Trail Stewards Work Day
Clear trails with the Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We will work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.
If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.
A Labor Day Open House at the Ferry House
Celebrate Labor Day with an Open House at the Johnson Ferry House, from noon until 4pm. Featuring kitchen gardens, foodways, house tours and refreshments!
Falling for Birds: A Migratory Experience
Fall is a busy time for birds in the Garden State! Washington Crossing State Park is uniquely situated to host an influx of migratory bird species as they use the Delaware River as a "migration super highway". Join Washington Crossing State Park naturalist Joe Moore outside the Nature Center at 8am to begin the morning. This outing will include between 2 and 3 miles of walking the accessible pathways of the park. Please bring water, wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring binoculars or a camera if you have them!
Great for all ages and levels of birding ability. New to birding? Come fall in love with the birds at Washington Crossing State Park’s Nature Center!
Nature Journaling: Garden Studies
Get ready to explore the beauty of gardens through fun journaling and sketching in the great outdoors! This program is for ages 18 & older.
Meet at the Nature Center for Nature Journaling! This session is geared towards adults and aspects of the garden. The program will also include a short hike prior to dedicated journaling and drawing time.
A materials of $5 must be paid OR participants can bring their own materials.
Washington Crossing Garden Club
Join the Washington Crossing State Park Garden Club as we tend to the pollinator gardens of the park!
Washington Crossing State Park is forming a Garden Club made up of interested volunteers for the park's 250th year. On this date we will be tending to the pollinator gardens of the park!
Follow the signs at the Park entrance to meet us at the Nature Center with Naturalist Joe Moore. Our fantastic Washington Crossing Garden Club tee-shirts are provided for those who volunteer three (3) times, and gardeners will be treated to pizza afterward, courtesy of the WCPA.
Continental Lane Forest Restoration
Join the WCPA Conservation Crew on a forest restoration project!
We will be planting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers/grasses to restore vital habitat along the historic Continental Lane trail...and we need your help! Meet us at Knox Grove inside the state park (turn right after entering and follow the signs).
Ages 16+. No experience necessary. Bring gloves and a tool like loppers or a shovel if you have them. We will provide extra gloves and tools.
The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Management Council, as funded by the National Park Service, (www.lowerdelawarewildandscenic.org) supported Steele Run Restoration.
Garden Club Workday
Washington Crossing State Park is forming a Garden Club made up of interested volunteers for the park's 250th year. On this date we will be tending to the pollinator gardens of the park!
Follow the signs at the Park entrance to meet us at the Nature Center with Naturalist Joe Moore. Our fantastic Washington Crossing Garden Club tee-shirts are provided for those who volunteer three (3) times, and gardners will be treated to pizza afterward, courtesy of the WCPA!
Hopewell Township Clean Sweep Day / Trail Stewards Work Day
Hopewell Township is sponsoring their annual Spring Fall Sweep Day. Please join our WCPA Team of Trail Stewards and other volunteers to clean trash from the entire perimeter of the Park AND raise funds! We meet at the Hopewell Township Public Works building at 9am to pick up bags, gloves and grabbers, then we go to town on trash : )
Volunteers may contribute from 1 to 4 hours of work during the allotted time...no need to work the entire 4 hours!
Every hour you work will net us a donation from the Township. Please email info@wcpa-nj.com to register for this particular event.
Bats in the Park!
Join park staff at the Phillips Farm fields parking lot located off Bear Tavern Road at 6:30 pm for a walk on the bats of New Jersey.
Bats are one of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Capable of eating over 1,000 insects a night, bats are environmental equalizers to the bug population. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying annoyances are all on the menu once the sun starts to set.
This outing will last approximately one hour and involve walking about one mile. Perfect for all ages and interest levels. Registration is required and spaces are limited! Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bats-in-the-park-tickets-1989172166497 to register.
Falling for Birds: A Migratory Experience
Fall is a busy time for birds in the Garden State! Washington Crossing State Park is uniquely situated to host an influx of migratory bird species as they use the Delaware River as a "migration super highway". Join Washington Crossing State Park naturalist Joe Moore outside the Nature Center at 8am to begin the morning. This outing will include between 2 and 3 miles of walking the accessible pathways of the park. Please bring water, wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring binoculars or a camera if you have them!
Great for all ages and levels of birding ability. New to birding? Come fall in love with the birds at Washington Crossing State Park’s Nature Center! This is a FREE event.
Faces of the Forest - Natural Clay Shaping
Join park staff on a program working with natural clays found right here in Washington Crossing State Park!
This program will visit natural clay locations within the park and find materials to sculpt Faces of the Forest. This program will meet at the Nature Center by noon and hike a short distance to gather materials.
Fall Foliage Hike at Washington Crossing State Park
Peak foliage in central New Jersey hits at around the end of October! Come for one of the best autumn views in the State of New Jersey.
Join park staff at the Nature Center for a lesiurely hike through the fall foliage.
This outing will walk about a mile and a half on somewhat uneven trails. Fun for ages 6 and up!
Continental Lane Forest Restoration
Join the WCPA Conservation Crew on a forest restoration project!
We will be planting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers/grasses to restore vital habitat along the historic Continental Lane trail...and we need your help! Meet us at Knox Grove inside the state park (turn right after entering and follow the signs).
Ages 16+. No experience necessary. Bring gloves and a tool like loppers or a shovel if you have them. We will provide extra gloves and tools.
The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Management Council, as funded by the National Park Service, (www.lowerdelawarewildandscenic.org) supported Steele Run Restoration.
Woodpeckers at the Park!
Winter is the best time to look for woodpeckers and Washington Crossing State Park is full of these three-toed environmental engineers! This free program will focus on the various species of woodpecker in the park including Hairy, Red-bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers. This program will walk about two miles in search of woodpeckers and their allies. Please meet at the Nature Center by 9 AM. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking. No registration is required. All ages welcome.
Meet us at the Nature Center in Washington Crossing State Park. The Park’s entrance is on Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, halfway between Route 29 and Bear Tavern Road. Follow the signs to reach the Nature Center!
WCSP Garden Club: Winter Sowing
Join the Washington Crossing Garden Club for a Winter Sowing project at the Nature Center. Winter sowing involves preparing and planting seeds for spring planting. These plants will be used through out the park in our gardens, meadows, and for conservation projects.
Senior Trail Stewards Work Day
Clear trails with the Senior Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.
If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.
Continental Lane Forest Restoration
Join the WCPA Conservation Crew on a forest restoration project!
We will inspect and weed around the 600 native tree and shrub seedlings that we have planted along the historic Continental Lane Trail to ensure they continue to thrive. Then we will return later this year to plant 200 more! Meet us at Knox Grove inside the state park (turn right after entering and follow the signs).
Ages 16+. No experience necessary. Bring gloves and a tool like shears or pruners if you have them. We will provide extra gloves and tools.
The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Management Council, as funded by the National Park Service, (www.lowerdelawarewildandscenic.org) supported Steele Run Restoration.
Nature Journaling Week 4: Lichen
This program is geared towards ages 8 to 14 years old. Get ready to explore the beauty of trees through fun journaling and sketching in the great outdoors! Follow the signs to meet at the Park’s Nature Center each Sunday of August for Nature Journaling! These sessions will include a short hike prior to dedicated journaling and drawing time. Each weekend will be a new theme. A materials fee of $5.00 will be paid only for the first class attended and parents must stay in the park during the program. Please call the Nature Center at (609) 737-0609 with any questions.
Duties of a Continental Regimental Surgeon
The discussion will be simple enough for everyone, but those in the medical field are welcome to ask more technical questions at the end of the program. Everyone will come away with something they didn't know beforehand!
Marjy Wienkop was a dental technician for 20 years, and a dental assistant for four more. She is a medical and dental historian of the 18th and 19th centuries, and portrays a military surgeon in both Revolutionary War and Civil War, an 18th century civilian physician, and an 18th century chirurgeon-dentist.
Nature Journaling Week 3: Flowers Part 2
This program is geared towards ages 8 to 14 years old. Get ready to explore the beauty of trees through fun journaling and sketching in the great outdoors! Follow the signs to meet at the Park’s Nature Center each Sunday of August for Nature Journaling! These sessions will include a short hike prior to dedicated journaling and drawing time. Each weekend will be a new theme. A materials fee of $5.00 will be paid only for the first class attended and parents must stay in the park during the program. Please call the Nature Center at (609) 737-0609 with any questions.
Nature Journaling Week 2: Flowers
This program is geared towards ages 8 to 14 years old. Get ready to explore the beauty of flowers through fun journaling and sketching in the great outdoors! Follow the signs to meet at the Park’s Nature Center each Sunday of August for Nature Journaling! These sessions will include a short hike prior to dedicated journaling and drawing time. Each weekend will be a new theme. A materials fee of $5.00 will be paid only for the first class attended and parents must stay in the park during the program. Please call the Nature Center at (609) 737-0609 with any questions.
Outwaters Encampment PLUS....Peach Ice Cream!
A Triple Play at the Park!
Outwater’s Militia will return for their annual Revolutionary War Encampment at Washington Crossing State Park! Come and see the soldiers drill in preparation for action against his majesty’s troops. Stroll through the encampment when the soldiers are not drilling and learn about the life and times of the Revolutionary War! Join us near the new Museum.
ALSO: 1740’s Peach Ice Cream at the Johnson Ferry House!
PLUS: 1950’s Peach Ice Cream at the Nelson House!
Samples are available at each house. Which is better? Taste and see…you decide!
Fungi of Washington Crossing State Park
POSTPONED TO AUGUST 8TH DUE TO RAIN ON JULY 18TH!
Experience the fungi of Washington Crossing with experienced volunteers of the NJ Mycology Association.
Meet at the Nature Center by 10 AM for a short introduction to the fungi of New Jersey followed by a hike around fungi rich sections of the park. In total, this program will last about 2 hours and the walking portion will travel up to 1.5 miles.
There will be no foraging for fungi on this outing, but all questions to our guides are welcomed!
Trail Stewards Work Day
Clear trails with the Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We will work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.
If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.
Senior Trail Stewards Work Day
Clear trails with the Senior Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.
If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.
Nature Journaling Week 1: Trees
This program is geared towards ages 8 to 14 years old. Get ready to explore the beauty of trees through fun journaling and sketching in the great outdoors! Follow the signs to meet at the Park’s Nature Center each Sunday of August for Nature Journaling! These sessions will include a short hike prior to dedicated journaling and drawing time. Each weekend will be a new theme. A materials fee of $5.00 will be paid only for the first class attended and parents must stay in the park during the program. Please call the Nature Center at (609) 737-0609 with any questions.
The Washington Crossing Garden Club Presents: Hummingbirds
Explore the fast-flying world of hummingbirds with Park Naturalist Joe Moore. Hummingbirds are unique in the animal kingdom. This presentation by Park Naturalist Joe Moore will explore the world of these fast flying birds. How to best see them, feed them, and also the species of hummingbird you are most likely to encounter.
This event is presented by the Washington Crossing State Park Garden Club. Light refreshments will be available. This is a free event but donations are appreciated and will go towards the Washington Crossing Garden Club.
Continental Lane Forest Restoration
Join the WCPA Conservation Crew on a forest restoration project!
We will inspect and weed around the 600 native tree and shrub seedlings that we have planted along the historic Continental Lane Trail to ensure they continue to thrive. Then we will return later this year to plant 200 more!
Ages 16+. No experience necessary. Bring gloves and a tool like shears or pruners if you have them. We will provide extra gloves and tools.
The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Management Council, as funded by the National Park Service, (www.lowerdelawarewildandscenic.org) supported Steele Run Restoration.
Songs and Stories of The American Revolution
Join us for “Songs and Stories of The American Revolution.” Using rousing period songs and stories, Matthew Dodd will take you back to the early days of the American Revolution. Come and learn some American History on the second floor of the Stone Barn. Open to all, please call 609-737-0623 for info.
Trail Stewards Work Day
Clear trails with the Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We will work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.
If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.
Senior Trail Stewards Work Day
Clear trails with the Senior Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.
If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.
Fireworks Over the Delaware
Pennsylvania’s Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park Fireworks Display over the Delaware will start at 9:15pm, weather permitting. They’ll be shooting from a barge in the middle of the river, so there will be fantastic views in every direction.
Washington Crossing Bridge will CLOSE to all vehicular traffic from 6pm-11pm.
The bridge will then be CLOSED to pedestrians from 8-10pm. Firework viewers will need to be on their “side” by 8pm.
The fireworks will immediately follow a big band concert in the outdoor amphitheater of the new Museum, by the Blawenburg Band, from 8-9:15pm.
Free event parking will be provided thanks to a donation by Mrs. G. Both sides expect thousands of visitors, so be prepared to arrive early and follow the signs!
The Blawenburg Band
The Blawenburg Band will perform at the new Museum & Visitors Center outdoor amphitheater from 8-9:15 pm.
The band’s musical programming is diverse, with a repertoire that includes American favorites, Broadway and movie medleys, marches, works by local composers, and popular classics. For our country's 250th anniversary, they will include a selection of authentic music that would have been heard during the revolution!
The band’s conductor, Dr. Jerry Rife has been the directing the Blawenburg Band since 1985. Under his guidance, the band has grown from a small-town band in the 1980s to a 75-member musical organization that performs about 15 concerts each year. Dr. Rife’s leadership has moved the band to a prominent position in New Jersey.
Bring a snack (no alcohol allowed!) and enjoy these fine performers!
Fourth of July Celebrations at the Park
Park staff will feature Living History Demonstrations outside of the new Museum & Visitors Center, and in the Johnson Ferry House from 1-4pm, with readings of the Declaration of Independence and activities for all ages.
July 4th Continental Lane Hike
Hike down the park's Continental Lane Trail to celebrate the nation's 250th! This free 2-mile hike will feature history, lore, and nature. It will follow one of the presumed paths of Washington and his troops after disembarking from the banks of the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776.
Enjoy the natural aspect of the trail as well as hear the history of Washington’s historic crossing. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Bring binoculars or a camera if you have them. Binoculars are available on a first come, first serve basis. This is a free program. All ages welcome.
The Park’s entrance is on Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, halfway between Route 29 and Bear Tavern Road. Please meet in the parking lot at the front entrance to the park by 10 a.m. to meet the group.
Thomas Jefferson Live
John Stewart has been deeply interested in the life of Thomas Jefferson ever since he was a student at the University of Virginia.
John has lectured on Jefferson's life and influence in American History to schools, civic groups and business audiences around Florida, and up the east coast, for over 30 years. Visit his website, thomasjeffersonlive.com, for more information.
Now, John portrays Jefferson in clothing, language, and ideas. He will be speaking on “How a Lad from Rural Virginia Came to Write the Declaration of Independence”. He will go into some depth on Jefferson’s thinking and suitability for this watershed event in American history. An important part of his presentation takes the form of answering questions from the audience. You will be entertained by his convincing portrayal of Jefferson, as well as benefited from his extensive knowledge of Jefferson's life.
John’s commitment to the preservation of the lessons and examples of historic early American personalities is complimented by his work as past President of the Palm Beach and St. Petersburg Chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution, his work as state chair of the annual SAR Knight Essay Contest for high school students, and over 160 appearances before audiences large and small, and in classrooms, which focused on teaching the facts about the American Revolution and Thomas Jefferson. Another notable contribution of his is a teaching video by Jefferson requested by the Florida Dept. of Education for statewide classroom enrichment purposes.
Volunteer Opportunity: Washington Crossing State Park Cleanup
Join us at the Park’s Nature Center to continue the Washington Crossing State Park 250th cleanup initiative!
Join us at the Park’s Nature Center for the launch of the Washington Crossing State Park cleanup initiative! This program was developed by Park Naturalist Joe Moore to maintain our grounds in pristine condition and protect the local environment.
Why Join Us?
It’s Easy & Fun: A great way to enjoy the outdoors while giving back.
Show the Love: Help preserve the natural beauty of our park.
Strengthen Our Community: Connect with neighbors and fellow park supporters.
Fight Pollution: Take active steps to reduce environmental impact.
Requirement: Ages 16 and older.
We look forward to seeing everyone there to help keep our park beautiful!
