Nature Everywhere
Connecting kids with nature
Montgomery Parks’ nature centers have long been a favorite field trip destination for school children and teachers. Now, Locust Grove Nature Center wants to bring the field trip to you! The following are some of our exciting new Nature Everywhere programs designed to help your kindergarten through 4th grade students meet the new Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards. With the guidance of our professional naturalists, every schoolyard has a world of nature waiting to be discovered.
Seasons of the Schoolyard
Learn how plants, animals and people adapt to seasonal changes. Outside we’ll look for signs of weather and use instruments to measure and compare air and soil temperatures and wind speed.
Small World
Get to know one of the largest groups of animals on the planet! Learn about the unique characteristics, life cycles and adaptations of insects, and use magnifying glasses, nets, and collecting jars to discover who crawls, hops and flies in the schoolyard.
Who (else) Lives Here?
What’s living in your schoolyard? Find out as we look for animal signs, identify plants used for food and shelter and learn how plants and animals meet their habitat needs, even when their habitat has been changed by people.
NATURALIST GUIDED HIKE – year-round
Explore the outdoors with a park naturalist and learn interesting facts about local plants and animals. Hike in Cabin John Regional Park, or meet the naturalist in a park or outdoor area near you. This program is appropriate for all ages and is popular with scout and afterschool groups.
The following programs are offered at the Nature Center:
NATIVE WAYS - year-round
Students experience the daily life of Eastern Woodland Indian children as they lived in our area over 1,000 years ago. We will explore where they found shelter, how they prepared food, what they wore, and what chores children did. We’ll discover the importance of certain plants and animals, and how deeply the Woodland Indians were connected to the natural world.
HABITAT IS HOME - year-round
All living creatures need food, water, shelter and space. Students will identify and explore habitats around the school grounds, looking for the four elements of a good habitat. We will discuss how human beings affect natural habitats and learn what we can do to preserve the ‘homes’ of our wildlife neighbors.
CHANGING SEASONS - year-round
Plants and animals adapt in many ways to the arrival of cold weather. We’ll discover who migrates, who hibernates and who remains here and active when the weather turns cold. We’ll examine different animal pelts and learn how some mammals are able to stay warm and dry. We’ll also observe the changes plants make in response to shorter days and falling temperatures.
FEATHERED FRIENDS – year-round
Learn to identify local birds by sight and sound, and discover their amazing adaptations. Observe birds that visit our feeders, and head outside with a pair of our binoculars to search for birds in different habitats. We’ll explore the seasonal lives of birds, from migration to just staying put!
MAPLE SUGARING – February only
Syrup making has been a late-winter activity in North America for centuries. In this program students learn about the important historical relationship people have with maple trees and follow the production of maple syrup by observing sap flow, watching the boiling process, and tasting the finished product.
AMPHIBIANS - March/April
Spring is springing! Come hear the wood frogs, peepers and toads sing! Visit our wetland where amphibians lay their eggs, and discover their journey through metamorphosis.
SMALL WORLD – April - June
Get to know one of the largest groups of animals on the planet! Learn about the unique characteristics, life cycles and adaptations of insects, and use magnifying glasses, nets, and collecting jars to discover who crawls, hops and flies in our meadow.
CABIN JOHN STREAM STUDY – April - June
Explore your local watershed, discuss water quality and runoff issues on a hike to the creek, then put on your water shoes as we wade into Cabin John Creek and use nets to catch and identify aquatic wildlife.
Fees:
Nature Center In-house programs: $5/student ($2.50/student for Title I schools)
School Visits: $5/student ($2.50/student for Title I schools) plus $35 travel fee. No charge for teachers or chaperones.
Call Locust Grove Nature Center at 301-765-8660 for more program and scheduling information.
Montgomery County Department of Parks