(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.

(7-9 yrs.) Practice your detective skills on a fictitious case on the demise of Rocky Raccoon. Learn how forensic scientists use clues from nature, including tracks, insects, and soil evidence, to determine if Dougie Dog is to blame. Learn about the science of fingerprints and following the evidence in this engaging program.

(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. Register now.

(16-Adult) Jazz up your projects, nature and travel journals with clever and beautiful lettering. Participants will experiment and create their own lettering projects. Topics covered include: design, and simple ways to create: brush pen calligraphy, illuminated capitals and creating your own decorative letters and titles. Experiment with markers, gel pen, colored pencil and watercolor letters.

(12-Adult) Learn about the park's birds and some basic identification skills. This program for beginners starts with a bird identification discussion. Children age 12 to 16 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.

(11-14 yrs.) Girls will learn what it truly means to be happy. They will practice gratitude and empathy, explore how nature and rhythm can help regulate us and improve our mental health, how community plays a role in our search for belonging and acceptance, and how we can spread positivity and be a role model to help others find happiness within themselves.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Register now.

(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.

(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.

(16-Adult) Learning about bones, skeletons and skulls can really improve your drawings of animals. Discover how to simplify the drawing of bones by working on toned paper using a combination of thin black markers, white gel pens and colored pencils. Watercolor options will be discussed.

(4-Adult) Come celebrate National Feed the Birds Day! Explore various bird species, bird calls, learn what they eat and do during the winter. Create a feeder to bring home.

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. Register now.

(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. Register now.

(2-5 yrs.) Youngsters and their accompanying adult begin sharing nature’s wonders in this interactive class. Experiences include: meeting animals, stories, games and outdoor exploration. Dress for the weather. Quiet infants welcome. Topics covered are: 12/2 Mammals, 12/9 Evergreens, 12/16 Twinkle Little Star, 1/6 Polar Animals, 1/13 Snow, 1/27 Nature in Winter, 2/3 Groundhogs, 2/10 Animal Sweethearts, 2/24 Desert Discovery. Register now.

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.

(7-Adult) Chase away Winter boredom by going on an interactive space adventure that includes an activity, puzzles, and a craft.

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. Register now.

(2-5 yrs.) Preschoolers and their grown-ups explore the fun-filled world of sea and river otters, through stories, crafts and activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(4-Adult) Enjoy a late afternoon walk to learn why winter is the best time to go owl-ing. During a story reading, learn to identify local owl calls, discover why owls are nicknamed flying tigers of the night and enjoy a woodland stroll. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered in the class.

(3-9 yrs.) Create fun crafts and activities. Build and race penguins and create a snowmen. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(4-Adult) Enjoy a brief presentation and demonstration by our animal caretaker staff. At least one snake, two turtles and a toad will be fed. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register now.

(5-Adult) Does Valentine’s Day make you think of electricity, chemistry, magnetism, candy? This year share the love with your family while we explore those topics and more with hands-on Valentine’s day science.

(6-10 yrs.) Celebrate the cold with an engineering challenge with a seasonal twist. Think like an engineer to solve this fun winter themed challenge.