(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.

(4-Adult) Play traditional Eastern Woodland Indian games of skill and luck which were common during the period of first European contact. Enjoy oral storytelling and make a game to take home. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(3-8 yrs.) Learn about animal adaptations while you munch on cookies and lemonade. Enjoy a story, craft and trail activity along a short hike. Child must be accompanied by an adult.

(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.

(3-6 yrs.) Discover if frogs really say "ribbit" and birds call "tweet". Learn the real sounds of local species and see how good you are at recognizing animal calls. Child must be accompanied by an adult.

(2-5 yrs.) Dig down deep and investigate who lives in the dark, damp world under the forest floor as we learn about moles, earthworms, termites and the many other creatures of the soil. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(4-6 yrs.) Explore the woods, creeks and ponds as we look for all sorts of critters. Learn about frogs, toads, birds, mammals, snakes, turtles, fish and insects through hikes, projects and games. No camp July 4. Camp the week of June 9 and August 18 for non-FCPS participants. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(5-8yrs) Investigate the properties of water and air, make bubbling concoctions, learn about electricity, and the science of bubbles. Older campers will also learn about bacteria and DNA. Camps the week of June 2 for non-FCPS participants. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(8-12yrs) Investigate the properties of water and air, make bubbling concoctions, learn about electricity, and the science of bubbles. Older campers will also learn about bacteria and DNA. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(4-Adult) Join a naturalist for a night hike to search for bats with a sonar detector and learn about bat adaptations. End the night with a campfire, s'mores and the legend of how bats came to be. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered in this program.

(4-Adult) Learn identification tips by sight and sound and how to make your yard more attractive to native species. Students can borrow binoculars form the class for a view of outdoor bird feeding stations. Registration required for children and adults.

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.

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.

(4-9 yrs.) Bring your teddy bear or other plush friend to find out how bears became many children's first best friend. Learn about bears, have a bear treat and make a bear craft. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

(16-Adult) Celebrate the season with watercolor as we explore the brilliant colors of fall leaves. Using real foliage as inspiration, you'll learn basic techniques like layering and blending to capture the beauty of autumn.

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.

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

(4-6 yrs.) Campers will become junior paleontologists as naturalists lead discovery of the latest in dinosaur knowledge through crafts, games and fossils. Campers in the 4-hr. camps should bring a lunch. Camps the week of June 9 for non-FCPS participants. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

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.

(16-Adult) Early fall is a great time to look for fungi in the woodlands. Learn some categories of local fungi based on shapes, tips for drawing and painting mushrooms and hike to search for fungi each week in the park. We will try some field sketching too. Your choice of colored pencil or watercolor. Dress for the weather.

(16-Adult) Learning about and drawing things in outer space is fun and educational. Learn some space definitions, then try out different oil pastel techniques on various papers. Learn how to combine oil pastel with colored pencils and gel pens for small details. Then draw your own galaxy, nebula or planet on black paper. All supplies included. 

(16-Adult) Get to know our local songbirds through field sketches and studies. Includes a presentation on natural history, drawing tips, and a short bird hike.

(6-10 yrs.) Put on your hard hats and your safety vests as we explore animal architects, engineers and even sanitation workers. From building dams to cleaning up the streets, discover the important impact that these busy creatures have on the environment. 

(8-12 yrs.) Join naturalists for a weekly exploration of our forest and stream ecosystems. We’ll investigate the natural world through hands-on activities and experiments. Topics will supplement learning towards the VA science SOLs for grades 4-6, while in our outdoors science “lab”. Bring your curiosity and get ready for some eco-adventure.

(6-11 yrs.) Use your critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities to engineer a solution for our secret seasonal challenge. Attack the design problem and work within the criteria and constraints to see if you can come up with the best solution.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to both the badges. 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.

(12-Adult) Join a naturalist for a short presentation followed by a woodland walk to look for plant galls. The study of cecidology includes the historic uses of these abundant but often ignored growths. Learn to spot galls and the adaptations of the insects that create these hidden marvels.

(3-Adult) Learn to recognize the calls and features of local owls. Make a craft and enjoy a night hike with a naturalist. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(7-12) Experience all aspects of STEAM as we explore a different topic each day with engaging and hands-on fun. Topics include science, technology, engineering, art and math. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

(4-7 yrs.) Join our pirate crew in search for natural treasures in the park. We’ll make treasure chests, look for messages in bottles, find hidden treasure, blast balloon cannon balls and view a puppet show. Meet live animals and learn about habitats, such as fresh water, oceans and rain forests. Camp the week of June 9 and August 18 is for non-FCPS students. Once registered, download camp forms from website.