(10-Adult) Join a naturalist to do some biological surveys using I-Naturalist to learn about the flora and fauna that shares their space with us humans. Learn about various ways to get involved in Citizen Science in the community, while also connecting with the natural world in a new way. Participants should bring a smartphone or a similar device with iNaturalist downloaded on it.

(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.

(3-12 yrs.) Walk alongside a naturalist and a group of youth birders as you learn new tricks to identify the birds around you. Develop new skills such as using binoculars, identifying birds with a field guide and writing down observations in your own birding journal. Journals will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own if they prefer.

(4-Adult) Walk with a naturalist to learn about how animal parents help keep their babies safe during the summer. Discover the various adaptations these babies have to keep them hidden from predators and other dangers in the wild. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(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.

(4-Adult) Learn about common pollinators and their importance in native gardens and woodlands. Pollinators are more than just a pretty face. Children under age ten must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered in this program.

(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.

(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.

(3-Adult) Explore the lake for signs of frogs, toads, and salamanders. Hike the trail and make a craft. Child must be accompanied by an adult also registered in this program.

(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.

(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.  

(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.

(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.

(8-Adult) Spark your interest in natural history through legends, lore and stories of the supernatural on a night hike. Then gather around the campfire for s'mores.

(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.

(3-Adult) Monarch butterflies are essential pollinators in our ecosystem, and they need our help to survive to adulthood. Learn how to identify monarch butterflies throughout their life stages, the plants they need to survive, and the dangers that threaten their survival.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(4-Adult) Join a naturalist as you adventure through the park forests looking for signs of wildlife. Learn how to identify key plant species that are important to our native animals and insects, while also honing your observational skills to see what signs wildlife might have left behind.

(13-Adult) Walk with a naturalist by the lakeside and learn techniques and tips for drawing the natural world. Gain a better understanding of how to utilize different sketching and observational skills. Bring the medium of your choice to the class.

(5-Adult) Join a naturalist to meet live snakes and learn why snakes are important then head out on a hike to search for snakes and learn about their habitat and habits. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

(4-Adult) Learn from a naturalist what makes wildflowers so important in our ecosystem. Take a walk to learn how to identify various seasonal flowers, as well as what insects rely on them. At the end of the class, participate in a floral craft to take home. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.