The Center's facilities include hiking trails, a brook, recreation field, covered pavilion, picnic grove, rain garden, and main building with a large multi-purpose room and a separate classroom. In warm weather, we can include a visit to the neighboring Highlands Natural Pool for a swim!


Each field study program provides unique learning opportunities. Programs can include up to 4 individual lesson rotations, depending on the length of your trip and the students' age. You may select activities from multiple themes to create a customized program for your students.


Our staff provides an attentive, hands-on learning experience and the applied skills to foster a lifelong curiosity for science and nature. Programs are designed around NJ state standards and curriculum, and provide experiential learning while immersed in the natural beauty of the Ramapo Mountains. 


Our programs are rain or shine; so please dress appropriately!

Schedule your students' field study experience today!

Studies show that kids who play outside are smarter, happier, more attentive, and less anxious than those who spend more time indoors.

  • It builds confidence and teaches responsibility
  • It makes them think
  • It reduces stress and fatigue
  • It promotes creativity and imagination
  • It provides different stimulation, and activates all the senses
  • It gets kids moving, which is good for kids’ bodies and can make them more focused

​All students benefit from connecting with the natural world. We offer hands-on, experiential field study programs for grades K-12. Please contact us if you are interested in a program or subject that is not listed below. We strive to develop inclusive programming, and welcome students with unique social, emotional and learning needs.


Spring 2020 trips may be booked from April 20-June 12.


For more information, to book a trip or request a custom program, please contact us or call 973-835-2160​.

FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS

​Fee:

  • $15 per student for trips under 2 1/2 hours; $18 per student for trips between 2 1/2 - 5 hours. Maximum of 75 students.
  • Groups of less than 15 students will be billed the minimum $225 trip fee.
  • Larger groups can be scheduled over several days. Requests for same day groups over 75 students may be accommodated upon request for an additional fee. Please contact us to discuss large group trips: info@highlandsnaturefriends.org or 973-835-2160.
  • There is no charge for teachers and chaperones.
  • If you require a raindate, we will hold it for an additional non-refundable minimum trip fee of $225.


Deposit / Payments:

After we receive your online reservation request, we will contact you to confirm the date and discuss details of your program. We will also send your invoice; this may be paid in full prior to the trip, or you can send a deposit (at least a third of the invoice total) and then bring a check for the balance the day of your trip, or mail it to the address below. Your reservation is not confirmed until the deposit is received!

  • Checks should be made out to: "HIGHLANDS NATURE FRIENDS", and can be mailed to: 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, New Jersey 07456


Cancellation Policy:

  • Our programs are rain or shine*; please direct your students and staff to dress accordingly.
  • ​If your school must cancel their trip, please note that there is a $50 fee for cancellations LESS THAN 2 weeks prior to the date of the trip.​ If The New Weis Center makes the decision to cancel due to extreme weather or another emergency, we will gladly refund your deposit or pre-payment in full.

​Programs can include up to 4 individual lesson rotations, depending on the length of your trip and the students' age. You may select lesson activities from the themes below (all from one theme or mix and match) to create a customized program for your students. After you reserve your trip online, our Senior Educator will contact you to review the details of your trip and the lessons you selected.


Themes and Activities

​

  • ​Discovering Aquatic Ecosystems:
    • Stream Study-Macroinvertebrates
    • Watershed Wonders
    • Rain Gardens
    • ​Vernal Pool Exploration Hike​


  • Funky Forest:
    • Fallen Log-Decomposers
    • Square Foot Detectives
    • Metamorphosis
    • Micro-Habitat Hike


  • Expedition Weis:
    • Fire Building
    • Shelter Building
    • Survival Skills Stations
    • Natural Navigation Hike


  • Highlands Forest Exploration:
    • Forestry Plot
    • ​Biodiversity Challenge
    • ​Ecology Models
    • Highlands Hike

​

  • Birds & Beyond:
    • Nest Building Challenge
    • Migration Station
    • Bird Beak Adaptations
    • Bird Exploration Hike


  • ​Additional Activity Options
    • ​Teambuilding Activities
    • Field Games
    • Stream Exploration Time
    • ​Nature Journaling and Poetry​​