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Island Beach 2013 Summer Programs


Island Beach State Park
2013 Summer Calendar of Events

Island Beach State Park offers sunbathers pristine surroundings for their summertime enjoyment. But there’s more to explore at Island Beach State Park. Join IBSP Natural Educators and discover the ‘wild side’ of this unique barrier island ecosystem! Call 732-793-0506 or email ibspnaturalist@gmail.com


DAILY PROGRAMS
Free Fun for the Whole Family!

Join Park Natural Educators and have some fun as you explore the natural wonders of Island Beach State Park! Children must be accompanied by an adult. IBSP Daily Programs are free with paid admission to the Park. 

Ospreys of Island Beach
In 1974 the Osprey was listed as “endangered” in New Jersey, with only 50 nests statewide. The NJ Osprey population is now approaching 500 nesting pairs. Learn about the amazing lives of these majestic raptors. Free daily programs at 10:00am at the Nature Center, 7 miles past the Park Gatehouse.

Seine the Barnegat Bay
Pull a seine net through the Barnegat Bay and discover the amazing creatures who live there! Sheepshead Minnows, Pipe Fish, Blue Claw Crabs – what’s today’s catch of the day?  Free daily programs at 11am and 1pm. Pre-register at the Fish Tanks in the Pavilion at Bathing Beach No. 1. 

Beach Walk
Island Beach State Park is host to a large dune system that protects the mainland west of the Barnegat Bay. Explore the plants and animals that live in this important environment. Learn how Superstorm Sandy impacted the ecology of this unique barrier island. Free daily walks at 12pm. Pre-register at the Fish Tanks in the Pavilion at Bathing Beach No 1.

Meet the Locals!
Be tickled by a mud snail, count the legs on a spider crab, see a pufferfish puff, and examine a sea star. Meet the creatures of the Park’s barrier island ecosystem. Discover who lives in our unique estuarine and coastal habitats. Free daily shows at 2pm at the Fish Tanks in the Pavilion at Bathing Beach No. 1.

 

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK
GUIDED PROGRAMS
Pre-registration required for all Guided Programs.

For details and information regarding individual programs, please call the park office: 732-793-0506, or email: ibspnaturalist@gmail.com, or logon to:
www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/programs/islandbeach/

Kayak Tours
Enjoy kayak tours of the Barnegat Bay and Sedge Islands. All equipment, including tandem kayaks, paddles and personal floatation devices are provided. Ages 14 yrs and older.  Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $25 per person.

Birding by Kayak
Expert Park Natural Educators will guide you on a peaceful paddle through the fragile Barnegat Bay estuarine ecosystem. Discover the diversity of birds that nest at Island Beach State Park in the summer. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray (binoculars are strongly suggested for best viewing of birds, limited pairs will be loaned). Thursdays: July 4, 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.   (8am-11am)

Sedge Islands “Then and Now” Kayak Tour
Barnegat Bay was once a commercial hub for market gunners, baymen and salt hay farmers.  Learn about the people who lived here long ago, and how they utilized the natural resources of the bay. Today, the Sedge Islands is a Marine Conservation Zone. Explore the plants and animals of this unique ecosystem, guided by expert Park Natural Educators. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray (binoculars are optional). Sundays and Wednesdays: June 30, July 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, August 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, September 1. (9am-12pm)

Sunset Paddle
Join Park Natural Educators for a peaceful evening paddle through the Sedge Islands, while watching the sunset over Barnegat Bay.  Dusk is peak time for viewing wildlife! Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray (binoculars are optional).  Saturdays: June 29, July 13, 27, August 10, 24, (4-7pm).

 

BEGINNER’S SURF FISHING CLINIC
No fish tales told here! Come learn the basic techniques for successful surf fishing. All fishing equipment and bait provided. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray, snack/lunch. Minors must be accompanied by a pre-registered adult. Minimum age: 10 yrs. Cost: $10 per person. Fri. July 5, 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30  (8am-1pm).

 

WILDCHILD PROGRAMS for KIDS
Sign-up for fun, interactive, and educational programs designed just for kids. Our expert team of Park Natural Educators are ready to take you on a wild adventure! Pre-registration required for all WILDCHILD Programs. See descriptions for age restrictions, times and fees.

WILDCHILD Nature Toddlers
Age-appropriate hands-on activities, stories, crafts and hikes guide your child’s natural curiosity as we explore the animals and plants of Island Beach State Park.  Natural Educators provide an educational hour of fun for you and your young child. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray.  Ages 3-5 yrs, with caregiver. Cost: $5 per child.  Wed. July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, 28  (10:30-11:30am)

WILDCHILD Island Explorers
If you like exploring the outdoors, learning about animals, and investigating the ecosystem, then you’re an Island Explorer!  Join us for 2 hours of catching fish, spying on birds, or learning about turtles, and more.  A different topic is explored each week.  Drop off your child for two hours of fun! Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray. Ages 6 to 12 yrs. Cost: $10 per child. Alternating Fridays and Saturdays: July 6, 12, 20, 26, August 3, 9, 17, 23, 31.

WILDCHILD Surfing Safari
Surf’s Up Dude! Learn about waves, what they are, where they come from, and why they break. Paddle out with expert Natural Educators and IBSP Lifeguards, and maybe you’ll be hangin’ 10 by the end of the summer! Drop off your child for two hours of fun! Bring sunscreen, towel, drinking water, wear bathing suit.  Ages 8 to 17 yrs. Cost: $15 per child. (Times based on low tide.) July 5 (10:30am-12:30pm), July 7 (1-3pm), July 14 (4-6pm), July 19 (10:30am-12:30pm), July 26 (4-6), July 28 (4-6pm), Aug 2 (10:30am-12:30pm), Aug 9 (3-5pm), Aug 16 (10:30am-12:30pm), Aug 23 (3-5pm), Aug 30 (10:30am-12:30pm)

 

TRAIL HIKES & GUIDED WALKS
Explore the ‘wild side’ of Island Beach State Park. All ages welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required: www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/programs/islandbeach/

Moonlight Hike
Join us on an adventurous night hike to discover “whoooooo” is awake when the sun goes down at Island Beach State Park!  When we arrive at the beach enjoy a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and listen to ghost stories about shipwrecks off the Jersey shore – the “graveyard of the Atlantic”!  Bring a flashlight, blanket or chair, sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray. Cost: $5 per person. Saturdays: July 20, (7-10pm); August 17, (6pm-9pm)

Time-travel Trail Hike
Island Beach State Park has a rich and diverse history. Join us on a hike to learn about the people who lived here long ago. Different topics are explored on each one-hour hike. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray. Cost: $3 per person. Sunday July 14 (10-11am) “The Reed Hotel”, meet at Reed’s Road Parking Lot a half mile past the Entrance Gate;  Friday August 9 (10-11am) “Life-Saving Services at IBSP”, meet at the Interpretive Center, 7 miles past the Entrance Gate; Saturday August 24 (10-11am) “Baymen”, meet at the Interpretive Center, 7 miles past the Entrance Gate. Pre-registration required for all hikes.

Discover the Birds of Island Beach
Come join us on a hike in search of our feathered friends! Soaring osprey, wading herons, singing warblers, and basking cormorants, are only a handful of the birds we are likely to see and hear on our hike. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray. Cost: $3 per person. Wednesday, July 3 (8-10am)

Island Eco-Hike
Bring your curiosity and keen senses as we take you on a hike through diverse habitats on a quest to catch a glimpse of creatures of the barrier island ecosystem. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray. Cost: $3 per person.  July 7, August 3,  (9-10am) Meet at the Nature Center, 7 miles past the Entrance Gate.

 

HARVEST THE BAY
Educational Programs

Clamming, Crabbing and Fishing are popular Jersey Shore pastimes that offer recreational enjoyment, support commercial industry, and provide local food resources.  Join IBSP Natural Educators to explore clams, crabs, and fish, learn about their role in the Barnegat Bay ecosystem, discover how they are impacted by the health of the bay, and learn proper techniques for harvesting.  Harvest the Bay educational programs are made possible through a generous grant from Barnegat Bay Partnership.  All ages welcome, minors must be accompanied by an adult. 
Cost: $7 per person.  Pre-registration required: www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/programs/islandbeach/
For more information please call 732-793-0506, or email ibspnaturalist@gmail.com 

Clamming
Shellfish are an important link within the  Barnegat Bay food-chain and ecosystem. Learn how to harvest these delicious soft-bodied gastropods by digging your toes into the sandy bottom of the bay or by using a clamming rake. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray, wear water-shoes.  July 2, 8, 18, 22, 29, August 8, 13, 20, 29. (10am-12pm)

Crabbing
Discover the fascinating life cycle of the Blue Claw Crab, its niche in the ecosystem, when and how to harvest them, and what you can do to assure their populations remain at a healthy level. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray, wear water-shoes.  July 9, 15, 25, 30, August 5, 15, 19, 26. (10am-12pm)

Fishing
Bluefish, Fluke, Black Drum – the bay is host to a variety of local fish. Explore the role of finfish in the bay’s ecosystem and discover techniques for successful fishing. Cast a line into the bay and reel in your catch of the day! Bring sunscreen, drinking water, bug spray, wear water-shoes.  July 1, 11, 16, 23, August 1, 12, 22, 27.  (10am-12pm)

 

‘HARVEST THE BAY DAY’ FESTIVAL
A Celebration of Barnegat Bay’s Natural Resources
July 23rd, August 20th , and October 12th

Bring the entire family to Harvest the Bay Day to explore the natural resources of Barnegat Bay. Learn about fish, crabs and clams. Enjoy exhibitors’ hands-on activities, nature programs, and fresh local seafood. Join in the festivities! Harvest the Bay Day is funded through a generous grant from Barnegat Bay Partnership.  Call 732-739-0506 for more information, or email ibspnaturalist@gmail.com

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