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.

The Teachers’ Workshop provides educators with an immersive experience at the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. Teachers are placed in the role of students, and learn about how to use the building and site to teach students about environmental design, dune ecology, climate change, coastal resilience, and more. Participants can receive CTLE (Continuing Teacher and Leader Education) hours through the New York State Education Department.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Here are some preview questions from the Energy and Us unit. This will cover the first 30 minutes of the workshop

https://forms.office.com/g/7q7qisgE4q

RSVP required. Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov to cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so your spot can be made available to others.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Hike

State parks are a great place to explore from behind the lens of a camera! Photographers of all experience levels are invited to hike through the West End. Participants must provide their own camera equipment. Participants are welcome to use their phone cameras.

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

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 2 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.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Walk

Join a JBENC educator on a guided walk along the beachfront. On this walk you will learn about all of the commonly seen animals and signs of animals along the shore.

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

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors 

Distance: Up to 3 miles of walking on sand.  

RSVP: RSVP Required. 

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

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov so your spot may be made available to others.

All Ages | Guest Lecture

Join Dr. J. Bret Bennington for a night of summer skies! The program will start indoors for a brief talk on the winter sky before heading outside. On our back deck, we will use a telescope to focus on the Moon, the brighter stars, and their constellations.

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.

Speaker:

Dr. J. Bret Bennington - Chair of the Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Hofstra University

Dr. Bennington is a paleontologist who is also interested in regional geology and the geologic history of Long Island, his home for most of his life. In 2019 he was honored with the Neil Miner Award by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers for exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth sciences.

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. 

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+) | Class 

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

We encourage attendees to bring their own yoga mats. We have a limited amount of yoga mats at the Center—first come, first served.

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. 

9:30am-9:40am: Volunteer Check-in and Paperwork 

9:40am- 9:45pm: Introductions and Safety Talk. 

9:45am- 11:30am: 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

Adults & Teens (Ages +12) | Wellness Activity

Stretch out along our ocean-facing deck and observe the sun and watch as it goes down across the horizon.  

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

Fee: Free 

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, but we will move indoors in the case of inclement weather. 

Distance: We will be mostly stationary, but may have a 0.25 mile walk or stretch depending on time available. 

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

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

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.

Website: jonesbeachenc.org

Instagram: @JonesBeachENC

Facebook: Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center @JonesBeachENC

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the summer! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 1 mile of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

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: Solar Printing

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.