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WINTER PROGRAMS
Programs have staggered registration dates. We advertise programs before registration opens which is why you may see that registration is closed, yet there are spaces available. See details >
For students ages 12-16 years old. No parent needed.
In this 4-part series we will get out and explore Flag Ponds Nature Park. We will spend the class outside hiking the trails. We will learn to identify common plants and animals, build shelters, and discover whatever the season has to offer.
We expect teens to attend all 4 sessions.
Location: Flag Ponds Nature Park
Program Fee per teen
Members: $10
Nonmembers: $20
Naturalist in Charge: Tania Gale
Please consider the safety, health, and well-being of all participants in our programs and stay home if the participant(s) are ill. Full refunds will be given for cancellations due to health concerns.
Please read our full policy statement and waiver.
For Ages 3 to 5 years Adult participation is required
As fall approaches there are many changes happening in our natural world. We will go on a hike to explore how the plants and animals are getting ready for winter.
Location: Kings Landing Park
Naturalist in charge: Gene Groshon
Reservations are required.
Registration Deadline: Monday, Oct 14, 2024
Program Fee: Free for members $8 per family for nonmembers
The crisp autumn air and the glow of the full moon set the stage for a captivating nocturnal journey through Battle Creek Cypress swamp. The Hunter’s full moon inspires this moonlit expedition into the swamp, where we are reminded of the interdependence between humans and the natural world as we honor the changing of seasons.
Whether you're a seasoned night hiker or a first timer, come discover the allure of the night and make memories that will linger long after the moon sets. These hikes are NOT stroller friendly, but infants and toddlers in backpacks are welcome.
Mark your calendars and join us each month at a different Calvert County nature park for a themed hike and let us honor the beauty of nature and marvel at the natural magic that unfolds under the light of the full moon.
Location: Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
Naturalist in charge: Lydia Wells
Program Fee: $5 per household
Packing list and schedule now available: Life.On.The.Edge.Trip.info.2024.pdf
For students in grades 6-8
Location: We will meet at Kings Landing Park then we'll travel by van to Assateague Island National Seashore.
Experience the magic of the coast at our overnight adventure! Explore the bay, camp under the stars, cook over a fire, and hike through nature's wonders.
This isn’t just any overnight trip—it’s your chance to step into the wild and experience the magic of the coast firsthand! Picture this: you’ll be trekking through breathtaking landscapes, camping beneath a sky full of stars, cooking dinner over an open fire and discovering the wonders of the bay with your friends. Every moment will be an adventure, from the stunning hikes to late-night stories by the fire.
Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Grab your spot and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Friday, October 18, 7:30 a.m. through Saturday, October 19, 4:00 p.m.
Mandatory pre-trip meeting for all participants and their families on Thursday, October 3 at 6:30 pm at Kings Landing Park
Naturalist in charge: Tania Gale
Fee per child:
Society members pay $90 per person. Nonmembers pay $120 per person.
Please register by September 27.
Each child must be registered separately.
Includes:
Packing list can be found here and will be emailed to participants in late September.
Join Park staff and help prevent the spread of invasive beach grasses at the Flag Ponds Beach. Volunteers ages 8 and up are needed to help remove seed heads from Phragmites grass along the shoreline. All equipment is provided, you just provide the people power. This has been an ongoing project all year and you can help make a difference!
There is an aprroximately 1/2 mile walk to the work area. Volunteers may experience wet or muddy conditions.
Staff in Charge: Jessy Oberright
For ages 8 & up. Adults are required to accompany children under 16.
You can learn a lot about an animal by what it eats. Dive into the fascinating world of owl pellets and uncover the stories they tell. Then, get hands-on as we identify the diverse prey items owls ate during the nesting season.
Naturalist in charge: Kim Curren
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by: October 25
Program Fee
Free for Society members
$8 per family for nonmembers
Ages 3-5
Bats, owls, spiders oh my! Your favorite Halloween creatures are not as scary as they seem. Join us to uncover the truth about these misunderstood critters, and enjoy creating a fun craft to take home
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by: October 20, 2024
Free for Society members $8 per family for nonmembers
Naturalist in charge: Amy Werking
Ages 4-12, with adult
This fall we will explore the habitats present at Flag Ponds Nature Park. We will meet outside each month and spend the class out hiking the trails - we will explore the park, learn to identify the common plants and animals, build shelters, and whatever the season has to offer.
Advanced registration required.
Program fees are per family. Please register all your children on one entry.
Homeschool Fridays is a series of environmental education programs developed especially for homeschoolers ages 4 to 12. These classes are a great way to get hands-on science and nature lessons and network with other homeschooling families. Each two-hour program will consist of indoor and outdoor hands-on learning
There is no charge for parents since they are expected to participate as mentors and teachers. Staff will provide guidance for parents on how to assist.
Siblings younger than 4 are welcome, but must be under the care of a parent/guardian at all times and should not distract the program participants.
Older and younger students will be grouped by age to allow for age-appropriate topic exploration (parents will stay with the younger group).
Adults and older teens
Ever wondered what owls live in Maryland? We will have a short talk on local owl species followed by a 2 mile hike through the forest to see WHOOOO we can find. We will discuss the different species and their special adaptations for living at night.
Fee is per person. Free for members $8 for nonmembers
Registration deadline: Monday, Oct 28, 2024
Adults age 60 and up are welcome to join a naturalist for a guided hike at Flag Ponds Nature Park. We'll enjoy views of the bay from atop the ridge and other natural beauty of the park. The hike will last approximately two hours and involve walking over uneven terrain.
Free for Society members $8 per person for nonmembers
For ages 8 and up, with adult participation
Most everyone knows how to make s’mores over a fire, but campfire cooking can be so much more. Explore tasty treats beyond s'mores as you whip up delicious snacks and meals over an open flame. Dress for the weather - and bring your appetite for this culinary adventure.
No children under 8 years old allowed for safety.
Fee is per family. Free for members $8 for nonmembers
Please register by: 11/1/24
For children 18 months-5 years old with accompanying adult
Embark on an exciting fall hike designed just for kids. Join us as we explore the park, discovering the brilliant hues of autumn leaves as we learn about the changing seasons in nature's colorful playground.
Location: Ward Farm Recreation and Nature Park
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by: November 12
Walk in tune with nature's rhythms this month’s as we hike around the Gatewood Preserve. The Beaver Moon provides an opportunity to slow down and reflect on the intricacies of the natural world while we take inspiration from the industrious spirit of the beaver and use our time wisely.
Location: Gatewood Preserve
3-5 years old, Adults are required
Embark on a seed-gathering adventure with our Fuzzy Sock Seed Collecting Walk for PreK! Slip fuzzy socks over your shoes and seeds will stick to our socks as we stroll, creating a fun-filled activity that connects kids with the wonders of the outdoors.
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by 11/14
Fee is per family
Adults and Older Teens
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024
This is a free program.
Ages 5 years and older, must be accompanied by an adult
Come explore the woods of Flag Ponds Nature Park with a Naturalist to find some of our most mysterious amphibians, salamanders!
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by: November 16, 2024
Naturalist in charge: Paige Stevens
Skip the shopping and spend some time outside giving back to your community.
Stay for an hour or the whole time.
Pre-registration is encouraged for planning purposes.
Time Commitment: 1-3 hours depending on availability of volunteers.
Dress accordingly for the weather. All volunteers should wear closed toe shoes and bring a water bottle.
Location: King Memorial Park
For any additional information please contact Jessy Oberright at jessy.oberright@calvertcountymd.gov
Current Calvert Steward volunteers may register through the volunteer portal to track your hours: https://calvertstewards.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=997582
Event will be rescheduled in case of inclement weather.
The Calvert Stewards volunteer program provides an opportunity for public service in education, research, and stewardship which support the overall missions of the Calvert County Division of Natural Resources and the Calvert Nature Society. This benefits the participants, the parks and the community as Calvert Stewards use and develop their skills to form an environmentally aware community and become the environmental stewards of Calvert County.
We also encourage youth and families to volunteer for projects to create a pipeline of engaged citizens that will continue their involvement in the parks into adulthood.
Contact Us if you have any questions at volunteer@calvertparks.org
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by 11/27
For students ages 6-9 years old. No parent needed.
$30 per child for Society members.
$45 per child for nonmembers
All ages
Even though some birds have left our area for the winter many species still call our parks home even during the colder months. We will hike the trails to see who is still active in the park and talk about how they are able to stay here during the winter.
Fee is per person. Free for members
$8 for nonmembers
Registration Deadline: Monday, Dec 9, 2024
Naturalist in Charge: Gene Groshon
Bring nature inside this holiday season as we make tree cookie ornaments and learn about what we can learn from the rings of trees. Afterwards we will go on a hike to see one of the largest trees in the park to allow our creations to dry.
Step into the night at Kings Landing Park and embrace the enchantment of our final full moon hike of the season. Often referred to as the Cold Moon, the full moon of December weaves a tale as old as time. As we gaze upon the last full moon of the year, let us not only marvel at its celestial beauty but also reflect in the quiet beauty of winter and the reminder that even in the coldest times, there is a luminous beacon in the sky, casting hope upon the earth.
Program Fee: $5 per household.
Animals have different ways of surviving the winter. Come learn about animals in the winter through games and crafts.
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by: December 10, 2024
Program Fee: Free for Society members$8 per family for nonmembers
For children ages 8 & up. Adults must accompany children under 16.
Children will learn basic compass skills and use what they have learned to find candy canes hidden in the park.
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register by: December 21
For Children 12-16 years old. Adults not required.
As part of our raptor research, staff are conducting surveys of wintering hawks and falcons to better understand their survivability. Join us as we conduct roadside raptor banding surveys throughout Calvert County to collect more data for this study. We will meet at Battle Creek and travel in the county van to various areas.
For more information on the research project: Winter Raptor Research
Program Fee is per child:
Please register by: Thursday, December 26,2024
Advanced Reservations are required - Please register each teen separately