This year we are excited to offer two programs for High School Students interested in conservation…

Environmental Leaders Academy (ELA)

…a week-long, residential program for High School students. Application required.

Click here to learn more about and apply for ELA

and

Watershed University

…a daytime program for High School students. Open enrollment!

Scroll down to learn more and register for Watershed University!

Watershed University Summer Program

for High School Students interested in conservation

Dates: July 14 through July 18

Time: 10 am to 2 pm with free optional activities from 9-10 am and 2-3 pm

Cost: $400/week. Scholarships available.

Location: Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road in Gladstone, NJ 07934

Registration Open Soon

Watershed University Alumni: Alumni may sign up for one-day sessions, for as many days as you like. Cost: $50 per day. Please contact Lauren for the link to sign up. Alumni do not need to re-apply.

Learn about conservation topics like surveying for water quality

This week-long certificate program is built for High School Students wishing to gain insights in the environmental field, make impactful change, and serve their communities. Each day includes a speaker, hands-on scientific exploration, and team building, making for an experience designed to inspire and empower.

Participants will learn each day from experts in the environmental field, and will examine environmental and social topics that affect local and global resource conservation challenges. On-the-ground conservation projects allow students to gain skills in scientific research, communication, and build connections within a group of people working to make a difference.

A picnic lunch each day helps students unwind, and gives space for unstructured discussion. Outdoor activities and a mostly tech-free atmosphere allow creativity and critical thinking to flow. Students will have the option to participate in additional activities during the week such as morning meditation and yoga, organic gardening, visual art projects, fishing in the pond, and a kayak trip on Friday!

Kayak trip on Fridays

This program will allow participants to explore future fields of study in college and beyond preparing for career opportunities in environmental science, conservation and environmental education.  Students will also connect with RHA staff and partners for advanced learning, community service, citizen science projects, and internships.

A misty-morning bird survey

Sample Schedules (2025 Schedules will be posted soon!)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Nature Illustration

with Julie Goetz

 Nature Illustration

with Julie Goetz

 Nature Illustration

with Julie Goetz
GIS Mapping

with Director of GIS, Melissa Mitchell

  

Green Infrastructure

with Dr Chris Obropta, Director of the NJ Water Resources Research Institute

 

 Composting

with Adison Evans of Neighborhood Compost

 Native Plant ID

with Stewardship Manager, Zak Kircher

 Kayak Trip on the South Branch Raritan River
Environmental Justice

with Director of Policy, Bill Kibler

 Biodiversity Study

with Director of Science, Dr. Kristi MacDonald

 Groundwater Conservation

with Associate Director, Mara Tippett

 Stewardship Project

with Stewardship Manager, Zak Kircher
Fishing in the Pond Nature Tie-Dye Paper Making

 

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Nature Illustration

with Julie Goetz

 Nature Illustration

with Julie Goetz

 Nature Illustration

with Julie Goetz
Whats your Watershed Address? Climate Study

with Director of Education, Lauren Theis

 Stream Ecology
with scientists from Raritan Headwaters
 The Story of Salamanders

with Christine Healy from Conserve Wildlife

 Green Matters Funding

with Kathy Lynch, President of Green Matters

 Kayak trip at Round Valley Reservoir

with a visit from New Jersey Water Supply Authority Scientists to talk about Aquatic Plants
Community Grains
with Deborah and Jason DeSalvo
 Microplastics Study

with Director of Science, Dr. Kristi MacDonald

 Algae, Zooplankton, and Harmful Algal Blooms

with EcoExplorers from Montclair State University

 Native Edible and Medicinal Plants

with Robert Lucas, Restoration Coordinator
Fishing in the Pond Nature Tie-Dye Paper Making

A Watershed University student drawing in our Bird and Butterfly Garden

 

At the end of the program, each student will be awarded a certificate outlining their participation in the program.

 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for those that need it. Click here to apply.

 

For questions, contact Lauren at ltheis@raritanheadwaters.org

 

 

Purchase a gift card for friends or family below!

Gift cards can be used for Nature Day Camp, Watershed University, Nature Days Enrichment Programs,

and our Bugs and Blooms program!