Formerly a resort named Honeymoon Haven, PEEC was created after the National Park Service acquired the land through the Tocks Island project. Started as a joint venture between the Park Service and Keystone Junior College in 1972, the facility became privately owned and nonprofit in 1986. PEEC covers 38 acres, including 12 miles of hiking trails. Classes and workshops are conducted on the 200,000 acres of public land controlled by the federal government. During the week, students usually grades 7 to 9 come to PEEC on field trips lasting two to three days.
Teachers receive a list of available activities to choose from.
Scheduled events usually include pond study, plant and animal study, and canoeing. Efforts are made to keep classroom work to a minimum and let the kids have fun while they learn. The students, most of whom come from New York City and urban New Jersey, sleep in the 45 guest cabins that, years ago, housed young newlyweds. Because of their past use, the cabins are much better equipped than might be expected and feature huge, tiled bathrooms that cry out for heart-shaped tubs. An average day s menu might include corned beef hash for breakfast, a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch and spaghetti at dinner.