Spring Programs
Locust Grove offers quality programs featuring the natural and cultural history of Montgomery County and the surrounding region. Come visit our forest exhibit and hike one or all of our many trails.
Click the program type below to explore our offerings:
Campfire Programs
Repeating Programs and Series
Fun Stuff for Families
Just for Kids
Opportunities for Adults
NOTE: During inclement weather, Nature Centers follow Montgomery County Public School closures, delayed openings and early releases. If school is closed due to inclement weather, all children's programs are cancelled. Cancellation of Adult programs is determined on a case-by-case basis. Please call the nature facility to check on adult program status.
To make registration easier
Make note of the course # and register at ParkPASS or click the links below.
NOTE: ANY program attendee who falls in the age range of the program needs to register; this includes adults who fall within the listed ages!! Also, all children must be accompanied by an adult, unless noted otherwise. Questions? Please call 301-765-8660.
Locust Grove Programs
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Campfires
Campfire Stories and Other Tall Tales
Join us for good old-fashioned fun around the campfire. We'll tell stories, play games, toast marshmallows and tell a few tall tales. Bring a few family-friendly stories of your own! Please register and pay for all attendees. Rain cancels the event.
Register 3yrs&up 1 Classes $3 3/5 F 6:30pm- 8:00pm
All Around the Campfire
Learn the ins and outs of building a fire and enjoy some s'mores afterwards.
S'mores
Register 6yrs-12Y 1 Classes $10 3/10 W 4:30pm- 5:30pm
Dutch Oven
Register 6yrs-12Y 1 Classes $10 3/24 W 4:30pm- 5:30pm
Campfire Lunch and Stories Under the Sycamore
There's something about a campfire that inspires a good story and a satisfying meal. Bring your own lunch to cook (or char) over the flames, and then sit back to enjoy some Native American springtime fables. We'll provide s'mores and juice. Please register and pay for all attendees.
Register 1yrs&up 1 Classes $2 4/6 Tu 11:30am-12:30pm
Fireside Lunch Club
Yes, it's cold outside - and that means that the 'food on a stick' we prepare over the fire will taste all the more scrumptious. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and all attendees must register and pay.
Register 2yrs&up 1 Classes $6 5/27 Th 10:30am-12:00pm
Repeating Programs and Program Series
Saturday Birding at Cabin John
Join Jay Jones, a Locust Grove volunteer and MOS member, bright and early on Saturday mornings as he leads bird walks on the trails of Cabin John Regional Park. Jay has been birding for 45 years and is familiar with the local birding scene. His enthusiasm for birds is contagious, and he looks forward to sharing it with novice and veteran birders alike. Kids over the age of 10 are welcome to attend with adult supervision. Bring binoculars if you have them or borrow our spare pair, and don't forget your field guide! Note, if Saturday morning brings rain or poor visibility, the walk will be moved to the following Wednesday morning at the same time and location.
Register 9yrs&up 1 Classes $0 3/6 Sa 8:00am-10:00am
Register 9yrs&up 1 Classes $0 3/20 Sa 8:00am-10:00am
Register 9yrs&up 1 Classes $0 4/10 Sa 8:00am-10:00am
Register 9yrs&up 1 Classes $0 4/24 Sa 8:00am-10:00am
Register 9yrs&up 1 Classes $0 5/8 Sa 8:00am-10:00am
Register 9yrs&up 1 Classes $0 5/22 Sa 8:00am-10:00am
Locust Grove Make it, Take it!
Before you hit the trails or visit the play area, stop by the Nature Center to express yourself creatively! Anything goes as we bring out our craft materials. Paints, paper, scissors, yarn - let nature inspire and inform your artistic muse.
Register 3yrs&up 1 Classes $4 3/7 Su 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Register 3yrs&up 1 Classes $4 3/14 Su 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Forest Kids
How do we connect children with nature and help them become good earth stewards? By playing outside! Our guidelines for play are simple: Get outdoors, hike, explore and go in the direction of your interests. The Locust Grove Play Facilitators will help your child engage in play and provide opportunities to raise caterpillars, grow plants, build forts and ask questions about this fabulous world. Dress your child for the weather - rain won't stop the adventure. Playtime runs from 10 am - 12 pm. If you desire to have your child stay for a cook-out lunch, an additional fee applies and class extends to 12:30 pm. Parents, please note, this class is just for kids!
Register 4yrs-5Y 3 Classes $60 3/8 M 10:00am-12:30pm
Register 4yrs-5Y 3 Classes $60 4/12 M 10:00am-12:30pm
Register 4yrs-5Y 3 Classes $60 5/10 M 10:00am-12:30pm
What's Going on Cabin John?
Visit the nature table in the playground area off of Tuckerman Lane. Find out about upcoming camps and other park events. No registration required.
1yrs&up 1 Classes $0 4/2 F 10:00am-11:00am
1yrs&up 1 Classes $0 4/9 F 10:00am-11:00am
Fun Stuff for Families
Tuesday in the Park
Join a Park Naturalist or Ranger at the Cabin John playground off Tuckerman Lane to explore what's happening outside! No registration required.
1yrs&up 1 Classes $0 3/30 Tu 11:00am-12:00pm
Spying on Bluebirds
Venture to the other side of Cabin John Park to take a peek at our newer inhabitants. We'll scout the telephone wires and fencetops for bluebird parents that are busy gathering juicy morsels for their young. Bring binoculars if you have them! This short hike is appropriate for ages 6 and up.
Register 6yrs&up 1 Classes $4 4/20 Tu 4:00pm- 5:00pm
Stroll into Spring
Join us for a relaxing wander into the woods. We'll look for nests and eggs and listen for spring songs at the Cabin John campground. Hike meets at the campground entrance off Tuckerman Lane. Please dress for the weather and muddy conditions.
Register 5yrs&up 1 Classes $2 3/20 Sa 12:00pm- 1:30pm
Green Thumb Festival
Locust Grove's first Green Thumb Festival celebrates plants and how we use them. Join us throughout the day as we feature native plants for sale, tree care tips, tree climbing for kids (with ropes and tackle), herbal cosmetics, crafts, special presenters, vendors from local nurseries and a bushel of information that will help you reap and enjoy the many benefits of growing plants. For more information, and to order native plants ahead, please see our website, locustgrovenature.org. Register online and save. $5 at the door; $3 online.
Register 1yrs&up 1 Classes $3 4/24 Sa 10:00am- 2:00pm
Wild Montgomery: Snakes of Montgomery County
Explore WILD Montgomery County with a Park Naturalist or a Natural Resource Specialist. Discover beautiful public places close to home and learn fascinating natural history from Park experts. All programs are free and require registration. For detailed directions, print confirmation receipt when registering.
Register 6yrs&up 1 Classes $0 4/29 Th 6:30pm- 7:30pm
May Night Hike
There's something about a May night - the air is gentle and refreshing, a scent of wildflowers lingers close to the ground, thin leaves overhead offer the merest concealment of the polished stars...Come sample the night for yourself as we walk through meadow and forest and tune our senses to the sounds, smells and magic of a spring night.
Register 6yrs&up 1 Classes $4 5/7 F 7:45pm- 8:45pm
Migration Mysteries
It's International Migratory Bird Day, a time to celebrate the winged wonders we share with the Arctic Circle and South and Central America. Come out to sample bird-friendly coffee, make a bird craft, and learn how to help birds safely navigate their way home for the spring. All attendees, including adults, must register and pay.
Register 3yrs&up 1 Classes $3 5/8 Sa 12:00pm- 2:00pm
Batty for Bats
Bats are back from winter hibernation and have set up house for summer's baby season. Learn about local bats and watch our nocturnal bug zappers take wing at dusk. All attendees, including adults, must register and pay.
Register 5yrs&up 1 Classes $2 5/14 F 7:00pm- 8:30pm
2nd Annual Mudpie Contest
It's mud season - and what better way to celebrate than to create a masterpiece of a mud pie! Come share your 'culinary' talents and learn about using earth materials in a sustainable way. Please register and pay for all participants.
Register 1yrs&up 1 Classes $2 5/15 Sa 11:00am- 3:00pm
Just for Kids
Tot Time: The Dinosaurs are Back!
Big as a house, fierce as a dragon, swift as a snake, and utterly unresistable - that's dinosaurs! Our interactive Tot Time session will invite your youngest naturalist to stretch his or her imagination and enter the realm of these unforgettable beasts through play, art, and simple science activities.
Register 1yrs-3Y 1 Classes $5 3/6 Sa 11:15am-12:00pm
Spring Babies
It's still cold, maybe even snowing, but some wild mothers are already looking after their new babies. Join us to learn who might be growing up in hollow trees, underground burrows, or open nests.
Register 3yrs-5Y 1 Classes $5 3/11 Th 10:00am-11:00am
All About Pancakes
'Pancakes, Pancakes' and 'If You Give a Pig a Pancake' are just a couple of the pancake themes we'll explore as we learn how pancakes are made and enjoyed. Program includes pre-cooked pancakes and syrup.
Register 1yrs-3Y 1 Classes $3 3/12 F 11:15am-12:00pm
Discovery Hike: Almost Spring!
Hike through the park looking for signs of spring, then return to the Nature Center for a story and springtime craft.
Register 3yrs-5Y 1 Classes $5 3/18 Th 1:00pm- 2:00pm
Spring into Spring!
Jump like a frog, skip like a skipper, crawl like a caterpillar and don't be left behind in winter! During our very active hike through the spring woods, we'll test our agility skills as we give free reign to spring's energy!
Register 3yrs-6Y 1 Classes $0 3/26 F 4:00pm- 5:00pm
Locust Grove's April Fools Hike
Not your ordinary hike through the woods today! This hike could get a little tricky. Keep your eyes open for surprising things that just don't belong in the park.
Register 2yrs-5Y 1 Classes $4 3/30 Tu 11:00am-12:00pm
Webelos Day
Want to work on a Naturalist, Forester, or Geology activity badge? Or do you just have a few steps left to get a badge? Join us for a self-guided exploration of the nature center's many resources and visit our activity stations to meet your badge requirements. Scouts and/or groups must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is per scout.
Register 9yrs-11Y 1 Classes $15 3/31 W 10:00am- 2:00pm
Let's Get Outdoors Junior Girl Scout Badges
Come learn and earn! Use the Nature Center's staff and resources to earn your Wildlife or Earth Connections badges at this four hour open program. Leaders are welcome to sign up a whole troop but responsible adults must accompany each group.
Register 6yrs-14Y 1 Classes $15 4/1 Th 10:00am- 2:00pm
Feeling Froggy
What do April showers bring? Why frogs, of course! Join us for a swampy stroll to look for spring frogs and listen for their sultry love songs. Wear boots you don't mind getting muddy.
Register 5yrs-8Y 1 Classes $5 4/2 F 11:00am-12:00pm
Tot Time: Seeds!
Big or tiny, round or pointy, thin or fat, seeds are the beginning of life for many plants. We'll examine their variety, mobility and ability to grow, with our young naturalists.
Register 1yrs-3Y 1 Classes $5 4/14 W 11:15am-12:00pm
Woodsy the Owl Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate Earth Day's 40th Anniversary by taking a scavenger hike to discover the living things to be found in the sky, land and water.
Register 2yrs-5Y 1 Classes $4 4/16 F 1:00pm- 2:00pm
Feed the Birds!
What do birds eat for a mid-morning snack? Not Cheerios, that's for sure! Find out as you help fill the feeders, learning our seed eaters' taste preferences, names and behaviors in the process.
Register 3yrs&up 1 Classes $0 4/17 Sa 10:00am-10:30am
The World in Your Hands: Fun with Geography
See the whole USA and still be back home by the end of the day. Join us for the fun reading of 'There is a Map in my Lap' then make a globe in a hands-on craft activity.
Register 6yrs-9Y 1 Classes $5 4/17 Sa 1:00pm- 2:30pm
Tot Time: Natural Artists
Mud pies, sand paintings, simple weaving, doodling with chalk...we'll provide the materials, nature will provide the backdrop and inspiration, and you and your child will bring the creative flair in this free form, outside art extravaganza. Dress for a mess! Rain date is 5/18.
Register 2yrs-5Y 1 Classes $6 5/4 Tu 11:15am-12:15pm
Nature Search Scavenger Hunt
Enjoy a spring evening searching for nature's treasures. We've secreted clues along our trails for you to find. Complete the challenge and earn a prize! All participants must be accompanied by an adult.
Register 3yrs-8Y 1 Classes $5 5/6 Th 6:00pm- 7:30pm
Does Anyone Know Where a Hermit Crab Goes?
Get the answer to this question and more as we read and learn about the lives of hermit crabs and other shelled creatures of land and water.
Register 2yrs-5Y 1 Classes $5 5/7 F 11:30am-12:30pm
Sock Art
Learning and using natural dyes can be a 'sole-full' experience! Brewing up shades of green, yellow and red from natural materials, we'll tie-dye white cotton socks and proudly wear the results! Bring one pair of pre-washed cotton socks.
Register 6yrs-12Y 1 Classes $6 5/13 Th 4:00pm- 5:00pm
Discovery Hike: Weather Wonders
April Showers bring May flowers but what do May flowers bring? Join us for a rainy celebration to find out. Our hike will end with the planting of a few seeds for you to take home and grow.
Register 3yrs-5Y 1 Classes $5 5/14 F 1:00pm- 2:00pm
Dog-Friendly Kids
You may have heard of kid-friendly dogs, but do you know what it means to be a dog-friendly kid? By learning to read and speak 'dog', you'll be on your way to answering that question and getting to know dogs on friendly terms.
Register 5yrs-12Y 1 Classes $0 5/22 Sa 2:00pm- 3:00pm
Opportunities for Adults
The Meaning of Nature in Art
How does a painting of a waterfall differ from the actual phenomenon? What does that painting reveal about the culture, sentiments and scientific atmosphere of the period in which it was painted? By examining some of the Corcoran's Gallery's most famous landscape paintings such as Niagara, by Frederic Church, and Mount Corcoran by Albert Bierstadt, as well as other works of the Hudson River School, we'll gain insights into how nature was perceived and promoted during the dawning of the American industrial age. Meet at the Corcoran Gallery lobby. Fee does not include the $10 entry cost or lunch afterward in the Gallery's cafe.
Register 18yrs&up 1 Classes $5 3/26 F 10:30am-12:30pm
Adult Hike: Damascus Regional Park
Our paved trail parallels the Magruder's Branch stream, where life is hopping (literally!) in the spring. We'll walk two to four miles on a paved trail interspersed with boardwalks as we explore the wetland habitat and Monocacy watershed. Meet at the Damascus Regional Park parking lot close to the trailhead off Sweepstakes RD
Register 18yrs&up 1 Classes $8 4/9 F 10:00am-12:30pm
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Twelve thousand acres of wildlife habitat shouldering the Nation's Capital is a rare find, and one to be treasured. Our visit to the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge and Visitor Center will highlight the importance of preserving this refuge and the animals that depend on it. We'll take a tram tour around the center and still have time to view the newly refurbished indoor exhibits, or explore the nearby trails. Birding is good here, so bring your binoculars, and a bag lunch. Fee includes transportation to and from Locust Grove and the tram tour.
Register 18yrs&up 1 Classes $15 4/16 F 10:00am- 2:00pm
Terrific Tree and Tea Tour
Join us for a trip to several of Montgomery County's champion trees to learn about tree care and the importance of trees in our lives. We'll have tea under the grand sycamore at Locust Grove.
Register 18yrs&up 1 Classes $40 4/30 F 10:00am- 2:00pm
Recycling Center Tour
So, you're a conscientious citizen of Montgomery County and you diligently recycle your newspapers, plastic milk jugs, yogurt containers and tin cans. What happens next? When your recyclables reach the Division of Solid Waste, how do they get sorted and where do they go from there? Find out as we take a short tour of the Shady Grove Recycling Center and see how our trash gets mashed, crashed and cashed!
Register 18yrs&up 1 Classes $5 5/11 Tu 9:30am-11:30am
Kayaking on the Patuxent
Slip into a kayak and start exploring the nooks and crannies of this illustrious river. We'll paddle about a mile upstream searching for early flowers and late waterfowl, pokey muskrats and sharp-eyed osprey. After lunching on the river shore, we'll paddle back and still have time to visit the Patuxent River Park's country life museums. The day will present a rare view of Prince George's county, and insight into its remarkable past. No kayaking experience is necessary, but paddlers should be competent swimmers. Bring water, a sack lunch and sun protection.
Register 18yrs&up 1 Classes $20 5/21 F 9:00am- 4:15pm
Montgomery County Department of Parks