JULY

JULY 1: If you really like insects and love going around and around and around, it’s your lucky day. Today marks the inauguration of the Bronx Zoo’s amazing BUG CAROUSEL featuring 64 creepy crawlies, all bigger than your little sister. It’s conveniently located (for you bug freaks) next to the Zoo’s Butterfly Garden, for a one-two punch of bug-i-ness. For more information: http://bronxzoo.com/278313/13686901

JULY 2, 16 and 30, 7-8:30 PM: Take your parents on a romantic sunset cruise – to see the amazing herons in New York Harbor. The New York City Audubon is offering SUNSET ECOTOURS on NY Water Taxis every other Saturday in July, for $20 a grownup head and $10 for kids under 12. The ecotours leave from the South Street Seaport and head either down past the Statue of Liberty to Hoffman and Swinburne Islands or up past the Brooklyn Bridge to the North and South Brother Islands. Grab your binoculars and call NY Water Taxi at 212-742-1969 or go to www.nywatertaxi.com for reservations.

JULY 8, 11 AM: Does your family investigate science hands-on? Then you’re a natural for FISH, the family science program led by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium for families with kids ranging from preK to 12 grade. Learn about the watery side of the Garden State, while getting messy with FISH’s trained instructors. Groups meet at Fort Hancock, Building 22, in Sandy Hook. For reservations call (732) 872-1300, Ext. 30 or head to http://www.njmsc.org/Education/FISH.htm.

JULY 10, 10 AM: How does a nice walk along the beach sound? What would you say if we threw in some butterflies and birds? Ready to join in? Meet the folks from the NYC Audubon for a BIRD AND BUTTERFLY WALK at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge – just don’t forget the bug juice and binocs. For information and reservations call 718-318-4340 or go to http://www.nps.gov/gate/pphtml/eventdetail17910.html

JULY 11-15, 9:30 AM: A full week of bug camp? Yes, the first week of Greenbelt Day Camp, offered in partnership with the City of NY Parks and Rec Dept, is devoted to INSECTS AND SPIDERS - and children 5-12 are invited to get buggy from 9:30 to 12:30 each weekday. The proram costs $100 a week for non members, members save $10. Head to Greenbelt Conservancy, High Rock Park, 200 Nevada Avenue, off Rockland Avenue or to http://www.sigreenbelt.org/Camp/Camp.htm

JULY 11 – 14, 9:30 AM: : If you live on Staten Island and are 7-12, July is the month to become a Junior Ranger. Just head to the Great Kills Education Field Station, wearing appropriately comfy junior ranger gear, and carrying a snack and water.. For reservations call (718) 987-6790 or click on http://www.nps.gov/gate/pphtml/eventdetail18053.html for more information.

JULY 16, 10 AM: Dead Horse Bay is not nearly as creepy as it sounds – in fact, it’s jam-packed with shells, birds and other animals. Kids 8 to 14 are invited to meet at the Ranger Station at Dead Horse Bay’s Main Entrance to check out the scene with an honest-to-god park ranger. Don’t forget the sunscreen and insect repelling lotion! For reservations call 718-338-3799.

JULY 16, 23, 30, 10:30 AM: Here’s one for your 24-35 month old kids out there – it’s TODDLER TIME at Alley Pond. Yes, have your grown up bring you to Queens for just over an hour of small-tot nature immersion. The price for the series is $42 for members, $48 for nonmembers – and your siblings are not invited. For more information go to: http://alleypond.com/events/index.cfm.

JULY 25-29, 9:30 AM: You think you’re a native New Yorker? Tell that to the Lenape Indians who used to spend their summers on Staten Island. This week the Greenbelt Day Camp, in partnership with the City of NY Parks and Rec Dept, will tell children 5-12 everything they’ve ever wanted to know about the Native Americans of the New York region from 9:30 to 12:30 each weekday. The proram costs $100 a week for non members, members save $10. The pow wow’s at the Greenbelt Conservancy, High Rock Park, 200 Nevada Avenue, off Rockland Avenue – see the website at http://www.sigreenbelt.org/Camp/Camp.htm for more information.

JULY 30, 12:30 PM: Set sail abord the South Street Seaport Museum’s beautiful 1885 schooner Pioneer and spend the afternoon EXPLORING THE MARINE ECOLOGY of New York Harbor with someone who does just that for a living. Adults are $30, students $25 and children under 12 $20. Call 212 748 8786 for reservations, then meet your fellow sailors at the Visitors Center on Pier 16.