Floating Classroom Offering Summer Learning Cruises
LAKE HOPATCONG, N.J. (June 24, 2021) – The Lake Hopatcong Foundation (LHF) will be running 90-minute summer cruises on their Floating Classroom, an interactive education center with scientific equipment right on board to facilitate a hands-on learning experience that’s fun for children and adults alike. These informational, ecology-based cruises will depart at 11 am from Hopatcong State Park every Monday from July 12 through August 30.
Once on board, guests will learn all about Lake Hopatcong, while taking part in experiments such as water clarity testing with secchi disks and collecting and studying plankton from lake water samples.
“What better way to learn all about Lake Hopatcong than right on the lake?” said LHF Grants and Program Director Donna Macalle-Holly. “Along with the beautiful views as we cruise, passengers are also invited to view the tiny world of plankton, microscopic organisms that are plentiful and diverse on our lake and critical to the stability of its ecosystem.” 
Advance tickets are recommended, however, walk-on guests are welcome, as space permits. Tickets prices are $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 17 and under, and $18 for seniors ages 65 and up. Activities are geared toward guests who are at least 10 years old, but younger guests are welcome to come aboard and join the cruise. Reservations can be made at lakehopatcongfoundation.org or by calling the Lake Hopatcong Foundation office at 973-663-2500.
In addition to the cruise fee, there is a fee to enter Hopatcong State Park, which is $6 for New Jersey residents and $10 for out-of-state residents per carload on weekdays in the summer. Free State Park passes are currently available through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s "Vax and Visit" program to all New Jersey residents who receive at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccination by July 4, 2021. Apply online at nj.gov/dep/vaxandvisit.
“One of our most important initiatives is educating people about the importance of our freshwater resources and how to take care of them,” said LHF Executive Director Kyle Richter. “Each cruise provides the opportunity to inspire new advocates who are as passionate about fostering a vibrant and healthy Lake Hopatcong as we are.”
The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting the lake environment and enhancing the lake experience by bringing together public and private resources to encourage a culture of sustainability and stewardship on and around New Jersey’s largest lake, for this and future generations. To learn more, visit lakehopatcongfoundation.org.
