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) 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.

(7-Adult) Challenge your superstitions on this upcoming Friday the 13th by learning more about animal-related superstitions and their impacts on wildlife. Meet live animals.

(Adults) Come get an exclusive look at our animals after hours at this adults-only event. Learn about our local species and their amazing habits and meet our animal ambassadors up close and personal.

(4-7 yrs.) Explore the woods, creeks and ponds as we look for all sorts of critters. Learn about the animal life science of frogs, toads, birds, mammals, snakes, turtles, fish and insects through hikes, projects and games.

(5-12 yrs.) Stretch your creativity as you create animal masterpieces out of natural materials gathered around the park. The only limit is your imagination.

(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.

(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.

(4-Adult) Join a naturalist for a night of learning about the beauty of our local bats. It's time to clear these flying mammals' good name and understand how helpful they are to humans. The program will involve not only talking about bats, but also looking and listening for nearby bats.

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.

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.

Campers will become junior paleontologists as naturalists lead discovery of the latest in dinosaur knowledge through crafts, games and fossils.

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) Learn where invasive plants come from and how to recognize them. Dive into the world of invasive foliage as we document and draw examples found throughout the park. Create a scientific illustration of a species of your choice using graphite, ink and watercolor. Press a plant specimen to take home.

(16-Adult) Autumn is a lovely time to be outside searching for fall wildflowers, berries, seeds, insects and spiders. Go on a half hour hike in search of fall signs. Learn some tips for drawing insects and plants. Then create your own fall sampler using photos, live plants and animal artifacts using your choice of colored pencil or watercolor. Dress for the weather.

(16-Adult) Late fall is a great time to look for nature’s bounty. Learn some tips to identify and draw these beautiful botanical items. Take a short hike to search for these items on the trail. Learn some techniques for drawing botanical subjects and see sample projects. Then try it yourself using our dried plant/seed collection. Your choice of watercolor or colored pencil. Dress for the weather.

(8-12 yrs.) Join naturalists for one or all of these weekly explorations 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”. Weekly themes include: Apr 8-Plant Power, Apr 15-Marvelous Metamorphosis, Apr 22-Wacky Weather, and Apr 29-Earth's Energy. 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.

(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.

(5-9 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.

(2-5 yrs.) Youngsters and their accompanying adult begin sharing nature’s wonders in this interactive class. Experiences include: meeting animals, stories, games and outdoor exploration. Dress for the weather. Quiet infants welcome. Topics covered are: 9/14 Monarch Butterflies, 9/21 Funny Feet , 9/28 Reptiles, 10/5 Owls, 10/19 Bones, 10/26 Spinning Spiders, 11/2 Spooky Animals, 11/9 Outstanding Otters, 11/16 Dinosaurs, 11/23 American Indians, 11/30 Twinkle Stars.