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.

(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.

(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.

(8-Adult) Join a park naturalist as they take you on a tour of constellations, comets and other current events happening in the skies above. Children must be accompanied by adult also registered in the program.

Satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. See site’s website for details.

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.

(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.

Satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. See site’s website for details.

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.

(5-Adult) Enjoy learning about the ancient Earth and start your own collection of fabulous fossils with this family friendly program. We will be handling, studying and drawing Middle Devonian marine fossils (350-400 million years old) and Miocene shells and shark teeth (20 million years old) in beach sediment. You can even keep the fossils you find.

(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.

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.

(4-Adult) Join park naturalists for a special opportunity to be in the park after dark and delight in the magic of the geminid meteor shower. Peer through the telescope and enjoy an astronomy talk with a park naturalist. Bring a yoga mat or blanket and find a comfortable spot on the boardwalk to gaze at the night sky while you sip hot cocoa. Bundle up and space out with us on this crisp winter evening.

(6-12 yrs.) Did you know that beavers are a keystone species and they created the wetland habitat at Huntley? Learn about what a keystone species is, the beavers life cycle, adaptations and impact on the environment. We use outdoor exploration, observation and lab skills to explore this topic.

(6-12 yrs.) Join a park naturalist to learn about this branch of astronomy that studies planets, moons, asteroids and comets in our solar system. Discover what they are made of and why earth is so special. Make a model solar system to take home.

(6-12 yrs.) Join park naturalists to study the branch of biology that studies and observes mammals. Learn how mammals interact with their habitats, other wildlife, and their contributions to the ecosystem. We will also discuss anatomy and physiology. Use scientific instruments to enhance your observation skills. Examine preserved specimens followed by outdoor exploration into their natural habitat.

(6-12 yrs.) Explore how bird adaptations allow birds to live in their chosen ecosystem. Study the parks collection of preserved specimens. Afterwards, make observations and explorations using field tools to learn identification and classification.

(6-12 yrs.) Learn the how mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish are classified. We use outdoor exploration, observation and lab skills to explore this topic.

(7-12 yrs) Join a Park Naturalist to learn how to survive in nature’s most challenging season. Learn skills humans use to stay safe and warm like preparing a winter survival kit, avoiding getting lost, building a fire in wet conditions and keeping a healthy mindset when faced with a challenge.

(4-Adult) Sip hot cocoa and join a naturalist for a special winter wonder wetland tour after dark. We will look for signs and listen for sounds of beavers, owls, deer and other nocturnal winter animals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mug to help us reduce waste. Children must be accompanied by registered adult.

(10-Adult) What happens when a fungus and an algae take a lichen to each other? Join local artist and naturalist, Margaret Wohler, to learn all about this hybrid organism, identify those greenish patches seen on trees and rocks and learn how to draw the textures defining lichen colonies.

(13-Adult) Learn to use drawing and meditation to improve attention, observation and connection to nature. Focus on breathing, mindful awareness and basic drawing skills in a peaceful outdoor setting (weather permitting). Learn how drawing in nature can calm your spirit. Bring your sketchbook and supplies; paper and pencils will also be available for use.

(6-12 yrs.) Get wood, build a shelter, find food, and survive the monsters! Learn to take your Minecraft skills out into the real world with this adventurous program.

(16-Adult) Celebrate National Bird Day and join a Park Naturalist to assist with the Christmas Bird Count by learning how to identify different bird species found in the forest and wetland habitats. We will tally different species we find and end the program with complementary bagels and coffee.

(6-Adult) Explore the exciting world of science with fun hands-on experiments, activities, and challenges. Enrich your understanding of various science and engineering topics using scientific investigations, observations, and lab skills with the guidance of a park naturalist. Each outdoor class will focus on a different science theme. Check session notes for details. All supplies included. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(Adults) These nocturnal raptors are pair-bonding and looking for nesting sites at this time of year. Prowl the park after dark to listen for and learn about our local owls and possibly see a barred owl. Meet at the Visitor Center and dress for the weather and standing off trail.

(10-Adult) Come enjoy a little creative time in the wild through poetry and drawing outdoors! Join naturalist and artist Margaret Wohler as we combine writing exercises and basic drawing skills to create a field page filled with images and words describing the Huntley wetlands and woods. Families are welcome. All drawing materials will be provided. 

(Adults) Take a stroll with us on the less-visited side of the park to uncover the history of spies, espionage and how the Cold War struggle between the US and the USSR shaped Huntley and the Fairfax County we know today. Meets at South King Highway entrance includes a 2.4 mile walk over flat terrain.

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.