Flat Rock Brook Environmental Education Programs

Flat Rock Brook Environmental Education Programs offers field trips, on-site classroom programs, and outreach programs. Field trips use the outdoors as a classroom and include a focused walk with hands-on activities and artifacts, while classroom and outreach programs are each 45 minutes to one hour long. The program also includes Birds of Prey, Staying Alive, Life Cycles, Wacky Weather, Invaluable Invertebrates, In The Forest, Not In My House!, In The Night, and In The Meadow.

Programs

• Field Trips — Outdoor programs for schools using the outdoors as a classroom; focused walk with hands-on activities and artifacts; meets New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
• Classroom Programs at Flat Rock Brook — On-site classroom programs are 45 to 60 minutes each.
• Outreach — Outreach programs bring nature into classrooms and other group settings; programs are 45 minutes to one hour long.
• Birds of Prey — All ages · Presentation featuring live birds of prey.
• Staying Alive — Grades K through 4 · Students learn about animal adaptations that help them survive in their habitat.
• Life Cycles — Grades K through 3 · Explores the stages of a bullfrog's life and what an oak tree grows from.
• Wacky Weather — Grades K through 8 · Introduces weather concepts and how weather affects plants, animals, land, and climate change.
• Invaluable Invertebrates — Grades K through 3 · Looks at invertebrates and their uses.
• In The Forest — Pre-K through second Grade · Uses a model tree to discuss New Jersey forests and forest animals.
• Not In My House! — Pre-K through Grade 3 · Includes a book, game, and discussion about the best choices for a pet.
• In The Night — Pre-K through Grade 2 · Explores creatures of the night with a story, game, craft, and discussion.
• In The Meadow — Pre-K through Grade 2 · Explores what makes a meadow special and who might call it home.

At a glance

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• General schedule: Programs are offered year-round. Field trip lessons are held outdoors; programs run outdoors during light rain or snow flurries. On-site classroom programs are 45 to 60 minutes each. Outreach programs are 45 minutes to one hour long.
• Facility hours: Nature Center is open 9am-5pm on weekdays and 1pm-5pm on weekends; building hours are 9am-5pm weekdays and 1pm-5pm Saturday and Sunday; trails are open from dawn until dusk.

About the provider

Flat Rock Brook was founded in 1973 by citizens committed to land conservation and environmental education. Its mission is to offer year-round environmental education programs for schools and the general public in order to foster knowledge of the natural world and to instill a sense of responsibility to protect it. The Executive Director is Stephen Wiessner.

All lessons are outdoors. There is no charge for teachers or adult chaperones at a ratio of 2 adults per 10 students. Weather-related cancellations will be refunded or rescheduled. Rain dates are not reserved. Programs may run during light rain or snow flurries. Dogs, bicycles, fires, BBQs, alcoholic beverages, smoking, fishing/netting, and removal of natural materials are prohibited in the park. Stay on marked trails.

Last updated October 19, 2026.