![It may be cold outside, but Trailside Nature and Science Center is gearing up for summer camp. Trailside Senior Park Naturalist Joe Filo introduces a horseshoe crab to children in the ‘Ocean Wonders’ summer camp program. These campers enjoyed visiting Sandy Hook last summer where they learned about the ocean and its inhabitants. Ocean Wonders is one of many summer camp programs offered by Trailside Nature and Science Center.](https://i0.wp.com/old.unionnewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/UCL-trailside-summer-camp-C-300x215.jpg?resize=300%2C215)
UNION COUNTY — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation have announced a new and exciting season of summer camps and family programs at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.
“Trailside summer programs offer adults and children a great opportunity to explore the outdoors while learning about nature,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Each Trailside camp and family program is filled with hands-on, educational activities that encourage a child’s natural curiosity. Theme hikes, games and crafts are all part of the Trailside experience.”
Due to the popularity of Trailside’s summer programs, a lottery system will be used beginning Saturday, Feb. 8, and continuing through Friday, Feb. 21, or until all numbers have been drawn. Union County residents may visit Trailside to draw a lottery number from noon to 5 p.m. daily. There are more than 500 numbers.
Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, will be required to draw a number and only one number may be drawn per family/address. Registrants must pick their own lottery ticket for their family, and each registrant’s name, address, lottery number and arrival time will be recorded when the lottery number is chosen. The number drawn will indicate the registrant’s position on line and time of arrival for registration day, scheduled for Saturday, March 1.
Summer Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, for Union County residents who have drawn a lottery ticket. Registrants must bring their ticket with them to register and must be present when their number is called or their position in line will be forfeited. Each ticket holder may only register their child/family.
If a registrant arrives after their number is called, but within their designated registration hour indicated on their lottery ticket, they may register at the end of the one-hour time block. If the registrant misses their one hour time block entirely, they may return at 3:30 p.m. to register. No exceptions will be made.
Registration for out-of-county residents will begin Monday, March 3, from noon to 4:45 p.m. Lottery tickets will not be required and registration will continue until all programs are filled.
For information about Trailside’s 2014 Summer Camps, including registration procedures, please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web atwww.ucnj.org/trailside.
Summer brochures and registration cards will be distributed during the February lottery. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.