The Ocean Institute is part of the Community Development Division of Brookdale Community College. The Institute serves over 10,000 students and teachers each year at Sandy Hook and elsewhere. Programs and topics include: marine science field trips, oceanographic boat trips, teacher workshops, pollution, wetlands protection and restoration, coastal problems, geology, botany, weather, classroom visits and other special programs on the environment.
Brookdale Community College is the oldest environmental education organization on Sandy Hook and has maintained a facility there for over 25 years. Support for the Ocean Institute comes from participating schools and teachers, and we are not part of any state or federal program. We acknowledge and greatly appreciate the cooperation of the National Park Service for providing a facility for the College at Building 53 in Fort Hancock.
The Institute’s director, Dave Grant, can be contacted for information regarding all programs at: BCC’s Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook, Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732. (Please note that all program scheduling is done by mail at the main campus address and that any information you need for scheduling is contained in the following pages.) The information provided here is a service for teachers and students wishing to schedule our programs or seeking more information about educational possibilities at Sandy Hook.
Dave Grant and Brookdale Community College are a registered provider of Professional Development Hours with the New Jersey State Department of Education. Click here for new Teacher Training Opportunities and here for curriculum materials.
Sandy Hook Field Trips and Boat Trips are scheduled by mail only. We accept reservations up to nine months in advance and encourage teachers to schedule as early as possible, especially for spring programs.
Most programs are described in our Sandy Hook Flyer, which is available on the Web, or can be sent to you if you send us your address. Schools that register for programs will receive a copy of "Your Favorite Field Trip Questions and Our Answers" which gives in-depth answers to all your concerns like: "Do you charge for parents and teachers?" (No.); "Will we need the bus all day?" (Yes.); "Should the kids wear sneakers?" (Yes!); "What if it rains?" (A famous Arctic explorer once said, "An adventure is a poorly planned expedition." We have a weather update line on your reservation sheet so that you can call at any time for weather concerns and cancellation information.
SCHEDULING A TRIP Teachers interested in scheduling a field trip should read our Sandy Hook Flyer on the Web, fill in the application on it, or put the required information on your school letterhead, and mail it to: Sandy Hook/Ocean Institute Reservations: Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732. Please request three (3) dates, each at least a week apart, and we will contact you to confirm which date is open in our calendar. (Hint: "Everyone" requests three Fridays, so they tend to fill up first. Also, "everyone else" requests the end-of-May, first-week-of-June, and those dates often are requested months in advance.) Include a Purchase Order for the full amount and the college will bill your school before the program date.
You can also get information about field trips from Phonemail, if you have a touch-tone phone.
To request a flyer or other information about trips, you can leave your address on Phonemail at (732) 224-2435.
To check on the weather for a program today or tomorrow (and you should be monitoring the weather forecasts 36 hours before your trip to head off any problems) or other updates about programs this week, or directions or travel advisories regarding the roads to Sandy Hook, call Phonemail at (732) 224-2435.
To hear our response to a phone message from you, if we have been unable to get through to you at school, call (after 24 hours) Phonemail at (732) 224-2435.
If, on the morning of your program, you have bus trouble, are delayed, or expect to be more than 15 minutes late, please call us at the Sandy Hook building (732) 872-2284 and if you do not speak with an instructor, please leave a message on Phonemail (732) 224-2901 ext. 7246 (RAIN), so that we know to wait for your class. Thanks for your interest in Brookdale’s Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook. We are looking forward to working with you and your class. Back to the Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions about Field Trips
1. Who are you folks? 2. Why is it so hard to get ahold of you folks on the telephone? 3. Is there a good time to call? 4. What if I absolutely have to get ahold of you TODAY? 5. How do I schedule a trip? 6. How many students can you accommodate? 7. What if our numbers change? 8. What is your student to teacher ratio? 9. How many chaperones do you require? 10. Do these chaperones pay? 11. How do we pay for our trips? 12. What about refunds? 13. Where and when do we meet for our field trip? 14. How do we get to Sandy Hook? 15. Will we need the bus all day and where do we park it? 16. Lunch for the bus drivers 17. When should we get there and how long is our trip? 18. What will we do when we get there? 19. What about lunch? 20. Where are the bathrooms? 21. Is Sandy Hook handicap accessible? 22. What should the kids wear on the trip? 23. Should the kids wear sneakers? 24. What if it rains? 25. What safety concerns will my principal bug me about? 26. Special programs (boat trips, canoe trips, etc.) 27. Merit Badge/Scout Badge Programs 28. Are overnight facilities available? 29. What about lions, tigers and bears? 30. Summer camps? 31. Should we bring a first aid kit? 32. Emergencies Back to the Table of Contents
1. Who are you folks? The Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook is part of the Community Development Office of Brookdale Community College. We are housed in Building 53 in Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook. Although all of the buildings at Sandy Hook are owned by the National Park Service, we are not part of the National Park Service. Although we cooperate with many other organizations, we are not part of any other environmental or marine science groups at Sandy Hook. You should contact these groups directly if you have any questions about their programs (see list of telephone numbers). Back to the FAQ listing.
2. Why is it so hard to get ahold of you folks on the telephone? Although we’re open most days, the only personnel that are hired by the Institute are instructional staff; therefore, we are only available to answer the phone when we are not working with a class. To ensure that there are no mix ups or confusion about your trip, we insist that all field trips be reserved by mail. Because Sandy Hook’s telephone and electrical services are frequently interrupted by storms, we feel that the Postal Service is much more reliable than the cheap Radio Shack phone machine at our office. Please feel free to call our office for information, but please schedule well in advance (six months) and by mail. (Hint: Since most of our schools request dates for their next trip while they are visiting us this year, scheduling usually doesn’t present much of a problem for most of our participating teachers.) Written confirmations can only be sent from the College after we have received a written request from you. (If this scheduling procedure presents a problem to you, please enclose a check for $18,000.00 so that we can hire a secretary to answer the phone while we are out working with all the other schools that contacted us months in advance by mail and received the date that they preferred.) See our scheduling information at the end of this document. Back to the FAQ listing.
3. Is there a good time to call? Yes and no. We are often available to answer the telephone before and after classes at Sandy Hook between 9:00 and 9:30 am and between 2:30 and 3:15 pm daily. However, if we are with students in the classroom, you will get a recording. If so, leave a brief message and times when you are free for us to call you back. (732) 224-2901 ext. 7246(RAIN) Please check the menu on that line for returned messages for teachers before you call us a second or third time. Please remember that we schedule by mail only!
If you’re contacting us about a trip and you call Phone Mail, please provide us with the following information: day and evening telephone number, address, the program you have scheduled, the number of students and date that you are confirming. Please leave us all of this information and it will speed up the process considerably. Please remember that we schedule by mail only. If you leave any information for us on any of our voice mail lines about scheduling a trip, we appreciate the effort, however, you must follow it up with a written request. Back to the FAQ listing.
4. What if I absolutely have to get ahold of you TODAY? If you are calling about a program that is scheduled for today, tonight or tomorrow, and for example, you have concerns about the weather, the earlier in the day that you contact us and leave a message as to when you are available on the phone, the quicker we can get back to you during the school day. Please leave us as many details as you can on your message, then we can pass a response on to you via your school secretary, if you are unavailable when we return your call. It also helps if you give us your secretary’s name to pass on a specific message. If your questions are about the weather and possible cancellations or changes in the program, check first with (732) 224-2435 and the menu options for this information. There will be a daily weather update on this line (732) 224-2901 ext. 7246(RAIN) with information like the following:
"This is the Tuesday, 7:00 AM Weather Update. No rain is expected at Sandy Hook until after 3:00 PM. All programs are running as scheduled, except Mrs. ‘Overworked’ from President ‘Dead White Male’ Junior High School...Mrs. ‘Overworked’, please call us before noon at (732) 224-2901 ext. 7246(RAIN), or have your secretary, Mrs. ‘Underpaid’ leave us a message as to when we can speak with you regarding your evening starwatch. We can plan an indoor activity or reschedule this program."
It is crucial that you check the weather forecast at least 36 hours before your trip and contact us at least a day before your trip if you have any weather concerns. Call us at (732) 224-2901 ext. 7246(RAIN) Back to the FAQ listing.
5. How do I schedule a trip? Please request a field trip flier with a reservation coupon that you may fill out and send to us. Many of our schools book programs with us up to six months in advance to reserve the date of their choice (Usually May 20th!), or fill an entire week with a grade level (Typically the week of May 20th!). Although we do occasionally get a cancellation (Typically there is a waiting list for the week of May 20th...in fact, most of May for that matter!), we cannot guarantee accommodating you unless you register well in advance and by mail.
For an update of our calendar, etc., check the information at the end of the page.
You may also send a written request on school stationary. Please give us the following information:
If you have specific questions or requests, include those on a separate sheet along with your reservation form. We can write the answers on that sheet and return it within a few days. Back to the FAQ listing.
6. How many students can you accommodate? We have a limited number of instructors on any given date, so if you are planning on bringing a large group (100 or more), it is best to schedule at least six months in advance so that we may have enough staff available for your trip. We have no minimum number on trips, however we do have minimum fees if you are bringing a very small group (see reservation sheet). Trips that typically have limits and require very advanced booking are boat and canoe trips, and special lab programs. Back to the FAQ listing.
7. What if our numbers change? As long as you arrive and depart with the same number of students we’ll be happy. However, we hire our staff for the day based on the number of students/classes that you have reserved in advance. Any significant change (More than a few absentees) from that number might be a problem. Please contact us well in advance if your numbers change significantly. Please keep in mind: We’ll hire staff and have to charge you, based on the number of students you told us you were expecting to bring when you reserved with us initially and we will charge you for the number of students that you originally schedule with us. Back to the FAQ listing.
8. What is your student to teacher ratio? Typically we provide one instructor per class of 20 to 35 students, depending on the program. Please let us know how many students/classes you will be bringing. Please notify us in advance of any changes in these numbers. Back to the FAQ listing.
9. How many chaperones do you require? We are flexible on this and must rely on your judgment to bring enough help to ensure the safety and comfort of your students. A suggested ratio for high school students is 10:1. For young students or special programs, you might consider a ratio of 5:1. Back to the FAQ listing.
10. Do these chaperones pay? No, not for most of our programs. On certain special programs (boat trips, canoe trips, etc.) we might have to charge an additional fee. Any additional charges for staff or chaperones will be indicated on bills for boat trips or canoe trips. (There may be an extra [and substantial] fee for lawyers, Principals, or School Psychologists; however, on boat trips, nurses and airline stewardesses always go free.) Back to the FAQ listing.
11. How do we pay for our trips? Please pay in advance by check, purchase order, or credit card. When you schedule with us in writing you will receive a confirmation and a bill. Checks and Purchase Orders for the Ocean Institute should be made out to: Brookdale Community College/Ocean Institute. The surest way to secure your date is to send us a check with your reservation for our minimum fee/deposit, which is $150. Please plan to pay the balance within (before) 30 days of the date of your trip.
No personal checks will be accepted from students attending the trip. Please pool the checks and draw one check from either your school or the supervising teacher. For a list of parents and students who have bounced checks on us over the years, please send a SASE to: Rubber Checks, c/o Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook, Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732.
You must send us a deposit check or a purchase order with your reservation. If that is not possible, please send us an explanation why this is not possible and a commitment as to when you will pay for your trip. Unfortunately, we mean it. For a list of public and parochial schools and scout groups who have stiffed us over the years and not paid their bills, or underpaid their bills (you won’t believe who some of them are!), please send a SASE to: Deadbeats, c/o Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook, Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732. Back to the FAQ listing.
12. What about refunds? Refunds are issued by the College in the form of checks or credit towards future programs. Refund checks can take more than 30 days to be issued, so it is imperative that you are certain of the date, program and number of participants when you schedule. Remember!!! Please make sure that you register the proper number of students/classes that you plan to bring.
Trips are rarely canceled by us except in VERY severe weather, and generally, we have fair warning of approaching northeasters or hurricanes. (Plenty of time to communicate with you.) If your trip cannot be rescheduled, you will receive a full refund. It is your responsibility to check the weather forecasts well in advance of your trip and to contact us if there are any concerns about the weather. If we don't hear from you, we will generally assume you are coming rain or shine and you will be charged for a program.
The best weather for our most popular field trips is encountered during a fairly narrow window during the school year (April 1 to June 15 and September 15 to October 31) Therefore, if you cancel a trip without sufficient notice (60 days), we may have to retain a portion to cover our expenses and pay the staff that we have hired for that day, if we cannot schedule another school in your place. Back to the FAQ listing.
13. Where and when do we meet for our field trip? Most of our programs begin at 10:00 a.m. at Building 53 on Sandy Hook. If you anticipate arriving earlier at Sandy Hook, you should make a bathroom stop at Parking Lot D (Seagull's Nest). This will save time later on when your field trip is in progress. Please plan to arrive at our building, ready to divide your classes for a 10:00 start. Our instructors will be ready to work with your group at 10:00 a.m., please insure that your group will have adequate to arrive and be ready to learn.
WARNING! Most bills are issued by the College’s main office (Not our world headquarters at Sandy Hook) and you may inadvertently receive a map of the campus and instructions of where to park the buses (Example: "All bus trips meet in Lot 1"). BE CAREFUL, THIS INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT! Unless your trip is scheduled at our main campus in Lincroft/Lot #1 (very few trip are scheduled to meet there) make sure that you have the instructions to go directly to Sandy Hook.) (WARNING #2: "A little knowledge is dangerous." Occasionally a bus driver will insist that he/she "knows how to get to Brookdale College," REMEMBER, you are probably not going to our main campus in Lincroft or to the Monmouth Museum on our main campus...Assert yourself, if necessary...YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GOING TO SANDY HOOK, BUILDING 53, "OUT BY THE LIGHTHOUSE!!!!!!!")
(Boat trips, canoe trips and other special programs like geology usually meet at other locations. Please check the reservation forms that we send you and call us if you have any questions or concerns about the location.) Back to the FAQ listing.
14. How do we get to Sandy Hook? Sandy Hook is located on all road maps in New Jersey. Building 53 is located 100 yards west of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in the middle of Fort Hancock. (Just follow the signs for the lighthouse when you enter the park.) Sandy Hook is reached via Route 36 in Highlands, New Jersey. Route 36 is reached from north Jersey at Exit 117 from the Garden State Parkway or from south Jersey via exit 105/Long Branch.
Fees are collected at the front gate of the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Don’t panic. Inform the toll takers that you are going to Fort Hancock for a program with Brookdale Community College. Generally, you will be waved through the entrance with a smile (however, you might want to bring along an extra 7 bucks just in case your bus driver annoys one of the rangers at the gate. Also, please observe the many changes in speed limits once you are on Sandy Hook. Advise the bus driver to stick to 25 miles per hour to enjoy the scenery and you won't have any problems on Sandy Hook. Otherwise, you may need to bring a check for a more substantial amount for when you or your bus driver appears in Federal court at Fort Monmouth to dispute the speeding ticket you received for exceeding the posted speed limit of 25 miles an hour by the Ranger Station and in Fort Hancock.)
Public transportation is available only to Highlands (Academy buses). Taxi service is available in the Highlands/Middletown areas. (See Yellow Pages for Monmouth County.) Back to the FAQ listing.
15. Will we need the bus all day and where do we park it? Yes. The drivers will be able to buy coffee or lunch at nearby businesses; however, we will need the buses to move us around Sandy Hook. Please, make sure that the bus company and the drivers are aware of this in advance. When you arrive at the Lighthouse/Building 53, PLEASE do not park or idle the buses near the Brookdale Building. Please park the buses at the parking lot on the corner of Gunnison Road just south of the Lighthouse. This is where staff will meet you to unload your buses. Back to the FAQ listing.
16. Lunch for the bus drivers. Drivers should brown bag their lunches. The concession stands at the Park are not opened year round, but there are luncheonettes in Sea Bright and Highlands, off Sandy Hook. Back to the FAQ listing.
17. When should we get there and how long is our trip? We rely on you to indicate on your written reservation form when you expect to arrive at Sandy Hook. Please check with your transportation coordinator or bus company concerning your district’s permitted dismissal times. Most groups arrive at 10:00 and depart at 1:30. This gives us three and one half hours for instructional activities and lunch. Please advise us on your written reservation form of any deviations from this schedule. (Here’s a tip! Some groups that must leave early plan to work through lunchtime and eat on the bus ride home.) Some sample drive times to help you gauge the length of your trip: Trenton to Sandy Hook - one hour and fifteen minutes Newark to Sandy Hook - one hour and twenty minutes Mahwah to Sandy Hook - one hour and forty minutes N.Y.C. to Sandy Hook - one hour and thirty minutes Philadelphia to Sandy Hook - two hours. (Please note that you may be heading toward Sandy Hook during rush hour, and therefore may need to add some time to your estimated drive time. Any trips scheduled between Memorial Day and Labor Day may encounter beach traffic at Sandy Hook’s entrance and should plan accordingly.) Back to the FAQ listing.
18. What will we do when we get there? Read the answer to this question first and then check out the virtual field trip here. Parking: please park in N lot near Sandy Hook Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is approximately 4 miles from the entrance of the Park. Follow the signs for Fort Hancock, Brookdale and the Lighthouse. This lot is on the corner of Gunnison Road and the main road just before the Lighthouse.
Keep the students on the bus while you check in with us. Please don’t charge into the building with your class in tow, insisting on using the bathroom. Chances are there’s another class ahead of you. Plan to stop at Lots B, C, or D or E for larger groups, where there are adequate restroom facilities available as you enter the park.
Check-in: Building 53 is 100 yards west of the Lighthouse. Go to the West side of the building and go downstairs to meet our instructors and check in, exchange any paperwork and confirm the number of students and your program requests or special needs. (Oftentimes our staff will meet you at the bus if you are right on schedule.)
A TYPICAL PROGRAM WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: (Most schools visit us for 3-4 hours, including a lunch break. Our instructors expect you to stay between 10:00-1:30. If your schedule deviates from this by more than 15 minutes, please make a special note of this on your reservation.) Arrive: 30 minute orientation at Building 53, (history of Fort Hancock, geology of Sandy Hook, what we expect to find on the beach, and any special requests that you have made in advance like careers or pollution.) An oceanside walk of about one hour (shell collecting, beach botany, pollution, erosion, etc.) A break for lunch (30 minutes.) A marsh study (60 minutes) or other bayside activity (fish collecting with seine nets, marsh walk, birdwatching, botany, water chemistry, etc.) 30 minute wrap-up activity and equipment clean up. Departure.
The order of activities may vary depending on weather, on the time of low tide at the marsh, or specific activities that you have requested in advance. You can insure that we will have sufficient time for all of the activities if you stop and use the major park restroom areas as you enter Sandy Hook and before reaching Building 53. (Lots D and E have the largest restroom facilities on the Hook.)
When you check in, please review with our instructors those activities that you would like to stress or topics that you hope to cover. Generally, we can guarantee a full day of varied activities for your students, behavior and weather permitting.
Before you leave: take a head count, fill in the evaluation form of our staff and program, and if you are really smart, and an efficient, organized teacher, book a date for your next trip! This will make us and your Principal much less frantic next year.
Remember, boat trips or canoe trips and other special programs might leave from a different location and you may have to adjust your times. If you are scheduled for one of these special programs, you will receive an itinerary specific to that program with locations given. (Most of you reading this, or those few that have hung on this far, can ignore this paragraph because you are coming for our regular Sandy Hook program.) Back to the FAQ listing.
19. What about lunch? No, we don’t provide lunch for your students. Students should bring their own lunches and drinks. We will take a break at the middle of our program for lunch at picnic tables near the Fort or at the beach, whichever you prefer. Please advise us of your preferences upon arrival at Sandy Hook. Sandy Hook is "Carry in, carry out." You must be responsible for your own trash, so please remember to bring trash bags. Snacks are a good idea for short breaks and for the ride home. Back to the FAQ listing.
20. Where are the bathrooms? Upon entering the Park, notice the parking lots are in alphabetical order, beginning with B (or Bayberry). (The saga of the parking lot signs is a whole ‘nother story, so just accept that they start with B.) B and C (or Chokecherry) have small restrooms. You will pass the largest of the restroom areas at D lot (Seagull’s Nest) and E lot past the park’s Visitor Center. You must stop to use the restrooms BEFORE proceeding out to Fort Hancock. Our bathroom facility at Building 53 is quite limited and it is very time consuming if you plan to use our facilities. Restrooms or Port-o-Potties are located at most parking lots around Sandy Hook. Back to the FAQ listing.
21. Is Sandy Hook handicap accessible? Yes and no. Unfortunately all sites and activities are not yet fully accessible. Sandy Hook is in the process of upgrading all of its facilities. The most accessible site at this time (2001) is the Visitor’s Center in Spermaceti Cove. Restrooms at lots B, C, D and E are wheelchair accessible. Our staff accommodates a wide variety of visitors each year. If you have special needs, please let us know so that we can adjust our activities to better suit your students.
(Note: there is a "beach wheel chair" available through the National Park Service at Sandy Hook. We have no connection with the Park Service nor do we arrange the wheel chair. You must contact them directly to make any arrangements for use of that item. This may be a time consuming stop on your way into Sandy Hook so please plan accordingly. The Park Service phone number is (732) 872-5900.) Back to the FAQ listing.
22. What should the kids wear on the trip? A famous surfer named Corky Carrol once observed, "It’s better to be warm, than cold." (We said famous, not profound, didn’t we?.) Since the weather is often quite different at the shore than inland, you should make sure the students are prepared for any possible extremes in temperature or other weather factors. Layering is very important. It is better to bring too much than too little. Hats are a good idea in any season since they will protect the students from sun or wind. Long sleeved shirts can always be rolled up and are good protection against wind or sunburn. Raingear is a must (see below) and proper footwear (see below). Some items you might consider bringing are: sunglasses, Chapstick, first aid kit, towel, extra clothing for forgetful students. A small daypack or knapsack to carry the student’s personal gear will allow them to have their hands free to better explore Sandy Hook. Shorts and a bathing suit are the preferred clothing during warm weather trips between May and October when water activities warrant students getting their feet wet. A towel and a sweatsuit are handy items for those lucky students who may be getting wet (up to the waist) while they haul the nets.
Special note: regarding boat trips. Students must wear sneakers on boat trips. Sandals and open toed shoes are not acceptable footwear. Excessively baggy pants and jackets (you know what we mean) have gotten caught on tackle, railings, ladders and on hooks on the boat. Please have the students dress sensibly and accordingly. Under no circumstances may passengers under the age of 16 or over the age of 60, wear string bikinis.
Name tags It would be very helpful for our staff and it will enhance your program if we know the names of your students. Name tags are strongly suggested.
Common courtesy Please ask the students to give our instructors their full attention and to cooperate by volunteering to carry equipment and clean it after the program. PLEASE, no gum, no smoking, no disruptive behavior. Remind them that a field trip is an extension of the schoolroom and this behavior is unacceptable here as well as at school. Also, when at Building 53, remind students that college students and adults will be attending lectures in adjacent classrooms, and it is important that students talk quietly and behave properly.
There is some atavistic urge in young boys to throw rocks and seashells in the water, attempting to make them skip as far as possible. With the exception of Presidents’ Day field trips to the Delaware River, this is not permitted on our trips. Please forewarn the students beforehand that, for safety concerns, they should never throw rocks and shells in the water. This activity can be controlled by you by allowing the students to have a contest at the end of our program when everyone is out of the water.
Clipboards and handouts We strongly recommend that you provide the students with clipboards, pencils and check off lists that are available upon request to make their exploration of Sandy Hook an educational experience. We do not provide these materials to each student; however, we suggest that you have the material that we send you with your reservation confirmation made available to your students either individually or in small study groups. Simple clipboards can be made by stapling handouts to 8x11 inch pieces of cardboard. Back to the FAQ listing.
23. Should the kids wear sneakers? You’d be surprised how often we get that question!!! The students should wear shoes that can get wet on any field trip. Bring a change of socks and sneakers in case you get into deep water. Aqua socks are also okay, but provide less protection against sharp objects in the water. The only kids in the water should be those that the teacher needs to retrieve equipment, run seine nets, get water, etc. Sandals are not a good idea on any field trip because they don’t protect the whole foot. Bring a large garbage bag to hold wet shoes, socks and other clothing. This will keep the bus clean and your driver happy. Back to the FAQ listing.
24. What if it rains? Amundsen, a famous Arctic explorer once said, "An adventure is a poorly planned expedition." As long as you are prepared for it, there is never bad weather on a field trip. A) Cancellations: we rarely postpone trips because of the weather and our tight schedule. If you are concerned about the forecast contact our office 24 hours before your trip. We can discuss alternatives at that point, based on the forecast. On the morning of the trip, you may call our 24 hour weather update line (see list of telephone numbers), for further instructions. B) The Ocean Institute should be your doorway to the outdoors, but if it rains on your parade, here are some of the options that have worked well in the past: rotating classes through our classroom at Sandy Hook, the Visitor’s Center, the Museum, and Twin Lights Lighthouse Museum (we have slide shows, videos and hands-on demonstrations available). The bus can also be used as a classroom-on-wheels and as a refuge from the weather between hikes. C) Raingear should be brought if there is any chance of rain in the forecast. Hooded sweatshirts are also a great idea. Large size trash bags make cheap and effective rain ponchos in a pinch by cutting out the corners for arms and a place for their little heads. D) The good news is: Often, the weather is milder at the shore, or weather patterns that are predicted inland by whatever corpulent weather man is on the TV station you watch, arrive here much later than in the northern or western parts of the state. It is not unusual to have perfectly good weather here at Sandy Hook, in spite of the forecast for North Jersey. Back to the FAQ listing.
25. What safety concerns will my principal bug me about? Swimming is not part of our program and students should be advised of this beforehand. Wading and entering the water with nets in a supervised setting and with limited numbers of students are important aspects of our programs. This is a supervised activity and we will rely on the students to demonstrate proper behavior and follow all safety guidelines. The biggest temptation for the students and the biggest safety concern is bare feet. Students should wear proper foot gear at all times to protect against such things as rocks, broken seashells and shark attack.
The College is insured for its activities. If you need additional information, such as a copy of our insurance certificate, please indicate on your reservation form what your documentation needs will be when you register. There are some misconceptions concerning Sandy Hook’s beaches and potential hazards. Sandy Hook’s long military history means that occasionally military items are discovered on the beach. These are the property of the Park Service Museum and are not to be removed from Sandy Hook. The Army and National Park Service conduct periodic beach sweeps to ensure that these items do not come in contact with the public. Although the army did test fire guns at Sandy Hook, mines and other explosives are not considered a hazard here. However, students should be aware that any suspicious items of apparent military origin should be reported to their field trip leader and NOT disturbed. "Medical waste" is not found on the beach; however, anything that is left on the street to wash down a sewer drain or flushed down a toilet has the potential of ending up at the beach. Unfortunately this may include crack vials, health and beauty aids and other litter. Make this "non-point pollution" a part of your lesson at the beach rather than a distraction from the experience. Discuss with the students before hand how these items may have been carried by rain storms and tides from their communities to the shore, and ways that we might prevent such pollution from continuing to spoil our shore. (Better yet...Get a copy of the Institute’s ESTUARIES: A Day At The Bay, and do a whole unit on non-point pollution.)
There is no sanctioned nude beach at Sandy Hook; however, it’s a bare fact that there are apparently no restrictions on sunbathing there, and spotty ones elsewhere in the state. (Obviously an oversight in the Contract With America!) Such activities are generally confined to specific, remote sites that we do not visit as part of our trips. (All right...If you really must know, it’s Gunnison Beach, G-Lot...But we didn’t tell you.) If you encounter any problems with any visitors at the park, please inform your field trip leader and the Park Service Rangers immediately. (See phone numbers)
Students are not permitted to climb onto or into any of the Forts or other military structures at Sandy Hook. Rocks at the shore and the seawall are slippery and students should not climb on them at any time. Please, no running and other horseplay.
Traffic can also be hazardous and students should be aware of this and remain with their field trip leader at all times. Many people are commuting to and from Sandy Hook because they work there, and beach visitors have recreation on their minds and may not be anticipating students darting out in front of their cars. Students should only cross roads in clearly marked areas and should remain behind their field trip leader at all times. Back to the FAQ listing.
26. Special programs (boat trips, canoe trips, etc.) No special equipment is needed for most of our programs at Sandy Hook; however, separate rules, directions and instructions will be sent to you if you are participating in any of our special programs. All participants in these programs will be required to be instructed in the use of special safety equipment such as life jackets, and wear them when requested. The boat trips are not handicap accessible. Please do not bring participants who cannot climb up and down a ladder without assistance. Back to the FAQ listing.
27. Merit Badge/Scout Badge Programs Many of our activities at Sandy Hook will qualify for recognition by the Scouts. If any of your students are interested, please let us know beforehand. Back to the FAQ listing.
28. Are overnight facilities available? Yes, there is a National Park Service group camping area and a Park Service dormitory (see phone listing.) Some groups have utilized nearby motels in Middletown (see phone listing.) We can assist you in arranging these special services after you have scheduled a program with us. Back to the FAQ listing.
29. What about lions, tigers and bears? Yes, ticks are found in fields at Sandy Hook, just like fields all over New Jersey. Luckily, the Park Service has not reported deer ticks on Sandy Hook. A good precaution on any field trip is to check the students at the end of the trip. We do not take students into grassy fields on our trips, and there is little reason to expect ticks out in the beach and marsh areas where we do our work.
Yes, there is plenty of poison ivy on Sandy Hook. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable plants here! We identify it early in our lesson to the students, and keep away from it during our field trip by staying on clearly marked paths. There is little reason to expect to find poison ivy out in the beach and marsh areas where we do our work.
Yes, there are bees and other stinging critters at Sandy Hook just like the rest of the state. Generally these are only a problem at certain seasons. Yellow jackets (late summer and fall) are attracted to food and trash cans. Students should be advised of this before lunch during those seasons. Most bees are attracted to bright colors, sweets and hair spray, and it is a good idea to avoid these situations if possible. BEE sure to quiz your students before the trip regarding any particular allergies or medications that they should bring.
Yes, there are biting insects at the beach just like in other wetland areas of New Jersey. They are only a problem at certain times of the day (mosquitoes - night, gnats - calm days in summer, flies - hot days in summer). The best protection against biting insects is to know a little about their life cycle and to avoid those places and times when they are most active. Fortunately, these insects are rarely a problem at the times that we are having field trips. PLEASE DO NOT BRING BUG SPRAY! A better and safer protection would be proper dress and Avon’s Skin So Soft oil (a 50% solution in a spray bottle seems to work quite well.)
Yes, prickly pear cactus is pretty to look at but DON’T PICK IT! Our instructors will show you many unique defensive structures that the cactus and other plants at Sandy Hook have developed to protect themselves from animals.
PLEASE DON’T BRING ‘EM BACK ALIVE. All plant and animal life at the Park is protected. Please do not encourage or allow the students to bring home ANY live creature. Empty seashells and other treasures found on our beach walks can be kept by the students. It’s a good idea to warn the students to sniff any materials before they put them in their buckets and bags, and this way they will avoid the embarrassment of no one wanting to sit next to them on the bus ride home. Who knows?...They may even save the life of a hermit crab by doing this simple check! (NOTE: if any money is found in the sand, please give it to your field trip leader and they will see to it that it is returned to its rightful owner.) Back to the FAQ listing.
30. Summer camps? Brookdale offers a Summer Ocean Adventures camp for elementary school students. This camp is run out of the Main Campus and you must contact the Main Campus directly for information and to register. Information on the camps and schedules are posted every year around January 1. Write for a brochure to: Summer Camps, Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Spring Road, Lincroft, N.J. 07738. Back to the FAQ listing.
31. Should we bring a first aid kit? Yes, absolutely. Some suggested items to include in addition to the basics: suntan lotion, Noxzema, Skin-So- Soft, tweezers, bee sting kit, duct tape for removing cactus spines and other botanical curiosities, motion sickness medication, ice and baggies. Back to the FAQ listing.
32. Emergencies National Park Service Rangers handle all emergencies at Sandy Hook since they are the local police. First aid calls are handled by Highlands Borough First Aid Squad. In the event of an emergency our staff will assist you in every way and contact the Park Rangers. However, it is a good idea for you to bring along the following information: contacts for medical emergencies at your school, parents’ telephone numbers, medical histories of known special needs children, a plan for emergency transportation of sick or disruptive students back to school, local hospitals where students might be transported by the Rangers/first aid squad (Riverview-Red Bank, Monmouth Medical-Long Branch, see telephone number list). Please be aware that there is no gas station on Sandy Hook and that chaperones/drivers or buses will have to rely on AAA or their own road service. Please bring a list of all participants and their telephone numbers in case a student wanders from the group. If a student is lost he/she should be instructed beforehand to tell a Park Ranger that he/she is with an Ocean Institute/Brookdale College field trip. It is also important that the students know which bus company is transporting them. Back to the FAQ listing.
Important Telephone Numbers
The menu at the following number can provide answers to most of your problems and questions concerning scheduling, daily weather updates, returned messages to teachers, boat trips, requesting brochures, etc. (732) 224-2435
Dave Grant, for matters other than field trips: (732) 224-2901 ext. GRANT (47268) Dave's email address is dgrant@brookdale.cc.nj.us (But, you should not be contacting Dave with questions about scheduling, confirmations and billing.) Additional Phone Numbers for the Sandy Hook area: YOU SHOULD NEVER/EVER, CALL ANY OF THESE NUMBERS REGARDING THE SCHEDULING OF FIELD TRIPS WITH BROOKDALE. These numbers are provided for the safety of your students and to reassure your Principal. It is suggested that you bring these phone numbers with you on your trip in case of an emergency.
National Park Service Visitor Center: (732) 872-5970 AAA Road Service: 1-(800) 442-2869 Ferry to New York City: (732) 872-2628 Sandy Hook Park Rangers: (732) 872-5900 Hospitals: Riverview Hospital/Red Bank: (732) 741-2700 Monmouth Medical/Long Branch: (732) 222-5200 Bayshore Hospital/Holmdel: (732) 739-5900 Nearest Service Station: Gulf/Sea Bright: (732) 219-5050 Boro Bus Company to Red Bank Train Station: (732) 741-0567 Academy Bus Service to New York/North Jersey: (732) 291-1300 Taxi/Middletown Area: (732) 787-5050 Highlands First Aid Squad: (732) 872-1155 Motel: Ramada Inn/Hazlet: (732) 264-2400
Disclaimer: Many of the sites listed in this section are commercial entities. The presence of this information does not represent an endorsement by the Ocean Institute of Sandy Hook. Back to the Table of Contents
Special Programs for Students
Gifted and Talented Ten session program for G&T students grades 4-10 using the College’s award winning curriculum "The Topic is Sandy Hook", an overview of the geology, oceanography, history and biology of the Sandy Hook area. Write for a full description of the program. Contact Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook - G&T, Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732.
Weather and Global Change Learn all about meteorology and climatology using state of the art weather satellite receiving station in your classroom. Study global change and its impact with hands on activities for your students. Write for a full description of the program. Contact Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook - Weather and Global Change, Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732.
Summer Oceanography Camp Ocean Adventures is a two week summer camp where students (grades 4-6) study marine biology on boat trips, snorkeling, canoeing, collecting local marine life and working with experts in the field of marine education. Write for a full description of the summer camps program, care of: Brookdale Community College - Community Development, Summer Camps, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, New Jersey 07738-9988.
S.H.O.R.E. Sandy Hook Out Reach Experience Visits to your classroom by Sandy Hook staff for presentations about: local marine life, whales, sharks, pollution, erosion, wetlands, weather and a variety of topics in marine science. Contact Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook - SHORE, Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732. Back to the Table of Contents
A Day ON the Bay A three-hour oceanographic cruise on the quiet waters of Sandy Hook Bay. Held each spring and fall for teachers and students interested in the sea. Biological sampling, water testing, bird watching and pollution studies. Spring cruise: first Friday in May. Fall cruise: first Friday in October.
The Jersey Shore: More than a Day at the Beach! A day-long workshop utilizing the 150 page, activity-filled guide that is the winner of the 1993 Water Resources Association Education Award. Activities include beach and marsh studies, maritime history and an oceanographic cruise. Spring workshop: last Friday in April Fall workshop: last Friday in September
Testing Our Waters A day-long program for the non-scientist, providing the background and demonstrating the equipment needed to successfully monitor the quality of our waters. Activities include field and lab work in fresh and salt waters. The class is a must for anyone planning to monitor their local water system. Workshop dates in both the spring and fall. Write for details.
Wetlands: A Citizens' Guide for Their Protection A day-long celebration of wetlands types, inhabitants and their value in New Jersey using the National Audubon Society's Guide to New Jersey Wetlands Protection. Brookdale College teachers and Audubon Society naturalists will guide you through different wetland environments sharing with you their secrets and strategies to protect these threatened areas. Participants will receive the complete Wetlands Education Packet. Workshop dates scheduled for the spring, summer and fall. Write for details.
ESTUARIES: A Day at the Bay A thorough guide for studying New Jersey's water-related resources, problems and solutions. A day-long workshop utilizing the 250-page curriculum guide, ESTUARIES, winner of the 1994 Grossinger Award for Excellence in Environmental Education. The 85 lessons include geography, history, chemistry, biology and hydrology of uplands, watersheds, fresh water and salt water wetlands; and are divided between classroom and hands-on field activities. (Scholarships available for teachers) Back to the Table of Contents
A Day on the Bay
Sail the calm waters of Sandy Hook Bay.
Safe - Educational - Comfortable - Fun
On a 50 foot, fully equipped, United States Coast Guard inspected, research, sight-seeing and fishing vessel designed for the study of Sandy Hook Bay. The diesel powered boat is certified to carry 30 students and teachers; has a walk-around deck, full railings, wheel house, main cabin and rest room. We can accommodate groups of up to 75 students per day. Please note that all boat trips must be paid in full, in advance.
SAFETY AND DEMONSTRATION EQUIPMENT: U.S. Coast Guard-approved and inspected life jackets, life rings, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, ship-to-shore radio, depth finder and radar. The boats unfortunately are NOT handicap accessible. We can make no exceptions, sorry for the inconvenience.
SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT: Bottom trawls, benthic dredges, plankton nets, invertebrate traps, microscope, secchi disc, water chemistry testing devices, research tags for studying fish migration, and recreational fishing equipment.
PROGRAMS include:
Note: these hands-on programs are supplemented with curriculum materials for your Grades 5-12 and college students. Classroom presentations can be arranged to prepare them prior to the cruise.
SAILING DATES: available for charter April through October. Please do not request a boat trip unless you have three dates that you are certain your school is available and that you are able to pay for the trip in full and in advance.
STAFF AND FACULTY: skippered by a U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain.
Faculty includes David Grant; Director of Brookdale College’s Ocean Institute. Grant has conducted field trips around Sandy Hook for over 20 years and has worked with tens of thousands of students. He has more than 20 years experience teaching college-level Oceanography, Marine Biology and Earth Science; has worked at Rutgers University, Monmouth University, Mercy College, Oceanographic and Limnological Research Ltd., Energy Resources Corporation, the National Park Service, and the Acadia Institute of Oceanography. He is also a certified Teacher/Supervisor/Principal; served on the panel that developed the Department of Education’s High School Earth Science Proficiencies; developed science packets for the DISCOVER SCIENCE and SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS television series; and has developed nationally-distributed, award winning science curricula for Gifted and Talented students. He runs the College’s weather satellite receiving station. He studied biology, environmental science, earth science and oceanography at Monmouth University, Long Island University, the University of San Diego, the University of Delaware, Johns Hopkins University Space Grant Consortium, Boston University and Weber State University.
To schedule a program, contact the Ocean Institute at Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732. Back to the Table of Contents
Sorry, there are no career opportunities at the Ocean Institute, however, we do hire part-time, seasonal staff for our spring, summer and fall programs. Interested instructors should send resumes for Spring programs by April 1, for Summer programs by June 1 and for Fall programs by August 1.
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic people of varied backgrounds who are interested in sharing their knowledge and experiences with young children.
We offer hourly wages, no medical or dental benefits, and no retirement plan, however, we DO offer free at-sea burials.
Please send resumes or letters to Dave Grant, Ocean Institute at Sandy Hook, Box 533, Sandy Hook, New Jersey 07732. No telephone calls please.
“The Field Trip Pamphlet”
Brookdale maintains a fine facility at Sandy Hook for the study of the ocean. Led by a naturalist, visiting groups explore the sea, or study local marine life in the College’s Lab building at Ft. Hancock and in the field at Horseshoe Cove. Students can enjoy working on site with collection equipment, microscopes and other tools of the marine scientist with a trained staff member to assist them.
STUDENT PROGRAMS Sea Creatures: An introduction to marine life allows the students to explore the sea from its edge. Students collect algae, crabs, fish and shells. With these in hand, they discuss and discover the interrelationships between the sea and the land. Teachers can arrange for this program at their convenience. Grades: K-6 Time: 3-4 hours
Explore the Shore: An in-depth view of the coast is offered for older students. Comparisons of the dynamic bay, beach and ocean, physical and biological environments are used to introduce ecological principles. Topics that can be emphasized include: coastal geology, water chemistry, erosion, local marine life, and marine careers. Teachers can arrange for this program at their convenience. Grades: 7-12 Time: 3-4 hours
Great Storms of the Jersey Shore: study the impact of great storms on our coast, the mechanics of their formation and visit sites that have bourne the brunt of their fury; and likely sites of future destruction. Learn about coastal engineering structures and attempts to protect the shore. This program is particularly rewarding during the winter months when the impact of storms is most severe. Grades: 4-12 Time: 3-4 hours
Sampling the Sea: Oceanographic cruises can be arranged for your class! Sailing the protected waters of Sandy Hook Bay, students collect water and sediment for analysis and capture deep-water marine life for study using a full array of oceanographic equipment - nets, dredges and water-sampling devices. Teachers may prepare for this program by attending one of our onboard workshops held each spring and fall. Grades: 7-12 Time: 3-4 hours
The Forest and the Sea: New Jersey has an ancient forest right here at Sandy Hook. Our maritime holly forest is unique, uncut and recognized nationally as the best preserved forest of its type. Learn how the plant and animal communities here interact with the sea and have struggled for survival for over a thousand years. This is an especially good trip for the colder months, but can be arranged any season. Grades: 4-12 Time: 3 hours
Birds Along the Beach: New Jersey has great numbers of resident and migratory birds that often congregate along the coast in the fall, winter and spring. Learn about their adaptations, migration and nesting patterns along the beach and discover how other long distance fliers like butterflies and dragonflies make their way along our coast. This program can be offered at different sites depending on the season and availability of species. Grades: 4-12 Time: 3 hours
S.H.O.R.E.: Sandy Hook Out-reach Experiences Our Sandy Hook staff offers hands-on programs at your school for teacher training and student enrichment. Materials are drawn from our award-winning curriculum materials: Estuaries, Sandy Hook!, and Saving N.J. Wetlands. Teacher programs include: Planning a flawless field trip, Marine Biology and Oceanography, Weather and Climate, NJ Wetlands, and various Environmental Educational themes. Student programs include: Careers, Local Seashores, the Underwater World, Plankton, Coastal Geology and Erosion, Pollution Solutions, Wetlands, Global Climate Change, Weather and Weather Satellite Reception in the classroom.
NEW! Weather, Climate and Global Change An introduction to global systems and processes that lets you study world wide change and environmental threats with the latest in remote sensing technology. Learn to operate a weather monitoring station, receive and interpret weather pictures from US, European and Russian satellites, and track storms and ocean currents from space. Can be offered on site at your school or at Sandy Hook. Grades: 4-8
The Living Shore: Visit the Sandy Hook Marine Laboratory to learn about research on local fish and marine life. Topics include classroom and field activities about fishing, fish tagging, migration, and taxonomy. This program is jointly presented by the American Littoral Society and Ocean Insititute and will feature specialists from these organizations. Time: 3-4 hours Grades: 1-6 Class size: limited to 25 students Dates: Thursdays only, December through March
The Winter Beach: Winter is the best time to learn about coastal geology, the effects of storms and to collect sea shells and other flotsam and jetsam. Includes classroom lecture and grade appropriate activities on beaches and field trips on Sandy Hook. This program is jointly presented by the American Littoral Society and Ocean Institute and will feature specialists from these organizations. Time: 3-4 hours Grades: 4-12 Class size: limited to 25 students Dates: Thursdays only, December through March
WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS Boatride on Sandy Hook Bay: An oceanographic cruise on the quiet waters of Sandy Hook Bay is held each spring and fall for teachers, students and anyone interested in the sea. Biological sampling, water testing, bird watching and pollution studies are offered for those interested in developing their own course materials and in enhancing their marinelife collections. Time: 3 hours Spring Cruise: first Friday in May Fall Cruise: first Friday in October
Beachwalk at Sandy Hook: A guided walk of the marsh, beach and forests of Sandy Hook is offered spring and fall to teachers and group leaders who plan to utilize Sandy Hook’s outstanding features in their programs and who are seeking additional materials and specimens for classroom use. Time: 3 hours Spring Workshop: last Friday in April Fall Workshop: last Friday in September
New Jersey's Coastal Land Use Policy: a public forum for teachers, decision makers and other citizens on land use law, local zoning, and how regulations work (or are supposed to work). Topics will include runoff, non-point source pollution, construction along waterways and the coastal zone. Site visits to coastal areas and discussions with coastal experts will follow. Time: 5 hours Date: tba Note: this is a special cooperative program offered jointly with the American Littoral Society and space is limited.
Food from the Sea: a look at the fishing industries and their dependence on water quality in New Jersey's coastal waters. Lecture and classroom discussion of fish populations, identifications and harvesting, and field trips to local shellfish depuration plant and fish landings. Time: 4 hours Date: tba Note: this is a special cooperative program offered jointly with the American Littoral Society and space is limited.
Great Storms of the Jersey Shore: Join coastal experts and mark the anniversary of the famous March 1962 northeaster that caused billions of dollars in damage to the Jersey Shore and is the benchmark against which all other storms are measured. Lecture, slides and a field trip to areas at-risk along the coast. Time: 4 hours. Date: date to be announced. Note: this is a special cooperative program offered jointly with the American Littoral Society and space is limited. (This program will not be offered until March 2002.)
RESERVING YOUR TRIP Click here to print a PDF file version of the reservation form. Check updated calendar before requesting your three dates, each at least ten days apart. Reservations are handled by mail only.
STUDENT PROGRAMS (prices subject to change)
TEACHER WORKSHOPS (these workshops are eligible for New Jersey State Professional Development Hours and can be offered as district wide workshops.) Most workshops are $20/person and are 3-6 hours.
DIRECTIONS TO BROOKDALE’S OCEAN INSTITUTE The Ocean Institute is located in Bldg. 53, 100 yards west of Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Sandy Hook is reached via Routes 36 or 520 through Sea Bright. Follow signs to Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Unit. At the park, follow signs to the lighthouse and Brookdale Community College.