(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) Join the naturalist as she shares stories about animals that enjoy being chilly including penguins and polar bears plus others that can get through the cold. Come dressed as your favorite frozen friend. Enjoy a sit down tea with china cups, treats and snow crafts. Contact the nature center one week prior with any dietary restrictions. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult registered in this program.

(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.

(7-Adult) Learn how to create one or two paper mache animals in week one. In week two, paint your sculptures with acrylic paints. Meet live animals and play an animal pictogram game as part of the classes. A paying adult must accompany children in the program. All materials included.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(3-7 yrs.) Join an octopus, ray, shark, lobster and all their friends in this undersea adventure. After the show, play a game, sing songs and make a 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.

(Adults) Enjoy a peaceful adults only visit to the nature center for Valentine’s Day. Meet animals and learn about their dating and mating habits.  A fun activity and a special treat complete your nature-themed holiday celebration. Each attendee must register individually.

(8-12 yrs.) Students will investigate what adaptations and behaviors are needed to survive in various biomes by examining a different creature each week. Students will create their own 3-D species and habitat using various art mediums and utilizing the engineering design process.

(4-8 yrs.) Dinosaurs once roamed all the Earth in places far and near. Enjoy a puppet show and crafts along with fun fossil facts. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(6-Adult) In this adapted version of the popular Escape Room games, race against the clock to solve puzzles and unlock secret codes to complete the mission of saving the captured animals. This exciting, critical-thinking adventure is both fun and educational. Learn about common animals you might encounter at Riverbend Park, what threats they face, and what we can do to protect them. End the event with prizes and a meet and greet with one of our box turtles.

(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.

(6-Adult) Come for an evening walk through the woods to one of the park's large meadows. Listen for the call of the male woodcock and hopefully see his amazing courtship display and flight. Bring a flashlight. Approximately 1.5 mile walk on uneven terrain. Canceled if rain. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Meets at the South Kings Highway entrance to the park.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(4-Adult) Enjoy an evening around the campfire, toasting marshmallows over the embers and learn about flying squirrels that live in our area. Cancelled in case of inclement weather. Children must attend with an adult and all attendees must register.

(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.

(5-Adult) Investigate the innovative engineering solutions plants have evolved through millions of years of natural selection and adaptation. Discover how forest flora inspires cutting-age technologies from velcro to solar panels through biomimetic research and design. This hands-on program demonstrates how botanical structures and mechanisms are revolutionizing modern science and technology.

(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.  

(14-Adult) Much of our food, personal care, and cleaning products are filled with toxins that harm our bodies and the environment. With so many products and claims saturating the market, it's hard to know which ingredients to avoid and which ones we can trust. Learn how to read labels, spot "greenwashing" tricks and become a savvy sustainable shopper in this interactive workshop. We will explore common products and find healthier alternatives by using a cosmetic scanner app. Then we will end the class by crafting our own personal care products made with simple, natural ingredients.

(14-Adult) Learn simple ways to upgrade your home (inside and out) to make it more sustainable. We will discuss clean energy and energy-saving tips, water systems, garden design and other general conservation habits that will save the planet while saving you money. The majority of the class will be spent taking a tour of the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, which contains key elements of the Living Building Challenge. Learn about the seven tenants of regenerative building design and how these self-sufficient structures-modeled after nature-connect occupants to their surroundings and create a net positive impact on human and natural communities. Participants will leave with a native plant to add to their yard.

(14-Adult) Explore the fascinating concept of biomimicry and how we can model natural systems and structures to solve complex problems and create a greener world. We will compare our current "take-make-waste" system to an updated model known as the circular economy. Get inspired by businesses and products that are committed to reducing, repurposing and repairing. We will end the class with 3 unique upcycling projects that you can gift to your friends and families just in time for the holidays.

(14-Adult) Explore the 5 parameters of what makes a food system truly green and gain the skills and knowledge to be a part of the solution to food issues. Learn the truth about the pollinator plight, factory farming and food deserts and how we can support regenerative farming practices through eating locally. Take a hike through the park in search of edible plants, learn how to recycle food scraps through composting and practice basic homesteading by make your own hummus and nut milk from scratch.