Fishing Clinic
Join an educator and learn about the fish that live in Jones Bay with our free rod and reel fishing clinic. All ages welcome. CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY
This program takes place at Jones Beach State Park Field 10 Fishing Piers
Astronomy Night with AOSNY
All Ages | Activity
Join us with our guest, AOSNY for an evening of night skies! On our back deck, we will use multiple telescopes to focus on the various celestial bodies.
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: 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.
Monarch Tagging
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.
We encourage everyone to bring their own butterfly nets, preferably long nets, since supplies are limited.
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.
Monarch Tagging
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.
We encourage everyone to bring their own butterfly nets, preferably long nets, since supplies are limited.
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.
STEAM Workshop: Fish Dissection
Children (Ages 7-12) | Activity
Join an educator each week to explore a different topic in science, technology, engineering, art, or mathematics through experiments, art projects, and more.
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.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
STEAM Workshop: Wind Turbines
Children (Ages 7-12) | Activity
Join an educator each week to explore a different topic in science, technology, engineering, art, or mathematics through experiments, art projects, and more.
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.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
STEAM Workshop: Squid Dissection
Children (Ages 7-12) | Activity
Join an educator each week to explore a different topic in science, technology, engineering, art, or mathematics through experiments, art projects, and more.
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.
Fishing Clinic
Join an educator and learn about the fish that live in Jones Bay with our free rod and reel fishing clinic. All ages welcome. CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY
This program takes place at Jones Beach State Park Field 10 Fishing Piers
Community Seining
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.
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
Weather: In the case of inclement weather, we will notify folks of cancellation via-email
RSVP: RSVP Required.
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
Astronomy Night with AOSNY
All Ages | Activity
Join us with our guest, AOSNY. for an evening of night skies! On our back deck, we will use multiple telescopes to focus on the various celestial bodies.
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: 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.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to experience our Touch Tank with an educator! You will meet hermit crabs, snails and more marine life some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Plover Day with Audubon
Family fun at the beach! Learn about all the beach nesting birds that call Long Island home. In Partnership with Audubon New York
Fishing Clinic
Join an educator and learn about the fish that live in Jones Bay with our free rod and reel fishing clinic. All ages welcome. CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY
This program takes place at Jones Beach State Park Field 10 Fishing Piers
Sharks 4 Kids Day
Celebrate Shark Week 2026 on Long Island with Sharks4Kids ambassador, Marissa DeBonis and the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center! Family-friendly fun for all!
Teachers’ Workshop
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.
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.
Wild Wild West End
Howdy, partners! Are you looking for a western-themed fun summer adventure? Join us in the Wild Wild West End for games, crafts, and other activities! Earn gold coins at different activities to redeem for a prize and ride off into the sunset with your loot.
Astronomy Night with AOSNY
All Ages | Activity
Join us with our guest, AOSNY. for an evening of night skies! On our back deck, we will use multiple telescopes to focus on the various celestial bodies.
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: 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.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Teachers’ Workshop
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.
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.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Fishing Clinic
Join an educator and learn about the fish that live in Jones Bay with our free rod and reel fishing clinic. All ages welcome. CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY
This program takes place at Jones Beach State Park Field 10 Fishing Piers
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Community Seining
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.
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
Weather: In the case of inclement weather, we will notify folks of cancellation via-email
RSVP: RSVP Required.
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
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Astronomy Night with Dr. J Bret Bennington
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 night 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.