Poricy Park Conservancy Announces January & February 2015 Community Programs

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. - Dec. 31, 2014 - PRLog -- Community programs for January and February at Poricy Park are as follows:

Nature’s Classroom - For children aged 3 ½ to 6 years old
Monday Afternoons, 12 pm-2pm
Explore nature’s magical winter secrets in Poricy Park. Nurturing naturalists use imaginative themes to engage children with hands-on art, science and outdoor activities. This is an ongoing weekly session; you may sign up for multiple weeks or individual weeks that meet your schedule. Class size is limited and program payment is required with signed registration form one week in advance. Multiple session & sibling discounts available; Members $18 per session; Non-members $22 per session

Paper Snowflakes - Appropriate for ages 7 to 107
Sunday, January 11th, 2pm-3pm
Grace your window panes with your own paper snowflakes or make a wreath of snowflakes. You will learn the tricks to transform plain white paper into beautiful snowflakes that won’t melt when you bring them inside. Please courteously register in advance (children must be accompanied by their adult). Donations gratefully accepted and will help support continuing educational programming at Poricy Park Conservancy and are tax deductible.

Day Camp: Secret Tracks
Monday, January 19th; 9:00 am-12:00 pm OR 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Animals are all around us – but we don’t always see them. Look! They left something behind! Campers will practice being biologists as they conduct experiments investigating wildlife by collecting track data. Learn about many animals, how to identify common tracks, and make an animal track to take home. Ask about sibling discounts and extended care 8am-6pm. Half Day: $42 Members; $48 Non-members; Full Day: $60 Members; $68 Non-members

Seasonal Hearth Cooking - Appropriate for ages 7 to 107
Sunday, January 25th, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Rich aromas will envelope you as you step into an open hearth kitchen in the NJ State historic Murray Farmhouse. Mistress Gullman will be using cooking artifacts, techniques and recipes typical of colonial times. Registrations limited due to size of room - Please courteously register in advance (children must be accompanied by their adult). $6 members; $8 non-members; max per family $25 members/$30 non-members

Hot Topics In History - Appropriate for all who are interested in chatting or listening to chatterers of history.
Tuesdays – January 27th and February 24th, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Enjoy some stimulating conversation and relaxing tea. January – “Treason & Betrayal” Following the exploration of Washington’s Secret Six, a view and discussion of this episode from the History Channel series on the American Revolution. February – “Rebellion to Revolution” This History Channel episode covers the rebellion as it escalates into war.  Donations gratefully accepted and will help support continuing educational programming at Poricy Park Conservancy and are tax deductible!

The Great Backyard Bird Count!! - Appropriate for all ages
Sunday, February 15th, 2pm-4pm
FREE Event. Participate in the 2015 GBBC. On the third day of this annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages across the continent participants will tally and may also send in photos for fun or as part of the GBBC Photo Contest. Why do this? Scientists need the community's help to document bird distribution and movements.  Plus, bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies, anyone can participate, and it’s fun. Children must be accompanied & supervised by an adult. Binoculars and field guides available for rental at the Nature Center.

Day Camp: Bird Friends
Monday, February 16th, 9:00am-12:00pm OR 9:00am-3:00pm
Absorb bird culture and learn about their clever tactics to work with and around the elements, and how people have learned from them as well. Campers will make mini nests to take home and work together to construct kid-sized nests. Ask about sibling discounts and extended care 8am-6pm. Half Day: $42 Members; $48 Non-members; Full Day: $60 Members; $68 Non-members

Colonial Children’s Tea - Appropriate for ages 4 through 10
Two dates available: Saturday, February 21st, 4pm-5pm OR Sunday, February 22nd, 4pm-5pm
Participate in a colonial tea party inside the historic 1770’s Murray Farmhouse. Sample various refreshments, dance and practice colonial manners. Children must be supervised & accompanied by an adult. Please courteously register in advance; limited seating available. One child with accompanying adult $15; each additional child with adult $5 (max 3 children with each adult).

George & Martha Tea -Appropriate for adults and older children interested in sitting at a tea
Sunday, February 22nd, 2pm-3:30pm
Experience a colonial tea in the historic 1770’s Murray Farmhouse. Sample various refreshments peppered with conversation relating to George & Martha and partake in some Colonial entertainment. Children must be supervised & accompanied by adult. Please courteously register in advance; limited seating available. Members $6; Non-members $8

All community and summer camp programs are run by Poricy Park Conservancy, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, located at 345 Oak Hill Road in Middletown Township. With exceptional ecological resources, the 250 acre historical and nature site makes it one of the largest parks 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. Poricy Park is home to the 1770 NJ Historic Murray Farmhouse and Barn. The Nature Center is open Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm and weekends based on scheduled programs. For more information please visit www.PoricyPark.org, or call 732-842-5966.