Summertime is almost here, and for our community’s nature enthusiasts, that means that camping season is now upon us. Whether you feel right at home in the great outdoors or are more of a “glamping” kind of crew, every member of the family is certain to love a camping adventure. If you and your little one would like to experience all the fun of camping without ever leaving the Capital City, you’re invited to the New Jersey State Museum for this month’s installment of Small Explorers, “Camping in the Forest.”

On Saturday, June 10th, little adventurers and their families are invited to the New Jersey State Museum for a day of learning all about camping and the great outdoors. There is a 9:45am, 11:00am, and 12:15pm session, which will be held at the museum’s Discovery Den. Over the course of the afternoon, kiddos will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of learning activities including story time, arts and crafts, museum exploration, and more. If you are interested in attending, you can register and select your desired time slot on the registration here: Register – Small Explorers. Space is limited and slots fill up quickly, so be sure to register as soon as possible to guarantee your preferred session.

The day’s events will kick off with a reading of “Who’s In the Forest?”, written by Phillis Gershator and illustrated by Jill McDonald. This tale invites little learners to explore the vivid and colorful world of wildlife in the woods. After the story, kiddos will have the chance to participate in a wide variety of campsite-favorite activities including:

  • Exploring the animals of New Jersey’s forests in one of the NJSM’s fascinating exhibits, “Written in the Rocks”
  • Catch a fish and find animal tracks
  • And of course, what would a camping trip be without toasting some marshmallows?

From campfire fun to the great outdoors and beyond, the NJSM’s Small Explorers program is a fun and free opportunity for young adventurers to have a hands-on look at some of the world’s most fascinating phenomena. Designed for children 5 and under, this program is integral in getting little minds interested in the fascinating world around us. From arts to STEM and everything in between, the New Jersey State Museum takes advantage of their enthralling exhibits and on-staff experts to create unforgettable fun for the whole family. More information regarding past Small Explorers sessions can be found here: Small Explorers – Home.

If you’d like to learn more about the New Jersey State Museum and discover what other fun events are in store, please feel free to visit their website here: NJSM – Home. Any questions prior to attending may be directed to Susan Buckley at Susan.Kozak-Buckley@sos.nj.gov for more information. An afternoon of outdoorsy fun at the New Jersey State Museum awaits, so don’t miss the chance to embark on this great adventure!

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