Children's Programs at the Arboretum

Branching Out! Registration Form

Children's Activities

The Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum have regular educational programs for children from toddlers through junior high school.

“Branching Out!” – Forty-One Seasons and still going!

“Branching Out!” the hands-on, gardening program where young people are allowed – no, encouraged – to play in the dirt will begin taking reservations in early January. This year will be the 41st gardening season for this hands-on, educational program which will run Saturdays in the spring and two days a week in the summer depending on age level. Gardeners may attend spring, summer or both but no matter what, they will learn that with a little work and a lot of patience, the food you grow yourself is usually the best! Time to get dirty and get digging.

For more information or to request a brochure be mailed to you, call Gwen Montgomery at 973-631-5004 or email gmontgomery@morrisparks.net or download the registration flyer by clicking on the image at the right.

Garden Sprouts - Spring 2013

Celebrate Spring with your favorite preschooler, ages 3 through 5, at the arboretum for this series of programs designed for the budding nature explorer. Each week young people along with a favorite grownup will explore different gardens around The Frelinghuysen Arboretum and learn just how important plants are and how they do what they do. Each walk will include an activity and a story. Garden Sprouts is led by Master Gardeners Lily Mehl and Ingrid Witty.

All classes will take place at 11:00 am (please be prompt) on the Mondays listed below. Participants may sign up for as many or as few as they choose. The cost is $5 per child for members and $7 for non-members.

Register below using Paypal. Please note that an adult must accompany the child.

Family Discovery Backpacks!

Create and make discoveries in the gardens with one of our Family Backpacks, developed for use by families with children in preschool through 5th grade. Each pack contains materials, activities, games and suggestions to help adults and their young people find new ways of looking at all the plants and other living and non-living things that can be found in the gardens all year round.

Family Discovery Backpacks are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Advance reservations are not accepted. The fee is $5 per family but Family Members of The Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum may use the backpacks at no cost. You must show your membership card. Backpacks can be checked out from 9 am daily for up to 21⁄2 hours at the Haggerty Education Center Reception Desk. The last rental time is 2:30 pm daily and all backpacks must be returned by 4:00 pm.

JMG Registration

Junior Master Gardeners

The Junior Master Gardener program returns for its 7th year at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. This program for students in grades three through five is a school-year long, intensive gardening and horticulture science program that includes inside and outside time (even when it’s cold!) as well as hands-on planting, propagation, and experiments. This year’s program will focus on all kinds of plants, especially the big ones – Trees. Learn about year-round planting, growing trees from seed and seed collecting and discover which trees can be eaten and when.

The 2011-2012 Junior Master Gardener Class will begin Wednesday, October 3 and will meet every other Wednesday, weather permitting, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

For the Registration Brochure, click on the image at left or contact Gwen Montgomery at gmontgomery@morrisparks.net or call 973-631-5004.

Cost: $175 for family members / $200 for non-members

FIELD TRIPS FOR SCHOOLS & SCOUTS

For information about booking field trips for schools and scout troops at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, please contact the Horticultural Program Specialist at 973-631-5004.

ATTENTION SCOUT LEADERS

Girl Scouts

Schedule a workshop to earn a Daisy Journey or Petal, Brownie Try-it, Junior Badge or work on an older girls’ IP at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Some of the workshops offered are Plants and Eco-Explorer Try-Its, Plants and Animals, Earth Connections and Your Outdoor Surrounding Badges. Or, the staff will work with leaders to design a workshop that meets the needs of a troop. Explore the gardens, take a tour and spend some time outside. All workshop participants will plant something to take home.

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts

Many Cub Scout Achievements and Awards can be earned in a workshop lead by staff at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Learn what’s a native plant and what’s not. Search for habitat, exotic plants, or big trees. All workshop participants will take home a plant to care for.

For information on any scout programs at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum call (973) 631-5004.

All Children's Programs: