KIDZ CONNECTION PAGE 26 theconnectionsnj.com By Joanne Kleinle Battling the Boredom Blues The days are getting longer. The sun is getting stronger. School is letting out soon… now what do we do? The family vacations, camps, and pool memberships that you have likely already lined up will ll up most of the days. As any experienced parent knows; however, no matter how much you plan, there is no guarantee that you will not hear the wail of “I’m bored!” every once in a while. The solution? Be prepared and stash a few ideas for some fun day trips in your back pocket- just in case. If your kids (or you!) like to explore, there is a little-known treasure that is only about an hour away-Lost River Caverns. Located in Hellertown, PA, these caverns were an active limestone quarry for a brief period in the late nineteenth century. Since then, the beautiful rock formations and hidden passages have served as everything from a place for bootleggers to store their wares during Prohibition to a place to hold dances. The caverns have a consistent temperature of 52 degrees. The natural air conditioning offers relief on the hottest of summer afternoons or something active to do on a rainy afternoon. One large “room” was even dedicated as the “Crystal Chapel” and was a site for over 100 ceremonies from 1949 until 2009. There are 30-45 minute tours daily from 11 am until 4:30 pm. You must reserve ahead on weekends and holidays- and remember to bring a sweater! A little closer to home, there is the perfect activity to bring a little peace and relaxation to your day while working off some nervous energy. Everyone knows the fun that can be had at the Turtle Back Zoo. The zoo is on a beautiful park complex. What is less known is that there are Swan Paddle Boats available for rent. The Paddle Boat Launch is located on the shore of the Orange Reservoir. There is a fee for a two-person or four-person boat. The boats are shaped like swans and you paddle your way around the scenic reservoir. Tickets can be purchased with cash or credit at the Boat Hut. They are not available in advance. Just a note-children under two and pets are not permitted, and the boats do not operate in certain weather conditions like high winds, heavy rain, or lightning, so plan accordingly. How about those summer nights? If you are feeling a bit nostalgic and want to give your kids a taste of a simpler time-how about a drivein movie? This is something the whole family can experience together. Family Drive-In Movie nights are offered free at Billian Legion Park, 548 East Main Street in Bound Brook. Space is limited and registration is required so go to the website at downtownboundbrook.com/ events to get more information and to register. Just over the border in New York, there is the Warwick Drive-In. It is a vintage drive-in movie theater with three screens showing six different movies each nightwith movies that cater to every age. Check out the website at www.warwickdrivein.com/ for more information. If you are game for a short road trip, the Cowtown Rodeo is definitely worth it! Located off Route 1 of the NJ Turnpike in Pilesgrove, the Cowtown Rodeo is the only professional weekly rodeo in New Jersey and the longest-running weekly professional rodeo in the United States! If your appetite for the traditions of the Old West has been whetted by watching television shows like Yellowstone or Heartland, you don’t have to travel out West to see rodeo for yourself. Cowtown Rodeo has a rodeo show every Saturday night from the end of May through the end of September. They also have two Professional Bull Riding weekends: July 29-30 and August 5-6. More information is found at https://cowtownrodeo.com/. So if at some point this summer, you start to feel the natives getting a bit restless, check out one of these great activities. You can turn that boredom around into some wonder, some laughs, and some great family memories together. Have a great summer! If your appetite for the traditions of the Old West has been whetted by watching television shows like Yellowstone or Heartland, you don’t have to travel out west to see rodeo for yourself. Cowtown Rodeo has a rodeo show every Saturday night from the end of May through the end of September. ADVENTURES FAMILY OPEN HOUSE & st 1 DAY OF SCHOOL September 10, 2023 All Are Welcome! 2023-2024 REGISTRATION Starting May 28th Standard Chinese Language (Pre-K to Grade 9) Now Enrolling for Summer Camp Kierson Farm is home to New Jersey's largest and most respected riding lesson program. Let Camp Kierson bring your child's love of horses to life! Day Camps for beginner riders. Half Day available. Advanced Horsemanship Camps for Horse Crazy kids that want all horses all Day! Camps & Lessons for Ages 3+ Plan Your Birthday Party with Us! WWW.KIERSONFARM.COM KIERSONFARM@ME.COM - 908-528-3307 107 W. WOODSCHURCH RD., FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822
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