(5-7 yrs) Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO® parts with Play-Well instructors as we design and build leaping dolphins, buzzing beehives, and towering giraffes. Play, create, and learn in a world inspired by the animal kingdom. Design and build as never before and explore your craziest ideas. Full day camps start the day with engineering strategies. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

The application fee and approval are required for this registration.

(5-9 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 creative skills as you create your own work of art. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(7-11 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 creative skills as you create your own work of art. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

The application fee and approval are required for this registration.

This camp combines recipes for every meal of the day with the challenge of secret ingredients. Tiny Chef’s staff provide recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Campers will be surprised with secret ingredients that they will have fun incorporating. Nut-free company; may contain other allergens; cannot sub out ingredients. No camp June 19. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(5-9 yrs.) Join Tiny Chefs to discover how the pros create/ cupcake masterpieces. Learn skills such as measuring, mixing, baking and frosting. The week culminates with a “Best Cupcake” baking competition. Nut-free company; may contain other allergens; cannot sub out ingredients. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(7-11yrs) From tadpoles to meadow voles, water is needed for all living things. Join us for this mostly outdoor camp as we explore many features of the watershed and learn about animals that depend on it. Be prepared to get wet, do cool experiments and learn how humans affect the quality of water in our rivers and streams. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(16-Adult) Celebrate Earth Day with your own interpretation of a mini-landscape, realistic or fantasy. Create miniature works no larger than 4 x 6 inches using a micron pen, watercolor, graphite or colored pencils. Artist and instructor Caroline Hottenstein will show you how to draw quick, miniature sketches of landscapes and then use them to create a finished work using your medium of choice. Previous drawing experience encouraged. A supply list will be emailed before class. Bring a lunch.

(Adults) Use your basic drawing or painting skills to illustrate wildflowers. Artist and instructor Caroline Hottenstein shows you how to use pen and ink, watercolor, graphite, and colored pencils to capture and highlight details. Previous drawing experience encouraged. Add to session notes: Please bring a bag lunch. Supply list will be emailed before class.

(4-Adult) Hosted by ArtsFairfax and the Fairfax Poet Laureate, come celebrate “Poetry in the Parks” and Pride Month at Green Spring Gardens. This Pride Month Poetry Reading features poetry from some of the region’s most prominent LGBTQ+ poets including Gowri Koneswaran and Danielle Badra.

(5-9 yrs.) Explore the enchanting lands of Green Spring Gardens with different activities, from daily scavenger hunts looking for magical creatures to fantastical nature-themed games, stories and crafts. Help us add homes to our fairy village in the forest and see the magic unfold! Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(7-11yrs) Explore the enchanting lands of Green Spring Gardens with different activities, from daily scavenger hunts looking for magical creatures to fantastical nature-themed games, stories and crafts. Help us add homes to our fairy village in the forest and see the magic unfold! Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(4-Adult) Our aquatic ecosystems are bursting with activity in the summertime. Come learn all about the amazing animals that live there such as turtles, tadpoles, fish and dragonflies. You are sure to see some spectacular creatures as we study their habitats and activities. Binoculars and magnifying glasses will be provided. Wear old shoes that can get wet and muddy. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(4-Adult) Learn about our native bees and why they are so important before going on a walk through the gardens to see them in action. See how many different bee species you can find at Green Spring Gardens. Make your very own bee hotel to take home to your garden that will attract native solitary bees, which are small and gentle bees that rarely sting. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(5-Adult) Experience the magic at Green Spring Gardens this spring by decorating your very own fairy house using natural materials. Then we will explore the grounds and search for the secret fairy village hidden in the trees.

(4-Adult) Join us for a walk around the park to explore all the different kinds of trees we have at Green Spring. Discover the many roles trees play in the ecosystem as you learn how to tell trees apart. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

The application and approval are required for this registration.

(16-Adult) Create a beautiful garden container. Green Spring horticulturist Parker Jennings shows you how to mix balance, scale, proportion, contrast and rhythm to make dynamic container designs that are sure to grab attention. Bring a container with an interior circumference 12-14 inches. Soil and plants included in the $60 supply fee. Please register for $42 program and supply fee.

(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.

(Adults) Experience Green Spring Gardens with all of your senses. Join Ana Ka’ahanui, co-founder of local nonprofit Capital Nature for a slow, meditative walk around the gardens. Contemplative, but more active than meditation, this forest bathing walk will help reduce blood pressure, boost immunity, and enhance mood and creativity. Decompress and feel a deeper connection with the natural world. Bring something to sit on the ground, which may be damp, and a water bottle. Dress for the weather.

(5-Adult) Learn about the history and process of flower and leaf pressing, then create your own beautiful botanical creation to take home. Tour the gardens and collect materials to press for future classes to use. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(4-6 yrs.) Curious minds explore nature on “seek-and-find” walks, enjoy nature crafts and learn about plants, animals and food with a daily visit to the gardens. Stories, games, puppets and songs keep learning fun. Children must be potty-trained. No camp June 19 and July 4-5. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(3-5 yrs.) Your preschooler will enjoy nature-themed activities and crafts while you meet other playgroup parents one Monday a month. Through games, songs, activities and a garden walk, we will explore seasonal topics. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who does not need to register for the program.

(Adults) Give bullying plants an inch and they’ll take over your yard. Fairfax County has an ordinance against bamboo. Come listen to Extension Master Gardeners give you alternatives to grow instead. You’ll be amazed at the choices you have.

(Adults) A shady spot in your landscape provides opportunities to incorporate special plants in your garden. The secret is in using three key colors to lighten the shade. Extension Master Gardeners teach you how to create that cool, soothing mid-summer retreat by discovering vibrant and elegant plants.

(Adults) Tour the vibrant summer gardens with a Green Spring Master Gardener docent. Finish at the Historic House lawn to enjoy delicious ices, served with toppings and garnishes.

(16-Adult) Getaway to Charlottesville to view private gardens in their spring glory. Our first stop is writer Cole Burrell’s woodland garden. Next, we stop Gina’s Garden where we will enjoy a boxed lunch. Our final destination is the beautiful Waterperry Farm gardens featuring a 60-acre private pleasure garden of mixed perennials and woody plants. Talk with the garden owners and find some inspiration for your own garden spaces. Trip departs Green Spring Gardens at 7:15 a.m. and returns at 7:15 p.m. Includes motor coach, lunch and admission. Trip cancelation deadline: April 10.

(16-Adult) Spring has sprung at Longwood Gardens. Get away to this formal DuPont landscape in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Immerse yourself in the splendor as the gardens continue indoors of the grand conservatory. Dining is available at the café of the Terrace Restaurant near the conservatory or at the fine dining restaurant, 1906. If you choose the 1906. Longwood strongly suggests you make reservations via OpenTable. Bus departs at 7:00 a.m. and returns at 7:00 p.m. Price includes motor coach and entrance fee. Cancellation deadline, May 9, 2024. 

(16-Adult) Stop and smell the wildflowers. You’ll be awed by acres of these natural beauties at Thompson Wildlife Management Area near Markham, Virginia. A naturalist will guide you through this relatively easy hike along the area fire road. After the hike, we’ll stop at Fox Meadow Winery to enjoy the views while eating our picnic lunches. Optional wine tasting is $15.00 paid to the winery. Bus departs at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m. Trip includes motorcoach and guided tour. Bring a bag lunch and wear appropriate attire for hiking outdoors. Cancellation deadline, April 16, 2024. 

(Adults) Groundcovers can be a great accent in the garden with many flowering and evergreen options for sun or shade. Join Green Spring Gardens staff for a short lecture on how to use groundcovers to solve design challenges, followed by a walk around the grounds to view some of our gardeners’ favorites. Dress for the weather.