The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey (VNACJ) Hospice program is hosting a free grief support camp for children on Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The “Hearts of Remembrance Children’s Day: A Celebration of Life” is designed for children 6-12 who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Children will enjoy a fun summer day filled with meaningful and uplifting activities including crafting, planting, scrap-booking, and pet therapy.

Social workers, trained volunteers, and hospice professionals will be available to support the children throughout the day. Parents are welcome to stay and join in the activities or spend time with other bereavement staff members.

The event will be held at the VNACJ Hospice headquarters at 1100 Wayside Road in Tinton Falls. Registration for Children’s Day is required. For more information about the day or other hospice services, call (732) 493-2220 and speak to Kerryann Silvestri or Staci Metz.

VNACJ Hospice, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, supports over 1,000 patients and their families each year.

Visit to purple martin colony slated for July 9

A visit to a large purple martin colony in the Locust section of Middletown is scheduled for July 9 at 10 a.m. A hands-on discussion of the birds’ natural history will also be offered.

The program and visit will be led by Tim Shaheen, a purple martin expert from the Purple Martin Association, and Scott Barnes, a senior naturalist from the New Jersey Audubon Society. Fee is $15 for nonmembers of Audubon, and $10 for members.

Preregistration is required and may be done by calling Sandy Hook Bird Observatory at (732) 872-2500 to register.

Deep Cut Orchid Society to meet July 12

The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its monthly meeting July 12 at 7 p.m. at Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls.

The meeting will feature the workshop “How to Buy an Orchid,” and culture booths containing Phals, Paphs and Cattleyas. The meeting will also feature refreshments, az plant raffle, and a door prize. Guests, as well as the public, are welcome at no charge.

For more information, call (732) 531-5058.

Music group to sponsor summer activities

The Red Bank Music Community (RBMC) is ready to launch into a summer schedule of music-related free events.

The RBMC is a community of musicians, writers and music enthusiasts centered in Red Bank. The group is run completely on volunteerism, donations and sponsorships.

Among the free summer events planned is Songwriters in the Park, which will take place every Tuesday between June 28 and Aug. 2 at Riverside Gardens Park on West Front Street. The programs will feature RBMC members and guest speakers, both poets and musicians, and will take place from 6:30-8 p.m.

RBMC will also present Kids’ Day in the Park on Aug. 7 from 1-5 p.m., which will feature performances and activities with many local children’s music organizations, including Count Basie Cool School and The Academy of Fine Arts and Music.

The RBMC will continue to hold its weekly Songwriters Workshops on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Count Basie Cool School on Monmouth Street.

The workshop on the first Tuesday of every month will feature a guest speaker and speakers this summer will include promoter Michael Tisdale, singer/songwriter Ginger Coyle, and performer Jet Dragon.

All activities are free.

For more information visit RedBankMusicCommunity.com.

Music group to sponsor summer activities

The Red Bank Music Community (RBMC) is ready to launch into a summer schedule of music-related free events.

The RBMC is a community of musicians, writers and music enthusiasts centered in Red Bank. The group is run completely on volunteerism, donations and sponsorships.

Among the free summer events planned is Songwriters in the Park, which will take place every Tuesday between June 28 and Aug. 2 at Riverside Gardens Park on West Front Street. The programs will feature RBMC members and guest speakers, both poets and musicians, and will take place from 6:30-8 p.m.

RBMC will also present Kids’ Day in the Park on Aug. 7 from 1-5 p.m., which will feature performances and activities with many local children’s music organizations, including Count Basie Cool School and The Academy of Fine Arts and Music.

The RBMC will continue to hold its weekly Songwriters Workshops on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Count Basie Cool School on Monmouth Street.

The workshop on the first Tuesday of every month will feature a guest speaker and speakers this summer will include promoter Michael Tisdale, singer/songwriter Ginger Coyle, and performer Jet Dragon.

All activities are free.

For more information visit RedBankMusicCommunity.com.

ALS ‘Family Nights’ to begin July 6

The American Littoral Society (ALS), Sandy Hook, will offer “Family Night” each Wednesday at 6 p.m. July 6-Aug. 24.

The ALS will host four to five families with children age 5-12 at its facility, and Society educators and naturalists will engage participants in activities such as seining, and other outdoor, hands-on activities. Families may picnic on the grounds beforehand. Cost is $20 per family for nonmembers, and $5 for members.

Attendance is first-come, first-served.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling the ALS at (732) 291-0055.