(16-Adult) Join Kathy Jentz, Editor and Publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine, for a festive and informative workshop on caring for classic seasonal plants. Kathy will share expert tips on nurturing holiday favorites and introduce a few unique plant varieties that make thoughtful gifts and charming additions to your home décor. You'll also learn the basics of bulb forcing—a fun technique for coaxing spring bloomers to flower early, brightening your home just when you need it most in the gray days of late winter. As part of the workshop, you'll decorate a pot and plant a bulb to take home—perfect for holiday gifting or bringing a touch of green to your own winter space. Please register for the class and the supply fee.

The application and approval are required for this registration.

The application fee and approval are required for this registration.

(8-12 yrs.) Let nature be your classroom as you experiment outdoors with different art media. Our colorful gardens, streams, ponds and woodlands provide creative inspiration. Each day features different artists and art forms, honing your skills as you create your own work of art. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(16-Adult) Stop feeling guilty about leftover food scraps - learn how to transform your scraps, yard debris and other organic materials into nutrient-rich soil amendments for your garden. GSG staff will provide all the information you need to manage an active compost system. We’ll discuss the basic principles behind the science of composting, why compost benefits the soil and the different compost bins and tools needed for successful composting. Class will begin indoors before moving out to Green Spring’s Compost Station to illustrate examples of composting practices.

(16-Adult) Join us for a tale of rewilding a Blue Ridge mountaintop that is entirely relatable to anyone who has fallen in love with native plants. Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop is a memoir about Paula Whyman’s attempts to restore native meadows on a mountaintop in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, about the obstacles she encountered, the (many) mistakes she made, the failures and—important—the successes and the discoveries she made along the way. Douglas Tallamy, founder of the Homegrown National Park movement, calls the book “self-deprecating, humorous and thoroughly engaging.” Paula Whyman will share her story and answer questions.

The application and approval are required for this registration.

The application fee and approval are required for this registration.

(6-13 yrs.) This Silver Knights (formerly Magnus Academy) camp has taught the great strategy game to more than 100,000 children including national champions. This camp is for advanced players to sharpen their skills or beginners who want to learn the game. Campers will learn the rules, openings, tactics, strategy, endgames, while playing games and taking outdoor breaks. Bring a lunch, snack, and drink. Campers will receive a t-shirt and chess set on Friday. No camp June 19 and July 4. Camps the week of June 9 for non-FCPS participants. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(14-Adult) Learn to crochet a beautiful scarf and discover essential self-care practices for winter. Whether you're a novice or a pro, enjoy a relaxing environment to enhance your skills and connect with others. Discuss self-care techniques and take a nature walk for inspiration. Create, connect and embrace the cozy spirit of the season.

(16-Adult) Explore the wonder of fungi and the secrets of ferns using your drawing skills. Artist and instructor Caroline Hottenstein shows you how to use the media of your choice - a micron pen, watercolor, graphite or colored pencils to illustrate them. Bring specimens (non-poisonous mushrooms) or photos to work from. Previous drawing experience encouraged. A supply list will be emailed before class. Bring a lunch.

(16-Adult) Explore the bounty of Green Spring’s Edible Garden with an Extension Master Gardener docent who showcases many food plants – from vegetables to fruit trees – suitable for home landscapes. See how edibles can grow in containers and small spaces and discover their ornamental value in the garden.

(8-12 yrs.) Discover the secrets of soil, exploring archeology, geology, and the critters that live beneath our feet! Daily nature walks, crafts, and experiments. Bring drink, snack, and lunch daily. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(16-Adult) Join Green Spring Gardens’ horticulturist Brenda Skarphol on a walk to look at the variety of colors and forms of beloved plants with fall interest, including bloom, fruit and colorful fall foliage. See a mix of herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs that grow well in small spaces, from containers to gardens. Get plant recommendations tailored to your garden. Dress for the weather.

(3-Adult) Fallen leaves aren’t just litter to rake. They are also important habitat for native insects like luna moths, bumblebees and tiger swallowtail butterflies. Go on a nature walk to learn more about why these insects need the leaves. Create an autumn leaf suncatcher with materials collected on the walk to take home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(6-Adult) Learn about the wonderful world of evergreen trees and plants that really stand out this time of year. Enjoy a seasonal walk through the gardens and make an evergreen craft to decorate your home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(4-Adult) Learn about the amazing migration of the monarch butterfly as we search the garden for caterpillars and butterflies. Discover the secrets of this butterfly's life cycle, from egg to flight and beyond. Take home a monarch-themed craft. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(7-Adult) Our ancestors were masters of gardening and agriculture. Walk in their footsteps and explore how they created medicinal herb gardens, magical oases, and edible gardens full of life. Plant your own mini edible garden to take home and grow. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(7-Adult) Cultures around the world have legends and myths dedicated to rain, the bringer of life and hope. Listen to our storytellers and take home a craft. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

$50 administrative fee for vendors with payment plans or late payments

(16-Adult) Create an eye-catching summer vase arrangement with Green Spring horticulturist Parker Jennings. Using florals from the garden, mix balance, scale, proportion and contrast to create a summer design. Please register for the program and $45 supply fee.

(16-Adult) Create an eye-catching succulent plant and pumpkin arrangement with Green Spring horticulturist Parker Jennings. Mix balance, scale, proportion and contrast to add flair to your fall decor. Your guests will be impressed with this conversation piece. Please register for the program and supply fee.

(Adults) (Adults) Experience Green Spring Gardens with all your senses. Join Certified Forest Therapy Guide and co-founder of local nonprofit Capital Nature, Ana Ka’ahanui, for a slow, meditative walk around the gardens. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, this contemplative walk inspires interaction with the surrounding nature in a way that will help reduce blood pressure, boost immunity and enhance mood and creativity. Decompress and feel a deeper connection with the natural world. The experience concludes with a soothing spot of tea, offering a moment to reflect and savor the essence of nature. Bring something to sit on the ground, which may be damp, and a water bottle. Dress for the weather.

(6-Adult) Hummingbirds are a beautiful treat to see in the gardens. Enjoy making a hummingbird craft. Go on a walk to spot hummingbirds and learn which flowers to plant at home to attract them. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(5-Adult) Spend a relaxing day together surrounded by nature’s beauty. In this guided family painting class, you’ll create your own garden-inspired masterpiece while enjoying the peaceful setting of Green Spring Gardens. No experience needed—just bring your creativity. All supplies are provided. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(9-Adult) Explore nature and spark your creativity. Walk through the garden, discovering hidden poems, then work on putting your own thoughts down on paper. Learn about different poetry forms, from sonnets to limericks to haiku. Whether you love to write or are just starting, this adventure will inspire you and help you feel closer to the world around you. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(5-Adult) Chill out from the busy holiday season with a relaxing seasonal walk around Green Spring. Create your own wrapping paper out of natural materials collected on your walk, then spend some time getting your holiday wrapping done. Attendees may bring a few small gifts to wrap or bring your wrapping paper home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.