(4-Adult) Barred owls inhabit our stream valley parks. Learn to identify these owls from other native owls while enjoying the campfire. Toast marshmallows over the embers. Canceled in case of inclement weather. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-Adult) Play traditional Eastern Woodland Indian games of skill and luck which were common during the period of first European contact. Enjoy oral storytelling and make a game to take home. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(12-Adult) Huntley’s forests are home to certain plants whose ancestors have been with us since dinosaur times. Join artist and naturalist, Margaret Wohler, to learn about and sketch the ferns, moss and their allies on a 1.5 mile walk (flat terrain).

(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.

(3-7 yrs.) Put on your pajamas and come to the nature center to hear bedtime stories, meet animals and wish goodnight to the center's live animals. Bring your favorite stuffed animal with you. One adult only per registered child.

(10-Adult) Enjoy a naturalist-led hike and identify plants that are safe to eat and which ones to avoid. Learn the usefulness of plants for such rope making and folk remedies with connections to Eastern Woodland Indians. Meet at the visitor center.

(5-Adult) Hike through the fall foliage and identify trees. Find that perfect autumn leaf and make a craft keepsake.

(5-Adult) Kick off the start of international bat week at Riverbend Park. Learn about the fascinating lives of these flying mammals as you participate in an educational scavenger hunt through the woods. Conclude the evening with a naturally crafted bat decoration to take home.

(7-Adult) Walk the meadows and forest edges to see bats feeding on insects. Use a bat detector to hear echolocation. Learn about our native bats and their habits. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-Adult) Join a naturalist for a night of learning about the beauty of our local bats. It's time to clear these flying mammals' good name and understand how helpful they are to humans. The program will involve not only talking about bats, but also looking and listening for nearby bats.

(5-Adult) Join a naturalist to learn about what makes birds of prey, also known as raptors, different from other birds. Participate in activities and discussions about how these fierce hunters have adapted to their environment and why they are essential creatures in our ecosystem. The class will end with a walk to search for signs of raptors all around us.

(12-Adult) Hone your birding skills on the trail and learn to play our favorite bird themed board game: Wingspan. We will enjoy a round or more of this wonderful boardgame and take a bird walk in the park. All skill levels welcome.

(3-Adult) Hike with a naturalist to learn about different insects’ behavior and habitats. Explore the park to fill out bingo sheets to better appreciate the tiny workers around us.

(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.

(4-Adult) Enjoy a night hike to learn about nocturnal hunters. Listen to taped calls of owls and coyotes and possibly catch a glimpse of them in the forest. End the evening with s'mores round the campfire. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(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.

(4-9 yrs.) Bring your teddy bear or other plush friend to find out how bears became many children's first best friend. Learn about bears, have a bear treat and make a bear craft. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(4-Adult) Learn how the Powhatan Native Americans used the plants and animals you see every day for their medicine, grocery store and clothing. Immerse yourself in a way of life 400 years ago. Grind corn, make a clay pot, master corn darts and go on a guided tour to see the park from the perspective of a Virginia Indian.

(4-Adult) Join a naturalist this spooky season to learn more about the creepy crawlies. Face your fears and meet them in person. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(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.

(2-6 yrs.) Walk with a naturalist and your child as we investigate the critters who make this park their home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(8-Adult) Participants in this introductory session will practice John Muir Law's "I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of" nature journaling strategy to hone their observational skills and then learn different approaches to recording their observations on the page using images, words, and numbers. The objective is to connect to the natural world without an expectation of making great "art" or collecting/learning facts. Basic drawing supplies will be available or bring your own supplies if you'd prefer.

(16-Adult) Get to know our local songbirds through field sketches and studies. Includes a presentation on natural history, drawing tips, and a short bird hike.

(6-10 yrs.) Put on your hard hats and your safety vests as we explore animal architects, engineers and even sanitation workers. From building dams to cleaning up the streets, discover the important impact that these busy creatures have on the environment. 

(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”. Sept 24-Citizen Science, Oct 1-Trees Around You, Oct 8-Rocks Rock, Oct 15-Salamander Science, Oct 22-Fantastic Fungi. Bring your curiosity and get ready for some eco-adventure.