(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.

(6-11 yrs.) See the best that our park has to offer with topics that fit your interests. Explore different features of the park with hands-on science and nature activities tailored to young people with disabilities. Topics vary by date. Parents must be accessible during the program but are not required to register.

(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-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.

(5 ½-12 yrs.) Abrakadoodle instructors help campers notice design in nature, engineered structures, human-made products and the surrounding world. This new awareness of art elements and principles enhances the joy of discovery. Doodle and design to explore new techniques, exciting materials, art history, and design-loving artists. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

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.

(5-Adult) Join a naturalist to learn about what makes birds of prey, also known as raptors, different from other birds. Participate in activities and discussions about how these fierce hunters have adapted to their environment and why they are essential creatures in our ecosystem. The class will end with a walk to search for signs of raptors all around us.

(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.

(13-Adult) Smartphones have tremendous power to take great photos if you know what you are doing. In this class, we will explore the wonders and push the limits of cell phone photography. We will cover how to create photos with depth, stop and capture motion, editing and how to take good photos in low light.

(6-13 yrs.) Challenger Sports has taken their popular British Soccer and TetraBrazil programs and integrated them into this unique international soccer experience. This camp highlights the global nature of the sport and provides young players with a variety of coaching styles, practices and influences that help them develop well-rounded skills. Camp is mainly outdoors, rain or shine. Everyone receives a ball and shirt. Campers should bring cleats. Camp includes an afternoon swim break.  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.

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.

(14-Adult) Learn to crochet a beautiful scarf and discover essential self-care practices for winter. Whether you're a novice or a pro, enjoy a relaxing environment to enhance your skills and connect with others. Discuss self-care techniques and take a nature walk for inspiration. Create, connect and embrace the cozy spirit of the season.

(6-13 yrs.) Celebrate the vibrant hues of Autumn with a day of seasonal crafting with Craftspace. Campers will explore the beauty of Fall through hands-on projects, festive decorations, and nature-inspired masterpieces. Once registered, download camp forms from website.

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.

(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) 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 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”. Sept 24-Citizen Science, Oct 1-Trees Around You, Oct 8-Rocks Rock, Oct 15-Salamander Science, Oct 22-Fantastic Fungi. Bring your curiosity and get ready for some eco-adventure.

(3-Adult) November is National Gratitude Month. Learn why we appreciate trees, forests, streams and the wildlife they contain. Join us for a hike to enjoy the fall foliage and observe our waterways. Make a craft to take home to remember to be thankful for nature.

(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.

(3-Adult) Fallen leaves aren’t just litter to rake. They are also important habitat for native insects like luna moths, bumblebees and tiger swallowtail butterflies. Go on a nature walk to learn more about why these insects need the leaves. Create an autumn leaf suncatcher with materials collected on the walk to take home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

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.