(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.

(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.

(5-8 yrs.) Join The Science Seed to learn the difference in using baking soda or baking powder when making cookies, experiment with acids and bases, bake cookies. Free play, playground time and story time fill out this fun camp day.

(16-Adult) Join us for an instructional workshop on the origins and science behind cultured food and fermentation. We will learn how to make kombucha and kimchi and taste homemade yogurt and cashew cheese. We will also review a brief history of fermentation, how fermentation happens and why it is an important homesteading skill to have today both for your personal health and the environment.

(5-9 yrs.) This patch will help you understand the importance of dark skies and how you can protect this resource. You will learn about light pollution, see the effect of light pollution yourself, learn how you can make changes to reduce light pollution, and share what you have learned with others. This program was made possible by support from the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Patch included.

(5-8 yrs.) Campers will learn about pizza and where all the ingredients come from with The Science Seed. They will experiment with yeast and make their own dough and pizzas. Free play, playground time, story time, and more fills out the day.

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

(6-Adult) Delve into the history of the American Chestnut and learn about efforts to revitalize what was once an iconic North American tree. Enjoy a fire while cooking and sampling chestnuts from an American Chestnut relative. Program is held at the Woodland Stewardship Education Center. All participants, including accompanying adults, must register and pay for the program.

(4-Adult) Amazing reptiles call our park home. Play games, test your courage with a touch table and meet these wonderful creatures up close. Calm your nerves by roasting s'mores at a campfire while listening to stories and then take a stroll through the darkening autumn woods.

(4-Adult) Look for signs of beavers at the park with a guided tour around their aquatic habitat. Get hands-on with beaver related activities. Investigate the elements of the beaver world and hope to get a glimpse of these elusive aquatic mammals.

(2-5 yrs.) Introduce your little ones to the wonders of nature with hands-on activities that teach environmental stewardship and sustainability. Your little earth keepers will learn how their actions can help protect our planet. Adults must participate with children. 

(4-Adult) Crank ice cream and try using ice tongs, as you discover how ice was harvested and stored in this 19th century farm. All participants, including accompanying adults, must register and pay for the program.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

(3-6 yrs.) Explore the parks through books. Hear a story, enjoy nature activities, take a short hike, and finish with a craft. Topics will change seasonally. A parent must accompany each registered child in the program.

(1-3 yrs.) Bring your toddler to explore nature through sight, sound, smell and touch. Programs include indoor and outdoor activities. Adult must be able to participate with children. A different amazing topic every month

(8-Adult) Listen to stories of African Americans who were forced to live and work on this farm. Reflect on individuals’ stories of resistance and survival. Learn how enslaved communities and freedom seekers have forged a path of resiliency throughout American history.

(4-Adult) Freshwater ecosystems are full of fascinating creatures. Search for stoneflies, hellgrammites, water pennies and crayfish. Explore the park's streams with a naturalist, use dip nets and kick nets to catch and release these creatures.

(7-Adult) Turkeys are native to the Americas and have been everything from decorative to Thanksgiving centerpiece. They’ve been here for 10 million years but how can you make sure they have a place here for a million more? Find out more about the role of turkeys in different cultures and how important habitat restoration will make room for turkeys. All participants, including accompanying adults, must register and pay for the program.

(4-Adult) Learn the science and art of building a fire and then test your skill with primitive fire bows and modern fire-making techniques. Use your new skills to roast some s'mores at the end. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.