(3-Adult) Explore the trails with a naturalist to learn about the different characteristics that can be used to identify birds. Keep an eye on your surroundings as you fill out a bingo sheet to better connect to our friends in the sky.

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-Adult) Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while you hike with a naturalist and look for birds. The program will begin with a short discussion of the concept of bird-friendly coffee. To reduce waste, please bring your own mug to fill. Tea and hot cocoa options will also be available. 

(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.

(5-Adult) Discover the amazing secrets of flight by studying natures most skilled aviators. In this hands-on program, participants will explore how birds, bats and bugs achieve flight, while also inspiring innovations in aviation.

(5-Adult) Branches may be bare, but your garden can still be a place for birds to thrive. Create a natural bird feeder mobile out of pinecones, it even doubles as an art piece! Hang it in your garden and watch the birds flock. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(6-12 yrs.) Explore how bird adaptations allow birds to live in their chosen ecosystem. Study the parks collection of preserved specimens. Afterwards, make observations and explorations using field tools to learn identification and classification.

(6-12 yrs.) Learn the how mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish are classified. We use outdoor exploration, observation and lab skills to explore this topic.

(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 Dec 1: Hibernation, Dec 8: Evergreens, Dec 15: Winter Wonderland, Jan 5: Snowflakes, Jan 12: Mittens, Jan 26: Winter Birds, Feb 2: Groundhogs, Feb 9: Animal Valentines, Feb 23: Penguins & Polar Bears.

(6-14 yrs.) Help feed your feathered friends this winter by making and taking home your very own pinecone bird feeder. Find out what those familiar bird calls are as we discuss common birds you may see visit your feeder.

(16-Adult) Celebrate National Bird Day and join a Park Naturalist to assist with the Christmas Bird Count by learning how to identify different bird species found in the forest and wetland habitats. We will tally different species we find and end the program with complementary bagels and coffee.

(5-Adult) Examine the sophisticated structural engineering found in animal constructions from beaver dams to bird nests and insect colonies. Discover how these natural building techniques inspire modern architectural innovations and sustainable design solutions. This interactive program explores the intersection of biological systems and human engineering through hands-on biomimicry investigations.

(6-10 yrs.) Discover how things move with Mad Science! Each day, learn about a different realm of the scientific world. Become a zoologist and study the lives of birds, step into the shoes of an engineer to learn all about structures & simple machines and put on your lab coat and be a chemist for the day. Campers will make and bring home animal houses, challenging puzzles, chemistry based creations, and more! No camp January 1.

(4-Adult) Take a hike through the woods with a naturalist to listen and look for the park’s winter avian residents and migrants. Find out what birds do to survive the winter weather. Feel free to bring your own guides, binoculars and spotting scopes. Site will have a limited number of supplies for participants to borrow for the duration of the program.

(16-Adult) Designed as a tranquil, rejuvenating retreat for the end of the day, a moon garden comes to life at twilight and into the night. Discover with Green Spring horticulturist, Pam Smith, how to cultivate this serene space with plants that glow softly in the dark and foliage that shimmers in the moonlight. Silvery leaves and luminous blooms not only create a magical atmosphere but also attract nocturnal wildlife—watch bats swoop for mosquitoes, lunar and hummingbird moths visit moonflowers, and fireflies dance through the air, evoking memories of warm summer nights.

(16-Adult) Join Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy’s Pesticides and Birds Campaigns, for an engaging talk on how to garden with birds in mind—even in small or container spaces. Learn how to choose bird-safe plants, avoid common outdoor hazards and create welcoming habitats with food, water and shelter. Whether you have a backyard or a balcony, discover simple, impactful ways to support local birds and make your garden a safer, more inviting place for wildlife. Lecture is held online with an option to watch at the Horticulture Center. A link for the program will be emailed no later than the morning of the event.