Camp News

Month: August 2020

Top Nature Activities to Get Through the Pandemic as a Family

By on August 17th, 2020
activities to do as a family during pandemic While the school year starts back up the same as it does every year, things aren’t quite back to normal. Sending your kids back to school while COVID-19 continues to spread requires a shift in the way things are done. One thing that makes getting through the pandemic easier is the extra time spent with family and getting outside to enjoy the great outdoors. Nature has a calming effect on adults and children, and few things are more fun than exploring all that nature has to offer together as a family. An increasing number of studies have pointed to the considerable benefits that a good dose of Vitamin-N (for nature) has on the body. Lower stress levels, better focus, a more positive attitude, and more. Below, we lay out some of our top favorite nature activities to help you and your family get through the pandemic—all while social distancing—to help make the best of a difficult situation.

5 Nature Activities to Enjoy as a Family While Social Distancing

1.   Find a Favorite “Sit Spot”

Like it sounds, a sit spot is a place to sit, be still, and observe nature. Leading nature educator, Jon Young, recommends that adults and children discover a special place outside, whether it’s under your favorite tree in the backyard, in your garden, or a nearby creek. You can get all the benefits that nature has to offer without spending a dime. All you need is some time to reap the benefits of connecting with nature and reducing that sense of isolation. A sit spot could mean building a den, fort, treehouse, or any place that could help boost creativity and provide an outdoor comfort zone for kids.

2.   Camp Out in the Backyard

You can still get the sense of adventure from sleeping under the stars or in a tent without leaving home! If you don’t have a tent, try getting extra imaginative by having the kids make their own tent with poles, sticks, and blankets. Urge them to stay outside as much as possible for the night and only go inside when necessary. Break out some binoculars or a telescope to turn the backyard into an observatory—watch birds and bats as the sun goes down, or see if you can spot your favorite constellations. Don’t have a backyard? Try pitching a hammock or blowing up an air mattress on your porch to provide the same change of scenery close to the outdoors that your kids will surely love.

3.   Plant or Adopt a Family or Friendship Tree

Whether you live in a densely populated city or a quiet, rural neighborhood, you can plant a tree or adopt one on a special occasion and watch it grow together. Planting trees is not only good for the environment, but nurturing nature sends a positive message to kids. Watch how much growth can come with a little time and care, and keep track of the changes through notes and pictures every week. It can be something special to share as both the tree and your kids grow over the years.

4.   Go on a Hike or Exercise Outside

While national parks may not be the best option to maintain safe social distancing, there are plenty of scenic, less-crowded trails to hike in New Jersey that the whole family will enjoy. Nature parks closer to home will have fewer visitors and still offer the excitement of getting out of the house along with a healthy Vitamin-D dose. Adding games to your family hikes is an excellent way to help younger kids get excited about hitting the trail. For example, you can try playing “Walk this Way” by imitating different animals along your hike or bring walkie talkies to pretend you’re on a jungle exploration. Encourage leadership skills by having your children take turns leading the hike, walking in front, and setting the pace.

5.   Watch Wildlife Up Close Through a Lens

On the days when you can’t get outside to enjoy the great outdoors, you can still have a taste online. The National Conservation Training Center and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have an eagle cam to watch live footage of a bald eagle’s nest up close and personal that’s truly remarkable. You can find various online nature cams to watch birds, dolphins, panda bears, and many other animals through different aquariums, zoos, and wildlife refuges throughout the country. Even though it’s through a lens, watching live animals in their habitat can spark your and your kids’ creativity and imagination!

86 Acres of the Great Outdoors at Central New Jersey’s Frogbridge Day Camp

At Frogbridge Day Camp, there are countless outdoor activities for every child’s interests across our 86-acre facility. We are proud to offer activities not commonly found elsewhere, from traditional sports to adventure sports, arts, crafts, and aquatics. If you’ve never experienced the wonders of Frogbridge Day Camp, we invite you to book a private tour for you and your family to explore our facility. Tours are private for one family at a time to keep safe social distances, and all safety protocols are followed. We would love the opportunity to welcome your family to ours! Call our office to schedule your tour today at 609-208-9050 or complete our contact form online.

Best Hikes to Go on with Kids in Central New Jersey

By on August 3rd, 2020
As autumn fast approaches, there’s no better time to get the family out in the great outdoors for an easy hike or nature walk. Hiking with kids can be an exciting experience and a great way to exercise and breathe fresh air. With a little research, a picnic of kid-friendly snacks, and allotted breaks to rest those little legs, you might be surprised at how much fun both you and your kids have as you explore the best flora and fauna the Garden State has to offer! At Frogbridge Day Camp, our favorite areas to explore, especially with beginner hikers, are nature centers, trails, and parks throughout Central New Jersey. These trails are a great introduction with a variety of manageable parks that are less rocky than the northern parts. This time of year, hikes in Central New Jersey boast forests awash with fall colors, rolling hills, farmlands, and boardwalks across salt ponds and marshes. In this blog, we share some of our favorite hiking trails to go on with kids to have an outdoor adventure right here in Central New Jersey.

best hikes in central new jerseyClayton Park, Monmouth County 

Practically in Frogbridge Day Camp’s backyard lies the 450-acre site of Clayton Park. Perfect for enjoying the fall foliage, this park is known for majestic red and white oak, ash, beech, and birch trees that create a beautiful backdrop throughout your hike. This rustic area is nestled in the rolling wooded hills surrounding the best of New Jersey farmlands. You’ll find six miles of hiking trails along Doctor’s Creek that’s not just perfect for a hike but also a favorite for family bike rides.

Cattus Island, Toms River

Smooth boardwalks and seven miles of trails near Barnegat Bay are perfect for families with wildlife and birdwatching on their hiking wishlist. Cattus Island is home to 530 acres of wetlands and woodlands that feature a trail to the beach and plenty of opportunities for spotting aquatic animals and reptiles. Don’t forget to stop at the Cooper Environmental Center, recently renovated with a butterfly garden, birdwatching area, and a live osprey camera!  

Cheesequake State Park, Matawan

This state park in Middlesex County features a variety of enjoyable hikes through hardwood forests, freshwater swamps, and saltwater marshes with the support of boardwalks that make the trails easy for little legs. You’ll find five types of marked trails ranging from easy to moderate.  Look for the beginner’s yellow trail that circles through shaded paths with boardwalks and stunning views of Hooks Creek Lake that your kids will undoubtedly enjoy. With a variety of trails, playgrounds, biking, and camping areas, Cheesequake State Park is an excellent option for groups with varying tastes of what makes the ideal outdoor adventure.

Duke Farms, Hillsborough

You’ll find 18 miles of scenic trails, both paved and gravel, on 1,000 acres of land open to the public for outdoor activities, self-discovery, and education. The trails of Duke Farms wind around lakes and lagoons, across woodlots and manicured gardens, alongside picturesque sculptures, fountains, and a waterfall. Once owned by heiress Doris Duke, this park is a family favorite with scavenger hunts, an orchid greenhouse, and an organic café.

Wharton State Forest, Hammonton

With a reputation as the largest forest in the Garden State, you’ll find an abundance of wildlife while hiking through these trails, including bald eagles, swans, river otters, deer, and countless birds. The Batsto Lake trail takes you through the historical site of Batsto Village, built in the 1600s, that makes you feel like you’ve time-traveled and left modern civilization behind. Wharton State Forest features three trails for beginners, each less than five miles long through the wondrous forest that you and your kids will equally enjoy. The best part about Wharton State Forest is that you can easily spend a whole day filled with various activities like canoeing, horseback riding, and some of New Jersey’s best hiking.

Discover the Great Outdoors with Frogbridge Day Camp in Monmouth County, NJ

At Frogbridge Day Camp, we understand how important discovering the wonders of the great outdoors can be for kids of all ages. Across our 86 acres, our campers enjoy various outdoor activities ranging from fishing, archery, swimming, zip-lining, and rock climbing. We invite you to discover the wonders of Frogbridge Day Camp with a personal tour, now underway for families interested in enrollment for Summer Camp 2021. All tours are private with one family at a time, following all recommended protocols, including social distancing and masks. To schedule a personal tour at Frogbridge Day Camp, call our office at 609-208-9050 or complete a contact form today.