01/30/2016 - Nature Architects
2016-01-30 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Erect a tower, build a boat, make a mud pie…it’s time to let your inner architect out! We’ll venture into different park habitats to design and construct things using natural objects and materials. What we do will depend on the weather and the things we can find. But no matter what we do, come dressed for the weather and ready to get dirty.
Ages 3 to 12

01/30/2016 - Webelos/Arrow of Light Elective: Into the Wild
2016-01-30 09:30 - 12:00 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States
Learn about flyways, birds found in your backyard, and caring for insects. Explore the role producers, consumers, and decomposers play in the food chain of an ecosystem.
Ages 7 to 10

01/27/2016 - Nature Matters: Climate Change and Native Plants
2016-01-27 18:45 - 20:15 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States
Our local native flora is essentially tied to other aspects of the ecosystem, including weather patterns. While many animals have the ability to move when conditions become rapidly unfavorable, plants don’t have that option. Dr. Sara Via, with the University of Maryland, will lead us on an exploration of the effects our changing climate has on native plant communities and the animal populations they support. This intriguing lecture series focuses on local nature and conservation topics. Check-in and refreshments begin at 6:45pm, and the one-hour lecture followed by Q & A begins at 7 pm.
Ages 14 & up
To Register, please visit: https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty/Activity_Search/5160

01/26/2016 - Trail Buddies
2016-01-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Trail buddies is a great opportunity for preschoolers to discover the thrills and chills of winter nature and develop important skills together with other preschoolers and their favorite adults. As we walk the nature center trails we’ll collect, count and sort different natural materials (pre-math), recognize shapes and patterns in nature (art) and invent our own outdoor nature games as we improve and develop social skills like sharing and cooperation. This program will meet every Tuesday except December 29th. Come for one, two, or all programs!
Ages 3 to 5

01/25/2016 - All About Owls
2016-01-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Owls are amazing creatures, flying silently through the air to catch their prey. Join us to learn how local species “tiger of the air,” “monkey-faced owl,” and the “laughing owl” got these names and more! Suzanne Shoemaker, rehabilitator from Owl Moon Raptor Center, and one of her education birds will visit us too. The center does great work but their patients can’t pay. If you’d like to help, please feel free to bring a donation item for Owl Moon. Check out www.OwlMoon.org to view their wish list or make a donation.
Ages 4 to 16

01/24/2016 - What Are You Missing?
2016-01-24 16:00 - 16:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Look around…listen…breath deep…touch! Our understanding of the world around us is based on what we can sense, and what we can imagine. As humans, we have limited senses of hearing and sight–and our sense of time also has an effect on what we understand. Join a Brookside naturalist to learn how to use different tools to expand your powers of observation and sharpen your senses. You never know what you’ll discover when you take a closer look!
Ages 5 & up

01/24/2016 - Family Day at Black Hill
2016-01-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
School’s out today, so bring the kids to the Visitor Center for an afternoon of nature fun! Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs will be on hand to help you explore nature topics like birds, bats and bears. Also, volunteer naturalists will lead short nature walks with hands-on activities and games. Drop in anytime from 1 – 4 pm for the fun! This program is free, but please register so we’ll have enough materials and help for all.
Ages 1 & up

01/23/2016 - Wheaton Wanders
2016-01-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Take a walk with a naturalist on nearby trails to discover what’s happening in nature around Brookside Nature Center. One day we might learn how to identify trees in winter, another day we’ll go birdwatching. The next week we may learn about animal tracks. You never know what nature will share, so be here each week for all the fun!
Ages 6 to 12

01/23/2016 - Raptor Enrichment
2016-01-23 11:30 - 11:45 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States
Raptors are smart! Come see Meadowside’s resident raptors as they search for food, explore new objects, and encounter new experiences.
All ages

01/23/2016 - Backyard Birding
2016-01-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Learn which seed is preferred by which bird and where to place your feeders, then make a treat or a feeder for your backyard feathered friends. Please register everyone attending and dress for the weather. Call 301-528-3492 to let us know if your child has any food allergies.
Ages 1 & up

01/22/2016 - Night Hike: Black Hill
2016-01-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Take a hike by the light of the full moon. We’ll look and listen for creatures that are most active at night. Hikes are approximately 1 mile. Dress warmly and please, no flashlights.
Ages 8 & up

01/17/2016 - What Are You Missing?
2016-01-17 16:00 - 16:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States

01/17/2016 - January Storytimes: Winter Weather
2016-01-17 15:00 - 15:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Now that the weather is colder, enjoy a tale about nature in the cozy comfort of the nature center. Join us in January by our cozy hearth to watch the weather from our big window while listening to a different story each week about the wonders of winter weather like snowflakes, crystals and ice.
Ages 3 to 6

01/17/2016 - Meet the Animals
2016-01-17 13:30 - 14:00 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
What animals live in and around Wheaton Regional Park and which animals actually live in the nature center? Join this family friendly presentation and your chance to see the animals close up.
Ages 2 & up

01/16/2016 - Winter Campfire
2016-01-16 17:00 - 18:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Baby its cold outside! But don’t let that stop you from enjoying a roaring campfire under the stars. Join a naturalist for a winter-inspired campfire followed by s’mores! Meet at the Visitor Center and bring a chair or blanket.
Ages 1 & up

01/16/2016 - Easy Basketry
2016-01-16 15:30 - 17:00 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Using willow staves and a round wooden base, we’ll fashion a simple, cylindrical basket by applying basic basket weaving techniques. The natural container we create will be ideal for holding pens, tools or other utensils.
Ages 12 & up

01/16/2016 - Wheaton Wanders
2016-01-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States

01/16/2016 - Outdoor Classroom Explor-a-thon
2016-01-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Want to jump like a frog? Dig a hole to China? Search for spineless wonders? Then join us in the outdoor classroom exploration areas at the Black Hill Visitor Center. Staff will guide children through a variety of activities that are sure to be fun and inspiring. Dress for the weather.
Ages 5 to 12

01/16/2016 - Raptor Feeding
2016-01-16 12:00 - 12:20 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States
Observe Meadowside’s resident raptors during their feeding time and hear some stories about the raptors on exhibit.
All ages

01/16/2016 - Raptor Enrichment
2016-01-16 11:30 - 11:45 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States

01/16/2016 - Meet the Animals
2016-01-16 11:00 - 11:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
What animals live in and around Wheaton Regional Park and which animals actually live in the nature center?
Ages 2 & up

01/16/2016 - Volunteer at a MLK Jr. Day of Service Event this weekend!
2016-01-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Times & Locations Vary, MD, United States
Montgomery Parks is excited to once again take part in the MLK Jr. Day of Service. We’re looking forward to another great 3-day weekend of volunteer service in our parks January 16-18, 2016!
Last year, more than 500 volunteers joined us in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service by cleaning up our parks and streams, and by removing non-native invasive plants and helping to save our forests! Let’s see if we can do even more this year!
Go to www.MontgomeryParks.org/MLK to see the growing list of events where YOU can help out! Keep checking back as we get closer to the date as we will be updating the list of volunteer events often.
Most projects will either be 10am to noon in the mornings, or 1pm to 3pm in the afternoons.
Projects are Student Service Learning (SSL) approved.
Contact Lynn in the Volunteer Services Office (VSO) if you have any questions.
Hope to see you out there!
In case the weather is a little “iffy” please get the latest updates on cancellations at: www.MontgomeryParks.org/Weather

01/16/2016 - Weed Warriors at Elmhirst Parkway
2016-01-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Weed Warriors – Elmhirst Parkway, 4700 Elmhirst Lane, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Saturday 10:00am to 12:00 noon.
Save the Trees! of this tributary of Rock Creek. This neighborhood park provides a stripe of green and a lovely pathway. Last year, persistent hard work took down some of the longest standing vines, but the summer those pesky plants have grown again. Join the community (ceritfied Weed Warrior or not) for group workdays, the 3rd Saturday of the month. Each workday will have a differenent target.
SSL hours approved.

Wear long plants, sturdy shoes and work clothes. Gloves and tools will be provided, or bring your own. Hand tools only. No power tools, machetes or herbicides.

Questions and RSVP to Barbara or Anne at mcp-weedwarriors@montgomeryparks.org. Please note that email is not monitored after 1pm Friday.

01/16/2016 - Weed Warriors - Friends of Sligo Creek at Forest Glen
2016-01-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park – Forest Glen, 9500 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring, MD, 20901, United States
Saturdays, 9-11am *usually*
Join us for a special service event in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This ongoing work by a group of steady volunteers works to preserve the secret biodiversity of Sligo Creek. Join us and we may just show you something cool. We’ll certainly teach you how to work the invasives that are probably in your yard too. Work continues in this section to remove undesirable plants, restore forest health and enjoy Sligo Creek throughout the year, usually the last Saturday of the month. Workdays occur in all temperatures, but are cancelled in the event of rain. Wear appropriate clothing, bring your own tools or borrow ours.

01/16/2016 - Winter Birding at Black Hill
2016-01-16 08:30 - 11:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Discover amazing winter birding just minutes from I-270! Do goldeneyes, tundra swans, and coots sound intriguing? Come check them out with an expert guide. Meet at the Visitor Center. Bring your own binoculars if you have them; spotting scopes will be provided. Dress for the weather.
Ages 16 & up

11/20/2015 - Fall Garden Harvest Scavenger Hunt
2015-11-20 10:00 - 10:30 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Have some Fall season fun throughout the gardens. Start at the Visitors Center and follow the colorful leaf trail leading you to the Conservatory and back again. Along the way hunt for seasonal clues and participate in fun activities, exercises and crafts. Guided garden walks leave on the half hour beginning at 10:00am. Last walk leaves at 11:30pm. An adult must accompany each child.
Ages 2 to 7

11/07/2015 - Locust Grove Cider Days
2015-11-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
Learn about cider, apple varieties, and apple history. Sample lesser-known apple types, and try your hand at pressing cider. Children and adults must register and pay.
Ages 2 & up

Sign up here:
https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty/Activity_Search?txtActivitySearch=cider&applyFiltersDefaultValue=true&cat=Activities

11/07/2015 - Blacksmiths & Friends: Traditional Arts Show
2015-11-07 10:00 - 16:00 | University of Maryland Extension Montgomery County Office, 18400 Muncaster Rd, Derwood, MD, 20855, United States
Blacksmiths, silversmiths, coppersmiths and other artisans will demonstrate their art at this FREE event!
Featuring:

Hands-on instruction for children
Demonstrations
Metal gifts & art for sale
Hayrides & food

Held rain or shine at the beautiful Agricultural History Farm Park.
Presented by the Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park and Montgomery Parks.

11/07/2015 - Maryland Emancipation Day Celebrations 2015 - Day 2
2015-11-07 09:00 - 17:00 | Times & Locations Vary, MD, United States
Enslaved people living in Maryland were freed by a new state constitution on November 1, 1864. Please join us November 6-8, 2015 in celebrating Maryland Emancipation Day in our parks!
Hike the Underground Railroad, tour a slave cabin, visit an African American history museum, enjoy living history demonstrations and eat great food! Most Saturday and Sunday Park events are FREE.
Visit HistoryInTheParks.org for details.
NOTE: In the event of severe weather, please call ahead to make sure the parks will be open. On Saturday mornings, please call 301-650-4373 and a recorded message will advise you of the park hours.

Friday, November 6

SOLD OUT – Underground Railroad Experience Trail Special Night Hike
“Voices of the Underground Railroad”
7 – 9:30 pm – $5 | Register at ActiveMONTGMERY.org
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Saturday, November 7

Underground Railroad Experience Trail Hikes
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery Open House
18524 Brooke Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Sandy Spring Museum Open House
17901 Bentley Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Oakley Cabin African American*
Museum & Park | Live Music &
Demonstrations*
3610 Brookeville Rd., Olney, MD 20832
Harper Cabin at Brookside Nature Center
Tours & Demonstrations
1400 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902

Sunday, November 7

Josiah Henson Park*
Open House*
11420 Old Georgetown Rd.
N. Bethesda, MD 20852

Harper Cabin at Brookside Nature Center
Tours & Demonstrations
1400 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902
Admission Free – Purchase tickets onsite for
cider tastings, crafts, and other activities

*American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available.
