(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.

(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.

(6-10 yrs.) From bees to butterflies to bats, learn all about the native pollinators that call this area home and how they help local plants. Make and decorate a home for pollinators.

(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.

(4-8 yrs.) Dive into the art of deception in the animal kingdom. We will explore examples of how animals have adapted to blend seamlessly into their environments, outwit predators and enhance their survival strategies. Get ready to be fooled by animals' adaptions.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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) 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.

(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.  

(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 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.

(Adults) Learn to identify Riverbend's beautiful spring ephemerals, and discover the folklore that has grown up around them. Meet at Visitor Center to walk along the banks of the Potomac River. Canceled if it rains.

(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.