Poricy Park Conservancy Announces Community Programs for May & June 2012

May 7, 2012 - PRLog -- Nature Preschool Thursdays!
Spring is in the air and you can smell it on the breeze! You can bring your child ages 3 1/2 yrs through 6 yrs (must have turned 3 by Nov 1, 2011) to beautiful Poricy Park and our caring trained instructor will lead them on hikes, tell stories, and engage them in fun crafts and activities. Give your child the healthy gift of fresh air and sunshine with this ongoing weekly program! Class size is limited! Paid registration required with signed registration form. Thursdays, Mornings 9:30am-11:30am OR Afternoons 12 pm-2pm
Sessions available: May 24, 31, June 7
Fee: Members $15 per session; Non-members-$17 per session
Note: Registration required one week in advance.

Colonial Candle Workshop
Tallow, Bayberries, Beeswax & Whales! What do these things have in common? Each of these has been used to make candles! Visit us and learn how candles were made in Colonial times! Enjoy hands-on fun and bring home your own candle to light your way! Remember to register early. We have limited space in our hearth kitchen! Scout groups wishing to participate please call for special arrangements. Appropriate for ages 7 to 107 (children must be supervised & assisted by an adult). Please courteously register in advance. Meet at the Murray Farmhouse.
Sunday, May 20th, 2:30pm-4:00pm
Fee: $5 Members; $8 Non-members

Community Fossil Hunt
April rains bring May flowers and releases many fossils into Poricy Brook!  Our experienced guide will prepare you for your journey back in time 65 million years! We will provide the trowels & sifters and help you identify your treasures! Please dress for the weather and wear rubber boots or old sneakers. Your feet WILL get wet! Note: Sandals and slip-on footwear prohibited. Remember to bring a small bag to hold your five best finds! Registration is needed so we will have enough supplies!!! Appropriate for adults and children (children must be accompanied & supervised by an adult). Meet at the Nature Center.
Sunday, May 20th, 3pm-4:30pm
Fee: $8 per participant; $32 Family Special (2 adults, 3 children)

Hot Topics In History!
Join us for some stimulating conversation and relaxing tea! May – “Martha Washington-the Woman behind the Man” Find out about her life as the “Mother of our Country.” A most amazing companion to a most important man!
June – “Lost in Shangri-la.” A true story of survival and the most incredible rescue mission of WWII. Join us as we delve into this remarkable story written by Mitchell Zuckoff. (We will be meeting in our 1770 NJ State Historic Murray Farmhouse parlor!) Special guests from the reenacting group ‘Past Muster’ as well as others will participate! Not necessary to commit to all sessions. - Must pre-register at least one week prior to each session. Donations welcomed and appreciated! These support ongoing programs at Poricy Park Conservancy.
Tuesdays – May 22nd & June 26th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Poricy Brook Watershed Hike
Discover the Poricy Brook watershed, its habitats and its vitality on this special guided hike through beautiful trails. We will begin at the Nature Center with a unique watershed enviroscape demo and culminate with a hike to Poricy Pond! Please remember to wear shoes appropriate for walking trails. Personal water bottles are encouraged! Appropriate for all! (Children must be accompanied & supervised by an adult). Meet at the Nature Center. Regular program fees apply.
Sunday, June 3rd, 3pm-4:15pm

Joseph Murray Reenactment
Highlight your calendar for this very special event. There will be tours, demos and fun! You won’t want to miss this opportunity that culminates in the reenactment of the patriot Joseph Murray and his encounter with Col. Tye! Appropriate for adults & children age 7 and up. (Children must be accompanied & supervised by an adult) Please note: There will be a black powder demo which is loud. Event activities on Nature Center lawn & farmstead. Regular program fees apply.
Saturday, June 9th 2pm-4:30pm

Community Fossil Hunt
Celebrate the upcoming arrival of summer with this satisfying activity! Bring your children, your father, your mother, friend, and our experienced guide will prepare you for your journey back in time 65 million years! We will provide the trowels & sifters and help you identify your treasures! Please dress for the weather and wear rubber boots or old sneakers. Your feet WILL get wet! Note: Sandals and slip-on footwear prohibited. Remember to bring a small bag to hold your five best finds! Registration is needed so we will have enough supplies!!!  Appropriate for adults & children of all ages (children must be accompanied & assisted by an adult). Meet at the Nature Center.
Sunday, June 10th, 3pm-4:30pm
Fee: $8 per participant; $32 Family Special (2 adults, 3 children)

Pond Netting
What lurks in the water of Murray Pond? If you dare to explore, one of our trained naturalists will guide you through the wonders of pond life. Appropriate for ages 7 to 107 Children under 7 require parental assistance with netting.  (Children must be supervised & assisted by an adult). Please courteously register in advance. Meet at the Nature Center Regular program fees apply.
Sunday, June 17th, 3pm-4pm

Poricy Picnic!
Bring your picnic lunch to Poricy’s “front lawn” and we’ll begin the fun!  After your lunch we will enjoy outdoor games like Picnic Charades, Lily Pad Relay, Sponge relay, Bucket Brigade, Egg Toss, Hula Hoop Relay and William Tell Race. Be sure to pre-register by Friday, June 22nd so we can save you a place! Appropriate for all ages. (Children must be supervised & assisted by an adult). Please register in advance so that we will have enough supplies! Meet at the Nature Center. (Weather permitting.)  Regular program fees apply.
Sunday, June 24th, Picnic lunch between 12:00pm-1:30pm Games from 1:30pm-3pm






The Poricy Park Conservancy strives to provide quality programs at a reasonable cost to visitors.  Your generous contributions assist the Conservancy in sustaining operations. Unless otherwise noted, recommended program donations are $5 for members and $7 for non-members; maximum per family $20 members and $25 non-members.

Pre-Registration is requested for all programs unless noted otherwise, allowing staff to plan supplies and instructor coverage accordingly.  Although walk-in registration the day of program is available with some programs, a program will be cancelled if the pre-registration minimums are not met.

PROGRAMS ARE HELD RAIN OR SHINE SO PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY.

Poricy Park Conservancy is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization located in Middletown Township. With exceptional ecological resources, the 250 acre historical and nature site makes it one of the largest nature preserves in Monmouth County. The Park offers recreational activities such as magnificent wooded hiking trails, bird watching, pristine pond settings, fishing, and a one-of-a-kind 70 million year-old Cretaceous fossil bed. It is home to the Historic Murray Farmhouse and Barn. The Park is located at 345 Oak Hill Road, off Route 35 South; (for GPS directions enter Red Bank for the town). For more information please visit www.PoricyPark.org, or call 732-842-5966.