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PACK 172 | |||
| Field Trip Ideas | ||||
|
PACK 172 | |||
| Field Trip Ideas | ||||
Field trips can be exciting and fun for Scouts of all ages. There are many terrific places to visit in and around the Westfield, NJ area. Here are just a few. |
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Aviation Hall of Fame and
Museum of New Jersey This museum is dedicated to the preservation of New Jersey's aviation and space heritage. See also Aviation Hall of Fame. |
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Brightwood Park Take your scouts up to Westfield's natural preserve for a short hike or to practice skipping stones in the large pond. The boys can look for deer and other woodland animals or go on a nature treasure hunt. |
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Big Sky Bread Company Big Sky offers tours of the bakery along with a demonstration on bread making. Younger Scouts really seem to enjoy the visit. |
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Black River and Western Railroad The Black River and Western Railroad offers hour long passenger train rides using a restored black steam locomotive or 1950's diesel. Throughout the year, special train events are staged, including The Great Train Robbery in May. |
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Brunswick Edison Bowl This bowling alley will take a reservation from Cub Scout dens. If they are not too busy, they will give the boys a tour of the machine area (it's loud in there) as part of the visit. The boys may even come home with a souvenir bowling pin! |
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Canoeing and
Kayaking The Somerset County Park Commission offers a variety of canoeing and kayaking programs from introductory classes to guided paddling trips on New Jersey rivers and streams. The Introductory Canoe program teaches adults and children, ages 6 and over, to learn to canoe. An adult must accompany children, and paddlers must be at least 8 years old. Each canoe can accommodate two paddlers and a child passenger. |
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Cheesequake
State Park The Cheesequake State Park features 1,284 acres of open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, Pine Barrens, a hardwood forest, a White Cedar swamp, a multitude of wildlife and close to 200 species of birds. Activities for scouts include hiking, boating, canoeing, swimming and a variety of winter sports. An Interpretive Center provides live wildlife exhibits and environmental education programs, including nature walks. See also Cheesequake. |
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Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park The Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park is an historic village located in the Watchung Reservation. The area was first settled in the early 1700's and became a thriving mill town in the years prior to the Civil War. Currently, Union County is restoring the village's 10 remaining buildings and 130 acre grounds. Public walking tours are offered periodically throughout the year, including a Mischief Night Tour at Halloween. |
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Dreyfuss
Planetarium The Dreyfuss Planetarium is located on the first floor of the Newark Museum. It features a 24-foot diameter perforated aluminum dome that seats 50 guests. Programs on space exploration, Mars and the night sky scheduled throughout the year. See also, Dreyfuss Planetarium. |
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Environmental
Education Center The Environmental Education Center, operated by the Somerset County Park Commission, is located on the western border of the Great Swamp Refuge in Lord Stirling Park. The park has a varied program of environmental education courses, guided field trips, and 8 1/2 miles of walking trails. See also, Environmental Education Center. |
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Edison National Historic Site This is a great place for scouts to realize the genius of one of America's great inventors (1,093 patents). Edison worked at this laboratory for the last 44 years of his life, developing improvements in storage batteries, the phonograph and motion pictures. Visitors can tour the Main Lab, the Chemistry Lab and the Powerhouse, which, today, houses a Museum and a Visitors Center. See also Edison National Historic Site. |
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Ellis Island Ellis Island is the symbol of America's immigrant heritage. It was the gateway to America for more than 12,000,000 immigrants between 1892 and 1954. Many Cub Scouts have ancestors who came to America through Ellis Island. The boys may enjoy a visit to the Museum in conjunction with an outing to the Statue of Liberty. See also, Ellis Island National Monument. |
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Fitness Trail at Nomahegan Park Scouts will enjoy testing their fitness skills as they hike along the Fitness Trail at Nomahegan Park. There are 10 or more stations along the trail where scouts can do leg stretches, sit-ups, pull-ups and much more. |
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Forest
Resource Education Center |
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Fosterfields Living
Historical Farm Learn about farming as it was done 100 years ago at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. There are weekend demonstrations on planting, cultivating and harvesting crops as well as special programs held throughout the year. Some of these include wheelwright and carpentry demonstrations, sheep shearing and carriage driving. There are guided tours of the farmhouse, The Willows, built by Civil War General Joseph Warren Revere, grandson of Paul Revere. See also, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. |
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Great Swamp National Wildlife
Refuge This is a great place for scouts to hike and to observe wildlife. The refuge is approximately 7,500 acres and is divided into 2 areas. The Wildlife Management Area lies on the western half of the Ridge and provides an optimum habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including nesting areas for migratory birds. The Wilderness Area lies on the eastern half of the Ridge. All traces of man have been removed from this area. Call the Refuge Headquarters for information before visiting. See also, The Great Swamp or Great Swamp. |
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Great Swamp Outdoor
Education Center The Outdoor Education Center, located on the eastern side of the Refuge, offers a varied natural sciences program of classes and guided tours. It also provides one mile of trail and boardwalk for the public. See also, Nature, Birds--Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center. |
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The HMDC Environment
Center Spend a day or an afternoon at the Hackensack Meadowlands Environmental Center. There are numerous exhibits on environmental issues and special programs held throughout the year. Stop by the reception desk for trail guides and bird watching lists before you venture out on the long network of boardwalks winding through the cattails and salt marsh of the Meadowlands. Use the website to make Field Guides with your scout before the visit. See also, Hackensack Meadowlands Environment Center. |
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Holiday Lights at Duke Island Park Drive through a new holiday tradition benefiting the The Patriots' Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The light show operates from 6-10 PM every day from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Admission is $12 per car (Group rates available). Discount coupons are available at the Wyatt Service Center during November and December. | ||
Intrepid Museum The Intrepid is an aircraft carrier that houses a sea, air and space museum. Vintage and modern aircraft are on display as well as the world's fastest spy plane, the A-12 Blackbird. Tours of the submarine, Growler, and the destroyer, Edson, are also available nearby. Special programs are scheduled throughout the year, including the Navy Seals and USO shows. See also USS Growler and USS Edson. | ||
Jockey Hollow Trail Hike The Jockey Hollow Trail is located within the Morristown National Historical Park. The trail has been in existence for almost 40 years and serves both the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. Cub Scouts hike the inner trail loop and learn about life at Jockey Hollow when George Washington marched his troops in during the miserable winter of 1777. The trail starts at the Visitors' Center and stops for visits at the Wick House/Gardens and Soldiers' Huts. A scavenger hunt is also incorporated into the trail hike. A patch ($1.50) is available to recognize this activity. See also, Morristown National Historical Park. |
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Liberty Science Center The Liberty Science Center has 3 themed floors (Environment, Health and Invention) with lots of interactive, hands-on exhibits. Yes, scouts can touch just about everything here! The IMAX Dome Theater show and the 3-D laser show are entertaining as well as educational. New to Liberty Science Center is the Scout It Out program where scouts can earn credits toward badge requirements in areas such as Animals, Energy and Engineering. Programs are adjusted to be age-appropriate for Cub Scouts as well as Boy Scouts. See also, Scout It Out. |
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Liberty State Park Visit Liberty State Park and stroll along Liberty Walkway overlooking the Hudson River. Scouts will enjoy the spectacular views of the New York City skyline, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Stop in and see the Central Railroad Terminal before visiting the Liberty Science Center located nearby. See also, Liberty State Park . |
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Miller-Cory House
Museum The Miller-Cory House is a living museum depicting an average New Jersey homestead of the mid-18th century. On Sunday afternoons, costumed docents and trained artisans introduce visitors to 18th century life as they demonstrate colonial crafts and cooking. See also Miller-Cory House. |
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The Model Railroad Club The Model Railroad Club is an activity of the Union County Park System. The Club is open to visitors every Saturday afternoon for viewing the HO and N-scale model train layouts. Every fall, the Club sponsors a Light and Sound show that will delight the model train enthusiasts in your den. |
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Morris Museum The Morris Museum is the third largest museum in New Jersey. It has an extensive art collection as well as permanent exhibitions in Natural Science, Rocks and Minerals, Dinosaurs and Fossils, and an American Indian Gallery. Traveling exhibitions visit the museum throughout the year. Family programs are offered on the weekends and during the summer. |
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Morristown National Historical Park The Morristown National Park preserves General George Washington's military headquarters in New Jersey from 1779 - 1780. The park covers 1,700 acres and is divided into four areas: Washington's Headquarters at the Jacob Ford Mansion, Fort Nonsense, Jockey Hollow and the New Jersey Brigade Unit. Not all areas can be seen in one visit by young scouts. A separate visit for the Jockey Hollow Trail Hike is recommended. See also, Morristown National Historic Park. |
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Museum of Early Trades and Crafts The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts is a historical museum celebrating pre-industrial trades, crafts and family life in 19th century New Jersey. Scouts can see what school was like 200 years ago by visiting a re-created classroom. Other permament exhibits include a cooper's shop, a small distillery, a shoemaker's shop and a cabinetmakers's shop. Special exhibits are presented approximately four times a year. See also, The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. |
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Newark Airport The Airport offers free tours covering the history of the airport, terminal operations, and emergency vehicles and equipment for groups of 15 to 30 persons. The tours are geared for students in grades 3 and above. See also Newark International Airport. |
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The Newark Museum The Newark Museum is the largest museum complex in New Jersey. It houses collections of paintings and sculptures from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Pacific regions. It also showcases a large natural sciences exhibit and even houses a mini zoo. The Newark Museum is home to the famous Dreyfuss Planetarium. See also, Mini Zoo and Explore the World of Science at the Newark Museum. |
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New Jersey Museum of Agriculture The New Jersey Museum of Agriculture documents the history of farming in New Jersey from Native Americans to the present. The museum is housed in a 30,000 square foot barn surrounded by open fields. Special weekend programs are offered in the spring. |
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New Jersey Naval Museum The New Jersey Naval Museum is dedicated to educating state residents about New Jersey's naval heritage and navy history in general. The museum is home to the USS Ling SS 297, a 312-foot long Balao Class World War II submarine. Guided tours of the submarine are available. See also New Jersey Naval Museum. |
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Pequest Trout Hatchery and
Natural Resource Education Center Any Scout with an interest in fishing, wildlife or the outdoors will enjoy a visit to the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center. The center offers visitors a look at how 600,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout are raised each year for stocking the public waters of New Jersey. A 15-minute video shows the trout rearing operation from egg-gathering to stocking, and a self-guided tour allows visitors to see where the trout are actually raised. The exhibit hall contains live fish as well as a display of mounted New Jersey wildlife specimens. A year-round schedule of weekend programs are offered, including an actual fishing experience at the "Fishing Education Pond". |
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The Raptor Trust The Raptor Trust is a wild bird rehabilitation center located adjacent to the Great Swamp. The center includes a hospital for the care of injured birds, outdoor cages and aviaries for permanent residents (approximately 100 hawks, eagles and owls), and an education center. An afternoon visit to the Raptor Trust is a delighful experience for Cub Scouts. The boys will delight in seeing so many wonderful species of birds of prey. The boys can also learn how to prevent injuries to birds as well as how to help an injured bird. |
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Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Planetarium offers general public shows and laser concerts for all ages as well as a Starlab Workshop during the summer months. |
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Revolutionary War Cemetery The Revolutionary War Cemetery is the final resting place of many generations of Westfield families. The oldest recorded burial here dates back to 1730. Older Scouts may appreciate seeing the graves of Westfield veterans of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars as well as reading the inscriptions on old tombstones. As a courtesy, call the Presbyterian Church office before visiting. |
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Rollerblading at Tamaques Park Scouts would definitely enjoy several loops around Tamaques Park on their rollerblades. Older scouts may want to practice jogging and other Webelos physical fitness skills. The trail is marked in 1/10 mile increments for the boys to measure their progress. |
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Roosevelt Intermediate School Tour Satisy your growing curiosity about middle school by going on a tour of Roosevelt Intermediate School with a Boy Scout. Ask you Den Chief or another Boy Scout to show you around your future school. Make sure you ask permission from the School Office beforehand. |
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Somerset Patriots Baseball A trip to the ballpark is one of the favorite activities for Scouts in Pack 172. Several times throughout the season, the Somerset Patriots sponsor a Scout Night with the Patriots when scouts in the Patriots Path Council are honored as special guests. If scouts attend these games, they can order a special patch to commemorate the visit. See also, Courier News Site of the Somerset Patriots or The Atlantic League. |
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Statue of Liberty Lady Liberty was given to the people of the United States by the people of France over 100 years ago. Take a trip by boat to Liberty Island and learn about the Statue of Liberty, our country's grandest symbol of freedom. The Junior Ranger Program, sponsored by the National Park Service, is an ideal way for Scouts to explore the monument and island. See also, Junior Ranger Program. | ||
Trailside Nature and Science Center The Trailside Nature and Science Center is a great place for Cub Scouts. The Visitors' Center and Museum offer numerous exhibits on live reptiles, pond life, geology, taxidermy, the energy cycle, the food chain, birds of prey, fossils and mammals as well as a bird observatory. See Trailside Nature & Science Center. The Planetarium uses a Nova Star Projector to present several star shows. The Center is also the starting point for 13 miles of marked trails, providing Scouts with plenty of opportunities to explore the Watchung Reservation. |
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Turtle
Back Zoo The Turtle Back Zoo is home to many species of animals including deer, wolves, bobcats, cougars, penguins and reptiles. See the animals, have a picnic and enjoy the miniature train ride. Special programs include Camel/Elephant rides in September and Night Moves, a summer program in which Scouts can meet the creatures of the night that live at the zoo. |
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Watchung Reservation Fall Hayride Enjoy a hayride, campfire, hot chocolate and old-fashioned storytelling this fall at the Watchung Reservation. Tickets for the Fall Hayride go on sale in late summer at Trailside. |
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Watchung Stables Watchung Stables is home for 50 to 60 horses. Scouts may enjoy riding a gentle school horse in the main ring or going on a guided trail ride on a Sunday afternoon. If scouts are too young to ride, they may enjoy the Barn Tour as an alternative. This 45 minute tour is a great way to see where the horses live, what they eat, and how they are bathed and groomed. |
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Waterloo Village The Village of Waterloo was an important inland port on the Morris Canal during the early 19th century. The village housed a canal lock and an inclined plane which carried canal boats over the hills by a system of railroad tracks and cables. Today, the village is restored and scouts may visit a Gristmill, Blacksmith Shop, a General Store and several homes depicting life during the 1830's. The Village is large, but a taxi service featuring horse-drawn carriages is available. Waterloo Village is also home to a recreated 17th century Lenape Indian Village. The village is located on an island in Waterloo Lake. The Lenape village includes longhouses, huts, burial rounds, carvings and many articfacts. Scouts will really enjoy exploring the paths and trails that surround the island village. See also, Waterloo Village. |
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Westfield Fire Department Boys love to visit the Fire House and see the engines close-up. Although drops-ins are welcome, make an appointment for a guided tour of the living quarters and musuem. Scouts love to visit over and over again! |
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Westfield Police Station The Police Department welcomes scouts to visit by appointment. Scouts do enjoy the guided tour, which includes the juvenile department, 911 emergency center, booking/fingerprint room and jail (if not occupied). |
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Westfield Rescue Squad The Westfield Rescue Squad is an all volunteer organization that provides emergency medical service to the residents of Westfield. Scouts can visit the squad's headquarters, learn about first-aid, and tour the inside of an ambulance if one is available. | ||
World War I Monument This Westfield landmark was dedicated nearly 80 years ago to memorialize the 18 sons of Westfield who lost their lives during World War I. Many Westfield Streets are named after these brave, young men. These "Gold Star" streets include Brown Avenue, Coleman Place, Cowperthwaite Place and Hanford Place in the Franklin School district. See also, Gold Star Streets. |
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Last Updated: 2/25/02 JRC