March 31, 2026- The New Jersey School of Conservation— a center for environmental learning in a natural environment located in Branchville, NJ — welcomed students from High School East for two separate field trips that took place last week and yesterday. Were the kids pumped? You bet (right).

Last week it was STEAM Academy freshmen who visited the SOC, where they participated in three different lessons all relating to the environment and conservation. They studied Herpetology (reptiles and amphibians) and then went searching for salamanders. They also went on an interpretive hike (above) and learned about thermal properties by measuring the temperatures of things in both shade and sun.

"It's just good for the soul." - Jessica Kurtz

The second trip yesterday included the APES and AP Research students, who advanced their survival skills — starting fires and building primitive shelters — went canoeing, and learned how cast a reel in order to properly fish.

The trips were fully grant-funded through Ramapo College and the NJDOE, and on both occasions students were fully immersed in outside education and experiencing wildlife. They explored bear dens and whistling bird calls, received cool slices of history like standing exactly where Babe Ruth's outhouse once was, and were able to detach from devices and tech to relax, heal, and breathe in nature.

“It's just good for the soul,” said STEAM biology instructor and trip organizer Jessica Kurtz. “The kids had a great time — and so did the teachers.

Speaking of, there to chaperone and, thankfully, photograph both trips was HSE teacher Allison Goodwin, whose photos are featured here and below.