(5-Adult) Parents and children will sip tea, enjoy butterfly-shaped sandwiches and join the crazy fun of Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter and his friends at the strangest of tea parties. Meet a live creature from the story. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(4-Adult) Spring is the time for many animals to give birth and raise young. Meet some young animals and discover how wild creatures grow and develop. Child must be accompanied by an adult also registered in this program.

(4-7 yrs.) Explore the woods, creeks and ponds as we look for all sorts of critters. Learn about the animal life science of frogs, toads, birds, mammals, snakes, turtles, fish and insects through hikes, projects and games.

(5-8yrs) Investigate the properties of water and air, make bubbling concoctions, learn about electricity, and the science of bubbles. Older campers will also learn about bacteria and DNA.

(8-12yrs) Investigate the properties of water and air, make bubbling concoctions, learn about electricity, and the science of bubbles. Older campers will also learn about bacteria and DNA.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

(All Ages) Experience local biodiversity and be a citizen scientist. The annual City Nature Challenge is a fun opportunity to respectfully observe and document the wild plants and animals who share our environment. Join a park naturalist to learn how to use the iNaturalist app on your cell phone, explore the park trails, upload your observations and make identifications. Help the Washington DC Metro Area win this friendly global competition.

(6-10 yrs.) From tadpoles to meadow voles, water is needed for all living things. Join us for this mostly outdoor camp as we explore many features of the watershed and learn about animals that depend on it. Be prepared to get wet, do cool experiments and learn how humans affect the quality of water in our rivers and streams.

Campers will become junior paleontologists as naturalists lead discovery of the latest in dinosaur knowledge through crafts, games and fossils.

(5-9yrs) Campers will become junior paleontologists as naturalists lead discovery of the latest in dinosaur knowledge through crafts, games and fossils.

(16-Adult) Learn about owl adaptations as you draw owl feathers, eggs, talons, skulls and taxidermy mounts. Go on a hike to learn about owl habitats, then dissect your own owl pellet to figure out what owls eat and draw some of the bones. Your choice of watercolor, colored pencil or ink pens.

(16-Adult) Beetles and bugs are everywhere from logs, to forests, gardens and even in the water. Learn some natural history, anatomy and tips for drawing the Coleoptera and Hemiptera families. We will draw from the center’s preserved insect collection as well as from photos and field guides. Your choice of watercolors or colored pencil.

(8-12 yrs.) Join naturalists for one or all of these weekly explorations of our forest and stream ecosystems. We’ll investigate the natural world through hands-on activities and experiments. Topics will supplement learning towards the VA science SOLs for grades 4-6, while in our outdoors science “lab”. Weekly themes include: Apr 8-Plant Power, Apr 15-Marvelous Metamorphosis, Apr 22-Wacky Weather, and Apr 29-Earth's Energy. Bring your curiosity and get ready for some eco-adventure.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

(7-12) Experience all the aspects of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) as we explore animal adaptations of local wildlife through engaging and hands-on projects.

(4-7 yrs.) Join our pirate crew in search for natural treasures in the park. We’ll make treasure chests, look for messages in bottles, find hidden treasure, blast balloon cannon balls and view a puppet show. Meet live animals and learn about habitats, such as fresh water, oceans and rain forests.

(5-9 yrs.) Join our pirate crew in search for natural treasures in the park. We’ll make treasure chests, look for messages in bottles, find hidden treasure, blast balloon cannon balls and view a puppet show. Meet live animals and learn about habitats, such as fresh water, oceans and rain forests.

(5-8 yrs.) Come on a safari and explore bugs and insects that inhabit our natural areas. Collect, examine and identify little creatures using magnifiers and microscopes. Learn about their important jobs as pollinators and decomposers through projects and scientific investigations.

(7-12 yrs.) Come on a safari and explore bugs and insects that inhabit our natural areas. Collect, examine and identify little creatures using magnifiers and microscopes. Learn about their important jobs as pollinators and decomposers through projects and scientific investigations.

(2-5 yrs.) Youngsters and their accompanying adult begin sharing nature’s wonders in this interactive class. Experiences include: meeting animals, stories, games and outdoor exploration. Dress for the weather. Quiet infants welcome. Topics covered are: 3/2 Wild Dogs, 3/9 Wily Woodpeckers, 3/16 Rainbows, 3/23 Signs of Spring, 4/13 Bounding Bunnies, 4/20 Green is Great, 4/27 Spring Flowers, 5/4 Animal Moms, 5/11 Walk, Waddle, Wiggle, 5/18 Bird Nests & Eggs.

(7-12 yrs.) In this camp, science/engineering, art, and innovation come together. Each day campers will be given a question or challenge for inspiration, and they will design, experiment, build, and test their original creations using materials found in nature or recycled household items. Ingenuity, resourcefulness and flexibility are encouraged in this playful camp. No camp July 3.

(5-9 yrs.) Discover what daily life was like for the Eastern Woodland American Indians. From animal tracking to shelter building, children learn survival skills through outdoor activities, games and more. Camp focuses on the culture and lives of the Powhatan. Some sites include tool making and a cookout on the last day.

(Adults) Bring your baby and learn about the health benefits of early exposure to the outdoors. Learn how to create a nature-based play environment and simple activities for you and your baby to enjoy the outdoors safely. Take a walk with a naturalist. Intended for parents or caretakers of children under two.

(3-Adult) Bring your picnic blanket and lunch or snack for an outdoor lesson on the animals of our 52 acre wood and how they compare to Pooh and his friends. Hear a Pooh nature story. Stuffed animal friends also welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(5-9 yrs.) Learn about the cool characteristics of creatures such as snakes, turtles, frogs and other cold-blooded animals. Activities include hikes to the wetland, arts and crafts, games, animal encounters and hands-on activities.

(4-Adult) Enjoy a naturalist guided walk through the forested trails, conducted entirely in American Sign Language. Look for seasonally active wildlife. Touch biofacts like turtle shells and snakeskin. Each season brings different wildlife into view. Children must be accompanied by registered adult.

(4-Adult) Enjoy a brief presentation and demonstration by our animal caretaker staff. At least one snake, two turtles and a toad will be fed. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(16-Adult) Enjoy a digital detox as you hike through the woods and learn about the healing benefits of nature. Practice forest bathing techniques designed to help you connect with nature and improve your well-being. Led by a certified forest bathing instructor.