SEED Classroom and Campfire Ring
Black Hill Discovery Center offers a stand-alone building for rent, called the SEED Classroom, and a campfire ring. These can be rented on their own or as part of a birthday party package.
The SEED Classroom is available for rent year-round and is a great place to hold an indoor/outdoor event. The SEED Classroom can be rented as part of a three-hour birthday party package or at a per-hour rate. See below for more information and expectations for the renter.
Birthday Party Package:
Party Room Details and Guidelines
Rental time is three hours long (Includes 30 minutes set-up, 2-hour party, and 30 minutes clean-up).
A staff member will conduct a 1-hour educational program. The program includes outdoor activities related to a nature topic (see Birthday Party webpage for themes).
The remaining hour is yours to lead other activities, serve refreshments and/or cake, open gifts, and enjoy fun with friends.
A staff member will be on-site for the duration of your rental to answer questions.
We provide 5 rolling tables, 25 stackable chairs, and picnic tables outside of the SEED Classroom.
There is a composting toilet inside the SEED Classroom for usage throughout your rental time. A staff member will instruct the renter how to use it, and the renter must ensure that all guests use it correctly and appropriately.
We provide trash and recycling receptacles.
Use of the SEED Classroom deck or the surrounding lawn are included in this rental, during the rented hours.
The Black Hill Regional park grounds are open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
Number of Guests
The maximum number of children is 20. The maximum number of people inside the building at any one time is 25. The maximum total people, if planning to use the indoor and outdoor spaces, is 35.
The maximum number of children and total people cannot be exceeded.
Hours of Rental
The rental permit defines the site and rental period, with the Event Begin, Duration, and Event End date and time.
The rental period includes setup, decorating, breakdown, and complete cleanup.
The rental period is the only time the renter and guests can occupy the rental site.
Rentals are available 7-days a week, 9 AM to Dusk, subject to staff availability.
Example Schedule:
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Rental:
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Renter Set-Up and Decorating
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Naturalist-led Program
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Your Party Time
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Clean up and pack up by 12:30 PM
Event Staff
A staff member will be assigned to the rental.
The staff member will be available for the entirety of the rental.
For the birthday party package, the staff member will conduct a 1-hour educational program.
Staff ARE NOT responsible or authorized to set up, break down, clean up, or move non-Park equipment or supplies.
Setup, Breakdown & Cleanup
The renter is responsible for all setup, breakdown, and cleanup. The building should be left as the renter found it.
All setup, breakdown, and cleanup must occur during the rental period as stated on the rental permit. The Discovery Center will supply brooms or a vacuum as needed. Trash and recyclables must be disposed of in appropriate receptacles. Because we are an eco-friendly facility, we encourage you to use compostable or reusable materials and to plan a waste-free event.
All items must be removed before the end of the rental period.
All leftover ice and liquids must be disposed of in the sink. It MAY NOT be disposed of in the grass, beside trees or shrubs, or by the parking lot.
Equipment Included in the Rental
5 rolling tables, 25 stackable chairs, Picnic Tables
Not Included in the Rental
Refrigerator or Freezer, Ice, Carts or Dollies, Decor of any kind, Service ware including cups, plates, or utensils, Tablecloths, Hotplates, burners or crockpots, and AV Equipment
Decorating
No nails, thumbtacks, strong tape, or damaging affixations to walls, ceilings, or structures.
Balloons ARE NOT permitted.
Piñatas ARE NOT permitted.
No open flames other than birthday candles.
Painter’s tape can be used on the walls, doors, windows, tables, and chairs surfaces.
Parking
There is limited parking at the SEED Classroom, with only 8 spots.[KC2]
The renter should encourage most attendees to park in Parking Lot 1 by Shelter A and then walk to the SEED Classroom via the Root Trail (there will be a sign directing the way).
Parked vehicles cannot block other vehicles, access roads, or driveways and are subject to ticketing if not legally parked.
SEED Rental only
Have your own party idea or gathering that you want to run? Renting the SEED Classroom is available at $75/hr. A SmartBoard is available for projection. If planning to use this, the renter must bring a personal device, such as a laptop, and any cables required to connect to the board.
Follow the How to Book steps below to inquire about availability. All Rules and Expectations listed above apply.
Black Hill Discovery Center also offers a Campfire Ring for $150 for a 3-hour rental, with space for up to 35 people. Campfire Ring Rentals are available 7 days a week, from 9 AM to dusk, dependent on staff availability. A staff person will be on hand to help you get your fire started and ensure that the fire is properly extinguished.
Your rental includes all fire-making materials: wood, lighter, and fire starters. We provide filled water jugs or buckets for safety and to help extinguish the fire at the end. You must bring trash bags to pack out all trash, any food your group wishes to enjoy, and utensils for your group, such as roasting sticks.
A campfire ring rental can be combined with the Campfire Birthday Party for a total cost of $275. A campfire ring rental cannot be combined with any other birthday party themes.
Those booking a Campfire Ring must follow these expectations:
An adult from your group must be present before the fire is started.
An adult from your group must always watch the lit fire.
An adult from your group must extinguish the fire.
Flames must be under 2 feet high at all times.
The fire must be extinguished with water.
Water Jugs/Bucket must be kept filled with water and close to the lit ring.
Water Jugs/Bucket must be returned to the Naturalist at the end of your rental.
Balloons and Pinatas are prohibited.
You are responsible for removing all your trash and cleaning up the space.
The renter ensures that all guests know M-NCPPC’s Park Rules and Regulations.
The renter is responsible for the group’s behavior and safety. If there is an issue with behavior, especially concerning safety, the Naturalist has the right to pause the program or stop the program or rental. Parents who attend will be asked to be responsible for their child’s behavior. If parents are not present, the renter must take responsibility for unsupervised guests who are minors.
Prohibited Items/Actions
No person shall possess, use, or distribute beverages containing alcohol on Park Property, except as authorized by Permit or Park Directive.
No person shall smoke, vape, or use chewing tobacco or another smokeless tobacco product on Park Property. This ban includes prohibiting the use of all tobacco and marijuana products on Park Property.
To book the SEED Classroom or Campfire Ring Rental please email blackhillnature@montgomeryparks.org with as much information as possible, including: Preferred date(s) and time(s) (multiple options make it easier to schedule), desired birthday party theme (if applicable), and your Active Montgomery account information. Our Administrator will then get back to you, and, if the date is available, will add the reservation to your account on Active Montgomery. You will then need to log on to Active Montgomery to pay your balance. *Please note that reservations must be made and payments completed at least 14 days ahead of your desired date*
Payment is due in full at the time of reservation.
With each rental, there is a corresponding waiver. With your waiver you will accept responsibility for your group’s behavior and care of the space.
Cancellation Policy:
The host facility reserves the right to cancel the rental due to hazardous weather or facility conditions including emergencies and power outages. If canceled by the host facility, every attempt will be made to reschedule the reservation. If renter does not wish to reschedule, a full refund will be granted.
The renter may cancel for any reason. All cancellations/changes must be made in writing via email to the host facility. If the reservation is canceled at least two weeks in advance, the fee will be refunded except for a $50 cancellation fee to cover administrative costs. If cancellation occurs less than two weeks in advance, there is no refund of fees. We offer a one-time transfer of date change. Transfer of date is subject to availability and IS NOT guaranteed.
*These policies may be waived for extenuating circumstances like severe illness. Please reach out to the host facility to discuss. We want everyone to be safe, even if that means rescheduling or cancelling a party or gathering.