Registration for Summer Programs starts on May 15, 2008

Early Morning Hike at Blue Mash
Meet Naturalist Sandy Staples at Blue Mash to explore this private park located just outside of Olney, MD. Explore the great variety of habitats within easy walking distance. Reservations required. Call (301) 924-4141 for directions.
54900 FREE 6/13 F 8:30am-10:30am
54962 FREE 8/29 F 8:30am-10:30am

Early Morning Hike at Green Farm
Hike with Park Naturalist Sandy Staples on this 200 acre conservation area that was acquired by the Department of Parks in 1975. Witness the conservation efforts and how the wildlife can manipulate their habitat. Hidden just south of Montgomery Village, it is an excellent natural area where beavers are busy, birds abound, and early summer wildflowers bloom. Moderate hiking. Registration required, please call (301) 924-4141. Location: 8711 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg, MD. Check out www.montgomerytrails.org for more information.
54904 18yrs&up 1 Class $0 6/20 F 8:30am-10:30am

Early Morning Hike at the Ag Farm
Join Park Naturalist Sandy Staples at the Agricultural History Farm Park to learn about this historical park and hike the trails through the local countryside along Rock Creek. Bring water and binoculars. Moderate hiking. Registration required, please call (301) 924-4141. Meet at the Activity Center, 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855. For more information, check out www.montgomerytrails.org.
54916 18yrs&up 1 Class $0 7/11 F 8:30am-10:30am

Baltimore Museums: Part 1
The focus will be part of Baltimore's Festival of Maps as we learn how and why maps are made as well as their role in our lives. At the Historical Electronic Museum see how radar and other modern technologies are used to create maps. At the Walters Art Gallery tour the special exhibits about maps over the centuries including images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Bring a bag lunch or money.
54859 $28 6/6 F 8:00am- 6:00pm

Washington DC by Tourmobile: Part 1
Meet Naturalist Sandy Staples at the Metro Station at Arlington Cemetery to take the Tourmobile through the Cemetery to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington House, JFK gravesite and the Visitor Center.
54903 $10 6/19 Th 10:00am- 1:00pm

Smithsonian Naturalist Center
Visit the Naturalist Center in Leesburg to explore their extensive natural history collections and participate in a hands-on exercise, identifying an 'unknown' natural treasure. After lunch in Leesburg we'll visit Morven Park's Carriage Museum. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54905 $25 6/24 Tu 8:00am- 6:00pm

Hampton and Fort McHenry National Historic Sites
The morning will start with a visit to Ft. McHenry to learn about the role of this fort in the War of 1812. After lunch step back in time as we visit the newly renovated Hampton Mansion, built in 1709, as well as the gardens, farm, and outbuildings. Naturalist: Sandy Staples.
54908 $27 6/26 Th 8:30am- 6:00pm

Old Fashioned Games on the Farm
Can you imagine life without Barbie, super heroes and Gameboys? Find out what toys children had on a farm 100 years ago and make a game to take home. Meet Sandy Staples at the Agricultural History Farm Park.
54906 6-14yrs $6 6/25 W 10:30am-11:45am
54907 6-14yrs $6 6/25 W 12:30pm- 1:45pm

Celebrate an Old Fashioned 4th of July
Find out what makes this holiday such a special American tradition for all of the family. Each family needs to bring a rolling pin to make a pie crust for your apple pie. Adult assistance required. Price is per pie, so if your family wants to make only one pie, just register only one member of your family. If your family wants to make two pies, register two members. Meet Naturalist Sandy Staples at the Agricultural History Farm Park.
54910 7-14yrs $10 7/2 W 10:30am-12:00pm
54911 7-14yrs $10 7/2 W 12:30pm- 2:00pm

Stars On My Shirt!
Join Naturalist Sandy Staples and learn about some of the night constellations. Wear old clothing and bring a plain dark colored t-shirt to decorate with a 'glow in the dark' constellation design.
54951 6-14yrs $6 7/31 Th 10:30am-11:30am

Gunston Hall/Mason Neck Van Tour
Tour Gunston Hall, the 18th century plantation home of George Mason, proponent for the American Bill of Rights. We'll also visit the nearby Mason Neck State Park to look for butterflies and birds, including the resident Bald Eagles and herons. Easy hike. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54909 $29 6/30 M 8:00am- 6:00pm

Chesapeake Lighthouse Cruise
We'll celebrate the 4th of July with a 2 ½ hour cruise of the Chesapeake Bay to see the Thomas Point, Sandy Shoal, and Baltimore Shoal Lighthouses from the 'Lady Sarah' out of Annapolis. This tour is narrated by a turn of the century lighthouse keeper. Bring your bag lunch or pick up food from the Market House to eat on board. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54912 $58 7/4 F 9:30am- 5:00pm

Baltimore Train Museums Van Tour
Visit the B&O Railroad Museum, the birthplace of American railroading, site of the first passenger station and a 'national treasure' of railroad artifacts. After lunch, we'll visit the Ellicott City Station, the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial railroad in the United States. Bring your camera and money for lunch. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54913 $36 7/8 Tu 8:00am- 6:00pm

Sotterly Plantation Van Tour
We'll visit the only remaining Tidewater plantation with a tour of the 18th century mansion and its gardens overlooking the Patuxent River. After lunch at nearby St. Mary's College, we'll do a walking tour of St. Mary's City, Maryland's first capital. Bring money for lunch. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54915 $37 7/10 Th 8:00am- 6:00pm

Jug Bay On The Patuxent
Join the naturalist for a pontoon boat ride on the Patuxent River and a hike on the boardwalk to view the wonderful flora and fauna of this magnificent wetlands. Bring a lunch and eat overlooking the river. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54917 $20 7/15 Tu 8:00am- 6:00pm

Jefferson Patterson Park
We'll tour the Maryland Archeological Conservation Laboratory which houses artifacts collected throughout Maryland that covers a period of 12,000 years. The Visitor Center and trails will provide insight on the lifestyle of Native Americans, early colonists, the War of 1812 and much more. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54918 $25 7/17 Th 8:00am- 6:00pm

Adult Hike At Monocacy Aqueduct
We'll visit another C&O Canal site along the Potomac River that was only recently on the ten most endangered national historic sites list. The history, the canal and the beauty of this area is unique through our nature's history. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54952 $10 8/1 F 8:30am- 2:00pm

Baltimore Museums: Part 2
Continue our exploration of Maryland history at the Maryland Historical Society with its extensive collections of furniture, silver, glass and more. Bring money for lunch to eat at the eclectic Mt. Vernon Stables - recommended for its huge variety of sandwiches. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54955 $20 8/7 Th 8:30am- 6:00pm

Evergreen House/Civil War Museum Tour
We'll continue exploring early railroad and Maryland history as we visit the home of John W. Garrett, President of the B&O Railroad. After lunch we'll visit the Baltimore Civil War Museum in the restored President Street Station and the site of the first casualties of the Civil War. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54956 $30 8/12 Tu 8:00am- 6:00pm

Calvert Museum Van Tour
We'll learn about the natural and cultural history of Southern Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay at this museum including the Drum Point Lighthouse and a ride on the 100 year old Bugeye William B. Tennison to see Solomons Island from the water. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54960 $33 8/21 Th 8:00am- 6:00pm

Storytime: “Salamander's Room”
What sometimes has stripes or spots? What lives in water, then on land? Join Naturalist Sandy Staples as we explore the tiny world of a salamander with a story and craft.
54899 3-6yrs $5 6/10 Tu 1:30pm- 2:30pm

Storytime: “Box Turtle At Long Pond”
Turtles come in all shapes and sizes. Join Naturalist Sandy Staples and meet some live turtles at Meadowside. After the story, make a craft to take home and hike down to the pond to see if the turtles are out in the sun.
54901 3-6yrs $5 6/12 Th 9:30am-10:30am

Storytime: “The Very Clumsy Click Beetle”
Explore the miniature world of insects and hike through the woods to find examples of different bugs and their habitats. Each participant will take home an insect larva to watch it change into an adult. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54902 3-6yrs $6 6/17 Tu 9:30am-10:30am

Storytime: “What the Sea Saw”
Explore the magical world of the ocean and its different habitats including the shores as we discuss the animals and plants that live there. Story and craft. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54914 3-6yrs $5 7/9 W 1:30pm- 2:30pm

Storytime: “A Snake In The House”
Snakes can be scary if you don't know anything about them. Now is your chance to meet a live snake up close after the story and craft. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera so you can record your child's adventure. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54950 3-6yrs $5 7/29 Tu 1:30pm- 2:30pm

Nature's Lights - Lightning Bugs
They flash, they blink, they fascinate us! Lightning bugs are truly one of nature's lights. Explore the world of lightning bugs through a story, activities and a craft. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54954 3-6yrs $5 8/6 W 1:30pm- 2:30pm

Storytime: “Twilight Hunt”
Learn about the role of camouflage in the life of a screech owl and the other animals that live in this habitat. Story and craft. Naturalist: Sandy Staples
54957 3-6yrs $5 8/19 Tu 10:30am-11:30am

Celebrate Summer Campfire
Celebrate the first official day of summer by the fire, roasting marshmallows and participating in fun campfire activities. We supply the marshmallows and graham crackers, but please bring your own chocolate for s'mores. All must register.
54854 3yrs&up $5 6/21 Sa 7:00pm- 8:30pm

Fire and Ice cream Campfire
Let's toast marshmallows and make ice cream together. We supply the ice cream making supplies, marshmallows and graham crackers, but please bring your own chocolate for s'mores. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
54851 3yrs&up $5 7/11 F 7:30pm- 9:00pm

Watermelon Day
National Watermelon Day is tomorrow, but let's start the celebration of this wonderful summer treat early. Learn how the watermelon made it from Africa to become a summer staple in the United States. Fun games and plenty of watermelon to go around! We'll meet at the nature center, but this program will take place outside, weather permitting. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
54852 3yrs&up $5 8/2 Sa 1:00pm- 2:00pm

Pioneer Past Campfire
Games and stories around the campfire will carry us back to pioneer times. Make s'mores as we learn about the past and enjoy the fire. We supply the marshmallows and graham crackers, but please bring your own chocolate for s'mores. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
54856 3yrs&up $5 8/8 F 7:00pm- 8:30pm

Brownie Try-It Watching Wildlife
If we take a good look at the animals around us, we can discover many interesting things about them. Take a look at the builders, movers, and shakers of the animal kingdom living right outside our front door. Naturalist: Lisa Droubi
54855 7-10yrs $25 7/8 Tu 1:00pm- 3:30pm