Adults (Ages +12) | Bike Ride

Join us for a leisurely bike ride with rest stops for birding. Learn about the different habitats on Jones Beach and keep your eyes open for shorebirds, ospreys, warblers, tree swallows, and more. No experience required. Binoculars are provided--but bikes and helmets are not.

We will be meeting at the Center, going over a few basics of birding and facts and then participants will follow our educator via bike across the West End.

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors. Will be cancelled via email in the case of inclement weather.

Distance: Up to 4 miles of biking.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Jar-O-Lanterns

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults, and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science

Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.

1:30-1:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration

1:40-2:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?

2:00-2:30: Capturing Monarchs

2:30-3:00: Tag & Release

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults, and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science

Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.

10:30-10:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration

10:40-11:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?

11:00-11:30: Capturing Monarchs

11:30-12:00: Tag & Release

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults, and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science

Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.

1:30-1:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration

1:40-2:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?

2:00-2:30: Capturing Monarchs

2:30-3:00: Tag & Release

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science

Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.

1:30-1:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration

1:40-2:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?

2:00-2:30: Capturing Monarchs

2:30-3:00: Tag & Release

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program begins 15 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Class 

A basic level yoga class with our yoga instructor that will take place outdoors on our ocean-facing deck. 

Join the NYS Parks Wellness Challenge to win an exclusive sticker! 

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, weather allowing—otherwise will be indoors. 

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Class 

A basic level yoga class with our yoga instructor that will take place outdoors on our ocean-facing deck. 

Join the NYS Parks Wellness Challenge to win an exclusive sticker! 

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, weather allowing—otherwise will be indoors. 

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Volunteer

Help beautify our beachfronts by helping us on this cleanup. 

10:00am-10:10am: Volunteer Check-in and Paperwork 

10:10am- 10:15am: Introductions and Safety Talk. 

10:15am- 1:00pm: Beach Cleanup. Distance walked and end time of cleanup dependent on amount of trash present. 

Fee: Free / Please give your name to the West End 2 tollbooth to have your vehicle fee waived.

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors. Will be cancelled via email in the case of inclement weather. 

Distance: Up to 3 miles walking across sand. 

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Please scroll down for further information.

For this day at the beach, we will provide:

• PPE (gloves)

• Garbage bags

• Other equipment needed for cleanup

However, we ask that you please bring:

• Reusable water bottle

• Sun protection

• Weather appropriate clothing

• Closed toed shoes

Updated 5:00pm 8/22: CANCELLED

Due to complications with the weather this week, tonight’s program is cancelled! The Jones Beach Bandshell and AOSNY may be rescheduling for tomorrow night, but please refer to their Facebook and website for more information:

Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell | Wantagh NY | Facebook

Long Island astronomy - Amateur Observers' Society of New York, Inc.

Sign ups for the rescheduling will not be handled by us—space would be available first come first served.

Speakers:

Amateur Observers’ Society of New York

Established in 1965, the Amateur Observers’ Society of New York (“AOSNY”) was created as a means for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages to meet together. Amateur Astronomy is about helping others, learning, doing, and having fun!

Their mission is to bring Long Island astronomy to the public and provide astronomy resources to members. This expresses their commitment not only to serve their members, but also to educate and inspire the public.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Hike

Follow our guide around the West End. Learn about the history of the preserve and how to identify the various species we may find!

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee in effect

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 2.5 miles of walking on sand and pavement.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Children (Ages 7-12) | Class 

Slap on those gloves and get your dissection tools ready because we’re diving into the anatomy and survival adaptions of the squid. Join us for a guided squid dissection for a deeper understanding of these magnificent marine animals. 

All kids must be accompanied by an adult. 

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply 

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors on tables. 

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Volunteer

Help beautify our beachfronts by helping us on this cleanup. 

10:00am-10:10am: Volunteer Check-in and Paperwork 

10:10am- 10:15am: Introductions and Safety Talk. 

10:15am- 1:00pm: Beach Cleanup. Distance walked and end time of cleanup dependent on amount of trash present. 

Fee: Free / Please give your name to the West End 2 tollbooth to have your vehicle fee waived.

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors. Will be cancelled via email in the case of inclement weather. 

Distance: Up to 3 miles walking across sand. 

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Please scroll down for further information.

For this day at the beach, we will provide:

• PPE (gloves)

• Garbage bags

• Other equipment needed for cleanup

However, we ask that you please bring:

• Reusable water bottle

• Sun protection

• Weather appropriate clothing

• Closed toed shoes

Families (All Ages) | Walk

Get a taste of Jones Beach with a beautiful and easy walk. Take a guided walk down to the ocean and back to see what plants, animal tracks, and other features of the landscape there are to be seen on a given day, and learn about what makes Jones Beach unique.

This walk is at least 1 mile on sandy terrain.

Fee: $4 per person

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, but we in the case inclement weather we will cancel via email.

Distance: Up to 1 mile walk there-and-back walk on a sandy beach. 

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. 

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Terrariums

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

All Ages, preferred ages 8 and up | Citizen Science Event

Join an educator to learn all about seine fishing and learn all about the aquatic organisms that call Jones Bay home.

Seine fishing employs a large net (seine) with two poles. Two people stand parallel to the shore, each holding one pole. As it sweeps the water, the net catches aquatic organisms. After surveying these organisms, we will be releasing them to the bay.

We will meet at the Center to check-in and use the restrooms, and then you will get back in your vehicle and follow us to the seining site.

Please arrive on time, program departs 10 minutes after start time. If you have any questions, call 516-809-8222.

We will provide:

• Seine net

You MUST bring:

• Clothes you are comfortable getting wet.

• Closed-toe water shoes. NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS.

• Water

• Sunscreen

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Clay Magnets

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Cancelled due to thunderstorms

All Ages | Talk + Activity

Celebrate the solstice! Join us with our guest, AOSNY, for an evening of night skies! The program will start indoors for a brief talk on the winter sky before heading outside as the sky darkens. On our back deck, we will use multiple telescopes to focus on the various celestial bodies.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors and Outdoors

Weather: In the case of inclement weather, we will notify folks of cancellation via-email, and we will update this webpage morning-of.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Speakers:

Amateur Observers’ Society of New York

Established in 1965, the Amateur Observers’ Society of New York (“AOSNY”) was created as a means for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages to meet together. Amateur Astronomy is about helping others, learning, doing, and having fun!

Their mission is to bring Long Island astronomy to the public and provide astronomy resources to members. This expresses their commitment not only to serve their members, but also to educate and inspire the public.