Poricy Park has several public programs that run year-round. All programs require pre-registration (www.middletownnj.org/signup) and are available to both Middletown and non-Middletown residents.

Community Fossil Hunts

 - Currently Suspended
April-September (last Sunday of the month, 11:00am-1:00pm)
Come dig up some Middletown history at Poricy Park Brook Fossil Beds. Expect to find marine fossils from the Cretaceous period, 65-72 million years ago. Meet at the Poricy Park Nature Center for a short orientation before traveling to the fossil beds. An experienced guide will provide you with a trowel and sifter, as well as help you identify your treasures. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must register. Age 5+ (please call about younger siblings attending).

Community Science Programs

 - Currently Suspended
September-June (3rd Saturday of the month, 3:00pm-4:00pm)
Every month is a different science or nature themed topic is explored each session. All children must be accompanied by an adult, but only children need to register. Age 5-12 (no younger siblings allowed).

​Family Programming

Resident: $90.00, Non-Resident: $108.00 || Designed for Grades K-5th
Families can book these instructor-led programs for themselves and their friends. Programs are 90 minutes in length, and include a hands-on science experiment, guided outdoor activity, and something to take home. There is a limit of 10 attendees (including all parents and siblings); not a drop-off program. Social distancing guidelines will be followed throughout the program; masks are used at all times inside, and when distance cannot be maintained outside.

Programs are available by appointment only. Please email recreation@middletownnj.org for more information and booking.

Topics Available:

• Fossil Hunt – travel 65-72 million years into the past and (using our equipment) search for marine fossils in Poricy brook
• Aliens in Our Woods – identify the invasive aliens that are damaging our woods and trace the food chains dependent on trees
• Seeds and Soil – get a closer look at both seeds and what in the soil helps them grow; includes a decomposing log dissection!
• Animal Habitats – examine and test different habitat types and then visit some local Poricy habitats, using tracks and scats as clues for finding animals
• Geocaching – learn the basics of using a GPS device and then head into the woods to hunt for caches
• Endangered Animals – consider how NJ animals are uniquely adapted for our state and then how they are threatened by pollution and loss of natural resources

Our four hour field trips usually run 9:30am-1:45pm. They include a break for lunch.

Barn Raising and Watershed Conservation

(1-2 classes per day, grades 3 and up)
September-November, April-June
Get the best of both worlds with this combination science-history program. Half the day is spent learning about colonial barn raising, using historic tools, and visiting the farmhouse. The other half is about our watershed, the impact of pollution on our water supply, and a hike to “follow a raindrop.”

Geo-Explorer 

(1 class per day, grades 4 and up)
January-March
Become a geologist and paleontologist for the day. Identify rocks and minerals and local fossils, excavate real fossils from mock rocks, and learn the geological history of our earth and the special role of NJ in paleontology.

Life on the Murray Farm

(1 class per day, grades 3 and up)
September-December, April-June
What did children do during colonial times? Chores! At our historic farmhouse, interpreters in period dress lead fun activities like gathering food and water, cooking in hearth kitchen, churning butter, going to school and writing with quill pens, and using flint and steel. There might even be some toys and games. Interwoven with the activities is discussion of colonial life, Revolutionary War history, and the story of the farm’s builder Joseph Murray.

Pond Study 

(1 class per day, grades 3-4)
April-June
Dive right into life under the water. Hike down to our local pond, learn in our outdoor classroom, and catch and release some of the diverse life found in this watery habitat. Back in our lab classroom, do some fun experiments about the properties of water and gain and understanding of the pond ecosystem as a whole.

These field trips usually run 10:00am-1:00pm. They include a short break for lunch.

Pond in Rotation

(1-3 classes per day, grades 3-4)
September-October, April-June
Multiple class friendly, this program is divided into three components: pond netting to identify and count the critters living there, water testing in the classroom, and a hike exploring the park’s watershed.

Farmhouse Life

(1-3 class per day+, grades 3 and up)
September-December, April-June
A rotation of three farmhouse stations: inside the farmhouse (writing with quills and cooking in kitchen), outside and garden chores, and barn building with colonial games.

Animal Adaptations

(1-3 classes per day, grades 3-5)
September-November, April-June
Every animal you've ever met fits into its own environment. Through hands on activities, a hike through different ecosystems, and observations and interactions with live animals, students will learn how animals have adapted to survive in the wild. 

These field trips usually run 10:00am-12:00pm or 10:30am-12:30pm. Outdoor picnic area available after the program.

Fossil Hunt

(max of 75 students per day, grades 2 and up)
September-November, April-June
This trip is a unique opportunity for students to collect their own fossils. The Poricy Brook Fossil beds provide marine fossils 65-72 million years old and our instructors provide the clues about how they got there and how to find them. Get a little wet and take home some history!

Animal Architects

(1-3 classes per day, grades PreK-2)
September-December, April-June
People aren’t the only ones who need a place to live. Find some local examples on a hike, handle examples from all around the animal kingdom in our classroom, and learn the important role of habitat in fun group games.

Barn Raising

(1 class per day, grades 3 and up)
September-December, April-June
Take a trip back in time to our 18th century barn. Students can try their hand at some 18th century tools for construction and processing crops, step down into the root cellar, and of course sample some colonial games. Maybe even learn a little American history along the way.

Conserving Our Watershed

(1-2 classes per day, grades 4 and up)
September-December, April-June
Teach your students about water conservation with a walk through Poricy’s local watershed and observe the impacts of pollution with our model enviroscape.

Creepy Crawlies

(1 class per day, PreK-2)
September-June
Kids been bugging you? In this program, they will learn how to identify an insect. With an emphasis on ants, they will try out games that reinforce the importance of group cooperation. Also includes a trip outdoors to collect and identify some specimens.

Rebecca Murray’s Children

(1 class per day, grades PreK-2)
September-November, April-June
A gentle introduction to colonial life. Exploration of the garden, handling children’s clothing, playing with toys, and using kitchen tools are all part of the fun. Take a step back in time by visiting the historic rooms of the four colonial children who lived there.

Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion

(1-3 classes per day, grades 1-4)
September-December, April-June
Explore the impacts of erosion, practice identifying common minerals, hike to search for landforms, and color your way through the rock cycle.

Super Senses

(1 class per day, alternative and special needs children)
September-June
Students explore their senses and relate them to the “super senses” of some animals. Open up the world of nature to each student with a hike, hands-on experiments, and nature hunts.

Winter Habitats

(1 class per day, grades K-2)
December-March
How are animals and plants adapted to survive the winter? On an outdoor walk, children will search for evidence. Back indoors, they will try some experiments to test their findings.