Family Nature Journaling at River Hook Preserve — June 13 ART Day

On June 13, River Hook Preserve in Upper Nyack, New York becomes a compact outdoor classroom and sketchbook. The Edward Hopper House Museum invites families to meet at the Stone Barn at River Hook Preserve, 611 N Midland Avenue, for a two-hour, artist-led nature journaling session that pairs a short guided walk with hands-on artmaking. Local artist and author-illustrator Suzanne Morris leads the group, teaching simple observation skills and quick drawing techniques inspired by the museum’s current exhibition, James Prosek: Memory Trees & Shadows. The program is built for curious kids and the adults who accompany them: youth must be age 7 or older, and the group is limited to 25 participants so instruction feels personal. Expect 45–60 minutes of a gentle, interpretive stroll along maintained paths, focusing on light, shadow, shape, and texture in plants, stonework, and open meadow edges. Then settle at the Stone Barn or nearby sheltering trees to assemble a nature journal, try layered marks, and make ink-and-wash sketches informed by what you observed. Materials and instruction are included in the program fee; registration confirms space for your family. What makes this a standout local outing is the way it blends art practice with place-based learning on a small preserve that sits within the Hudson Valley’s mix of preserved greenspace and suburban edges. River Hook has an approachable shoreline and walking paths that make the landscape accessible to families; the Stone Barn provides a practical meeting point and a rustic backdrop for sketching. The program’s partnership with the Edward Hopper House Museum connects museum audiences to the outdoor scenes that inform visual artists, and the event is supported in part by New York state arts funding and private donors. Practical details matter: children must stay with their adults and on established paths; the program runs rain or shine, so dress for weather. Parking is available in the Middleton Lot and along nearby streets; check arrival directions on confirmation email. Fees are modest—Adult $15, Child under 18 $10, family options and member discounts apply—making this an affordable way to introduce kids to observation skills and creative practice in nature. This outing is ideal for families that enjoy gentle walks, slow looking, and creative prompts that encourage repeated visits to notice seasonal change. Whether your child is a reluctant sketcher or already obsessed with birds and bark, the June 13 Family ART Day offers a compact, memorable way to turn a preserve visit into a creative habit. Families should arrive 10 minutes early to check in at the Stone Barn, and organizers recommend closed-toe shoes for uneven footing, small backpacks for materials, and a spare sketchbook to take home as a keepsake of discovery and practice for outings.