Bryan Thompson-Nowak
Jan McFarlan
Assistant Directors, Continuing Education, Morris Arboretum

Join us as we paddle the Wading River through the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Over a million acres of the Pine Barrens became our nation’s first National Reserve designed to protect its ecology as well as the enormous Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer that rests under its sandy soil. This area boasts unique carnivorous plants, teacolored water, the Jersey Devil, and miles of perfect waterways to enjoy. We will travel by van to New Jersey and spend roughly three hours paddling in individual kayaks. Participants should have some experience paddling, and bring their own bagged lunch and drink. Wear shoes or sandals that will get wet. Meet at the Arboretum. Park in the meadow to the left of the entrance kiosk.

Wednesday, July 10
8:00 a.m –4:00 p.m.

Jennifer Schelter
Leader, Educator, Artist, Founder –The Radiant Retreat

The incredible beauty of summer nights at the Morris Arboretum provides the backdrop for this unique opportunity to study inspirational Vinyasa (flow-style) yoga led by Jennifer Schelter, one of Philadelphia’s premier yoga teachers. Participants will learn the basics of yoga: breathing, mindfulness meditation, balance, strength, flexibility, core awareness, and deep relaxation surrounded by the Arboretum’s peaceful ambiance. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.  Inhale the sweet smell of flowers, and feel your skin aglow with the setting sun. Benefits include physical ease, balance and flexibility, reduction in stress and anxiety, increased energy, calm rejuvenation, inspiration, gratitude, laughter, fun, and community. All are welcome, including beginners.  Learn more about the instructor at www.jenniferschelter.com. Please bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Refunds will only be given five business days before the first session of the course. No class or attendee substitutions are permitted. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Ten Tuesdays: May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6
7:00–8:15 p.m.

Members: $180 for ten sessions, $100 for five
Non-members: $200 for ten sessions, $120 for five.

Single session/walk-in registrations are welcome, $25 (cash or check only) per class.

Nicky Beadle
Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist

Enjoy planting your own colorful and long-lasting container garden using specially selected miniature hostas.  These hostas can have the same great characteristics as larger hostas, but their tiny size makes them more versatile. Nicky has chosen a number of these diminutive beauties, which are as varied as their full-size counterparts, to create a distinctive container garden that you can take home and enjoy for years.  Learn how to design and maintain this small garden, then plant your own unique container, perfect for a shady patio or back porch.

This class meets at the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm Barn.

Saturday, June 22
10:00 a.m.–12 noon

Eileen Rosen
Art Teacher and Illustrator

What happens when you combine two very different mediums to paint a flower, fruit, or vegetable?  First, a flat, one-color, simple shape becomes the underpainting.  Then layering and blending with wax-based colored pencils adds realistic depth to the painting. Step-by-step demonstrations will explain the process. Fruits, vegetables, and other plants will be provided. No previous experience is required.  Please bring the following supplies: A set of 48 sharpened Prismacolor Premier colored pencils packaged in a black tin box that says “smooth color laydown.”  Do not purchase “water soluble,” which also comes in a black tin box.  Seven tubes of Cotman watercolors: Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Light or Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Red, Permanent Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, and Chinese White.  Also bring a pencil sharpener, a small container for water, a palette for mixing watercolors, a watercolor brush, and a small pad of either: Strathmore Bristol, smooth finish, or Strathmore Mixed Media, vellum surface.   Michaels and A.C. Moore should carry these supplies.  Please bring your lunch.

Three Saturdays, June 8, 15, 22
11:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.

Nicky Beadle
Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist

A piece of sculpture adds a whimsical accent to any garden. Learn how to turn a live leaf into stone and add year-round interest to that perfect nook in your garden during this two-hour workshop.  The concrete leaves make great bird baths, stepping stones, or even wall art. Bring your favorite leaf— perhaps a hosta, rhubarb, or magnolia.  If you don’t have access to leaves, we will have several available.  Fee includes all materials to make one large or two small leaf sculptures.  Dress to get messy. 

This class meets at the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center. 

Saturday, July 13
10:00 a.m.–12 noon

Margaret Rohde
Naturalist, Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA)

We will visit Crossways Preserve in Blue Bell, PA and meet with WVWA Naturalist, Margaret Rohde, to see bird banding by an expert in action!  Learn about bird conservation and research techniques, and find out what information can be collected by catching and banding wild birds.  We will then explore the 100-acre Willow Lake Farm in nearby Whitemarsh Township.  This pastoral landscape, which makes you feel like time has stood still, offers the greatest variety of wildlife habitats of any WVWA preserve and it attracts a wide range of breeding birds.  We will tour the Farm with a  naturalist. 

Dress for the weather.  Bring your binoculars and your lunch with something to drink.  Space is limited.  We will meet at the Arboretum and travel by van.  Park in the meadow next to the entrance kiosk.

Wednesday, June 26
8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.