Join the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and its Division of Fish & Wildlife and try your hand at kayak fishing in Barnegat Bay from August 15-16. This program is designed for experienced anglers, aged 18 and older, who have their own saltwater fishing rod and reel. The overnight workshop will cover kayak safety, different types of kayaks, paddling skills, casting techniques, and more! Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided.
The event is run out of Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center in Seaside Park from Saturday, August 15 through Sunday, August 16. The cost for the program is $200 per person, and includes meals, lodging and equipment. The deadline for application is August 7, 2026.
For teachers who would like to join NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Sedge Island staff exploring the salt marsh with activities you can bring back to your classroom and students, there are two different overnight workshop sessions this month – August 17-18 or August 18-19 – where participants in this will engage in classroom-ready activities, learning about New Jersey’s salt marshes, all while staying at the Sedge House.
During the workshop, educators will:
- Explore the unique ecology of the salt marsh by kayak.
- Learn about the flora and fauna of the marsh through trawling, seining, clamming, fishing, and more.
- Receive classroom-ready lesson ideas and resources aligned with science standards.
The Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center is a rustic, renovated duck hunting lodge situated on an island, a mile from Island Beach State Park, in Barnegat Bay. It is now used as a residential environmental education facility. There are amenities that will help make the overnight workshop comfortable – like composting toilets, running water, common room, dining room, and fans. There are bunk rooms that participants will be paired up to share.
Cost for the upcoming teachers’ overnight workshop is $50 and includes lodging, materials and meals. Registration deadline is August 7, 2026.
For more information, contact Karen at karen.byrne@dep.nj.gov or 609-947-1201.
