School Field Trips & Scouting

School Field Trips and Classroom Programs

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum (CHA) offers field trips and classroom programs for grades K-5. Each lesson has been designed to correlate to NJCCC and supplement science curriculum. Students learn about a nature-themed topic through observation, discussion, teamwork, and hands-on activities.

FIELD TRIPS:
Our 90 minute field trips are conducted 50% indoors and 50% outdoors, unless otherwise specified. Please ensure that students dress for the weather as they will be outdoors in light rain. Field trips are available Monday through Friday from 9:30am-11:00am or 12:30pm-2:00pm (flexible with bus/lunch schedules).

CLASSROOM PROGRAMS:
Our 30-60 minute classroom programs are conducted at the school. Teachers should decide if the program will take place indoors or outdoors and inform the CHA in advance. Classroom programs are available Monday through Friday at a time agreed upon by the CHA and participating teachers.


For information on scheduling and fees, please e-mail program@hartshornarboretum.org or call 973.376.3587.


PROGRAM TOPICS
Sensory Discovery: (Pre K-K)
- Introduction to senses
- Animal use of senses
- Investigation of senses

Tree-rific Trees: (K-1st grades)
- Parts of a tree
- Tree functions
- Tree investigation

Fantabulous Flowers: (K-1st grades)
- Flower anatomy
- Seed making process
- Flower investigation

Stupendous Soil: (2nd grade)
- Introduction to soil
- Investigate soil types
- Introduction to composting and worms

Insightful Insects: (2nd grade)
- Arthropod classification
- Insect ecology
- Insect observation
- Arthropod investigation

Birds: (1st-4th grades)
- Adaptations
- Habitats
- Identification
- Ecology
- Migration

Woodland Habitats: (4th-5th grades)
- Habitat needs to support life
- Micro-habitat exploration
- Animal life-cycles
- Overpopulation

Rocks and Local Geology: (4th-5th grades)
- How rocks are formed
- Using dichotomous key
- Local rocks identification
- Local geology hike

Looking for a topic that isn't listed? Contact us, we welcome topic ideas and suggestions for improvement.

Scout Programs

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum provides many opportunities to observe artifacts, meet a naturalist, and learn to share your world with wildlife. Our educators have a variety of programs specifically designed to meet the requirements of many Boy Scout and Girl Scout Badges. Our programs are typically 60-90 minutes long, and are $5/scout (with the exception of the Camper Badge, Night Owl Badge, and Water Badge for Cadettes and Senior Girl Scouts).
Please contact us to schedule your visit! program@hartshornarboretum.org or 973-376-3587.