High Point State Park

2011-11-02T11:08:00.000-04:00

Open Hearth Cooking Rescheduled

Due to last weekend's unseasonable snowstorm, the Friends of High Point State Park's Open Hearth Cooking celebration has been rescheduled for this Saturday, November 5th, from 11 AM to 3 PM in the Interpretive Center.

Before Open Hearth begins, at 10 AM, join the Park Naturalist for an easy 1.5-mile walk around Sawmill Lake. We'll look for signs of beaver activity and see how many different kinds of seeds we can find as the plants prepare for winter. Some portions of the trail may be muddy, so wear appropriate footwear. This walk is suitable for adults and families with children age six and up. Meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch. When we're done, we can all go up to the Interpretive Center for hot beverages and to see what's cooking on the fire.

Summer Programs Underway

2011-06-30T14:06:00.000-04:00

High Point's summer programs are underway! Check the Google Calendar to the left for a full listing or click on the links above to find out more about weekend programs in July and August, Thursday Scavenger Hunts, Friday Family Nature Programs, Saturday morning Discovery Pack programs, and the Friends of High Point events, including outdoor concerts and yoga classes.

Discovery Pack Programs

2011-06-30T14:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday Mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 AM
July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, August 13, August 20, August 27, & September 3

Families with children age four through ten. Meet at the Sawmill Lake Boat Launch. For more information about Discovery Packs, click on the link above. Come join a park naturalist for a short activity and pick up a Discovery Pack to borrow for the rest of the day. Discovery Packs contain items like nets, magnifiers, bug boxes, crayons, and much more! You'll also receive a guide that is full of fun outdoor activity ideas for things to do with the items in the Pack.

Packs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, one per family, as supplies last. There is no cost for the program or to borrow the Pack, but you may be held responsible for any items that are missing or seriously damaged when it is returned.

Packs must be returned to the Interpretive Center by 5:00 PM on the same day they are borrowed.

You may also borrow a Discovery Pack by stopping by the Interpretive Center, Wednesdays through Sundays after 12 noon.

2010-11-15T19:35:00.000-05:00

The the High Point Interpretive Program blog will be on temporary hiatus until mid-spring. Too keep up with programs and events sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park, check out their new blog at www.friendshighpointstatepark.blogspot.com.

Open Hearth Cooking 2010

2010-10-14T21:24:00.001-04:00

The Friends of High Point State Park will be hosting their annual Open Hearth Cooking Day on Saturday, October 30 from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM in the Interpretive Center at High Point.

Cooking demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day. Visitors are encouraged to stop by at any time and taste a sample of the food that has just come off the hearth. A variety of foods will be prepared, including snacks, soups, meats, and desserts. Park souvenirs and crafts will be for sale, and there will be a seasonal story time with a coloring activity for kids at 1:00 PM.

This event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future Friends of High Point programs and events. The Friends of High Point State Park is a not-for-profit organization that supports historical, scientific, educational, recreational, and natural resource management activities within the Park.

The Open Hearth

From Chrysalis to Butterfly

2010-10-14T21:17:00.000-04:00

Twenty-four hours (or so) before the butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, its black and orange wings become clearly visible. (The the wings are faintly visible in the chrysalis on the right, but it has a week or so still to go.)

Autumn Bicycle Tours

2010-10-07T21:14:00.001-04:00

Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM
and/or Sunday October 10, 2010 from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Adults/Families with children age 10 and up. Meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch. A bike ride is a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty of fall at High Point. Come on a leisurely guided bicycle tour exploring Sawmill and Park Ridge Roads. The route will cover approximately eight miles and ranges from easy to moderately difficult. The group will depart at 10:30 sharp. Please plan to arrive around 10:00 AM. Helmets are mandatory. Please bring water and snacks. You may also wish to bring a camera. If you want to make a two-wheeled weekend of it, consider camping! Call the Park Office at 973-875-4800 for more information about reserving a campsite. Sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park.

Park Ridge Road in Autumn

2010-09-02T11:51:00.002-04:00

Fall Programs for Preschoolers and Homeschoolers

Follow the links above for preschooler and homeschooler programs updated for fall 2010. You can also find them on the Google calendar in the left-hand column.

Bait and Boat Festival - Cancelled

2010-09-02T11:49:00.001-04:00

Sunday, September 12 from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Bring your own canoe, kayak, rowboat, or other non-motorized boat, fishing gear, a picnic, and join the Friends of High Point State Park on the beach for a day of fishing and boating on Lake Marcia and stay for an evening campfire. This is the one day of the year when non-motorized boats are permitted on this lake and there will be activities throughout the day for the whole family. Stop by any time and stay as long as you like!

1:00 to 4:00 PM - Fishing Contest
2:00 PM - Boat Races
3:00 PM - Nature Paddle/Walk
4:00 PM - Fly Fishing Demo.
4:00 PM - Boat Craft
6:00 PM - Campfire (with s'mores!) begins
6:30 PM - Sing Along and Storytelling

Bring beach chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, fishing gear, canoes, kayaks, rowboats and your friends!
The concession stand will be open throughout the day.
Anyone over the age of 15 will need a NJ fishing license to fish.
Parking is in the beach parking lot. You may find it easier to put in boats at the north end of the lake.

This event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future Friends of High Point State Park programs and events. The Friends of High Point State Park is a not-for-profit organization that supports historical, scientific, educational, recreational, and natural resource management activities within the Park.

Campfire at the 2009 Bait and Boat Festival

From Caterpillar to Chrysalis

2010-09-02T11:00:00.000-04:00

Watch a monarch caterpillar to transform into its chrysalis. More monarch pics below.

Monarch Caterpillar Season

2010-08-23T12:08:00.001-04:00

It's monarch caterpillar season at High Point! Monarch butterflies have been busy laying their tiny eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves.

(That's a dime next to the egg.)

The tiny caterpillar hatches and eats and grows, and eats and grows, and eats and grows, until it goes through five instars. At the end of each instar the caterpillar stops eating for a period of time and sheds its skin.

When the caterpillar has completed five instars it starts to take on a bit of a greenish cast, and leaves the milkweed in search of a safe place to transform into a chrysalis. It weaves a web and hangs from it in the shape of the letter "J."

When it is ready, the caterpillar begins to wiggle and contract, splitting its skin. Watch the video - it's hard to describe! At the end you'll see the chrysalis swing around like crazy. This is a delicate stage. It is twisting its cremaster, the little black stem-like appendage at the top of the chrysalis, into the silken web. If it doesn't do this successfully, the chrysalis will fall to the ground and will not complete its transformation into a butterfly.
(Be patient, the first 10 seconds of the video are blank.)

Once it is free and securely attached, the chrysalis continues to change shape over the next half hour to an hour, until it finally hardens into the beautiful jade-green chrysalis that most of us recognize.

Stay tuned for butterflies!
To learn more about monarchs and their host plant, milkweed, come to the Interpretive Center on Friday August 27th at 11:00 AM. (For more program details click the August tab at the top of the page.) You can also visit Monarch Watch which is an impressive clearinghouse of Monarch information.

2010-07-28T00:18:00.001-04:00

The Monument, with Lake Marcia in the foreground about a half hour after sunset.

2010-07-07T23:26:00.000-04:00

While often best known for attracting monarch butterflies, milkweed hosts many different kinds of insects. On this common milkweed plant near group campsite "A," fritillary butterflies feed, along with a black and red milkweed beetle and Japanese beetle.

2010-07-07T23:20:00.001-04:00

Canada lilies, ranging in color from yellow to a darker orange, are in bloom in isolated spots along Sawmill and Park Ridge Roads.

High Point Discovery Packs

2010-06-24T21:31:00.000-04:00

Come spend the day at High Point and borrow a Discovery Pack to make your explorations more fun.

What's a Discovery Pack?
High Point's Discovery Packs contain items like nets, magnifiers, bug boxes, crayons, and much more! You can borrow a pack, library book-style, and use it to explore and discover while visiting High Point State Park.

What can we do with the Pack?
When you check out a pack you will also receive a "Discovery Pack Guide" that is full of fun outdoor activity ideas for things to do with the items in the pack (and without them). If you'd like to look over the guide ahead of time, a digital version can be found here.

Who can borrow a Pack?
Any adult with a child between the ages of four and ten.

How do we borrow a Pack?
Stop by the Interpretive Center when it is open and sign one out OR email highpointprograms@gmail.com to reserve a pack and set up a time to pick it up. If staff is available we'll be happy to accommodate you.

During the summer months the Interpretive Center is open Fridays from 1 to 4 PM, Saturdays from 1:30 to 5 PM, and Sundays from 12 to 5 PM. Additionally, staff may be available at other times to loan packs Wednesday through Sunday.

Is there a cost?
The standard summer parking fees are in effect ($5 weekdays/$10 weekends), but there is no additional cost for the pack. However, you may be held responsible if any items are missing or seriously damaged when the pack is returned.

America's State Parks and State-Owned Historic Sites

2010-05-19T19:35:00.002-04:00

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has released their list of "Most Endangered Historic Places " for 2010 and America's State Parks and State-Owned Historic Sites are at the top of list. Follow the link to learn more.

Pretty in Pink

2010-05-13T18:13:00.001-04:00

Even on a densely foggy, drizzly morning, spots of color can be found at High Point.

Pink ladies slipper, a showy orchid that grows well in the dry upland forests along the Kittatinny Ridge, has begun to bloom.

And the red flowers that warmed the tips of the maple branches last month have matured into vivid pink samaras, winged seeds typical of maple trees.

Classic Car Show

2010-05-13T16:35:00.001-04:00

Join the Friends of High Point State Park for a Classic Car Show at High Point State Park on Saturday, May 15th from 1:00-4:00. Participants should arrive at 12:00. Two awards will be given: People's Choice and Judge's Choice. Come vote for your favorite car! There will be live music from 2:00-3:30 by BlueSmoke. The cars will tour the park at 4:00. This event is sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park and supported by the Wanderers Car Club, www.thewandererscarclub.com Raindate, Sunday, May 16th from 1-4.

High Point was once a challenging and popular destination for car clubs. This picture from a post card from the mid-1920s shows one such gathering.

This event is free of charge but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future Friends of High Point State Park programs, events, and concerts. The Friends of High Point State Park is a not-for-profit organization that supports historical, scientific, educational, recreational, and natural resource management activities within the Park.

Woodland Wildflower Walk

2010-04-26T11:15:00.000-04:00

Join us Saturday, May 1st for a 1.5-mile walk around Sawmill Lake in search of the lovely and delicate woodland wildflowers of early spring.

We'll be on the lookout for blooms like bloodroot...

...trout lily...

...hepatica...

...and many more! We'll meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch at 10 AM.

Unexpected Beauty

2010-04-26T11:01:00.003-04:00

While all the spring wildflowers are wonderful to see, springtime beauty can be found in unexpected places.

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird: Garden Jewels

2010-04-21T00:43:00.000-04:00

Join us this Saturday, April 24th at 1:30 PM in the Interpretive Center for an entertaining and informative presentation about Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. Emeralds and rubies are never more precious than when they combine to form these elegant garden jewels. Phil De Rea will teach you all about the ruby-throated hummingbird’s perilous life, how to attract these chittering dynamos to your yard, and how to keep them coming back. This beginner-friendly program is a great introduction...bring a friend! Recommended for adults and families with children ages ten and up.

Phil De Rea is an Associate Naturalist and a former Program Director at the New Jersey Audubon Society’s Weis Ecology Center. He has also worked at the NJ School of Conservation and the Pocono Environmental Education Center, and is currently the Executive Director of Camp Nejeda, a summer camp for children with type 1 diabetes located in Stillwater, NJ.

This hummingbird, a species found in the western U.S. is similar in appearance to the ruby-throated hummingbird, native here in the northeast.

Celebrate Nature Coffeehouse

2010-04-15T21:44:00.000-04:00

Sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park

**UPDATED**

Come join us in the Interpretive Center on Saturday, April 17th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM for High Point's first annual Celebrate Nature Coffee House in honor of Earth Day.

Artwork will be on display throughout the afternoon and there will be musical performances by Joe Rocco, Harmony in Motion, a women's barbershop harmony chorus, and students from Sussex County Community College. In between scheduled performances, there will be "open mic" opportunities for those who would like to join in and play an instrument, sing a song or recite poetry. Coffee, tea, cookies, and other refreshments will be available.

12:00-12:30 - Deliver and display artwork
1:00-1:30 - Performance by Joe Rocco
1:30-2:00 - Performance by Harmony in Motion
2:00-3:30 - Open Mic
3:30-4:00 - Sussex County Community College performing arts students
4:00-4:30 - Performance by Hard Luck
4:30-5:00 - Open Mic

This event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future Friends of High Point programs and events. The Friends of High Point State Park is a not-for-profit organization that supports historical, scientific, educational, recreational, and natural resource management activities within the Park.

Harmony in Motion

Shadbush

2010-04-09T15:47:00.001-04:00

If you looked up at the Kittatinny Ridge this week, you may have noticed some patches of white. Fear not, it wasn't a spring snowfall. The shadbush is in bloom!

Shadbush (a.k.a. Serviceberry or Juneberry) is a small tree that occupies outcrops and the forest understory. It is inconspicuous for much of the year, but in early spring when the treetops are just starting to show a hint of green, the foamy white flowers soften the edges of the forests for a week or so.

Shadbush is so named because it is said that the tree blooms when the shad are running. Shad are members of the herring family that spend most of their lives in the ocean, but much like the salmon in the west, they migrate thousands of miles, traveling up-stream in rivers like the Delaware in the spring to spawn. In this area the shad typically arrive after the shadbush finishes blooming.

Is it a dandelion?

2010-04-06T17:33:00.002-04:00

Coltsfoot

Actually, it isn't, but it's easy to confuse the two. Coltsfoot can be seen in bloom right now primarily along roadsides and in waste places. This introduced species gets its name from the shape of its leaves (which resemble...you guessed it...the shape of a colt's foot). However, the plant often blooms before the leaves are visible. In a week or two, the flowers will be gone, but the leaves, with their distinctive white undersides will grow, and grow, and grow. You can see them at High Point near the parking for campsites 39 and 40 (among other places).

The familiar dandelion, also an introduced species, has long, toothed leaves once thought to resemble the teeth of of a lion (dent de lion).

Maples in Bloom

2010-03-31T10:45:00.002-04:00

Have you noticed a gentle wash of pink spreading over some tree branches? Those are red maples starting to bloom. Red maples are medium to large-sized trees that are especially common along lakes, ponds, streams, and other wetlands and are often the first trees to bloom in the spring.

From a distance the warm color of the red-maple flowers is a welcome change from the greyness of winter, and up-close, the flowers are lovely.

Spring's First Bloom

2010-03-27T09:52:00.001-04:00

The first flowers of spring are getting ready to bloom along the banks of streams and in High Point's wetlands. Skunk Cabbage may not be what comes to mind when someone says "wildflower," but it is. Come for an early spring hike and look for the mottled skunk cabbage hoods and other signs of spring!

To learn more about this common but interesting plant go to the skunk cabbage page at enature.com.

Spring Programs for Homeschoolers

2010-03-13T20:30:00.009-05:00

Homeschool Naturalists
Children ages 6 to 9, accompanied by an adult.
Group size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

These hands-on activities provide homeschoolers with opportunities to explore the natural world and interact with other homeschooled students. Suggestions for further study and resources will be provided for each program.

A Sense of Spring
Friday, April 23, 2010 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
This April we'll use our senses to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of the spring season, and we'll take a walk and see how many signs of spring we can find.

Stream Stomping!
Friday, May 21, 2010 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
In May we'll explore life in and around one of High Point's streams. You'll want to wear boots or shoes that can get wet, and you may want to wear insect repellent. We won't walk terribly far, but we will be off-trail. Plan to get a bit dirty and have fun! Suggested reading: The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright. First published in 1942, this is the second of four books about the Melendy Family and it follows their adventures as they explore their new country home (including a stream). I have a spare copy if anyone would like to borrow it.

Get Outdoors NJ! Discovery Packs
Friday, June 25, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pick up a pack at any time after 10:00 AM. Packs must be returned to the Interpretive Center by 4:00 PM. Come celebrate the end of the school year and "Great Outdoors Month" by borrowing one of High Point's new Habitat Discovery Packs and spending the day exploring the Park. These packs include a variety of tools that will help you explore and discover nature. Each pack includes a take-home discovery guide full of fun outdoor activity ideas, resources, and suggestions for how to use the tools contained inside. Spy on the treetops, try to catch a newt, corner a cricket, make a collage, climb a rock, observe nature up close and at distance, play a game...the only limit is your imagination!

Homeschool Adventurers
Children ages 9 to 13, accompanied by an adult.
Group size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

These monthly programs offer older homeschoolers opportunities to get out "in the field" through a series of thematic hikes with hands-on activities and lessons. In addition to fresh air and exercise, there will be time for students to socialize and work cooperatively together. Older and/or younger siblings are welcome to accompany us. In the case of younger siblings, they will need to be able walk the planned distance.

Reading the Landscape
Friday, April 23, 2010 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
In April we'll take hike (about 2.5 miles over mostly easy terrain) and focus on the signs and clues in the landscape that tell us the stories of the land and ways it has changed over the past few centuries. Although geology will not be a focus of this hike, you may find a book called Stone Wall Secrets by Kristine and Robert Thorson to be an appropriate supplement if you are interested in delving into both geologic and human history. From the book jacket: "Scattered throughout New England there are thousands of stone walls crisscrossing woods and fields as if they have been there forever. Each one has a story to tell, a story of farmers, and oxen and hard, muddy work. And every stone in every wall also has a story to tell, and older story of the land itself, of mountains and glaciers, of soils, and seas."

Stream Stomping!
Friday, May 21, 2010 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
In May we'll explore life in and around one of High Point's streams. You'll want to wear boots or shoes that can get wet, and you may want to wear insect repellent. We won't walk terribly far, but we will be off-trail. Plan to get a bit dirty and have fun! Suggested reading: The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright. First published in 1942, this is the second of four books about the Melendy Family and it follows their adventures as they explore their new country home (including a stream). This book may not appeal to the teens in the group, although it remains one of my favorite books and I'm way older than that! I have a spare copy if anyone would like to borrow it.

Get Outdoors NJ! Discovery Packs
Friday, June 25, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pick up a pack at any time after 10:00 AM. Packs must be returned to the Interpretive Center by 4:00 PM. Come celebrate the end of the school year and "Great Outdoors Month" by borrowing one of High Point's new Habitat Discovery Packs and spending the day exploring the Park. These packs include a variety of tools that will help you explore and discover nature. Each pack includes a take-home discovery guide full of fun outdoor activity ideas, resources, and suggestions for how to use the tools contained inside. Spy on the treetops, try to catch a newt, corner a cricket, make a collage, climb a rock, observe nature up close and at distance, play a game...the only limit is your imagination!

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Recommended website: The Children and Nature Network Building a Movement to Reconnect Children and Nature. This site has a wealth of information and resources for families and educators interested in having fun with their children in the outdoors.

Fledgling Naturalists - Programs For Preschoolers - Spring 2010

2010-03-13T20:30:00.002-05:00

For 3 to 5 year-olds and an adult partner. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world through outdoor activities, stories, games and crafts.

Out of an Egg

Thursday, April 15, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Friday, April 16, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Come learn about the different kinds of eggs and the critters that hatch from them.

Everyone Eats!

Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Friday, April 30, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

All animals need to eat to survive, but they go about it in lots of different ways. Come explore High Point's wildlife and learn what and how they eat.

Stream Slogging

Thursday, May 13, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Friday, May 14, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

We'll use nets to explore one of High Point's streams in search of crayfish, salamanders, and other critters. Wear boots or shoes that can get wet (just in case!) and be prepared for it to be a big buggy (but still lots of fun!).

Get Outdoors NJ - Go Play Outside!

Thursday, June 10, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Friday, June 11, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Come celebrate "Great Outdoors Month" by taking a short naturalist-guided walk and then trying out High Point's new Habitat Discovery Packs. Each pack contains an assortment of tools and field guides to help you explore and discover on your own as well as a take-home discovery guide full of fun outdoor activity ideas, resources, and suggestions for how to use the tools contained in the pack. Packs must be returned to the Interpretive Center by 4:00 PM.

Recommended website: The Children and Nature Network Building a Movement to Reconnect Children and Nature. This site has a wealth of information and resources for families and educators interested in having fun with their children in the outdoors.

2010-01-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

To see photos of Snow and Ice Festival sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park, go to Straus News. Thanks to all who joined us--it was a fun day!

February 2010 Programs

2010-01-27T15:15:00.003-05:00

Fledgling Naturalists
Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Friday, February 5, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come explore wildlife in winter and learn about the tracks and signs animals leave behind. Weather permitting, we'll give snowshoes a try. Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

Nature in Winter Snowshoe Walk
Saturday, February 6, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Locations vary. Directions provided when you register. Winter can be a quiet time, but there's still lots to explore. While on the trail we'll look for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, observe dormant trees, plants, insects, and much more. Whether we go by boot or by snowshoe will depend on the weather. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance.

Winter Wildlife: Tracks and Signs
Saturday, February 6, 2010 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Adults/Children ages 6 and up. Registration is required by 4 PM the day before the program. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. We don't usually get the chance to observe wild animals in action but the signs they leave behind offer a window into their world. Come learn the basics of interpreting the tracks and signs of local wildlife. After this indoor presentation you can either head outside to complete a "Signs of Wildlife" scavenger hunt or practice being a tracker in the Interpretive Center.

Ski Fest 2010 *CANCELED* (no snow)
Sunday, February 7, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Come to the High Point Cross Country Ski Center and give cross country skiing a try during this day-long cross country ski festival. Lessons will be offered throughout the day and beginner-friendly, naturalist-guided ski tours will begin at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. For more information call the Ski Center at 973-702-1222 or go to www.xcskihighpoint.com.

A Sense of Winter *CANCELED* (snow)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Families w/children ages 5 to 10. Meet at the Park Office on Route 23. Come take a short walk and exercise your senses while exploring the winter woods, then warm up in the Interpretive Center while watching a DVD about "Snowflake" Bentley.

Fledgling Naturalists
Thursday, February 18, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Friday, February 19, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
For 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. 'Tis the season for snow and ice! Come learn about winter weather and all its frosty forms. Weather permitting, we'll give snowshoes a try. Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

After School Trek: Nature in Winter
Friday, February 19, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Families w/children ages 6 to 10. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come explore nature in winter during this active, afterschool program. If there's snow we'll go snowshoeing and learn to read animal tracks, if there isn't we'll go on a one to two-mile walk to explore other aspects of nature in winter. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance.

Nature in Winter Snowshoe Walk *FULL*
Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Locations vary. Directions provided when you register. Winter can be a quiet time, but there's still lots to explore. While on the trail we'll look for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, observe dormant trees, plants, insects, and much more. Whether we go by boot or by snowshoe will depend on the weather. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance.

Nature in Winter by Moonlight
Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Adults/Children ages 7 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Bright, moonlit winter nights are an unforgetable time to be out exploring at High Point. Join us for a one to two mile naturalist-guided walk by moonlight. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance.

Homeschool Naturalists
Friday, March, 05 2010 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Children ages 6-9. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Group size is limited. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Because the weather in early March is so unpredictable at High Point, the topic for this program will be announced when parking, weather, and road conditions can be determined. These hands-on activities provide homeschoolers with opportunities to explore the natural world and interact with other homeschooled students. Suggestions for further study and resources will be provided for each program.

Homeschool Adventurers
Friday, March 5, 2010 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Children ages 9-13. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Group size is limited. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Because the weather in early March is so unpredictable at High Point, the topic for this program will be announced when parking, weather, and road conditions can be determined. These monthly programs offer older homeschoolers opportunities to get out "in the field" through a series of thematic hikes with hands-on activities and lessons. In addition to fresh air and exercise, there will be time for students to socialize and work cooperatively together. Older and/or younger siblings are welcome to accompany us. In the case of younger siblings, they will need to be able walk the planned distance.

Nature in Winter Snowshoe Walk
Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Locations vary. Directions provided when you register. Winter can be a quiet time, but there's still lots to explore. While on the trail we'll look for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, observe dormant trees, plants, insects, and much more. Whether we go by boot or by snowshoe will depend on the weather. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance.

Snow and Ice Celebration - Saturday, January 23rd

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High Point is usually the coldest, snowiest, and iciest place in New Jersey and wintery weather has played a part in this mountain's story for thousands of years. Come join the Friends of High Point State Park for a day dedicated to snow and ice on Saturday, January 23rd from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Interpretive Center.

Throughout the afternoon light refreshments will be available and there will be a digital slideshow of pictures (both historic and recent) of snow and ice at High Point.

11:00 AM - Come watch a DVD about Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley who studied and photographed snowflakes in the early 1900s.
11:30 AM - Join us for a talk by Nick Stefano of the Sussex County Weather Network about winter weather at High Point.
12:15 PM - Help us make pinecone and other simple birdfeeders to make the winter easier for our feathered friends.
1:00 PM - There will be an old-fashioned ice fishing demonstration on Lake Marcia, and snowshoes will be available for you to try outside the Interpretive Center.
2:00 PM - Warm up inside by the fire and join us for a sing-along led by Joe Rocco.

If the weather is unsuitable the Snow and Ice Celebration will take place on Sunday, January 24th.

January 2010 Programs

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Winter Trails Day
Saturday, January 09, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Snowshoeing has become a very popular winter activity. Come find out why! If you've ever been curious about snowshoes, this is a great opportunity to try out different types. During this day-long snowshoe festival at the High Point Cross Country Ski Center, vendors will be on hand to give you a chance to try and/or buy snowshoes. You can give the shoes a trial-run on free, naturalist-guided tours that begin at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM For more information call the Ski Center at 973-702-1222 or go to www.xcskihighpoint.com.

Nature in Winter Snowshoe Walk
Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Locations vary. Directions provided when you register. Winter can be a quiet time, but there's still lots to explore. While on the trail we'll look for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, observe dormant trees, plants, insects, and much more. Whether we go by boot or by snowshoe will depend on the weather. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance.

Fledgling Naturalists: Trees in Winter
Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Or Friday, January, 22 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
For 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come explore trees in winter. Learn how they cope with the cold and explore tree shapes and textures. Weather permitting, we'll give snowshoes a try. Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

Snow and Ice Celebration
Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
High Point is the snowiest spot in New Jersey and ice has played an important role in the mountain's story for thousands of years. This day is dedicated to the slippery stuff. Activities will include making bird feeders, old-fashioned ice fishing demonstrations, a talk by High Point weather expert, Nick Stefano, and a sing-along and refreshments by a roaring fire. If weather conditions are unsuitable on January 23rd, this event will take place on Sunday, January 24th. A detailed schedule for the day will be available here soon.

Homeschool Naturalists
Friday, January 29, 2010 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Children ages 6 to 9, accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. In January we'll explore winter wildlife and the tracks and signs they leave behind. These hands-on activities provide homeschoolers with opportunities to explore the natural world and interact with other homeschooled students. Suggestions for further study and resources will be provided for each program.

Homeschool Adventurers
Friday, January 29, 2010 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Children ages 9 to 13, accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. In January we will explore the winter lives of High Point's wildlife and try our hand at becoming trackers. If there isn't much snow, we'll play some trail games and practice tracking each other. Dress warmly and plan to cover about two miles. These monthly programs offer older homeschoolers opportunities to get out "in the field" through a series of thematic hikes with hands-on activities and lessons. In addition to fresh air and exercise, there will be time for students to socialize and work cooperatively together. Older and/or younger siblings are welcome to accompany us. In the case of younger siblings, they will need to be able walk the planned distance.

After School Trek: Nature in Winter at Dusk
Friday, January 29, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Families w/children ages 6 to 10. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come explore nature in winter during this active, afterschool program. If there's snow we'll go snowshoeing and learn to read animal tracks, if there isn't we'll go on a one to two-mile walk to explore other aspects of nature in winter. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved when you register.

Winter Wildlife: Tracks and Signs
Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Adults/Children ages 6 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the program. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. We don't usually get the chance to observe wild animals in action but the signs they leave behind offer a window into their world. Come learn the basics of interpreting the tracks and signs of local wildlife. After this indoor presentation you can either head outside to complete a "Signs of Wildlife" scavenger hunt or practice being a tracker in the Interpretive Center.

Nature in Winter by Moonlight
Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Adults/Children ages 7 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Bright, moonlit winter nights are an unforgetable time to be out exploring at High Point. Join us for a one to two mile naturalist-guided walk by moonlight. A limited number of snowshoes, (child and adult sizes) are available for use during these walks if snow conditions are suitable. Snowshoes must be reserved in advance.

Winter Has Arrived!

2009-12-11T20:57:00.000-05:00

December Programs

2009-12-11T20:47:00.002-05:00

Red and Green Walk
Saturday, December 19, 2009 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Meet in the Beach Parking Lot.
Come take an easy walk near Lake Marcia to look for spots of color in the winter landscape. You'll learn to identify several evergreens and discover how they survive winter's cold. The ground may be snow-covered and icy, so snow boots with good traction are recommended.

Moonlit Walk
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Meet at the Park Office on Route 23. Inclement weather may cancel this program.
Join us for an end-of-the-year naturalist-guided walk by moonlight in High Point State Park. We'll cover about two miles and both the almost-full moon and the Monument should be shining over the snowy landscape. Dress warmly, and the ground may be snow-covered and icy, so snow boots with good traction are recommended.

Wind Flags
Thursday, December 31, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Families with children ages 4 to 10. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com to register for this program by 5:00 PM, Wednesday, December 30th.
More often than not, it's windy at High Point. Why? Come find out. Learn about how wind influences the plants and animals at High Point, and listen to a windy story. We'll make and decorate wind flags and then take a short walk to an overlook to feel them blowing in the breeze.

Open Hearth Cooking - Rain or Shine!

2009-10-21T16:34:00.002-04:00

The Friends of High Point State Park will be hosting their annual Open Hearth Cooking Day on Saturday, October 24 from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM in the Interpretive Center.

Cooking demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day, so stop by any time and taste a sample of the food that has just come off the hearth. A variety of foods will be prepared, including snacks, soups, meats, and desserts. There will also be cider pressing demonstrations at 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

Dishes that will be prepared during the day and will be available to sample include:

Appetizers

Salmon Cubes with Honey and Horseradish
Cheddar Biscuits baked in a tin kitchen
Impossible Shrimp Pie
Tomato and Onion Tart
Split Pea and Mulligatawny Soups
Corn Bread
Peach and Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Cakes

Entrees

Roast Turkey with Ginger Apple Stuffing
Roast Beef with Horseradish Sauce
Summer Squash Casserole
Baked Corn and Tomatoes
and More!

There will also be pies and puddings as well as hot beverages.

This event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future Friends of High Point programs and events. The Friends of High Point State Park is a not-for-profit organization that supports historical, scientific, educational, recreational, and natural resource management activities within the Park.

October Surprise 2009

2009-10-16T12:03:00.002-04:00

Leaf Peeping

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Colorful maples in the wetlands along the Flatbrook on Sawmill Road.

October Programs

2009-09-24T15:19:00.003-04:00

Yoga on the Mountain
Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM
Open for all levels. Registration is required, please call 973-702-0488. Come and enjoy the view while relaxing your mind and body! The Friends of High Point are hosting a yoga class in the Interpretive Center at High Point State Park. No previous experience is required, but you’ll want to bring a yoga mat.

Leaf Art
Thursday, October 8, 2009 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Or Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Families w/children ages 3 to 10. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Come learn to identify a few common tree species and use fallen leaves to create art using a variety of techniques including spatter painting, printing, and rubbing. You may want to bring a smock or old shirt if you have one.

Falling for Trees
Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Families w/children ages 4 to 10. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Fall is a busy time in the forest. Trees and plants are storing energy and spreading their seeds. Come explore the tallest residents of the fall forest, their colors, leaves, and life cycles, as well as learn how to identify a few common ridgetop species..

Open Hearth Cooking
Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
All ages. Event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future Friends of High Point State Park programs and events. Step back in time and see how food was prepared before there were electric stoves and microwave ovens. You’ll see how food can be cooked on a wood fire and will get to taste the results. There will also be cider pressing demonstrations at 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

Hike through History
Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Adults/Families w/children age 10 and up. Registration is not required. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Come take a trip back through time as we walk portions of the Steenykill Trail and old woods roads covering about 2.5 miles. Enjoy a scenic walk, hear stories, and see pictures of High Point’s past along the way. Most of the walking will be fairly easy, but there is one strenuous climb.

Fall Programs for Preschoolers

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Fledgling Naturalist programs are for or 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner and are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Marvelous Migrations
Thursday, September 24 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
or Friday, September 25 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
In autumn a number of animals undertake amazing journeys. We'll explore who migrates, why, and how.

Green Leaves in the Fall
Thursday, October 8 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
or Friday, October 9 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Come take a closer look at leaves, both their colors and shapes. Fall is a fun time time to turn over a new (or old) leaf.

Seeds and Squirrels
Thursday, October 22 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
or Friday, October 23 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Fall is a busy time for both plants and squirrels. Plants are setting their seeds and squirrels are harvesting them. Come learn about both.

Fall Programs for Homeschoolers

2009-08-20T14:16:00.002-04:00

Homeschool Naturalists
Children ages 6-9 (Accompanied by an adult)
Group size is limited. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. These hands-on activities provide homeschoolers with opportunities to explore the natural world and interact with other home-schooled students. Suggestions for further study and resources will be provided for each program.

Migrations
Friday, September 18 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM
Each year many animals travel thousands of miles. How do they know where to go? How do they get there? What challenges do the encounter? Join us and find out.

Trees & Forest Habitats
Friday, October 30 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM
What makes a forest? We'll work together to formulate a "recipe" for a forest and learn how to identify a few common tree species.

Winter Weather
Friday, December 4 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM
In the northeast, winter weather often has a significant impact on how we live our lives. Come learn more about snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.

Homeschool Adventurers
Children ages 9-13 (Accompanied by an adult)
Group size is limited. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. These programs take place outside, rain or shine. These monthly programs offer older homeschoolers opportunities to get out in the field through a series of thematic hikes with hands-on activities and lessons. In addition to fresh air and exercise, there will be time for students to socialize and work cooperatively.

Wayfinding
Friday, September 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
In September we will walk the Life Trail (~1.5 mostly level miles) and focus along the way on map reading and drawing, and "wayfinding" techniques.

The Forest and the Trees
Friday, October 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
In October we will walk one of High Point's trails (covering no more than 2 miles) with a focus on trees, including their preparations for the coming winter and how to identify 10 (or so) of the most common species in the Park.

Survival 101
Friday, December 4 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
In December we will walk one of High Point's trails (covering about 1 mile) and will discuss survival and wilderness safety. We will also build a shelter. Come prepared to get a bit dirty!

Book suggestion: Your homeschooler may enjoy reading the My Side of the Mountain trilogy by Jean Craighead George. In the first of these classic stories, a boy relates his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the Catskill Mountains, including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship. In the second book On the Far Side of the Mountain he is joined in his adventures by his sister and their journeys will be particularly relevant to our class at the end of September.

September Programs 2009

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Sunset/Moonrise Walk
Saturday, September 5, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Adults/Children age 10 and up. Meet at the Park Office. Rain may cancel this hike. Come hike a 1-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail to an observation platform where we’ll watch the sun set in the west and the full moon rise in the eastern sky. This hike is moderately strenuous with some steep portions and a rocky, uneven trail surface. Sturdy shoes are recommended. We will return to our cars by moonlight via an easier route.

Mountaintop Talk and Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, September 6, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
All ages. Meet by the steps to the Monument plaza. Explore the mountaintop on your own with a family-friendly scavenger hunt and/or join the Park Interpretive Specialist for a talk about the cultural and natural history of the mountain while enjoying the view.

Yoga on the Mountain
Friday, September 11, 2009 from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM
Open for all levels. Registration is required, please call 973-702-0488. Come and enjoy the view and the sunset while relaxing your mind and body! The Friends of High Point are hosting a yoga class in the Interpretive Center at High Point State Park. No previous experience is required, but you’ll want to bring a yoga mat.

Bait and Boat Festival
Sunday, September 13, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM
All ages. Registration not required. Event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future Friends of High Point State Park programs and events. Join the Friends of High Point State Park for a festival at New Jersey’s highest lake. Activities will include a fishing contest, naturalist guided walks and boat tours, and a boat race (non-motorized). Kids can test their ingenuity with a “build a boat” craft, and there will be a guest African drummer. We’ll end the day with a campfire on the beach, storytelling, and s’mores.

Morning Canoe/Kayak Tour
Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
All ages. Registration is required. Please call the Interpretive Center at 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come take a naturalist-guided paddle around Lake Steenykill. Bring your own non-motorized boats.

Nature’s Palette
Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Families w/children ages 5 to 10. Meet in Winter Trail Use parking lot in the Group Camping Area on the south side of Route 23. Come explore nature’s colors and textures and use them to make natural paintings and collages, producing both take-home and “ephemeral” art. Wear clothes that can get dirty and expect to walk about a half a mile.

Nature Scavenger Hunts

2009-07-31T12:00:00.001-04:00

All ages. Registration is not required. $5 Parking fee. These scavenger hunts are a fun and informal way to discover High Point. Each week you’ll explore a different area in search of natural artifacts. Some will be easy, others a little more difficult, and some call for creative thinking. Bring a picnic and/or a swimsuit and make a day of it!

Nature Scavenger Hunt - Monument
Thursday, August 6, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Meet on the steps to the Monument plaza.

Nature Scavenger Hunt – Old Trail
Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Meet by the Old Trail trailhead (across the street from the beach parking area).

Nature Scavenger Hunt - Beach
Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Meet by the swings at the beach.

Nature Scavenger Hunt - Monument
Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Meet on the steps to the Monument plaza.

Evening & Weekend Programs in August

2009-07-31T11:54:00.001-04:00

Campfire/Sing-Along
Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
All ages. Meet at Lake Marcia.Come join us for an old-fashioned campfire and sing-along sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park. You may want to bring along a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on.

Sunset/Moonrise Hike
Wednesday, August 5 2009 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Adults/Children age 10 and up. Meet at the Park Office. Inclement weather may cancel this hike. Come hike a 1-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail to an observation platform where we'll watch the sun set in the west and the full moon rise in the eastern sky. This hike is moderately strenuous with some steep portions and a rocky, uneven trail surface. Sturdy shoes are recommended. We will return to our cars by moonlight via an easier route.

Eagles of the Upper Delaware
Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Adults/Children age 7 and up. Meet in the Interpretive Center. Eagles have been making a comeback in the region after many years of decline. Both resident and wintering bald eagles are a common sight along the river and even appear at High Point from time to time. Come learn about this region's eagles from Scott Rando. See spectacular photographs of a growing family on their nest and learn how biologists are studying and tracking these majestic birds and their habitats.

Night Insects
Saturday, August 15, 2009 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Families w/children ages five and up. Meet in the Interpretive Center. Late summer nights are filled with the sounds of insects. Come learn about katydids, crickets, moths, and others. Bring a flashlight and we'll go on an after-dark bug hunt.

Sun Gazing
Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
All ages. Meet at the far end of the Monument parking lot. This program will only take place if the sky is cloudless. Come learn more about the closest star--our sun! Take a look at the sun's surface with astronomy enthusiast, Doug Paddock. By looking through a filtered telescope, you'll be able to see the sun in a way you've never seen it before. Stop by any time between 12 and 2.

Night Hike
Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Adults/Children age 10 and up. Meet at the Interpretive Center. We'll hike a portion of the Monument Trail and enjoy the sunset and views to the west. Then we'll loop through the cedar bog and try calling for owls. By the time it is fully dark we'll be on a flat, even trail surface, so flashlights won't be necessary. You may be surprised by how much you can see without one! In all, we'll hike about 2.5 miles.

Yoga on the Mountain
Thursday, August 27 2009 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Open for all levels. Registration is required, please call 973-702-0488. Come and enjoy the view and the sunset while relaxing your mind and body! The Friends of High Point are hosting a sunset yoga class in the Interpretive Center at High Point State Park. No previous experience is required, but you'll want to bring a yoga mat.

August Programs for "Fledgling" Naturalists

2009-07-31T11:52:00.001-04:00

For 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. $5 Parking fee. Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

Night by Day
Friday, August 7, 2009 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Come take a daytime look at High Point’s night life: moths, bats, owls, and more!

A Whole Lotta Holes!
Friday, August 14, 2009 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Who lives in holes? Who makes them and how? Come explore holes, big and small, and learn about their occupants.

What’s Wild?
Friday, August 21, 2009 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Come learn what makes an animal wild, and learn about the animals that call High Point home.

2nd Annual Bait and Boat Festival at Lake Marcia

2009-07-20T14:30:00.000-04:00

**UPDATED 9/6**
Sunday, September 13, 2009 12:00 to 8:30 PM
Join the Friends of High Point State Park at Lake Marcia for a special day when non-motorized boats will be permitted on the Lake and there will be activities throughout the day for the whole family. Stop by any time and stay as long as you like!

12:00-3:45 PM - Fishing Contest (ongoing)
1:00 PM - Boat Race (B.Y.O.B.)
2:00 PM - Naturalist-guided boat tour around the lake (B.Y.O.B.)
3:00 PM - Boat Race (B.Y.O.B.)
4:00 PM - Fly fishing demonstration
5:00 PM - Build-a-Boat Craft
5:30 PM - African Drumming* (more info. below)
6:30 PM - Picnic/Barbecue dinner (grills are available, but you'll need charcoal...and food)
7:00 PM - Campfire with Storytelling by Ken Karnas*

Bring beach chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, fishing gear, canoes, kayaks, rowboats and your friends!
The concession stand will be open throughout the day.
Anyone over the age of 15 will need a NJ fishing licence to fish.
Parking is in the beach parking lot. You may find it easier to put in boats at the north end of the lake.

*Will take place in the Interpretive Center if it's raining.
B.Y.O.B. - Bring your own boat

African Drumming at 5:30 PM
Come enjoy the rich cultural experience of authentic African drumming and dance by Kofi and the Sankofa Dance Ensemble. Maxwell Kofi Donkor, is a master drummer whose skills and values were taught to him by his ancestors. The ensemble formed in 1997 and has performed in numerous places in the tri-state area, nationally, and internationally. This free performance creates an atmosphere of an indigenous African village where everyone gets involved! Visit www.bak2roots.com for more information.

This day is sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park and is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds support future programs and events.

Patrick Fitzsimmons Concert

2009-07-19T17:52:00.004-04:00

Saturday's concert on the beach was a fun and relaxing evening. The weather was perfect and the music was great. Many thanks go to the Friends of High Point State Park for sponsoring and organizing this terrific event.

The crowd began to gather while Patrick Fitzsimmons and his band set up near the beach concession building.

Concert goers made themselves comfortable on blankets and lawn chairs

Free Concert on the Beach

2009-07-15T10:20:00.001-04:00

Patrick Fitzsimmons

Saturday, July 18th at 6:00 PM
The Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring a free contemporary folk concert by Patrick Fitzsimmons and his band on the beach.

Patrick writes songs that have that rare combination of strong lyrics and strong melody. Relix Magazine called him “one of the most captivating songwriters around today.” He is a three time Ploughshares songwriting contest finalist and has had his songs placed in several independent films. His latest CD, So Beautiful So Blue, has made several Best of 2008 lists and is being played on radio stations all over the country. He continues to tour throughout the northeast building a large and loyal following with his soulful, captivating performances.

There is lawn seating, so bring a blanket or chairs and a picnic and come enjoy the show! For more information about Patrick, visit www.patrickfitzsimmons.net. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will take place in the Interpretive Center.

The Friends of High Point State Park is a not-for-profit organization that supports historical, scientific, educational, recreational, and natural resource management activities within the Park.

Summer Nature Scavenger Hunts

2009-07-08T11:31:00.001-04:00

Fridays in July and Thursdays in August
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
All ages. Registration is not required. $5 Parking fee.
This is a fun and informal way to discover High Point. Each week you’ll explore a different area in search of natural artifacts. Some will be easy, others a little more difficult, and some call for creative thinking. Bring a picnic and make a day of it!

Beach - July 10, 2009
Monument - July 17, 2009
Old Trail - July 24, 2009
Beach - July 31, 2009
Monument – August 6, 2009
Old Trail – August 13, 2009
Beach – August 20, 2009
Monument – August 27, 2009

Meeting Places:
Beach - Meet by the swings at the beach.
Monument - Meet on the steps to the Monument plaza.
Old Trail - Meet by the Old Trail trailhead (across the street from the beach parking area).

Summer Fledgling Naturalists

2009-06-18T11:38:00.002-04:00

For 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. $5 Parking fee. Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children’s curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

Night by Day
Thursday, July 9 at 10:30 AM
or Friday, August 7 at 10:30 AM
Come take a daytime look at High Point’s night life: moths, bats, owls, and more!

A Whole Lotta Holes!
Thursday, July 16 at 10:30 AM
or Friday, August 14 at 10:30 AM
Who lives in holes? Who makes them and how? Come explore holes, big and small, and learn about their occupants.

What’s Wild?
Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 AM
or Friday, August 21 at 10:30 AM
Come learn what makes an animal wild, and learn about the animals that call High Point home.

July Programs

2009-06-18T11:21:00.002-04:00

Ask the Naturalist/Nature Craft
July 4, 2009 from 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM
All ages. Meet at the Sawmill Lake Dam. Come visit with High Point's naturalist. Learn how to make an origami frog that jumps, ask questions and learn about the creatures that live in and around Sawmill Lake.

Pond Netting
July 4, 2009 from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
All ages. Meet at the edge of Sawmill Lake near campsite one. What lives in Sawmill Lake? Come borrow a net and join the Park Naturalist to find out. Stop by any time between 7:30 and 8:30 PM and give it a try!

Yoga on the Mountain
July 11, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
Open for all levels. Registration is required, please call 973-702-0488. Come and enjoy the view while relaxing your mind and body! The Friends of High Point are hosting a sunset yoga class in the Interpretive Center at High Point State Park. No previous experience is required, but you'll want to bring a yoga mat.

Sun Gazing
July 18, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
All ages. Meet at the far end of the Monument parking lot. This program will only take place if the sky is cloudless. Come learn more about the closest star--our sun! Take a look at the sun's surface with astronomy enthusiast, Doug Paddock. By looking through a filtered telescope, you'll be able to see the sun in a way you've never seen it before.

Friends of High Point State Park Meeting
July 18, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Meet in the Interpretive Center. Come help plan events and support the Park. New members welcome!

Folk Concert at the Beach
July 18, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
All ages. Meet on the beach. The Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring a free contemporary acoustic/folk concert with Patrick Fitzsimmons, called one of the "most captivating songwriters around today" by Relix magazine. Patrick will be performing with his band on the beach at Lake Marcia. Bring a blanket or chairs and a picnic and come enjoy the show! For more information about Patrick and to hear examples of his music, visit www.patrickfitzsimmons.net. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will take place in the Interpretive Center.

Night Hike - Ayers Trail
July 25, 2009 from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Adults/children ages 8 and up. Inclement weather may cancel this program. If in doubt, call 973-875-1471. Meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch. Come experience nature as day slides into night. We'll walk to the Ayers fields and spend some time watching and listening as the stars come out and the birds and animals settle for the night. We'll walk back in the full dark, covering about two miles in all. We won't be using flashlights; you may be surprised by how well you'll be able to see without one! You may want to bring a blanket or something else to sit on while we are in the fields.

Kundalini Yoga for Energy

2009-06-12T12:15:00.002-04:00

Weather permitting, this class will take place on a bluff with a view of Lake Marcia and the mountaintop. Kundalini yoga is an ancient technique that rapidly transforms you to create inner balance by working on the glandular and nervous systems. To register contact Ania at 973-875-5244 or email anian1966@hotmail.com. For more information go to www.yogawithania.com. This workshop will benefit the Friends of High Point State Park.

Dragons and Damsels Walk

2009-05-27T16:07:00.005-04:00

Calico Pennant photographed by Allen Barlow at Sawmill Lake

Come on a foray into the world of delicate damsels and fierce dragons. No, we’re not going to Camelot, but to Sawmill Lake. Sussex County is home to more species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) than any other county in the state, and High Point is a wonderful place to observe these fascinating insects. On Saturday, June 13th at 10:30 AM, Allen Barlow, author of a soon-to-be published field guide to New Jersey’s dragonflies and damselflies, will lead a 2-mile walk around Sawmill Lake.

As we explore, you’ll learn about the lifecycles, habits, and habitats of High Point’s dragon and damselflies. Since they’re so large, their behaviors are easy to watch! We may see them feeding (eating mosquitoes and other insects we consider pests), defending territories, laying eggs, or performing dominance displays. You’ll also begin to learn how to identify the many different kinds of odonates from iridescent jewelwings to bold and bright skimmers.

This walk is appropriate for adults and children ages eight and up. Registration is not required. Meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch. For more information call the Interpretive Center at 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. For more information about dragonflies and damselflies in New Jersey, check out the NJ Odonates website.

June Programs

2009-05-16T19:33:00.002-04:00

Sunset Yoga
June 13, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
Come and enjoy the view while relaxing your mind and body! The Friends of High Point are hosting a sunset yoga class in the Interpretive Center at High Point State Park.The class is open to all levels, but class size is limited and registration is required. Please call 973-702-0488.

Solstice Sunset Scramble
June 20, 2009 from 7:15 PM to 9:15 PM
Adults/children age 10 and up. Registration is not required. Meet at the Sawmill Lake Boat Launch. This somewhat strenuous rock scramble up the half-mile Blue Dot Trail affords a beautiful viewpoint from which to watch the sunset on one of the longest days of the year. This hike requires some agility and sturdy closed-toe shoes (not sandals!).

Summer Sensory Stroll
June 26, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
All Ages. Registration is not required. Meet at the entrance to the Cedar Swamp Trail. This 2.5 mile trail is stroller-friendly and one of the easiest at High Point. Come explore the Cedar Bog and surrounding forests using your eyes, ears, noses, and hands with High Point's naturalist. $5 parking fee will be in effect.

Mountain Lions in NJ: Fact or Fantasy?
June 27, 2009 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
All ages. Registration is not required. Meet in the Interpretive Center. Once native to this region, mountain lions were thought to have been extirpated by the late 1800s. However, in recent years there have been increasing reports of mountain lions in northwestern New Jersey. So what's going on? Christopher Spatz, President of the Eastern Cougar Foundation, will share information about these large cats, their habits and habitats, and will explain the results of research he conducted in High Point State Park during 2006 and 2007.

Fledgling Naturalists - Late Spring

2009-05-16T19:28:00.001-04:00

Fledgling Naturalist programs are for or 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner and are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Pebbles and Boulders
Thursday, May 28 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Friday, May 29 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
($5 parking fee will be in effect)
Come explore all the different sizes, shapes, and colors of rocks. We’ll practice categorizing and sorting, and you’ll try your hand and becoming “rock hounds.”

Life in a Lake
Thursday, June 11 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Friday, June 10 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
What lives in the lake? We’ll use nets to find out. While we don’t plan to go in the lake, it still might be a good idea to wear boots or old sneakers. Meet at Sawmill Lake.

While not technically a “Fledgling” program, many of you may find the Spring Sensory Stroll on Friday, June 26, to be something you’d enjoy. Also, summer dates and topics for Fledgling Naturalists are now on the Google Calendar.

May Programs

2009-04-17T16:07:00.001-04:00

Sunset Yoga on the Mountain
Saturday, May 2 from 7 PM to 8:15 PM
For all levels. Registration is required. Call 973-702-0488. Come and enjoy the view from the Interpretive Center while relaxing your mind and body! Sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park.

Sunset/Moonrise Hike
Friday, May 8 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM
Adults/Children ages 10 and up. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come hike a 1-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail to an observation platform where we’ll watch the sun set in the west and the full moon rise in the eastern sky. This hike is moderately strenuous with some steep portions and a rocky, uneven trail surface. Sturdy shoes are recommended. We will return to our cars by moonlight via an easier route.

Spring from A to Z Hike
Saturday, May 9 from 11 AM to 12 PM
Families w/children ages 4 to 8. Registration is not required. Meet at the Steenykill Boat Launch. Come take a walk on a portion of the Steenykill trail. Along the way we’ll search for signs of spring and natural items that correspond to the letters of the alphabet. “A” is for anemone...will you be able to find “Z”?

Bird Walk (Not for Early Birds!)
Saturday, May 16 from 4:30 PM to 6 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Registration is not required. Come take an afternoon stroll in search of colorful migrating warblers and other spring arrivals. We’ll meet at the Park Office on Route 23 and will travel to a few hot spots. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them. A limited number will be available to borrow.

Blooming Bog Walk
Saturday, May 23 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/children ages 8 and up. Registration is not required. The cedar bog in High Point’s Kuser Natural Area is home to a number of uncommon plant species, many of which are blooming in May. Come take an easy, 2.5 mile naturalist-guided walk through the bog. Meet at the entrance to the Cedar Swamp Trail.

Stream Study
Saturday, May 30 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 6 and up. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Discover who (or what) lives in and along one of High Point’s streams. You’ll want to wear boots or old sneakers since it’s bound to be wet and muddy (even if you don’t fall in!). You may also want to wear insect repellent.

Volunteer Work Days at Sawmill Lake

2009-04-17T16:03:00.001-04:00

The Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring volunteer work days at Sawmill lake on Saturday, May 8th and Sunday, May 9th. Anyone interested in lending a hand should go to campsite 27 to register/check-in any time between 9 AM and 5 PM on either day.

This spring volunteers will be clearing branches that may be blocking the trail after the winter's ice storms, picking up litter, and working to make areas that flood regularly more passable.

It's recommended that you wear work clothes, including a long-sleeved shirt and work gloves (if you have them), and bring water to drink.

Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy along the lake, and don't forget to take a break from your work to appreciate this beautiful area, created by the Civilian Conservation Corps nearly 70 years ago. The Friends will also provide some refreshments for volunteers.

With cutbacks in state budgets, there is a need for volunteers to take to take more of an interest in maintaining the parks that we all enjoy.

Those who would like to pre-register can do so by emailing michaelbender1@hotmail.com , or by calling 973-347-4722 and leaving a message.

April Programs

2009-03-11T10:37:00.001-04:00

Vernal Ponds at High Point
Saturday, April 4 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Saturday, April 18 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 8 and up. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Vernal ponds, unique, temporary wetlands, are the breeding grounds for a number of amphibians and other species. Join us for a short introduction to these ponds in the Interpretive Center, and then travel to a handful of High Point’s vernal ponds for a first-hand look. This program will include both walking (a mile or less) and driving (approx. five miles). We will also be walking off-trail, so sturdy shoes are recommended.

Moonrise Walk
Thursday, April 9 from 6:30 PM to 8:45 PM
Adults/Children ages 10 and up. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come hike a 1-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail to an observation platform where we’ll watch the full moon rise in the eastern sky. This hike is moderately strenuous with some steep portions and a rocky, uneven trail surface. Sturdy shoes are recommended. We will return to our cars by moonlight via an easier route.

Beaver Walk
Tuesday, April 14 from 10 AM to 12 PM
Families w/children ages 5 and up. Registration is not required. Meet at the Sawmill Lake Boat Launch. Come take a walk around Sawmill Lake (about 2 miles) to see lodges and other signs of beaver activity.

Beaver Movie and Craft
Tuesday, April 14 from 1 PM to 2:30 PM
Families w/children ages 5 and up. Registration is not required. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Watch a movie about beavers that will show you a side of the beaver’s life that you can’t see standing by a lake, then make a 3-D beaver habitat picture to take home.

Late Afternoon Canoe/Kayak Tour
Saturday, April 25 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com. Come take a leisurely, naturalist-guided paddle around Lake Steenykill. Bring your own non-motorized boats.

The Arrival of Spring - update 3/30

2009-03-07T16:38:00.008-05:00

After a long and icy winter, spring is slowly arriving at High Point State Park. In this post I’ll keep track of some of these seasonal changes as I observe them. Feel free to add any of your own sightings as a comment.

2/21/09 - Spotted a skunk cabbage flower coming up along the stream on the old road to Lake Rutherford during the fourth Nature in Winter walk.

The mottled purple and green hood of the skunk cabbage flower doesn’t really look like a flower at all, but it is generally the first flower of spring, often sprouting before the snow melts. It generates its own heat and can maintain a temperature of around 70 degrees as long as the air temperature remains above freezing.

2/26/09 – Porcupine was feeding in the upper branches of an Eastern hemlock near the entrance to the Blue Dot trail at Sawmill Lake. Judging by the debris on the ground, that porcupine had been feeding in that tree and the surrounding hemlocks for the better part of the winter.

3/5/09 - Bear tracks criss-crossed the Mashipacong Trail between Sawmill and Park Ridge Roads.

3/5/09 - Heard woodcocks “peenting” in the meadows along Sawmill Road at dusk. The mating dance of the American woodcock (or timberdoodle) is one of the great spectacles of March. If you’re interested in seeing it for yourself, join us on one of our Timberdoodle Treks.

3/6/09 – A turkey vulture spent the morning perching on the Interpretive Center chimney. (This is not really a seasonal observation, but it was somewhat disconcerting to see him looming up there.)

3/7/09 - Bluebird flew across Route 23 near the north end of Lake Steenykill.

3/11/09 - Snow is pretty much gone. The ice is beginning to recede from the edges of the lakes.

3/14/09 - All about waterfowl....only a film of ice remains on High Point's lakes, and spring migratory ducks have begun to arrive. The ubiquitous mallards are on Lake Marcia, and the ring-necked ducks have started to trickle in. (I don't know why they're called ring-necks as there is no noticeable ring around their necks. There is around their bill though. Go figure.) A few of my all time favorite ducks have also appeared: hooded mergansers. (Click the link and you'll see why...stunning!) All week long I've been hearing and seeing skeins of geese honking their way northwards. I also heard the cheerful "conk-a-ree" call of a red-wing blackbird by Steenykill Lake.

3/18/09 - A mature bald eagle was hanging out at Red Barn Pond (near the intersection of Sawmill Road and the Deckertown Tpk.) There was also a great blue heron there. On the way down Route 23, I spotted a pair of tundra swans on Steenykill Lake.

3/21/09 - Although it was on the chilly side, the Timberdoodle Trek was a success. Several timberdoodles/woodcocks "peented" for us and one even landed within a few feet of where we sat, giving us an up-close look and listen. Thanks to those who joined me, for a fun evening!

3/27/09 - While I've been hearing the occasional peep of a spring peeper for a week or two, they started peeping in full voice today! I also heard the "quacks" of the wood frogs for the first time today. If you're interested in learning more about these frogs and other inhabitants of vernal ponds, come join us for one of the vernal pond programs on April 4th or 18th. Also, a mourning cloak butterfly fluttered past the Park Office in late afternoon today. While most butterflies overwinter as eggs or pupae, mourning cloaks are unusual because they overwinter as adults and emerge just as soon as the temperatures warm.

Spring Yoga on the Mountain

2009-02-21T14:53:00.002-05:00

Come and enjoy the view while relaxing your mind and body!

The Friends of High Point are hosting a morning yoga class in the Interpretive Center on Saturday, April 4th at 10:00 a.m. and sunset classes on Saturday, May 2nd and Saturday, June 13th at 7:00 p.m.

The classes are open to all levels, but class size is limited and registration is required. Please call 973-702-0488.

March Timberdoodle Treks

2009-02-21T14:37:00.002-05:00

Saturday March 14th and March 21st
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Adults/Children ages 10 and up.
Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

The timberdoodle (a.k.a. the American woodcock) is an elusive bird, but on early spring evenings it comes out of hiding and puts on a show. Come join us on a walk to timberdoodle territory (about one mile, round-trip) where we will sit for awhile as the sun sets and hopefully see and hear male woodcocks putting on their courtship displays. We'll return to our cars in the dark.

You may find it helpful to bring binoculars if you have them. A limited number will be available to borrow. You may also want to bring some type of padding to sit on as the ground may be damp and/or cold.

Spring Programs for Preschoolers

2009-02-21T14:26:00.002-05:00

Fledgling Naturalists - for 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner.

Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
April 2, April 16, and April 30

Fridays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
April 3, April 17, and May 1

Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts.

Topics covered this spring will include amphibians and their life cycles, plant growth and plant parts, and wiggling worms.

Ice Festival

2009-01-09T11:08:00.008-05:00

Saturday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (snowdate 2/1)

High Point is the coldest spot in New Jersey and snow and ice do make life up here more difficult (this winter especially!) but it also has made High Point the place it is today, in more ways than one.

Come join the Friends of High Point State Park for a day celebrating the slippery stuff. Conditions permitting, there will be old-fashioned ice fishing demonstrations on Lake Marcia. You'll also be able to warm up by the the fire in the Interpretive Center with a cup of hot cocoa while learning more about ice and snow at High Point.

Other icy activities may include ice skating, making snow sculptures, or cutting snowflakes.

Bench buried under snow on the Mashipacong Trail

Rime ice on Pitch Pine by the Interpretive Center

Ice Cutting on the northern end of Lake Marcia. The ice was harvested and stored in an ice house (visible in the background), and then used for refrigeration in the summer months.

Nature in Winter Snowshoe Walks

2009-01-09T10:49:00.003-05:00

Saturdays at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
January 24, February 7, February 21, and February 28

Winter can be a quiet time at the park, but there's still lots to explore. While on the trail we'll look for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, observe dormant trees, plants, and insects, and much more. Whether we go by boot or by snowshoe will depend on the weather.

Registration is required for these walks by 4:00 p.m. the day before the walk. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com to register.

Locations will vary. Directions to the meeting places will be provided when you register.

A limited number of snowshoes, both child and adult sizes, are available for use during these winter walks (if snow conditions are suitable). Snowshoes must be reserved in advance!

Rescheduled Friends of High Point Meeting

2009-01-09T10:41:00.003-05:00

The December meeting of the Friends of High Point State Park has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. in the Interpretive Center.

Come join us for the meeting and then stick around for the Ice Festival. New members are welcome to join us. If you care about the park, come get involved!

Programs for Preschoolers

2008-12-20T11:52:00.004-05:00

Fledgling Naturalists - for 3 to 5 year-olds with an adult partner.

Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
January 22, February 05, and February 19

Fridays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
January 23, February 06, and February 20

Class size is limited. Registration is required. Call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children's curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world, through outdoor activities, stories, games, and crafts. Topics covered this winter will depend on snow and weather conditions, but may include winter wildlife, birds, weather, and snowshoeing (snowshoes are provided). If any one of the three regularly-scheduled programs this must be canceled due to the weather, a make-up class will be held on 3/5/2009 or 3/6/2009 at the regularly scheduled time.

Ski Center Programs

2008-12-20T11:41:00.003-05:00

UPDATE 1/9
The ground is currently covered with ice, not snow, so the Ski Center is closed. If we get the expected snowfall on Saturday, they will likely reopen. Check their website or call the number below for more information.

As of December 20th, the High Point Cross Country Ski Center is open. For more information about the trail conditions and ski and snowshoe rentals, go to the Ski Center website or call 973-702-1222.

Winter Trails Day - Canceled (no snow)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Naturalist-guided tours at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Snowshoeing has become a very popular winter activity. Come find out why! If you've ever been curious about snowshoes, this is a great opportunity to try out different types. During this day-long snowshoe festival at the High Point Cross Country Ski Center, vendors will be on hand to give you a chance to try and/or buy snowshoes. You can give the shoes a trial-run on free, naturalist-guided tours.

Ski Fest 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Naturalist-guided tours at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Come to the High Point Cross Country Ski Center and give cross country skiing a try during this day-long cross country ski festival. Lessons will be offered throughout the day and beginner-friendly, naturalist-guided ski tours will begin at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

December Ice Storm

2008-12-12T20:29:00.003-05:00

On Thursday, December 11, 2008 High Point State Park was coated with a thick, heavy layer of ice during the second-worst ice storm in recent memory. (The opinion of the park staff is that the November 2002 storm was more severe, but it's a close call.) The pictures below were taken on Friday the 12th.

To view the slide show, click the green arrow OR to view the album and a larger slide show, double-click the album. Captions can be viewed by clicking on the caption icon on the bottom left corner.

December Programs

2008-12-03T15:33:00.007-05:00

Yoga on the Mountain IV - CANCELED
Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Come and enjoy the view and a cozy fire while relaxing your mind and body! The Friends of High Point are hosting a morning yoga class in the Interpretive Center at High Point State Park.The class is open to all levels, but class size is limited and registration is required. Please call 973-702-0488.

Friends of High Point State Park Meeting - CANCELED/Postponed
Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Care about High Point State Park? Come join the Friends of High Point for their winter meeting. New members are always welcome. Stop in and get involved! Meet at the Interpretive Center.
This meeting may be rescheduled in January. Check back for more information.

Friends of High Point Holiday Celebration - CANCELED
Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
All ages. Registration is NOT required.
Come join the Friends of High Point State Park for a holiday celebration. There will be treats, hot chocolate, and holiday music by the fire in the Interpretive Center and we’ll make natural ornaments to adorn the trees outside. Everyone is welcome to come join us and help celebrate the season. Meet at the Interpretive Center.

Moonlight Walk - CANCELED
December 13, 2008 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 10 and up. Registration is required by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 12th. Please call the Interpretive Center at 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.
Before the last-minute holiday rush begins, come take a quiet 2-3 mile walk by the light of the full moon on one of the longest nights of the year. Bundle up and come see High Point in a different light!

Winter Red and Green Walk
Sunday, December 28, 2008 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Update: Registration/snowshoe reservations are now required for this walk via email. Due to snow and ice damage the walk location will be change. More information will be provided when you register.

Adults/Children ages 8 and up.

Come take an easy 2.5-mile walk through High Point's Kuser Natural Area. We'll be on the lookout for spots of color in the winter landscape and will learn how to identify several evergreens and learn how they survive's winter's cold.

Wind Flags
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Families with children ages 4 to 10. Registration is required by 4:00 PM the day before the program. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.
More often than not, it's windy at High Point. Why? Come find out. Learn about how wind influences the plants and animals at High Point, and listen to a windy story. We'll make and decorate wind flags and then take a short walk to an overlook to feel them blowing in the breeze.

Snow! In October?

2008-10-29T13:39:00.007-04:00

A surprise October snowstorm deposited over a foot of snow at High Point on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. See the pictures below! (To view the slide show, click the green arrow OR to view the album and a larger slide show, click on the tiny Picasa logo on the bottom right corner of the viewing pane, and then click on the album title.)

Yoga on the Mountain III

2008-10-24T15:24:00.002-04:00

Come and enjoy the view while relaxing your mind and body! The Friends of High Point are hosting a morning yoga class in the Interpretive Center on Saturday, November 8th at 9:30 a.m. The class is open to all levels, but class size is limited and registration is required. Please call 973-702-0488.

Support High Point and Celebrate the Season!

2008-10-24T15:16:00.003-04:00

Show your support for High Point and Celebrate the Season on December 13th!
The Friends of High Point winter meeting will take place on Saturday, December 13th at 1:00 p.m. in the Interpretive Center. New members are always welcome. Stop in and get involved!

After the meeting, the Friends are hosting a holiday celebration at 3:00 p.m. There will be treats, hot chocolate, and holiday music by the fire in the Interpretive Center and we’ll make natural ornaments to adorn the trees outside. Everyone is welcome to come join us and help celebrate the season.

At 7:00 p.m. there will be a naturalist-guided full moon walk beginning at the Park Office on Route 23. Bundle up and come see High Point in a different light! Pre-registration is required for this walk. Please call the Interpretive Center at 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

The Poetry of High Point State Park

2008-10-11T14:25:00.003-04:00

Rose Leaf and Lavender Autumn Tea

Throughout High Point's history, the mountain and the park have been the inspiration for and subject of a number of poems. Join us in discovering poetry's place in the history of High Point while in enjoy an autumn tea by the fire.

You are welcome to write and share an original nature or High Point-themed poem. All ages are encouraged to attend and participate, and there will be a craft activity for children. Please bring your own teacup or coffee mug to help us reduce waste. Registration is required. Please call the Interpretive Center at 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

This poem was written in the mid-1850s by William Kitchell, the geologist who first identified the peak of Kittatinny Mountain as the highest elevation in New Jersey.

Volunteer Work Day

2008-10-11T13:31:00.006-04:00

The Friends of High Point State Park will be sponsoring a work day at Sawmill Lake on Sunday, October 26, 2008. The goal of the day is to clean up, clear, and repair the walking trail around the Sawmill Lake Camping area. All ages are encouraged to come pitch in. We'll be doing simple litter clean-up, as well as weed cutting and minor bridge repairs.

Work will be ongoing from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All volunteers are asked to come register at the dam by to the boat launch prior to beginning work.

Built in the 1930s by the Civilain Conservation Corps, Sawmill Lake and it's campgrounds are one of the most beautiful spots at High Point. Bring a picnic lunch with you and take a break to enjoy the autumn colors and the lovely setting!

For more information or to pre-register, contact Michael Bender at 973-347-4722 or michaelbender1@hotmail.com.

Joe-pie weed is one of the many wildflowers that grow along the banks of Sawmill Lake.

Preschoolers, Homeschoolers, After-schoolers

2008-09-14T15:15:00.005-04:00

High Point's autumn nature programs for preschoolers, homeschoolers, and after school treks begin in October.

For dates and program descriptions check out the Google calendar or the posts in the blog archive for the month of August. Remember, class size is limited and registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Check out this slideshow of the spring stream study program for preschoolers, courtesy of the Austin Family.

Yoga on the Mountain 2

2008-09-14T14:31:00.005-04:00

In August the Friends of High Point hosted their first “Yoga on the Mountain” program which was well attended and enjoyed by all. (It didn’t hurt that the weather was perfect too!) See for yourself by following the link below to view a photo essay by Colleen Drache, a photographer for Straus News who joined us for the class.
http://strausnews.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=579392&CategoryID=1514

The Friends will be sponsoring another sunset yoga class at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2008. All are invited to enjoy the view while relaxing mind and body. The class is open to all levels, but class size is limited and registration is required. Please call 973-702-0488.

Open Hearth Cooking Day

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The Friends of High Point State Park will be hosting their annual Open Hearth Cooking Day on Saturday, October 4 from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM in the Interpretive Center at High Point State Park.

Cooking demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day, so visitors are encouraged to stop by at any time and taste a sample of the food that has just come off the hearth. A variety of foods will be prepared, including snacks, soups, meats, and desserts.

There will also be cider pressing demonstrations at 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM and a seasonal craft activity for children will be offered at 1:30 PM. Park souvenirs and hand-crafts will be available for sale in the afternoon (proceeds support the Friends of High Point).

The Friends of High Point State Park is a not-for-profit organization that supports historical, scientific, educational, recreational, and natural resource management activities within the Park.

October Programs

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Annual Open Hearth Cooking Day
Saturday, October 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, please see the Open Hearth blog post.

Mountaintop Talk
Sunday, October 5 at 12:30 p.m.
The Park Interpretive Specialist will give a brief talk about the history or the natural history of the mountaintop and the Monument. Maps and other park information will be available and the Interpreter will be on hand to answer questions for about an hour. Meet by the steps to the Monument Plaza.

Cedar Bog Walk/Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, October 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Adults/families with children ages 6 and up. Take a naturalist-guided walk through the Kuser Natural Area to see High Point’s unique forested bog habitat. Along the way we’ll be on the lookout for seasonal scavenger hunt items. This is an easy, 2.5 mile walk. Meet at the trailhead to the Cedar Swamp Trail.

Sunset Canoe/Kayak
Sunday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Come take a leisurely naturalist-guided paddle around Lake Steenykill. Bring your own non-motorized boats. Space is limited, registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Morning Canoe/Kayak
Saturday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m.
Come take a leisurely naturalist-guided paddle around Lake Steenykill. Bring your own non-motorized boats. Space is limited, registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Scutes, Scales, and Turtle Tales
Saturday, October 25 at 1:30 p.m.
For families with children ages 4 to 8. Come learn about the turtles, listen to a story about the changing seasons, Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back by Abenaki storyteller, Joseph Bruchac, and make a turtle shell calendar craft to take home.

Mountaintop Talk
Sunday, October 26 at 12:30 p.m.
The Park Interpretive Specialist will give a brief talk about the history or the natural history of the mountaintop and the Monument. Maps and other park information will be available and the Interpreter will be on hand to answer questions for about an hour. Meet by the steps to the Monument Plaza.

September Programs

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Bait and Boat Festival
Saturday, September 6th
Sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park.
For more information please see the earlier post about the Festival.

Night Hike to Lake Rutherford
Saturday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Adults/Children age 10 and up. Take a naturalist-guided night-time stroll by the light of the almost-full moon. Round trip we’ll cover about three easy miles along an old gravel road. Flashlights won’t be necessary—you may be surprised by how much more you can see without them. Meet at the Park Office.

Mountaintop Talk
Saturday, September 27 at 12:30 p.m.
The Park Interpretive Specialist will give a brief talk about the history or the natural history of the mountaintop and the Monument. Maps and other park information will be available and the Interpreter will be on hand to answer questions for about an hour. Meet by the steps to the Monument Plaza.
Additional dates: October 5th and 26th.

Ready, Set, Migrate!
Saturday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Families w/children ages 5-10. Every year many animals make journeys that few humans could manage without a plane ticket. Come learn about nature’s travelers and their trips through games and activities, and make a kite that will catch the wind like the wings of a migrating hawk. Please call 973-875-1471 or email highpointprograms@gmail.com to register for this program.

Nature Programs for Homeschoolers

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Homeschool Naturalists meet the first Friday of each month from October through June with the exception of the month of January. Classes are geared for children ages six to ten, begin at 2 PM, and last between 1.5 to 2 hours. These hands-on activities provide homeschoolers with opportunities to explore the natural world and interact with other home-schooled students. Suggestions for further study and resources are provided for each program. Registration is required, please call 973-875-1471 or send an email to highpointprograms@gmail.com.

This year, homeschoolers will be making and keeping a nature journal. Journals can be used as a way to heighten observation skills and to deepen understanding in very individual ways. Part sketchbook, part scrapbook, part essay, a nature journal offers many different ways to explore and express oneself.

In October we will make a simple journal and subsequent classes will include opportunities to make journal-entries, recording observations about seasonal changes as well as other impressions and discoveries.

This fall, on October 3rd, Homeschool Naturalists will discover the six and eight-legged park inhabitants using nets to capture and observe insects and spiders of the fields and forests. On November 7th, we’ll explore the rocks and soil that form the foundation of the High Point State Park.

Preschool Programs

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Fall Fledgling Naturalist Programs, for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 and an adult partner, are designed to encourage young children’s natural curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world.

Programs take place both indoors and out. Come dressed for the weather and be aware that it is often a bit cooler and windier on the mountain than it is elsewhere.

Class size is limited. Registration is required. Please call the Interpretive Center at 973-875-1471 or send an email to highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Life of a Log
Thursday, October 2 from 1 to 2 PM
Friday, October 3 from 10 to 11 AM
What happens to a tree when it dies? You may discover it has a lot of life left in it. Come uncover the secret life of a log.

A Sense of Fall
Thursday, October 16 from 1 to 2 PM
Friday, October 17 from 10 to 11 AM
We’ll use our eyes, ears, noses, and hands to explore the seasonal changes that occur in autumn.

Getting Ready for Winter
Thursday, October 30 from 1 to 2 PM
Friday, October 31 from 10 to 11 AM
Through stories and role-playing we’ll learn how plants and animals get ready for winter.

Autumn After-School Treks

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Children ages 6 to 10 accompanied by a parent or guardian are invited to come stretch their legs on these kid-friendly 1 to 2 mile hikes. Come dressed for the weather and be aware that it is often a bit cooler and windier on the mountain than it is elsewhere.

Class size is limited. Registration is required. Please call the Interpretive Center at 973-875-1471 or send an email to highpointprograms@gmail.com.

Autumn Treasures
October 16 from 4-5:30 pm
We’ll take a short walk on a wooded trail in search of seasonal materials (colorful leaves, twigs, seeds, fruits) that we’ll use to create an autumnal “magic carpet” at the walk’s end.

A to Z Hike
October 30 from 4-5:30 pm
We’ll travel about a mile and a half around Sawmill Lake in search of items that begin with each letter of the alphabet. “A” is for “acorn;” “B” is for “beaver;” who will find “X?”

Twilight Walk
November 13 from 4-5:30 pm
We’ll walk 2 to 2.5 miles in the twilight through the day use area and will make a stop at an overlook to watch the rising full moon. Come see High Point in a different light!

Bait and Boat Festival

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On September 6th (raindate September 7th) the Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring a "Bait and Boat Festival." Join us for a day when non-motorized boats will be permitted on Lake Marcia. Most events will take place at the beach. Bring your fishing gear (a NJ fishing license is required if you are over the age of 15), canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, and join us! Also, pack a picnic for the afternoon or visit the concession stand by the beach.

Friends’ Meeting - 9:30 am
Fishing Contest - 9 to 11 a.m.
Lake Walks - 11 a.m. and 3 pm
Boat Races - 1 and 2 pm
BYOPicnic - 4 to 6 pm
Paper Boat Flotilla - 4 to 6 pm
Campfire & S’mores - 6 pm
Campfire Stories - 7 pm

Yoga on the Mountain

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On Friday, August 22nd the Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring a sunset yoga class from 7 to 8:15 PM. Enjoy the sunset and the beautiful views from the Interpretive Center while relaxing your mind and body! All levels are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat. Class size is limited! For more information or to register, please call 973-702-0488.

Fledgling Naturalists

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Fledgling Naturalist programs are designed to encourage young children’s natural curiosity, engaging them hands-on in the natural world. Registration is required. Please call 973-875-1471.

This summer we’ll be exploring things that fly, crawl, and leap in the sunshine and will make a caterpillar craft that will transform into a butterfly by the end of the three classes. Please bring an egg carton if you can.

Caterpillars and Colors
Thursday, July 10 from 9:30 to 10:30 am
Thursday, July 10 from 11 am to 12 pm
Friday, August 8 from 10 am to 11 am

Winged Things
Thursday, July 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 am
Thursday, July 17 from 11 am to 12 pm
Friday, August 15 from 10 am to 11 am

Bugs of the Field
Thursday, July 24 from 9:30 to 10:30 am
Thursday, July 24 from 11 am to 12 pm
Friday, August 22 from 10 am to 11 am

August Programs

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Family Nature Program - Trail Signs and Treasure
Friday, August 1 at 11:00 am
Learn how to make and follow trail signs, and then using signs and a special map, go on a search for hidden “treasure.” Meet at the Life Trail in the Winter trail use parking lot. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Lake Life- Sawmill Lake
Saturday, August 2 at 7:00 pm
What (and who) lives in Sawmill Lake? Borrow a net and join the park naturalist to find out. We’ll meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch at 7:00 and will be netting in the Lake near campsite two—stop by any time.

Family Nature Program - Scavenger Hunt at Lake Marcia
Friday, August 8 at 12:30 pm
Use all your senses to search the beach area and the nearby lakeside for a variety of natural artifacts. Meet by the swings at the beach. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Night Hike to the Ayers Fields
Saturday, August 9 at 7:30 pm
Come experience the park as day slides into night. We’ll walk to the fields and then spend some time there watching and listening as the stars come out and the birds and animals settle into their nighttime routine. Then we’ll then hike back in the full dark, covering about two miles in all. To make the most of this experience, we ask that you not use flashlights—you’ll be surprised by how much you can see by light of the moon and the stars. You may wish to bring a blanket or something to sit on while we are at the fields. Inclement weather may cancel this program. Call 973-875-1471 if in doubt. Meet at Sawmill Lake boat launch. (Adults/Children age ten and up)

Family Nature Program - Journaling/Art in Nature
Friday, August 15 at 12:30 pm
A nature journal can be just about anything you want it to be—a place where you can collect ideas, observations, drawings, photographs, stories… Come make a basic journal and record the results of a few simple artistic and observation exercises in its pages. (If you prefer, you can bring and use your own sketchbook or notebook). Meet at the Interpretive Center. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Sunset/Moonrise Hike
Saturday, August 16 at 6:30 pm
We’ll hike a one-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail and end at an observation platform that gives us an unobstructed view of the setting sun and the rising full moon. We’ll return to our cars in the dark via an easier route. The hike on the AT is moderately difficult with a rough and rocky surface—sturdy footwear is a must! Inclement weather may cancel this program. Call 973-875-1471 if in doubt. Meet at the Park Office. (Adults/Children age ten and up)

Family Nature Program - Monarchs and Milkweed
Friday, August 22 at 12:30 pm
Monarch butterflies and several other insects rely on milkweed plans for their survival. Come beat the heat in the air-conditioned Interpretive Center and watch a DVD about monarch butterflies, and then take a short walk to search for milkweed plants and to discover what critters are living amongst their leaves. Meet at the Interpretive Center. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Night Insects
Saturday, August 23 at 8:00 pm
Late summer nights are filled with the sounds of insects. Come learn about katydids, crickets, moths and others. Bring a flashlight and we’ll go on an after-dark bug hunt. Meet at the Interpretive Center. (Families with children ages 6-11)

Family Nature Study - Boulders to Pebbles
Friday, August 29 at 11:00 am
High Point is a rocky place. In fact, if it weren’t for rocks, there would be no High Point, so come learn a bit about rocks and the geologic forces that shaped the mountain. Meet on the patio of the building by the beach. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Sunset Mountaintop Talk/Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, August 30 at 7:00 pm
Come watch the sunset from the highest spot in New Jersey. The park Interpretive Specialist will give a brief talk about the history of Kittatinny Mountain and will have scavenger hunts on hand for the kids. Meet by the steps to the Monument plaza.

July Programs

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Lake Life – Sawmill Lake
Saturday, July 5 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
What (and who) lives in Sawmill Lake? Borrow a net and join the park naturalist to find out. We’ll meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch at 7:00 and will be netting in the Lake near campsite two—stop by any time.

Family Nature Program - Scavenger Hunt at the Monument
Friday, July 11 at 11:00 am
Come enjoy a birds-eye-view of the tri-state region and use all your senses to explore the unique ecology of the mountaintop by going on a scavenger hunt. Meet by the Monument plaza steps. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Bird Talk isn’t “Cheep”
Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 pm
Ever wonder what all the chirps, whistles, and squawks coming from the treetops mean? Come learn about bird songs and calls and find out what all the bird talk is about. Meet in the Interpretive Center. (Adults/Children age 8 and up)

Family Nature Program - Sawmill Lake Study
Friday, July 18 at 11:00 am
Come learn about the critters that call Sawmill Lake home and use a net to scoop up and observe some of the smaller swimmers. Meet at the Sawmill Lake boat launch. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Family Nature Program - Bugging Out
Friday, July 25 at 11:00 am
Get up-close and personal with some of High Point’s six-legged inhabitants. You’ll learn the basics about bugs and will be able to borrow a net to try your hand at bug catching. Meet in the Interpretive Center. (Families with children ages 5-10)

Going Batty
Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 pm
Come learn about these nocturnal mosquito-munching creatures through stories and games. We’ll also take a short walk to try to see these night-flyers in action. Flashlights optional. Meet in the Interpretive Center. (Families with children age 5 and up)