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Barking up the Right Tree

(9-Adult) See the forest with new eyes by taking a winter walk with a naturalist. During this beginner-level course, you will examine bark, buds, form, and other clues that can help identify trees when they have no leaves.


Bats - Friendly Flyers

(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.


Bird Walk With a Naturalist

(6-Adult) Use your eyes and ears to identify native birds as you embark on a guided walk with one of our naturalists. Both beginner birders and veterans welcome. Bring your own binoculars or use one of ours.  


Campfire Saturdays - Stargazing (3-Adult)

(3-Adult) Enjoy an evening in the woods and learn about the constellations, their stories and other night-sky features. Our naturalist will identify the stars and will have some telescopes to use. The program concludes with a campfire. S'mores ingredients provided. All participants, including accompanying adults, must register and pay for the program.


Campfire Saturdays (4-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. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.


Candle Making by Campfire

(8-Adult) Enjoy the warmth of a campfire while you create a hand-dipped candle to take home. All participants must be registered for the program.


Critter Clues

(3-Adult) Go on a short hike with a naturalist to look for clues animals have left behind. Learn how to identify common animal tracks, habitats, scat and other evidence that may suggest who lives in our forest.


First Sunrise Hike of the Year

(4-Adult) Take a hike with a naturalist in the early morning to view the stunning first sunrise of the year as it crests over the lake. Rejuvenate as you walk along the park trails and signal in the new year. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.


First Sunset Hike of the Year

(4-Adult) Take a hike with a naturalist in the evening to view the stunning first sunset of the year as it sets over the lake. Rejuvenate as you walk along the park trails and signal in the new year. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.


Foraging for Wild Edibles

(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.


Full Moon Nature Hike and Campfire

(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.


Furry Foxes

(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.  


Goodnight Walk - Owls

(3-Adult) Learn to recognize the calls and features of local owls. Make a craft and enjoy a night hike with a naturalist. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.


Gourd-geous Discoveries

(4-Adult) Craft and experiment with a Naturalist while we find new and unique ways to use pumpkins. Come prepared to get messy.


Hike with a Naturalist

(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.


Homeschool at the Lake - Little Explorers

(4-6 yrs.) Meant for younger learners, these students will join a naturalist to learn new ways to observe and explore the natural world. The focus of study varies each week depending on the season. Children must be accompanied by an adult.


Homeschool at the Lake – Nature Exploration

(7-10 yrs.) Students will join a naturalist to learn new ways to observe and explore the natural world. Classes will use tools and equipment to not only learn how to navigate the outdoors, but also to better understand the part we play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The focus of study varies each week depending on the season.


Keeping Warm with the Animals

(7-Adult) Join our park naturalist to learn more about how animals stay warm in the winter and about hibernation cycles. Stay warm yourself with hot cocoa or coffee. All participants must be registered.


Nature Charms

(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.


Owl Prowl and Campfire

(8-Adult) Join a naturalist for a night hike to learn about the different owls that can be found in the park. Listen for calls and learn about how owls can navigate the night. Then enjoy s'mores at a campfire.


Scavenger Hunt Adventure at the Lake

(4-Adult) Join a naturalist to learn about various nature topics that relate to the lake depending on the season. Then go on a scavenger hunt adventure to find different related objects around the lake and collect a small themed prize.


Winter Bird Walk

(4-Adult) Take a hike through the woods with a naturalist to listen and look for the park’s winter avian residents and migrants. Find out what birds do to survive the winter weather. Feel free to bring your own guides, binoculars and spotting scopes. Site will have a limited number of supplies for participants to borrow for the duration of the program.


Winter Waterfowl Hike

(8-Adult) Hike with a naturalist to search winter waterfowl along the water's edge. Bring a mug to enjoy some hot cocoa or coffee before we embark on our journey. We have a limited number of binoculars to borrow, so please bring your own if you have them.


Winter Woods Hike and Craft

(4-Adult) Hike through the winter woods to learn some useful tips for identifying winter trees and spotting wildlife. Afterwards, appreciate season's beauty with a fun winter-themed craft.