Educational Field Trip Themes
Habitats- Identify the living spaces of the park and who lives there. Explore trails, wildlife, and habitat needs of the forest, stream, and meadow community.
Insects and Their Kin- Discover the diverse realm of insects and pollinators. Hike to observe hoppers, crawlers, swimmers and fliers in different habitats.
Maple Sugaring- Experience the traditional techniques of making maple sugar. Learn the history, tree identification, tapping, and collecting methods from the past to the present. (February and March)
Native Americans in Maryland- Investigate the world of the woodland Algonquian natives and their use of natural resources through hands-on stations. Who were they? How did they live?
Predator and Prey- Study the interrelationships between predator and prey through close-up observation. Our outdoor encounters will reveal special wildlife survival adaptations
Reptiles and Amphibians- Meet and differentiate reptiles and amphibians among other animals that inhabit the park. On the trails, discover where they live, what they eat, and how they protect themselves.
Rocks Rock!- Examine identification techniques for rocks and minerals and how they affect our daily lives through hands-on stations. Explore the mining past of Oregon Ridge and the lasting affects of our actions.
Seasonal Hikes- Investigate the natural world of plants and animals during the changes of the season. Take a hike to witness these changes first hand, such as nesting, migration, and seed dispersal.
Stream to Chesapeake Bay- Delve into a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Analyze the creatures that inhabit the stream and indicate the quality of the water by what we uncover.
School Programs are offered Tuesday- Thursday. Scout programs are offered after school Tuesday- Friday and during the day Saturday and Sunday. School groups are limited to 55 students maximum, 10 students minimum. School trips are scheduled at 10AM and last 2 hours (Pre-K=1hour). Teachers must participate in the program and have a 10 students : 1 adult ratio.1 program per organization, per season. Groups may visit the Nature Center on a self-guided basis, but must notify the center in advance.