(6-12 yrs.) Children will learn to paint as they imagine a fantastic world inspired by nature. Learn about shapes, how to create 3D buildings and how to explore maps, and how to mix colors. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class.

(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) Join the naturalist as she shares stories about animals that enjoy being chilly including penguins and polar bears plus others that can get through the cold. Come dressed as your favorite frozen friend. Enjoy a sit down tea with china cups, treats and snow crafts. Contact the nature center one week prior with any dietary restrictions. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult registered in this program.

(3-Adult) It's dinner time at the nature center and worms and insects are on the menu. Help our naturalist care for and feed the nature center's animals.

(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) Learn how to create one or two paper mache animals in week one. In week two, paint your sculptures with acrylic paints. Meet live animals and play an animal pictogram game as part of the classes. A paying adult must accompany children in the program. All materials included.

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.

(5-Adult) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(3-7 yrs.) Join an octopus, ray, shark, lobster and all their friends in this undersea adventure. After the show, play a game, sing songs and make a 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.

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.

(Adults) Enjoy a peaceful adults only visit to the nature center for Valentine’s Day. Meet animals and learn about their dating and mating habits.  A fun activity and a special treat complete your nature-themed holiday celebration. Each attendee must register individually.

(4-8 yrs.) Dinosaurs once roamed all the Earth in places far and near. Enjoy a puppet show and crafts along with fun fossil facts. 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.

(6-Adult) In this adapted version of the popular Escape Room games, race against the clock to solve puzzles and unlock secret codes to complete the mission of saving the captured animals. This exciting, critical-thinking adventure is both fun and educational. Learn about common animals you might encounter at Riverbend Park, what threats they face, and what we can do to protect them. End the event with prizes and a meet and greet with one of our box turtles.

(8-Adult) Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a storytelling adventure rooted in nature and connection. Discover how landscapes, plants and animals have inspired folktales from different traditions. Enjoy heartwarming stories about kindness, friendship and togetherness, then collaborate to craft your own nature-inspired tale to take home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

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) Enjoy an evening around the campfire, toasting marshmallows over the embers and learn about flying squirrels that live in our area. Cancelled in case of inclement weather. Children must attend with an adult and all attendees must register.

(6-Adult) Enjoy nature's tranquil beauty and the night sky under a full moon. Your naturalist guide points out signs of creatures that glide, fly and tiptoe through the woods in the dark. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s'mores provided. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(10-Adult) Calling all young artists and nature explorers. Create and personalize your own sketch journal, then head outdoors to spot and illustrate vibrant new blooms as we say goodbye to the winter season. Connect with the natural world and capture the beauty around you.

(9-Adult) Celebrate Valentine's Day by creating a natured inspired craft. We will take a nature walk to gather natural materials and use them to create a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day card. Creative, hands-on and full of love for both art and the outdoors.

(6-Adult) Ignite your creativity with an exploration of fire’s role in nature and everyday life. Learn how fire supports different ecosystems, brings us together around campfires, and fuels our traditions through cooking. Then, create a vibrant fire-themed mobile that reflects the many ways fire is special to you. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(3-5 yrs.) Your preschooler enjoys nature-themed toys and puzzles 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. Siblings under 3 welcome to accompany parent without registering.

(3-5 yrs.) Your preschooler enjoys nature-themed toys and puzzles while you meet other playgroup parents one Monday a month. Through games, songs, activities and a garden walk we explore seasonal topics. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who does not need to register for the program. Siblings under 3 welcome to accompany parent without registering.

(14-Adult) Learn simple ways to upgrade your home (inside and out) to make it more sustainable. We will discuss clean energy and energy-saving tips, water systems, garden design and other general conservation habits that will save the planet while saving you money. The majority of the class will be spent taking a tour of the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, which contains key elements of the Living Building Challenge. Learn about the seven tenants of regenerative building design and how these self-sufficient structures-modeled after nature-connect occupants to their surroundings and create a net positive impact on human and natural communities. Participants will leave with a native plant to add to their yard.

(14-Adult) Explore the fascinating concept of biomimicry and how we can model natural systems and structures to solve complex problems and create a greener world. We will compare our current "take-make-waste" system to an updated model known as the circular economy. Get inspired by businesses and products that are committed to reducing, repurposing and repairing. We will end the class with 3 unique upcycling projects that you can gift to your friends and families just in time for the holidays.

(6-10 yrs.) Celebrate the season with an engineering challenge with a holiday twist. Think like an engineer to solve this fun holiday themed challenge.

(7-11 yrs.) This program is based on the popular Pohick Rangers series geared to meet some homeschool science requirements. Topics vary. Meets every other week.

(7-12 yrs) Join a Park Naturalist to learn how to survive in nature’s most challenging season. Learn skills humans use to stay safe and warm like preparing a winter survival kit, avoiding getting lost, building a fire in wet conditions and keeping a healthy mindset when faced with a challenge.