New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and New Jersey Natural Gas would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate the 16th annual Ocean Fun Days with us. We experienced record-breaking crowds this weekend, with smiles and eagerness to learn all around. Thanks especially to our sponsors and exhibitors – this festival wouldn’t be possible without their hard work and dedication!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on what makes this event so great, and how we can improve things in the future. Please take a moment to complete our online questionnaire.
BONUS: Submit your email with the survey and have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind “OFD 2019” t-shirt! [As pictured below on NJSGC’s doggie mascot, Taylor Ham]
Join NJSGC and New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) for our 16th annual Ocean Fun Days! This popular two-day event takes place on Saturday, May 18th at Island Beach State Park and Sunday, May 19th at Sandy Hook from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days, rain or shine. FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL!
Join the official FACEBOOK EVENT page for more exciting updates and behind-the-scenes info!
Also please visit the OFD website for more information and directions.
Enjoy hands-on marine and environmental programs and exhibits. There will be giveaways and plenty of excitement, plus fun ways to learn about our coastal environment and energy conservation for the whole family to enjoy.
Learn how to use a seine net to catch native fish, crabs, and other marine creatures. Grab a fishing rod and join the youth fishing clinic. Test your boating safety knowledge or become a beachcomber and search for natural treasures on a guided tour. Hear firsthand from New Jersey scientists and researchers all about the inner-workings of the ocean and the coastline and how to protect them for generations to come.
On Sunday at Sandy Hook, the NOAA Marine Fisheries Lab building will be open to the public, with many interactive exhibits as well as scientists and researchers on hand to share with you their exciting work. This only happens just once a year!
Don’t miss out on these two days of Free Family Fun!
The historic Fort Hancock area of Sandy Hook transformed into a “coastal awareness” wonderland on Sunday (May 20th) to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Ocean Fun Days. The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium hosted over 35 exhibitors and displays, as well as several engaging tours and workshops. Take a look!
Did YOU attend Ocean Fun Days this year? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts! If interested, please take part in the 2018 Ocean Fun Days survey.
Despite rather unpredictable weather conditions, hundreds of enthusiastic visitors descended upon the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium parade grounds to learn more about marine science, energy conservation, and a diverse array of eco-friendly concerns. Such outgoing optimism even inspired the sun to shine bright throughout the entire event, making for a full afternoon of family fun and unforgettable memories at the Jersey Shore.
To mark such a monumental year, several new activities were offered, including an interactive Rip Currents vs. Sharks trivia game and participatory paddleboarding/kayaking demos. Parts of the NOAA Fisheries Service James J. Howard Lab were open to the public, and tour guides aboard the “History Bus” provided interesting facts and information while transporting attendees to various WWI and WWII sites throughout the Gateway National Park. For the full Ocean Fun Days 2018 program, please go here.
Ocean Fun Days also took place at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park, NJ on Saturday (May 19th).
Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is looking forward to hosting another eventful Ocean Fun Days in 2019!
This year’s highly-anticipated Ocean Fun Days will be held on Saturday, May 19th at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park and Sunday, May 20th at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s (NJSGC) headquarters in the historic Fort Hancock section of Sandy Hook. Both events take place rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. As always, admission and parking are free to all attendees.
View the official 2018 Ocean Fun Days brochure here!
Ocean Fun Days is a weekend of eco-friendly fun the whole family can enjoy. Many popular exhibitors are scheduled to return in 2018, along with new additions. They’ll offer a diverse array of educational displays, nature tours, and interactive programs focused on coastal stewardship and energy conservation. Activities at both locations include seining, coastal crafts, an energy scavenger hunt, youth fishing clinic, face painting, touch tanks, games and exciting giveaways.
New this year at Island Beach State Park, volunteer to help plant dune grass and keep the park clean by collecting marine debris and learning about our oceans’ plastic pollution problem with park staff. Register on-site for workshops including kayak and surfing demonstrations, seining the bay, and shorebird watching.
On Sandy Hook, be sure to see NJSGC’s famous fiddler crab races and take part in Dr. Amy Williams’ thrilling Rip Currents vs. Sharks trivia game to learn about ocean hazards and beach safety. Meet author Don Walsh as he reads from his book “Teach the Beach” and don’t miss Kevin Murray, from Sandy Hook’s Kayak and Sup Rentals on the parade ground as he shares useful tips about paddleboarding and kayaking on the bay. As always, the NOAA Fisheries Service James J. Howard Lab will be open to the public as will historical WWI and WWII sites throughout the park including Battery Gunnison and History House. New this year at Sandy Hook there will also be boats and historic military vehicles on display. Complimentary shuttle bus service is provided from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. to take visitors to all tour sites.
Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Please visit NJSGC’s official OFD webpage for more information.
Celebrating its fourteenth year, Ocean Fun Days drew a crowd of thousands this past weekend (May 20-21), as attendees both young and old partook in hours of nonstop fun and interactive education.
Despite a slight chill in the air on Saturday at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park (NJ), display tables were jam-packed with individuals eager to learn more about coastal stewardship and energy conservation, among several other exciting environmental subjects. The release of diamondback turtle hatchlings into their natural habitat (hosted by Project Terrapin and the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science), was a sight that couldn’t be missed, and will likely become a favorite OFD memory for years to come.
The sun evoked smiles and laughter at Sandy Hook on Sunday, where a few lucky participants were crowned “claw” winners during the popular fiddler crab races. NOAA scientists also offered a rare glimpse into what wonders take place at the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory.
Over 50 exhibitors presented at this year’s event, including the American Littoral Society, Clean Ocean Action, NJDEP Division of Parks and Forestry, Rutgers Cooperative Extension/Water Resources Program, and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Other activities included seining, bird walks, beachcombing, and tours of Sandy Hook’s legendary Lighthouse and Fort Hancock Battery Gunnison.
Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For more information on upcoming events, please contactNJSGC Communications Specialist Danica Bellini at [email protected].
Now celebrating its fourteenth consecutive year, Ocean Fun Days will be held on Saturday, May 20th at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park and Sunday, May 21st at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s headquarters in the historic Fort Hancock section of Sandy Hook. Both events take place rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. As always, admission and parking are free to all attendees.
Ocean Fun Days is a weekend of eco-friendly fun the whole family can enjoy. Many popular exhibitors are scheduled to return in 2017. They’ll offer a diverse array of educational displays, nature tours and interactive programs focused on coastal stewardship and energy conservation. Activities at both locations include seining, coastal crafts, an energy scavenger hunt, youth fishing clinics, face painting, touch tanks, games and exciting giveaways.
New this year at Island Beach State Park, join students and faculty from Project Terrapin and the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) as they release young diamondback turtles back into their natural habitat. Space is limited for what’s sure to be a new Ocean Fun Days favorite.
On Sandy Hook, along with NJSGC’s famous fiddler crab races, the NOAA/National Marine Fisheries laboratory will host an open house where scientists and researchers eagerly await to share their influential work. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Officer’s Row living quarters will be open for tours. Don’t miss the WWII action at Fort Hancock’s Battery Gunnison. The National Park Service, in conjunction with the Army Ground Forces Association, will lead gun drills and demonstrations on Sunday. Complimentary shuttle bus service is provided to take visitors to all tour sites.
Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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 about NJSGC visit njseagrant.org.
Ocean Fun Days are almost here! Come to Ocean Fun Days and celebrate waves of ocean discovery. Enjoy exhibits, classes, nature tours, and children’s activities all about our coastal environment. You’ll have a great time learning the science of our shorelines and how to care for them for years to come!
A record number of exhibitors have already committed to be a part of this year’s event. Activities at both locations include seining, coastal crafts, an energy-saving scavenger hunt, youth fishing clinics, face painting, touch tanks, a student science fair competition and the NJSGC’s famous fiddler crab races.
The Sandy Hook location will also include guided tours of many of Sandy Hook’s historic sites and an open house at the NOAA/James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory. A complimentary shuttle bus service will be available at both locations to take visitors to tour sites.
Ocean Fun Days are here again! Enjoy two days of free family fun at this annual event focused on New Jersey’s coastal environment. On Saturday May 21 Ocean Fun Days takes place at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park, N.J. and on May 22 the event will be held on Sandy Hook at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s headquarters in the historic Fort Hancock section of the park. Both days are rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission and parking are free.
Bring the entire family for a day of coastal crafts, touch tanks, energy conservation exhibits, energy scavenger hunts, eco tours, youth fishing clinics, face painting, giveaways and our famous fiddler crab races. On Sunday, there will also be an open house of the NOAA Marine Lab at Sandy Hook and tours of Fort Hancock’s historic sites.
Be sure to enter the free drawing for a chance to win a Jenkinson’s Family of Five Fun pack. This prize includes passes to the beach, amusements and mini golf, plus admission to Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach.
New for this year is the “Picture-This, Caption That!” challenge. Students in grades 3-5 and 6-8 created photos with captions depicting how they conserve energy and help preserve our natural resources. At Ocean Fun Days, visitors will be able to cast their vote to select two winners who will receive guided field trips for their entire class to either Island Beach State Park or Sandy Hook.
Ocean Fun Daysis presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Each year we look forward to partnering with New Jersey Natural Gas and all our partners and exhibitors to offer this free event to the public. Everyone involved is truly committed to our state’s incredible shoreline and shares in our goal to educate the public about its sustainable use and care,” notes Claire Antonucci, executive director of New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium.
Sandy Hook, NJ: The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) has announced and awarded its 2014 Stew Tweed Fisheries and Aquaculture Scholarships, established in memory of Stewart Tweed, a 27-year veteran of the New Jersey Sea Grant Marine Extension Service, who passed away in early 2007. The scholarships were presented by Claire Antonucci, Executive Director and Director of Education at NJSGC, and Tom Hayes, Director of Community Relations at New Jersey Natural Gas during Ocean Fun Days at NJSGC’s headquarters on Sandy Hook on Sunday, May 18th, 2014. Also on hand for the presentation was Stew’s wife Gail Tweed.
