Newark Airport, the Turnpike and many industrial sites are all built on filled wetlands. It is valuable to point out these impacts on our environment to your students.

Besides habitat loss, what other effects might these structures and complexes have on the environment?

Much of the lowlands around Cheesequake are filled garbage dumps. Housing developments are also encroaching on the wetlands. Runoff from construction and parking lots carry silt that fills in valuable wetlands.

What is non-point source pollution? Where does it come from?

Recreational activities also impact wetlands and water systems.

Would the boats and boatyards be examples of point source and/or non-point source pollution?

South of Cheesequake marsh start watching for signs for Gateway-Sandy Hook. You are approximately one half hour away from Building 53, the Ocean Institute, and the nearest rest room facilities.

Follow the signs for Route 36 east.

Two miles before reaching Sandy Hook you will see signs for Mt. Mitchell County Park. This is a great scenic overlook of Sandy Hook and Sandy Hook Bay. You might want to detour here on your way to Sandy Hook, although a stop on the way home would be more convenient as a wrap-up.

At Mt. Mitchell, there are binoculars and information plaques that describe the geology and the erosion that occurs on the highest coastal hills south of Maine. There is also a picnic area. Our staff can accompany you on your way home from Sandy Hook to stop and interpret the area if you request it.

What is the geological phenomenon called slumping?

This is the official entrance to Sandy Hook Park with the protective seawall in the background. This wall helps protect the road from waves during storms.

During the school year, you may bypass the toll plaza at the entrance. Summer groups (July, August) should tell the toll takers that they are coming to Brookdale College at Fort Hancock to avoid paying the parking fee.

This is the first parking lot and the access point for the beach and marsh areas at Plum Island.

What city is visible across the bay?

Once you enter Sandy Hook Park please observe all traffic regulations. National Park Service Rangers are on duty and monitor speed limits and parking.

There are pedestrian crossings at C lot and Horseshoe Cove where you must stop for all foot traffic. Student groups are reminded that they should cross at these crosswalks only, and with their tour guide.

Please observe all warning signs near the water and remind the students to stay together with their field trip leader. Schools visit Sandy Hook year round.

Can you guess what season this picture was taken?

D lot is approximately one third of the way out to the Ocean Institute. It is advisable that you stop here and use the expanded restroom facilities before continuing on to the Fort area where bathrooms are limited.

The Visitor Center and group restrooms are accessible at D-Lot. It will save time if you stop here and take a restroom break before continuing out to Fort Hancock where restrooms are limited.

The Visitor Center is an old Lifesaving Station. Why do you think it has a tower?

You are just about half way to Fort Hancock when you have reached the Ranger Station. Note the speed limit and instruct your bus driver to be alert to all traffic regulations. This would be a good time to remind your driver that we will need the bus all day to transport your group to three sites on Sandy Hook.

The Ranger Station is an old army check point. Why place it here at the southern end of the Hook?

Roadside parking and off-road driving are prohibited.

Bear left at the entrance to Fort Hancock where you see the Nike missile monument. The Nike anti-aircraft missiles were the last chapter of Fort Hancock's military history.

What were the missiles protecting from enemy aircraft?

The Morgue is part of the old hospital complex and is the largest bathroom facility at the Fort area. This is one of the first buildings you will see in Fort Hancock.

This is building 18 at the southern end of Fort Hancock. Continue past these buildings to House 6 at the intersection of Hartshorne and Hudson where you will turn right to go to our facility.

Why do you think that these houses face toward the bay rather than toward the parade grounds as on every other army base?

Turn right at the intersection of Hartshorne and Hudson and drive towards the Sandy Hook Lighthouse at the middle of Fort Hancock.

Please warn your drivers beforehand that they cannot leave their buses running while they are parked, loading and unloading students.

Do not stop at the main intersection near the lighthouse or the Park Headquarters. If our instructors are not waiting for you outside our building, you should instruct your bus driver to park in either of these locations: behind the old gas station on your left; or, beyond the lighthouse on Knox Road. If you are on time for your program, your instructors will be waiting outside and will instruct your driver where to park.

Now that you have arrived, please remind your drivers, that they can not idle their buses while waiting for students to load or unload. Please instruct them to follow our directions and park as quickly as possible in the designated areas.

Knox Road is past the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and if space is not available for parking near the lighthouse, our instructors will guide you to this site. Please, do not permit your drivers to idle the buses.

If you miss the turn at Hartshorne and Hudson, and find yourself at the end of Officers' Row, turn right and proceed south towards the Lighthouse and our facility.

As you backtrack, to the Lighthouse and our facility, consider stopping at the only other restroom area at the Fort, the trailer next to the old Army bakery.

In Army days at the Fort, what would it mean if your assignment for the day was "K.P.?"

Cars and private vehicles may still park at the lot just south of the Lighthouse. Buses should avoid this area and park in the designated areas near our facility to the east and west of the Lighthouse.

This is one of two fire houses at Sandy Hook. Be sure to ask your instructors: "What was the purpose of the tower?" (The answer will surprise you.)

Most structures at Sandy Hook are at least 100 years old. Remind your students not to climb on, or go into any building or structure unless they are taken with their instructor.

This is a "scaling wall." Why would the army build a defensive structure that is so easy for an enemy soldier to get into?

Most groups begin with an introduction to Sandy Hook's rich history and an overview of what we will find at the beach and the marsh.

Why is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse located more than a mile from the tip of Sandy Hook instead of at the shoreline? (Hint: can you define the geological term accretion?)

Yes, we're open on some holidays and weekends.

After our orientation we will take the bus to the beach. One important site on the way is the water tower built on top of the original 1860s fort.

Why were so many military structures built at the tip of Sandy Hook?

The North Beach Center is a great starting point for beach walks. There are restrooms, information kiosks and a binocular for viewing New York City and ships entering the harbor.

Back at the classroom, shell critters can be created with a little glue and imagination.

A quick review of what we'll find on our beach walk. Some of the new vocabulary words we will learn include: bivalve, univalve, predator, prey, cannibal, radula, wampum.

How many types of mollusks are there in the world?

Poison ivy is one of our most common and valuable plants at Sandy Hook.

Can you think of three good things about poison ivy?

Our introduction to the bay typically begins here.

The marsh at Horseshoe Cove.

What's the difference between a marsh and a swamp?

Students collecting and identifying marine life the way scientists would survey an ecosystem.