New Scout Programs Offered at Sandy Hook
(Sandy Hook, NJ) — Fourteen new Girl Scout programs and five new Cub and Boy Scout programs have been launched by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC). Programs range from traditional seine net fishing or hiking along beach trails to high-tech Geocaching using GPS devices. These have been added to the roster of the six existing popular scout programs already offered by the NJSGC.
New programs all utilize the unique maritime environment at Sandy Hook, but vary widely in focus. Some explore salt marshes through seine fishing and outdoor water chemistry; some use laboratory experiments to discover the secrets of the beach and its creatures; and some use games and crafts to learn about Native American culture. What they all have in common is that they are primarily outdoors-based and highly interactive.
All programs support the current scout badge requirements and are taught by experienced NJSGC educators. Each program offers a fun way for scouts to earn required badges in a remarkable maritime environment, and are designed for girls and boys of all age ranges, from Kindergarten through high school. Programs are offered year-round including after school and on weekends to accommodate scouting schedules.
Beginning this year, scouts can earn the Environmental Science merit badge at NJSGC. The program includes having Scouts simulate thermal and oil pollution to evaluate effective mitigation and cleanup ideas; seine fish in the bay to discover the marine creatures living there; hike through the salt marsh to identify birds and survey native vegetation; and conduct water chemistry experiments on the beach and in the NJSGC laboratory. The program is available for entire troops; or individual boy scouts can sign up for the special Environmental Science program scheduled for May 4, 2014 at Sandy Hook.
Contact Jody Sackett, Scout Program Coordinator, at 732-872-1300, ext. 20, or by email at [email protected] for additional information and reservations. Online registration for all scout programs is also available at our njseagrant.org website.
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment. NJSGC meets its mission through its innovative research, education and outreach programs. For more information, visit NJSGC on the web at njseagrant.org or on social media at facebook.com/NJSeaGrant and twitter.com/NJSeaGrant.