MORRIS COUNTY

What's ahead in Morris County

Staff Report

Winter mini-camps offered for kids

CHATHAM – The Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center will offer "Wild About Winter Mini-Camps" today through Wednesday.

Sessions will take place indoors and outdoors, with separate times available for children ages 2-4 and 5-8.

The session for 2- to 4-year-olds will be held at 10 to 11:30 a.m.; older children will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Parents are required to stay with the younger group.

The topics for the three days will cover "Winter Birds," "All About Turkeys" and "All About Animal Tracks."

Children will participate in walks, do crafts and listen to themed stories.

The Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center is located at 247 Southern Blvd. in Chatham.

The fee is $12 to $16 per day. Registration is required.

For more information, call 973-635-6629 or visit www.morrisparks.net/calendars.asp.

N.J. state parks host New Year's hikes

New Jersey residents can kick off the new year with free outdoor activities offered around the state on Thursday as part of the annual "State Parks First Day Hikes" national initiative.

New Jersey Park Service staff and volunteers will conduct 19 free guided hikes, walks and interpretive tours, plus two bike rides and a horseback ride, at locations in 12 counties across the state, from Cape May to Warren and Sussex counties, on New Year's Day.

Information about registration, hike locations, trail difficulty, length, terrain and tips regarding proper clothing can be found at www.njparksandforests.org/parks/first_day_hikes.html.

NBA's Dribble, Dish & Swish competition for area children to start Saturday

The Madison Area YMCA will hold its NBA FIT Dribble, Dish & Swish Competition at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The competition is free.

Children will compete in a 60-second "dribbling, passing and shooting" obstacle course.

First-place winners will advance to one of four regional competitions taking place throughout the New York City Tri-State Area later in January.

Regional winners will advance to the All-Star Finals on Feb. 13-15 at NBA All-Star weekend in New York City.

Boys and girls compete in separate divisions and are split into three age groups: 7- to 8-year-olds. 9- to 10-year-olds and 11- to 12-year-olds.

Age placement is determined by the Feb. 14 cutoff date. A copy of the child's birth certificate is required for participation.

Doors open at 3:15 p.m. A YMCA membership is not required.

For more information, contact Madison Area YMCA Sports Director Jeff de Zutter at 973-822-4622. For information on NBA FIT Dribble, Dish & Swish, visit www.nba.com/nbafit/dribbledishswish.

'First Night Morris' set for Wednesday

The 23rd annual "First Night Morris 2015" New Year's Eve celebration, presented by Morris Arts, will take place from 4:45 p.m. to midnight Wednesday in Morristown.

Approximately 20 venues within walking distance of the Green in Morristown will host family-oriented activities and 80 different performances.

Two hundred performers from various styles ranging from dance to classic rock, jazz guitar to stage magic, and world music to stand-up comedy are scheduled to participate.

Free shuttle bus service will be available to transport participants to venues. Free parking will be available at select locations.

Tickets are $25, with discounts available for groups of four or more; admission is free for children ages 4 and younger.

For more information, visit www.firstnightmorris.com.

The following locations are scheduled to participate:

•Morristown High School, 50 Early St.

•Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St.

•St. Peter's Episcopal Church, South Street at Miller Road.

•St. Peter's Parish House, 70 Maple Ave.

•Church of the Redeemer, 26 South St.

•Presbyterian Parish House, 65 South St.

•Morristown United Methodist Church, 50 Park Place.

•Presbyterian Church on the Green, 57 Park Place.

•Market Street Mission, 9 Market St.

•First Baptist Church, 51 Washington St.

•Administration and Record Building, 10 Court St.

•Hyatt Morristown, 3 Speedwell Ave.