(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.

(5-Adult) Listen to the frogs singing at night and learn how to identify them based on their calls. Program includes a night hike to learn and identify different frog calls and see what other amphibians we can find hiding amongst the shadows.

(12-Adult) Come learn about how Huntley's amorous amphibians are shaking up the Spring wetland. We will start with a short lesson on amphibian biology and basic drawing skills then hit the boardwalk to sketch the frogs, toads and salamanders that make the park so much noisy fun.

(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.

(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.

(10-Adult) Enjoy a naturalist-led hike and identify plants that are safe to eat and which ones to avoid. Participants will learn how plants were used in rope making and folk remedies with connections to Eastern Woodland Indians. Foraging in Fairfax County Parks is prohibited.

(5-Adult) Challenge misconceptions about frequently misunderstood animals like snapping turtles, nonvenomous snakes, spiders and other fascinating creatures. Participants will learn to distinguish harmless Dekay's brown snake from copperheads, understand their ecological roles and develop appreciation for these important species.

(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.

(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.

(5-Adult) Young scientists will discover Nature’s Superhero Powers. This outdoor adventure transforms young explorers into biomimicry detectives studying amphibians amazing chemical defenses.

(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.

(All Ages) After experiencing a sampler of our hands-on activities, guided hikes, and science demonstrations, share your feedback and have a say in the future of our programs. Let your voice be heard and have fun while doing it. If you cannot attend, please contact fcpaHiddenPondPrograms@fairfaxcounty.gov to submit your feedback.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(All Ages) Come stay and play at our Nature Center on select Fridays of every month. Spend time together as a family reading books, making crafts, playing games, exploring natural objects with a microscope, doing puzzles, digging in the sandbox and many more play opportunities. Enjoy a short presentation or read-aloud story by a naturalist every hour. Each month the space will transform into a different theme and activities will be refreshed so there will always be something new to discover. A staff member will be in the building if you have any questions or need assistance, but this event is designed as self-guided play time accompanied by a parent or guardian. You are not required to stay for the entire length of time. Once you receive a wristband you may come and go as you please.

(6-Adult) Discover the secret world of owls. Learn what makes these raptors excellent night predators with a presentation followed by a trail hike to hopefully hear or spot one of Huntley's resident owls. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-13 yrs.) Join a naturalist as they demonstrate how we feed our site display animals. Make a birdfeeder to take home and use. Search for worms and insects and assist in serving dinner. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(6-Adult) Enjoy nature's tranquil beauty and the night sky under a full moon. Your naturalist guide points out signs of creatures that glide, fly and tiptoe through the woods in the dark. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s'mores provided. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(8-Adult) Come to the garden to learn about and pick fresh herbs that will make your herbal tea the best its ever been. Sample herbal teas and get inspired to grow your own tea herbs at home to delight and inspire you. 

(8-15yrs.) Students receive hands-on instruction in wild bird identification, migration, habitats and conservation through citizen science. Instructors use preserved species, and wild birds to illustrate the concepts. All lessons are structured around the Virginia standards of Learning.

(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.