Montgomery Parks August Nature Center programs

WHEATON, Md. — It’s almost the end of summer so make the most of it at Montgomery Parks. Go on a hike, collect macroinvertebrates with scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or make a citronella candle to repel mosquitoes at backyard barbecues. There’s so much to do and learn this month at Montgomery Parks.

August nature center events include: 

Summer Shady Hikes | August 1, 8, 29 | 6 – 7 p.m.
Join a park naturalist for an off-site evening hike along shady trails. The Nature on Wheels truck will provide seating, water and bathroom access.

• August 1, Matthew Henson State Park
• August 8, Potomac Horse Center
• August 29, Valley Mill Special Park

Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $7.

Creek Critter Search | August 3 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Splash in the creek and see what’s swimming, diving and living in the creek. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Ages 6–10. $4.

Choose Your Own Trail Adventure: Quest of the Owl | August 4 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day and discover the secret life and challenges of owls as you make your way through story choices that portray a typical owl’s night. Owls that survive the night win a prize. All ages. Registration required. $3.

Full Moon Fridays | August 4 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Enjoy a full moon hike and campfire. Feel free to bring your own hot dogs or food to warm over the fire, marshmallows provided. Ages 5 and older. Registration required. $8.

Bonkers for Bats | August 5 | 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Sneak a peek of these mysterious night creatures with discussion of the different bats in our area, issues they’re facing and what they might be doing on a summer evening during this hike. Registration required. Ages 6 and older. $6.

Family Fire Night | August 11 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Join a park naturalist for a nighttime campfire. Ages 6 and older. Registration required. $7.

Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park | August 12 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Go geocaching on a hike with a park naturalist through Wheaton Regional Park. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $7.

Macroinvertebrate Sampling with the EPA | August 12 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Walk along Paint Branch Creek with EPA scientists and perform macroinvertebrate sampling. The history of Paint Branch, best management practices and the importance of stream health will be discussed. Registration required. Ages 10 and older. Free.

Lake Tour by Kayak | August 13, 16, 30 | August 13: 8 – 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (55+); 6 – 8 p.m.
Black Hill Nature Programs, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds

Leisure kayak tour of Little Seneca Lake. Basic paddling experience necessary. Ages 12 and older (August 13 event at 10:30 a.m. is 55 and older). Registration required. $30 ($29 Friends of Black Hill).

Citronella Candle Making | August 19 | 10 – 11 a.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Make your own citronella soy candle and ward off mosquitoes in your backyard the natural way. Ages 14 and older. Registration required. $7.

Fall Wildflower Walk | August 20 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park with master naturalists who will interpret the last spectacular show of wildflower color before the season changes. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $7.

End of Summer Night Hike | August 26 | 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Explore the outdoors with a naturalist-led hike and learn about nocturnal animals. Registration required. Ages 6 and older. $6.

Play Day at Clarkmont Local Park | August 31 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Clarkmont Local Park, 13905 Stilt Street, Boyds

Calling all toddlers! Families can explore at their own pace using nature play prompts and materials to explore the exciting natural world around the urban park. Ages 6 months to 3 years (older siblings welcome). Registration required. Free.

Fall 2023 Montgomery Parks Program Guide coming soon! Fall program registration opens on August 14.

Visit the Summer 2023 Montgomery Parks Program Guide. Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.

About Montgomery Parks        
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 420 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems.

Accessibility          
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information. 

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