🌿 2026 Nature Classes and Events
Sunday, March 1, 2026- POSTPONED
Read Across America
11:00,11:30 a.m.- 10 Families
2:00, 3:30p.m.- 10 families
Around the Pond: Who’s Been Here? by Lindsay Barrett George- Post the story boards around the pond. Each group guided by two volunteers, one reader and one helper. Two people for check-in at morning and afternoon sessions.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Brightwood Park Day (Proposed)
· Fairy Houses
· History tour
· BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND PICNIC
· Nature Walks
· Photography??
· Birding??
· Nature Class??
Summer Program- tentative based on availability of volunteers
July 21 and 23, 2026 -9:30-11:00a.m.- 2nd-4h Graders
July 28, 29, 30, 2026- 9:30-11:00 – 5-8th Graders
Bird Watching
Monthly, expert led, bird watching group.
History Tours
Special Occasions- schedule when appropriate- 250th USA Birthday Celebration, Juneteenth??
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Plein Air with Westfield Art Association
Plein Air for Children (have children separately on May 30)
Plant-A-Tree- Manette will advise if this is happening and what date
Saturday, October 24, 2026- Rain Date October 25
FOBP Halloween Jack O Lantern Trail
Nature Classes – 10:00-10:45a.m.- 2-4 years old with an adult
3:45- 4:45p.m.- 4–8-year-olds
Planning on a weekend class in April to decide if registration would improve with a weekend event.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Clouds and Weather
Look up and learn about what we see in the sky. Clouds are fun to observe and help us learn about weather, climate, and the Earth. Watching clouds helps us to slow down and observe. Let’s lie down and look up!
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Brightwood Park Treasure Hunters
Hidden under logs, beneath a boulder, in a stream; there are amazing treasures in Brightwood Park. Using map skills, a compass and magnifying glasses, have a scavenger hunt for the amazing surprises that can be found in Brightwood Park.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
What’s In the Pond?
The pond at Brightwood Park is home to many animals and plants. Learn about who and what lives there. Is the pond healthy? Learn about pond safety and how to have fun on our pond.
Thursday, June 18
Dirt + Water = Mud
It is Hot! Let’s get wet! We are in the woods. Let’s play in the dirt or MAYBE we should make MUD! Join us in our mud kitchen. Join us on our mud raceway. Join us making mud nests. Let’s make mud potions. We are going to get wet and dirty so wear your grungy clothes.
Thursday, September 18, 2026
Art In the Park 2
We will observe and create art and beauty in Brightwood Park. First we will identify natural art in the park. Then using our senses, we will discover how nature has created unique artistic expressions. After viewing natural objects we will make our own works of art, modeling our work after Vincent Van Gogh who painted several sweeping landscapes.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Fall Hike in Brightwood Park
Enjoy Fall by hiking in Brightwood Park. We will make our own personalized hiking sticks and then use them to hike through Brightwood Park. We will identify trees by the shape and color of leaves, the texture of bark and the shape of the trees. Take home your hiking sticks and newly learned skills for identifying natural objects.
Thursday, November 19
Let It Snow!
Introduce the new season coming in December: WINTER! Snow only happens in winter in NJ because snow needs moisture and FREEZING cold. Explore snow’s shape and feel and fun! Dress for a cold experience in Brightwood Park and look for signs of the approaching season
Read Across America
11:00,11:30 a.m.- 10 Families
2:00, 3:30p.m.- 10 families
Around the Pond: Who’s Been Here? by Lindsay Barrett George- Post the story boards around the pond. Each group guided by two volunteers, one reader and one helper. Two people for check-in at morning and afternoon sessions.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Brightwood Park Day (Proposed)
· Fairy Houses
· History tour
· BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND PICNIC
· Nature Walks
· Photography??
· Birding??
· Nature Class??
Summer Program- tentative based on availability of volunteers
July 21 and 23, 2026 -9:30-11:00a.m.- 2nd-4h Graders
July 28, 29, 30, 2026- 9:30-11:00 – 5-8th Graders
Bird Watching
Monthly, expert led, bird watching group.
History Tours
Special Occasions- schedule when appropriate- 250th USA Birthday Celebration, Juneteenth??
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Plein Air with Westfield Art Association
Plein Air for Children (have children separately on May 30)
Plant-A-Tree- Manette will advise if this is happening and what date
Saturday, October 24, 2026- Rain Date October 25
FOBP Halloween Jack O Lantern Trail
Nature Classes – 10:00-10:45a.m.- 2-4 years old with an adult
3:45- 4:45p.m.- 4–8-year-olds
Planning on a weekend class in April to decide if registration would improve with a weekend event.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Clouds and Weather
Look up and learn about what we see in the sky. Clouds are fun to observe and help us learn about weather, climate, and the Earth. Watching clouds helps us to slow down and observe. Let’s lie down and look up!
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Brightwood Park Treasure Hunters
Hidden under logs, beneath a boulder, in a stream; there are amazing treasures in Brightwood Park. Using map skills, a compass and magnifying glasses, have a scavenger hunt for the amazing surprises that can be found in Brightwood Park.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
What’s In the Pond?
The pond at Brightwood Park is home to many animals and plants. Learn about who and what lives there. Is the pond healthy? Learn about pond safety and how to have fun on our pond.
Thursday, June 18
Dirt + Water = Mud
It is Hot! Let’s get wet! We are in the woods. Let’s play in the dirt or MAYBE we should make MUD! Join us in our mud kitchen. Join us on our mud raceway. Join us making mud nests. Let’s make mud potions. We are going to get wet and dirty so wear your grungy clothes.
Thursday, September 18, 2026
Art In the Park 2
We will observe and create art and beauty in Brightwood Park. First we will identify natural art in the park. Then using our senses, we will discover how nature has created unique artistic expressions. After viewing natural objects we will make our own works of art, modeling our work after Vincent Van Gogh who painted several sweeping landscapes.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Fall Hike in Brightwood Park
Enjoy Fall by hiking in Brightwood Park. We will make our own personalized hiking sticks and then use them to hike through Brightwood Park. We will identify trees by the shape and color of leaves, the texture of bark and the shape of the trees. Take home your hiking sticks and newly learned skills for identifying natural objects.
Thursday, November 19
Let It Snow!
Introduce the new season coming in December: WINTER! Snow only happens in winter in NJ because snow needs moisture and FREEZING cold. Explore snow’s shape and feel and fun! Dress for a cold experience in Brightwood Park and look for signs of the approaching season