WHEATON, Md. – It’s a new year and Montgomery Parks welcomes it with a full slate of nature center programs. From brisk hikes to creative workshops there’s an activity for everyone, even some four-legged ones, this month.
School’s out activities:
Build Your Own Snow Globe | January 20 | 10-11 a.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Create a miniature winter wonderland and find out why cold winter weather is important. Ages 7 and older. Register for Build Your Own Snow Globe. $7 per person.
School’s Out, Nature’s In! | January 29 | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton
A fun day of nature-themed activities in Wheaton Regional Park, including lunch around a campfire. Ages 6-11. Register for School’s Out, Nature’s In. $75 per person.
Wild Child Hike | January 29 | 1:30-3 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Scamper like a squirrel, balance like a billy goat, and run like a rabbit on and off the trail on this hiking adventure. Ages 4-12. Register for Wild Child Hike. $7 per person ($6-Friends of Black Hill).
January nature center programs include:
Winter Native Plant Sowing | January 4 and 5 |1-3 p.m. (Jan. 4); 2-4 p.m. (Jan. 5)
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Make native seed winter sowing containers. All ages. Register for Winter Native Plant Sowing. Free.
Magical Mornings at the Discovery Center: Game Time | January 5 | 9-11 a.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Bring your own board game or try out a game while enjoying hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. Ages 6 and older. Register for Magical Mornings at the Discovery Center: Game Time. Free.
Virtual Winter Bird ID | January 8 and 22 | 7-7:45 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Lesson involves profile of three to six birds with at-home exercises to practice. Ages 16 and older. Register for Virtual Winter Bird ID. $10 per person.
My Dog and Me Hike | January 11 | 10-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton
Bring your fur babies along for a leisurely hike on natural surface trails in Wheaton Regional Park. Dogs must be on-leash, up to date on vaccinations and comfortable around other dogs and people. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. All attendees must register. Ages 8 and older. Register for My Dog and Me Hike. Free.
(Almost) Full Moon Night Hike | January 11 | 7-8 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Be guided by the light of the full moon through the woods, meadows, and ponds of Maydale and explore the sight and sounds after dark. Ages 6 and older. Register for (Almost) Full Moon Hike. $6 per person.
Zinemaking Workshop | January 11 | 1-3 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Learn how to create a zine. Raging against machines optional. Ages 16 and older. Register for Zinemaking Workshop. Free.
Night Hike | January 13 | 5-6 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Embark on a post-sunset hike to look and listen for critters of the night. Ages 8 and older. Register for Night Hike. $7 per person ($6-Friends of Black Hill).
Crafty Little Naturalist | January 15 | 10-11 a.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton
Park naturalist will lead participants in making a nature craft to take home. Ages 3-5. Register for Crafty Little Naturalist. $7 per child.
Campfire 101 | January 18 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton
Do you want to learn how to start a campfire? If so, this is the program for you! Ages 8 and older. Register for Campfire 101. $7 per person.
Star Party Celestial Celebration | January 25 | 7-8 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Cozy up around a warm campfire and make star crafts, moon pies, and stargaze under the winter night sky. Ages 6-12. Register for Star Party Celestial Celebration. $7 per person.
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of nature center programs. Visit the Winter 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
Register on Active Montgomery
ActiveMontgomery is a program and facility reservation system that allows users to register online for classes, camps, programs and lessons offered by Montgomery Parks. Users must go to ActiveMontgomery and create an account before registering.
About Montgomery Parks Nature Centers
Montgomery Parks operates five nature program sites, Black Hill Discovery Center, Brookside Nature Center, Locust Grove Nature Center, Maydale Nature Classroom and Meadowside Nature Center. The nature centers provide learning opportunities for youths and adults in a variety of ways including school, scout, and public programs for all ages; special events, summer camps, birthday parties, volunteer opportunities, internships, engaging interpretive exhibits, live animal exhibits, native plant gardens, trails and nature play areas. For more information, visit Montgomery Parks Nature Centers website.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. 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 at Montgomery Parks
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), 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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