(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!

(6-11 yrs.) See the best that our park has to offer with topics that fit your interests. Explore different features of the park with hands-on science and nature activities tailored to young people with disabilities. A different topic each month. September: Pond Life, October: Reptiles and Amphibians, November: Feeding Day. Parents must be accessible during the program but are NOT required to register

(4-Adult) Bring your family to enjoy a delightful campfire and observe the park at dusk. Relax with s’mores in beautiful natural surroundings as you look and listen to the plants and animals that only come out at night. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(13-22 yrs.) Bring your friends to enjoy s’mores and a campfire at the end of the week. Enjoy an opportunity to socialize with new and old friends and watch the sunset and then find out how to take your campfire to the next level with colorful chemical additions. A great opportunity for siblings and Best Buddies. All participants must be registered.

(8-Adult) Hear the names and stories of many African American families who lived and worked here at Walney. Learn about slave tenancy, stories of resistance and survival.

(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.

(6-11 yrs.) In this one-day workshop, get up close with our exhibit animals. Feed the critters, check their health, weight and size and record findings in your vet notebook. Hike the park, make animal crafts, and play fun games. Bring a snack, lunch and drink. Wear clothes that can get messy. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(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. Meets at the pond.

(7-Adult) Walk the meadows and forest edges to see bats feeding on insects. Use a bat detector to hear echolocation. Learn about our native bats and their habits. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

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 Bird Study Merit Badge. Visit the site's website for pre-work and information.

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

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

(6-Adult) Take a walk with a naturalist to look and listen for Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus). Learn about the lives of these cute critters.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. Visit the site's website for pre-work and information.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge. Visit the site's website for pre-work and information.

(7-Adult) Fall foliage is a sight to behold, but why do leaves turn colors? Get into the science of it. Hike through the park with a naturalist to find out what else is falling from the trees.

(4-Adult) Satisfy your curiosity and your sweet tooth with one howling campfire. Listen to coyote calls, take a short hike, and make s'mores as you learn about this wily canine. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(2-6 yrs.) Walk with a naturalist and your child as we investigate the critters who make this park their home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Be the first to earn this new GSCNC official Dark Sky Patch. 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.

(6-Adult) Our Continental Army, formed in 1775, was created from colonial volunteers. Farmers and tradespeople learned to follow directions, march and fight as one unit. Join us as we practice drilling and talk about the Army's struggles and successes around the campfire.

(All Ages) Join a naturalist for a private nature hike exploring the survival skills of our park’s evening residents. Finish around a campfire toasting marshmallows. 

Get your family into the great outdoors with a personalized naturalist or historian led program. This choose your own exploration can investigate topics like, Stream Life, Pond Life, Historic Ice Cream, and much more! Once you register, we will reach out to you to plan your family exploration.

(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) 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.

(4-Adult) Get down and dirty with a naturalist and see how another kingdom lives! Investigate how one of our most common decomposers survives and thrives in our own woods.

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

(2-3 yrs.) Bring your toddler to explore history through sight, sound, smell and touch. Program includes indoor and outdoor activities. Adults must be able to participate with children. Topics vary with seasons: Sept-Apples, Oct-Pumpkins, Nov-Native Americans, and Dec-Warmth.

(8-15 yrs.) Students get hands on experience caring for animals in the visitor center and park. We will explore the lives of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Learn the best care standards for animals, feed and refresh tanks for exhibit animals and explore the park learn what park staff to help wildlife. All lessons are structured around the Virginia standards of Learning.

(8-15 yrs.) Dive into watershed education at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Receive hands on lessons about aspects of watershed education in a variety of water environments. Topics to include macroinvertebrate searches and identification, watershed ecology, life cycles, food chains, stream monitoring techniques, pollution problems and watershed protection. All lessons are structured around the Virginia Standards of Learning.

(6-12 yrs.) Explore Fairfax County natural world with hands-on activities in this four-week course. Week 1: Help our land heal through how we live our lives. Week 2: Hike to the pond, and discover an underwater world. Week 3: Explore the world of reptiles and amphibians. Week 4: Creepy crawlies in the park. All sessions have a take home craft.

(4-Adult) Meets at Cabell's Mill. Enjoy a turkey hot dog supper roasted over the campfire and a brisk wagon ride through the Rocky Run stream valley. Discover who Ellanor C. Lawrence was and learn about the areas local and natural history. We provide hot dogs, buns, condiments, and s'mores. Feel free to bring your own drinks and sides. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-Adult) Amazing reptiles call our park home. Play games, test your courage with a touch table and see these wonderful creatures up close. Calm your nerves by roasting s'mores at a campfire while listening to stories and then join us for a refreshing wagon ride through the autumn woods. Don't miss this Falltastic program!