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LATE SUMMER 2025 NEWSLETTER |
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Summer has flown by, and Labor Day weekend is just around the corner! It’s been a busy season at Sandy Hook, especially at the historic Lifesaving Station, and there’s still plenty more to come. Catch up on what’s been happening, and get ready to kick off local summer at the Sandy Hook Foundation’s Beach Bash Benefit Concert on September 6th! |
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Have you ever been to a Beach Bash Concert? |
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If you have never been to a Sandy Hook Foundation Beach Bash Benefit Concert you are missing out and in for a treat! Check out this video to get a sense of what makes this community event so special then head on over to get your tickets today!
Your support, either by purchasing tickets, sponsorships or both, directly fuels SHF's ability to fulfill our mission of enhancing the visitor experience while protecting and preserving this national park we are so lucky to have in our backyard.
Read on to see the difference your support makes! |
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Osprey Fledglings Take Their First Flight! |
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The first fledgling flight on August 2nd was captured by friend of the Foundation, Ken Ostrom, who generously shared his photos with us.
This spring, three osprey chicks hatched right in front of the Lifesaving Station, and thanks to our new live-streaming osprey camera, we’ve been able to watch them grow all summer. It was an exciting day when they finally took flight!
While photographing the family, Ken spotted a band on the male (see photo 3). His research revealed the bird was tagged by Jeanne Hauser on June 27, 2019, at a chimney nest on Officer’s Row. That makes him a local! Osprey are known to return to the same breeding grounds each summer. The female is unbanded, so her story remains a mystery.
Funding for the osprey cam, software, installation, and upkeep is possible only because of generous donors and participants at fundraising events like the concert. Your support helps the Foundation enhance the visitor experience...even from afar! |
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Pro Tip: The Osprey Cam is a great way to check out wave and beach conditions! |
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The Lifesaving Station offers programs as varied as our visitors this summer! |
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This summer, the Sandy Hook Foundation hosted a wide range of low-cost and free programs at the Lifesaving Station. There was something for every age and interest!
Early risers enjoyed sunrise yoga and morning meditations. Creative spirits joined step-by-step painting classes, from a popular adult watercolor series to a children’s “how paint a horseshoe crab” workshop. Nature lovers explored educational programs with conservationist Dave Grant for adults and hands-on marine mentor sessions for kids. Even our free, drop-in “paint a shell” table drew participants of all ages...yes, grandparents were among the most enthusiastic artists!
This pilot season of Lifesaving Station programming was a success thanks to our supporters. Every program fee, event ticket, shop purchase, and dollar dropped in the donation box goes right back into the park. Thank you for helping us make it happen!
PS:So far this summer, the Lifesaving Station has welcomed well over 1,000 walk-in visitors, and that’s not even counting program participants! |
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SHF Interns: Making an impact this summer |
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What a difference our interns have made for visitors this season and we can hardly believe it’s almost time to send them back to college! Since Memorial Day, Samantha Skolnick (left) and Juliana Cardeno (right) have been at the heart of the Lifesaving Station’s operations. From creating and leading programs to managing daily logistics, supporting donor outreach, assisting with sponsor recognition, building content for our social channels, and even tackling data migration, they’ve truly done it all. Their energy and dedication have been invaluable!
As they both head into their senior year, Sam at American University in D.C. and Juliana at Monmouth University, we wish them the very best. We’re fortunate to have Juliana with us through the Beach Bash on September 6th, so be sure to stop by the tent to say hello if you’re attending!
Funding for programs like our summer internships is made possible through donor support and helps us engage with the next generation of leaders. Thank you for investing in opportunities that make such a meaningful impact! |
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Lighthouse Challenge of NJ Weekend adds a new stop on Sandy Hook! |
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We’re excited to share that the Spermaceti Cove U.S. Lifesaving Station No. 2 has officially been added as the 16th stop on New Jersey’s popular Lighthouse Challenge Weekend!
Mark your calendars: the 2025 Challenge takes place Saturday & Sunday, October 18–19.
The goal? Visit all the participating sites up and down the coast between 8 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday. Three locations will even offer special night climbs from 6–8 p.m. on Saturday. You can begin and end at any site, so it’s easy to map out your own route. |
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Psst...This Best Seller is Back in Stock |
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Good news! We have reordered this best selling SPF Nautical Map Shirt and it is due to arrive early next week. You can reserve your size today and we will ship it out to you as soon as we have it!
Keep yourself protected from the sun and cool in the heat with this UV long-sleeve tee! From a day at the beach to an evening walk on the bayside, this tee will keep you comfortable and safe from the sun. This long sleeve crew utilizes REPREVE® yarn that makes this garment 100% recycled! |
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Sandy Hook Foundation 83 Mercer Rd Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 sandyhooknj.org Federal Tax ID: 22-1994056 |
