(3-8 yrs.) Learn about animal adaptations while you munch on cookies and lemonade. Enjoy a story, craft and trail activity along a short hike. Child must be accompanied by an adult.

(3-Adult) It's dinner time at the nature center and worms and insects are on the menu. Help our naturalist care for and feed the nature center's animals.

(2-5 yrs.) Dig down deep and investigate who lives in the dark, damp world under the forest floor as we learn about moles, earthworms, termites and the many other creatures of the soil. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(6-Adult) Join a naturalist to discover the facts, fiction and folklore about nature’s only true flying mammal- bats. We will set the record straight about these incredible but often-misunderstood group of animals. The program will start with a presentation followed by a night walk where we will use a special acoustic device to listen for and identify bat calls not heard with the human ear.

(3-Adult) Explore the trails with a naturalist to learn about the different characteristics that can be used to identify birds. Keep an eye on your surroundings as you fill out a bingo sheet to better connect to our friends in the sky.

(4-Adult) Beaks, feathers, nests and talons are examined to explore the avian world that surrounds us. Find out about bird life cycles, migration patterns and adaptations that make these creatures fascinating. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(5-Adult) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(3-Adult) Enjoy a stroll along the lake shores and learn about the constellations, their stories and other night-sky features. Our astronomical naturalist will identify the stars and will have some telescopes to use. The program concludes with a campfire. S'mores ingredients provided. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-Adult) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. During the program we will explore the wonders of our natural world. Our programs may include nature walks, interactive activities, animal presentations, or other opportunities to learn about nature and our place in it. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(2-7 yrs.) Join a naturalist to discover the various wildlife that can be found in the lake. Search for tadpoles, insects, and frogs to catch and release, while also learning about what makes each creature special. Bring old shoes that can get wet and muddy.

(Adults) Learn about the life cycle, behavior and identification of Huntley's many dragonflies and damselflies. Venture to the wetland to observe these acrobatic fliers in action. Canceled if it rains.

(5-Adult) Join us on a magical evening walk in the park to learn about and see the different colors and signal patterns of this fascinating insect.

(9-Adult) With every season there are different blooms, leaves, roots, seeds and mushrooms that you can identify and eat. Learn how to eat from the forest safely and ethically as you join a Naturalist on a walk by the Lake. Please be aware that foraging is prohibited in Fairfax County parks. This class will focus on how to safely identify various edible plants, as well as their uses. No plants will be picked during the course of the class.

(6-Adult) Enjoy nature's tranquil beauty and the night sky under a full moon. Take a hike through the woods to listen and look for signs of nocturnal animals that may be flying overhead or stirring beneath our feet. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s'mores provided. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-Adult) Join a Naturalist to scavenge parks nooks and crannies for some fungi and friends to observe and hear about all the roles they play in our great outdoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(3-8 yrs.) These wild members of the dog family are a common sight in our neighborhoods. Learn about their lives through activities and practice yipping like a fox. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  

(All Ages) Come explore the many wonders Hidden Pond has to offer. Each family-friendly session features a different theme—ranging from animal talks to hands-on pond netting and other interactive activities. Join us to discover something new about nature every time you visit.

(8-Adult) Join our park naturalist on a hike and explore wild plants and animals throughout the trails. Learn how to use the iNaturalist app to take pictures of things you find along the way. Smart phones, cameras and binoculars welcome. Each hike will feature a different theme and may include: salamanders, birds and other wildlife, wildflowers, trees, nature photography, cultural history, or a scenic destination.

(12-Adult) Join local artist and naturalist, Margaret Wohler, to learn tips and techniques for drawing dragonflies and other insects you may find in the park.

(4-Adult) Meet a naturalist and explore the lake. Join as we search for and learn more about the creatures who call the lake home including reptiles, amphibians, and macroinvertebrates. Bring old shoes that can get wet and muddy.

(4-Adult) Come and explore the "underworld" under fallen logs. Discover the bugs, fungi and salamanders that live under the forest floor. Collect, examine and identify creatures using magnifiers and microscopes. Learn about their important jobs as pollinators and decomposers through projects and scientific investigations.

(2-6 yrs.) Explore the ever-changing landscape of the garden. Each week, participants will explore and discover the changes in the garden. This program will feature seasonal activities that can include planting seeds, pollinators, harvesting vegetables, digging in the soil and exploring plant parts. Adults must attend with a registered child. 

(9-Adult) Join a naturalist to learn how to preserve nature by creating resin pendants encapsulating small natural specimens. Discover how to responsibly select natural materials, while also learning how to use resin to make your own natural charm. No living wildlife will be affected in the making of the charms. All materials will be provided.

(5-Adult) Join us for up-close encounter with some of nature's most fascinating but misunderstood creatures. Meet native crawlies, friendly giant millipedes and hissing cockroaches as you discover the important roles these "creepy crawlies" play in keeping our ecosystems healthy. This hands-on family program reveals why these incredible invertebrates are actually the unsung heroes of the natural world.

(4-Adult) Enjoy a night hike with a naturalist to learn about nocturnal wildlife. Learn about adaptations animals have to help them hunt and stay safe in the dark. All participants, including accompanying adults, must be registered in the program.

(3-Adult) Stomp your way to a most unusual picnic in the woods. Bring your picnic blanket and lunch or snack for an outdoor lesson about dinosaurs. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(12-Adult) Going on nature walks are not only beneficial for your physical health, but also for your mental health. Clear your mind as you walk with a naturalist through the woods, as you learn what techniques you can use to help repair your mind from the stress of your day-to-day life.

(5-Adult) Join a naturalist to search for signs of raptors, also known as birds of prey, and explore what makes them different from other birds.