Spring Programs

Interpretive Programs through June. For programs for preschoolers and homeschoolers, please click the links above.

Timberdoodle Trek
March 24, 2012 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM
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 in early spring male timberdoodles put on a show at sunset in a effort to attract female timberdoodles. Come join us on a walk to timberdoodle territory (no more than one mile, round-trip) where we'll sit as the sun sets in hopes of seeing and hearing the woodcock's courtship display. You may find it helpful to bring a pair of 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 is likely to be cold and/or damp.

Vernal Ponds at High Point
March 31, 2012 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 ground for a number of amphibians and other species. Join us for a short introduction to these ponds in the Interpretive Center, and then we'll travel to a handful of High Point's vernal ponds for a first-hand look a these fascinating habitats. This program will include both walking (a mile or less) and driving (approximately five miles). We will also be walking off-trail, so sturdy shoes are recommended.

Spring from A to Z
April 7, 2012 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Families with children ages five and up. Meet across the road from the beach parking lot. We'll take an easy walk down the Old Trail (about a mile) on an informal alphabetical search for early signs of spring.

Beaver Walk
April 11, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Families w/children ages 5 and up. Meet at the Sawmill Lake Boat Launch. Come stretch your legs on an easy two-mile walk around Sawmill Lake to see evidence of beaver activity and search for signs of spring. You may want wear boots as some portions of the trail may be muddy. If you want more beaver fun, pack a picnic lunch and join us in the afternoon in the Interpretive Center to make a beaver habitat picture and watch a movie about beavers.

Beaver Movie and Craft
April 11, 2012 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Families w/children ages 5 and up. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Come join us to 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, and make a 3-D beaver habitat picture to take home. If you want to have some outdoor fun, for us in the morning for a walk around Sawmill Lake to look for signs of beaver activity.

Celebrate Nature Coffee House
April 14, 2012 from 12:30 to 4:00 PM
All ages. Meet in the High Point State Park Interpretive Center. Join us as we welcome spring and recognize Earth Day with an afternoon of music and poetry in the Interpretive Center.  Local musicians and poets are invited to share their talents during open mic sessions. Sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park. The 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.

Vernal Ponds at High Point
April 21, 2012 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 ground for a number of amphibians and other species. Join us for a short introduction to these ponds in the Interpretive Center, and then we'll travel to a handful of High Point's vernal ponds for a first-hand look a these fascinating habitats. This program will include both walking (a mile or less) and driving (approximately five miles). We will also be walking off-trail, so sturdy shoes are recommended.

Woodland Wildflower Walk
April 28, 2012 from 10:00 to 11:45 AM
For adults and families with children ages 10 and up. Meet by the Sawmill Lake boat launch. Join the park naturalist for an easy 1.5-mile walk around Sawmill Lake in search of the delicate woodland wildflowers of spring.

Bird Walk (Not for Early Birds!)
May 5, 2012 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM
Adults/Children ages 10 and up. Meet at the Appalachian Trail parking lot. While most consider early morning the best time of day to bird watch, there is usually a surge of activity in late afternoon too. Come take a late afternoon stroll in search of colorful migrating warblers and other spring arrivals. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them. A limited number will be available to borrow.

High Point Explorations
May 12, 2012 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM
Sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park. Details to come!

Geocaching Hike
May 19, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Adults/Families w/children ages six and up. Meet at Group Campsite A. Curious about geocaching? Join High Point's naturalist for a satellite-guided treasure hunt. There will be a brief overview of the sport of geocaching and then we'll set off on our search. We'll be driving about three miles (one way) along a rough, paved road, and will be walking about two miles over easy terrain. A limited number of GPS units are available for participants to borrow/share, but if you have your own, please bring it with you. (Please note: units designed for use in vehicles don't generally work for geocaching.)

Loop Hike - Iris and Appalachian Trails
May 26, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Adults/Families with children ages 10 and up. Meet in the Appalachian Trail parking lot on the Deckertown Turnpike (CR 650). Come explore one of the less-traveled routes in High Point with the Park Naturalist. This moderate hike, incorporating portions of the Iris and Appalachian trails, covers roughly three miles. We'll pass by inviting rock ledges, cross small streams and wetlands, and enjoy a few spots with a view.

Teddybear Picnic and Story Time
June 9, 2012 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM
Families with children ages 2-10 (and their favorite teddy bears). Meet in the Interpretive Center. Children and their teddy bears are invited to High Point State Park for a spring picnic where they will explore the natural history of the North American Black Bear and learn how one little bear inspired the creation of the iconic teddy bear. Activities will include a bear discovery station, craft, storytime, and picnic snack. The program is free, but donations to the Friends of High Point State Park are appreciated.

Solstice Sunset Hike
June 16, 2012 from 7:15 to 9:30 PM
Adults/children age 10 and up. Meet at the Sawmill Lake Boat Launch. This short but strenuous hike 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. Round-trip, this hike covers about two miles and requires some agility. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must.

Outdoor Concert - Acoustic Guitar Trio
June 23, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
All ages. Meet on the beach. Suggested donation: $5/adult. The Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring a free outdoor acoustic guitar concert with long-time area musicians Mike Lawlor, Jeff Hemmerlin, and Cardon Raquet. Bring your  friends, a picnic,  lawn chairs or a blanket. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Interpretive Center. Proceeds support future concerts and other Friends of High Point State Park programs and events.

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

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

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.

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.