• No Registration Needed: Spring Cleanup! We welcome volunteers (individuals, families, groups, clubs, scouts) to stop by and help with some much needed cleanup in our gardens and grounds. Bring a rake, hand clippers and gloves if you have them. We'll also be tackling the cleanup of litter and debris from a small wetlands area with a vernal pool. Wear waterproof shoes/boots if you would like to help cleanup this area.
  

▶ May 1, 6:00-8:00am: Experience The Dawn's Chorus Spring Bird Walk - ages 6 and up
Challenge yourself to wake up early one day this spring to steep yourself in the seasonal chorus of birdsong at dawn. It is well worth it once you get out there: the excitement, anticipation, and anxiousness of setting territories and finding mates is tangible. Come experience the "dawn chorus" at The New Weis Center with a walk through the fields and trails, learning about this magical time.  Bring binoculars if you have them, and if not we do have a few to lend.

• Small group size
• Outdoor program; please dress accordingly
  
• Masks must be worn throughout; social distancing will be maintained to the extent possible.
  
• Non-refundable; in case of inclement weather, program will be rescheduled.​
  

> $8 per person. REGISTER NOW!

▶ May 8, 10:00am-2:00pm: Scouts BSA Communications Merit Badge

▶ May 8, 4:00-5:30pm: Mother's Day Nature Craft

Details and registration coming soon...

​​​​​​▶​​​ May 15, 1:00-2:30pm: Meet your Trees Nature Walk

​Join us for a naturalist-led nature walk! From the tiniest spring wildflower to the tallest trees in the forest (Tulip Trees here in NJ!) plants are the backbone of any habitat and shape our landscapes and ecosystems. On this moderate but slow-paced hike, we will discuss tree and plant identification and look at some of the interesting and important species in our Highlands forest, and how those plant communities support wildlife.

• Small group size
  
• Outdoor program; please dress accordingly
  
• Masks must be worn throughout; social distancing will be maintained to the extent possible.
  
• Non-refundable; in case of inclement weather, program will be rescheduled.​
  

> $8 per person. REGISTER NOW!

▶ May 22, 11:00am-1:30pm: Primitive Skills-Plants class from Joe Blevis, Founder of Earth Living Skills

▶ May 22, 2:00-3:30pm: Rockin' the Highlands Geology Hike

Details and registration coming soon...

▶ May 30, 2:30-5:00pm: Acoustic Open Mic

▶ Jul 6-Aug 20, 9:00am-3:00pm:Summer Nature Camp, Monday-Friday, for ages 7-12

▶ Jul 15-Aug 18, 9:00am-3:00pm: Jr. Naturalist program, Thursdays, for ages 12-16

​

SCOUT PROGRAMS

Learn about all of our badge programs, camping and campfire options, and facility rentals.
​