Winter Programs 2009-10
Adult hikes
Adult programs
Adult van tours
Programs for all
Programs for children (Ages 6-12)
Programs for mixed ages (Ages 1-17)
Programs for toddlers (Ages 1-6)
Reservations
Adult hikes
NOTE: Meet at the site where the hike is to take place unless otherwise noted.
Winter Birding at Black Hill Regional Park
It may seem cold to us, but the leaves are off the trees and it’s often easier to see the birds. There are a wide variety of species of ducks and other waterfowl who visit Little Seneca Lake. Spotting scopes provided; bring binoculars if you have them, and a warm drink. Meet at Black Hill Visitor Center. Registration required. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96253 18 & up Free 12/18 Friday 9:00am-11:00am - Click here to register!
#96659 18 & up Free 2/19 Friday 9:00am-11:00am - Click here to register!
Winter Morning Hikes
Get away from the noise and stress of everyday life and join Naturalist Sandy Staples for a peaceful winter morning hike along the C&O Canal. If it’s nice out, we’ll probably see songbirds and some overwintering waterfowl. On chillier days, especially after a snow, we could see a fox walking on the frozen canal, or perhaps some deer. Either way, it’s beautiful scenery, good exercise and a lovely way to start the day. Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress for the weather. Registration required!
Winter Morning Hike at Riley’s Lock
Meet at Riley’s Lock; print your ParkPASS confirmation receipt for directions.
#96261 18 & up Free 12/4 Friday 9:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Winter Morning Hike at Violettes Lock
Meet at Violettes Lock; print your ParkPASS confirmation receipt for directions.
#96257 18 - up Free 12/31 Thursday 9:30am-11:30am - Click here to register!
#96653 18 - up Free 2/3 Wednesday 9:30am-11:30am - Click here to register!
Winter Morning Hike at Great Falls, MD
Meet at Great Falls, Maryland; print your ParkPASS confirmation receipt for directions.
#96258 18 & up Free 1/29 Friday 9:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Adult van tours
Capitol Visitor Center and the Library of Congress
First we’ll take a little tour of the winter trees outside around the Capitol, then we'll head inside to learn about the people who shaped our nation's history with a tour of the Visitor Center at the Capitol. After lunch, we’ll explore the hidden treasures in the Library of Congress. Bring your inquiring minds, as we will learn how to access the research resources available for you to explore your own genealogy, American folklife, and the personal histories of America’s veterans. Meet at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on the ground floor at the information booth by the Columbus Circle entrance. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96499 18 & up $10 12/10 Thurday 9:00am- 5:30pm
Click here to register!
The Holidays at Longwood Gardens
Get into the holiday spirit and shake off the urge to hibernate—winter is beautiful both indoors and out! At Longwood Gardens, we'll take a close look at the beautifully complex orchids and other plants that are traditionally displayed during the season, and learn how to grow and use them in our own environment. As we marvel at the miracle of nature’s design and the intricate interaction of plants and insects, you'll gain a new appreciation of our role in preserving this beautiful diversity. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96550 18 & up $35 12/15 Tuesday 8:00am- 6:30pm
Click here to register!
Frederick City Churches Van Tour- FULL!!!
Here’s your chance to explore the local history of this historic city and share the holiday spirit. After our walking tour of the churches in Frederick, we’ll eat dinner at a local restaurant (bring money for dinner). Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96560 18 & up $20 12/28 Monday 3:00pm- 9:30pm
Click here to be waitlisted!
Renwick Museum: Lincoln and More
Explore the life and times of President Lincoln in this new exhibit focusing on his inauguration at the Renwick Museum. As we tour the Museum's other exhibits, we’ll discuss the use of natural and manmade materials in the original crafts displayed there, and talk about how we can use materials from our own backyards and recycled/repurposed items to create useful, beautiful items for our homes. Meet at the Museum, 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington.
#96599 18 & up $10 12/30 Wednesday 10:00am- 5:00pm
Click here to register!
Naturalist Center in Leesburg, VA- FULL!!!
So this is where the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum keeps all their extra specimens! We’ll tour the Naturalist Center and investigate all the fascinating items there. If you've found a natural object you think is special, but can't quite identify, bring it along! We'll see if the experts there can help us ID it.
#96649 18 & up $15 1/14 Thursday 9:30am- 4:30pm
Click here to register!
Chesapeake City Van Tour- FULL!!!
Step back in time and explore the history of the Delmarva in this quaint town, situated right on the C&O Canal. Learn how a grassroots effort by the residents of Chesapeake helped preserve their history and their town, and gain a new appreciation of Maryland history. On the way home, we’ll stop at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to look for winter waterfowl. Dress for the weather; we'll explore sights both indoors and out. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96651 18 & up $35 1/28 Thursday 8:00am- 6:00pm
Click here to be waitlisted!
Winter Birding at the Patuxent Refuge
Join Naturalist Sandy Staples to explore the wide variety of winter birds at the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge. Between visits to the North and South tracts of the refuge, we’ll enjoy a hot lunch in Laurel. Please bring money for lunch, dress warmly in layers, and bring binoculars if you have them.
#96657 18 & up $20 2/11 Thursday 9:00am- 6:00pm
Click here to register!
Brandywine Valley Van Tour- FULL!!!
Celebrate President’s Day with a trip to the Brandywine Valley in Delaware. We'll visit several museums and Revolutionary War battlefields, and trace the footsteps of George Washington, General Howe, and others in the beginning of the fight for independence from Great Britain. Sidetrips to the Brandywine Hagley Museums, too. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96660 18 & up $35 2/18 Thursday 8:00am- 6:30pm
Click here to be waitlisted!
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Programs for children
Winter Lights
Light up the long winter nights with a copper lantern of your making. Naturalist: Glenn Rice
#95599 7-10yrs $7 12/5 Saturday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Skeleton Skills
Go beyond fur, feathers, and skin! Explore skulls and ones to learn more about local wildlife and their adaptations. Through x-rays, hands-on exploration of animal skulls, and fun activities, we’ll develop our skeleton skills!
#96101 7-10yrs $5 2/4 Thurday 4:00pm- 5:00pm
Click here to register!
Programs for all
Gingerbread House Workshop
This workshop is designed for both parent-child duos and adult on their own. Come create and decorate a non-edible gingerbread house to brighten your home for the holidays. The fee is per gingerbread house. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96549 8 & up $20 12/12 Saturday 1:00pm- 4:00pm
Click here to register!
Maple Sugaring
Learn how maple syrup is made—from the tree to bottle—then take a taste test: which is real and which is artificial?. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
#96199 3 & up $5 2/19 Friday 4:00pm- 5:00pm
Click here to register!
Maple Sugaring Breakfast
Follow the process of how maple sap is collected from the tree, and then boiled into syrup. Complete the process by sampling syrup on pancakes. All participants age 2 and above must register.
#95701 2 & up $8 2/27 Saturday 10:00am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Programs for mixed ages
Edible Ornaments for Wildlife- FULL!!!
Make some fun ornaments you can hang on a tree outside your home, and see what wildlife comes to enjoy them. You can enjoy the tree’s beauty, and the wildlife will enjoy how good it tastes! If you have any allergy concerns, please call ahead about the ingredients we’ll be using. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
#96099 3-10yrs $5 12/22 Tuesday 4:00pm- 5:00pm
Click here to register!
Spider Time!
Learn about spiders through a story, meet Meadowside’s rose-haired tarantula, and make a spider craft to take home. Storyteller: Kim Poore
#96201 3-7yrs $5 12/29 Tuesday 9:30am-10:30am
Click here to register!
Programs for toddlers
Tyke Hike
Come and discover the bustling world around the Nature Center. We’ll take a nature mini-hike, and make a craft to take home.
#96049 2-4yrs $5 12/2 Wednesday 10:30am-11:15am - Click here to register!
#96052 2-4yrs $5 12/16 Wednesday 10:30am-11:15am - Click here to register!
#96053 2-4yrs $5 1/27 Wednesday 10:30am-11:15am - Click here to register!
#96054 2-4yrs $5 2/10 Wednesday 10:30am-11:15am - Click here to register!
#96055 2-4yrs $5 2/24 Wednesday 10:30am-11:15am - Click here to register!
No Dragons on My Quilt
Quilts provide comfort and warmth, and are beautiful and fun to make. We’ll read a story about quilts, then make paper and fabric quilt squares to take home. Wear old clothes! Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96449 3-6yrs $5 12/8 Tuesday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Animals in Winter
How do animals cope with the change in seasons? What happens to animals as the weather gets cold and the days become shorter? Join us as we explore animals in winter. Listen to stories and feel different animal furs to learn how animals survive the winter cold. Reservations required. Naturalist: Glenn Rice
#95749 3-6yrs $5 12/8 Tuesday 1:30pm- 2:30pm - Click here to register!
#95799 3-6yrs $5 1/28 Thursday 1:30pm- 2:30pm - Click here to register!
#95800 3-6yrs $5 2/18 Thursday 1:30pm- 2:30pm - Click here to register!
Staying Warm in the Wild
It’s getting cold out! How do you stay warm in the winter? How does wildlife stay warm? Come learn about adaptations that help animals survive the winter months, enjoy some hot chocolate, and make a craft to take home that will help keep you warm! Reservations required. Please bring a donation of mittens or gloves (new or in good condition) to be given to a local charity. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
#96056 3-6yrs Free 12/9 Wednesday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Gingerbread People and Warm Winter Stories
Let’s listen to seasonal stories and make a gingerbread person to take home. Naturalist: Glenn Rice
#95649 3-6yrs $5 12/15 Tuesday 1:30pm- 2:30pm
Click here to register!
Evergreen Trees
Most of the leaves have fallen, but some trees keep their leaves all winter long. Learn about how evergreens survive through the winter, and the animals that depend on them through fun stories, a hike, and a craft. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
#96057 3-6yrs $5 12/17 Thurday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Snowflake Bentley
Did you know that every snowflake is different? Learn about a man who photographed snowflakes, and make beautiful paper snowflakes to take home. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96556 3-6yrs $5 12/22 Tuesday 1:30pm- 2:30pm
Click here to register!
Tracks in the Snow
We’ll read a story about animal tracks in the snow, then go outside to try to find some real tracks. It’s a fun way to find out who’s visiting your back yard. If Mother Nature doesn’t provide snow, we’ll make our own tracks to take home. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
#96561 3-6yrs $5 12/29 Tuesday 1:30pm- 2:30pm
Click here to register!
Snow Moon- FULL!!!
We’ll read Nicholas Brunelle’s magical winter story Snow Moon, and get inspired to learn more about owls and how they survive the winter. Then we’ll make a craft to take home. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
#96100 3-6yrs $5 1/26 Tuesday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Guess How Much I Love You
We’ll celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day with a story and old-fashioned tea party. Then we’ll create our own valentines to give to a special person. Meet at Kengla Center (5107 Muncaster Mill Rd., Rockville).
#96656 3-6yrs $5 2/9 Tuesday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
It’s Groundhog Day!
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will spring be early or late? Find out how the groundhog became a weather forecaster, and make a craft to take home. Naturalist: Glenn Rice
#95699 3-6yrs $5 2/2 Tuesday 9:30am-10:30am
Click here to register!
Starry Tales
The stars and the moon have always filled us with wonder and intrigue. Join us for stories of the moon and stars, completewith activities and a craft. Naturalist: Glenn Rice
#95700 3-6yrs $5 2/9 Tuesday 1:30pm- 2:30pm
Click here to register!
Love Bugs?
Cockroaches and spiders normally may make you shudder, but the bugs at Meadowside are irresistible! Come learn about bugs, then make some buggy valentines. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
#96149 3-6yrs $5 2/12 Friday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
My First Little House: Sugar Snow
Laura and the Ingalls family look forward to late winter for maple sugaring! Learn about the process of maple sugaring through Laura’s eyes, and then experience it first-hand at Meadowside, ending with a sweet taste of maple syrup! Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
#96150 3-6yrs $5 2/26 Tuesday 10:30am-11:30am
Click here to register!
Maplesugaring
After reading a maple syrup mystery together, we’ll explore the process of how the sap of maple trees is used to make this sweet treat. See if you can pick out the real maple syrup in our taste test.
#96658 3-6yrs $5 2/17 Wednesday 1:30pm- 2:30pm
Click here to register!
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Reservations
Visit www.ParkPASS.org anytime to register for programs or call Meadowside Nature Center at 301-924-4141, from Tuesday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m..
Date of last update: November 3, 2009
Montgomery County Department of Parks