Friday, January 6, 2017

Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities at HPSP


New Jersey High Point Monument
High Point Monument


What's the highest point in New Jersey? That's a really easy question to answer if you know anything about our state parks. It is within High Point State Park in Sussex County, the northernmost of New Jersey’s 40 state parks.

The 15,413-acre High Point State Park is well-regarded for its hiking and skiing trails, as well as locations for camping, fishing and numerous other activities.

Established in 1923 in the state’s Skylands Region, the park also is home to the High Point Monument, the highest point in New Jersey. High Point is the highest elevation in the state at 1,803 feet (550 m).

High Point is the highest peak of the Kittatinny Mountains. Three states – New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania – can be seen from the top.

At the peak is the High Point Monument, a 220-foot (67 m) obelisk, built in 1930 as a war memorial. From the monument, there is a spectacular panorama of hills, valleys, lush farmland and more in the 3 states.

High Point is the site for some activities this month for adults and children. Ranging from storytelling, games and crafts focused on nature during wintertime, to outdoor exploration and trail walks at the park.

Many people stay indoors more in winter, but it can be a great time to get out, explore nature, and enjoy the scenery at our state parks and forests.

To learn more about the programs below or to register, email register.highpointprograms@gmail.com or call (973) 875-1471.



January 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Nature in Winter Walk: A guide and participants will look for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, as well as dormant trees, plants, insects and more. A limited number of snowshoes in child and adult sizes are available, and must be reserved by 4 p.m. the Friday before each walk. Use of snowshoes will be weather-dependent. Reservations are required and locations vary. Ages 7 and up.
Fee: $2 per person for the walk, $5 per person to borrow snowshoes

January 12 and 26, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
January 13 and 27, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Fledgling Naturalists: Children’s curiosity will be encouraged through hands-on outdoor activities involving stories, games and crafts. For children ages 3 to 5, with an adult partner. Each adult may bring a maximum of two children, not including infants. Children or siblings over age 5 may not attend. Registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program.
Fee: $5 per adult/child pair, $2 for additional children ages 3 to 5.

January 13, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Homeschool Naturalists: Hands-on activities will give homeschooled children an opportunity to explore the natural world and interact with peers. Suggestions for additional study and resources will be provided. Registration is required by noon the day before the program. For children ages 6 to 10 in grades 1-5 with some ability to read and write.
Fee: $5 per child (must be accompanied by an adult)

January 14, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Snow and Ice: Games, crafts and experiments will be utilized to teach families about snow, ice and winter weather. A guide will explain how park wildlife survives frozen temperatures, and participants will be able to cut their own snowflakes. The free program is both indoors and outdoors. Ages 6 and up.


To learn more about High Point State Park, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpoint.html

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