Watkins Nature Center offers close-up wildlife investigation with its resident live animals, hands-on exhibits, interpretive programs, and special events. Live animal displays include insects, amphibians, reptiles, and birds of prey. 
The nature center also features indoor and outdoor ponds, a songbird feeding area, a butterfly/hummingbird garden, composting area, an outdoor nest box exhibit, and a squirrel gym that showcases the parks squirrel population.
Nature hikes, campfires, animal shows, puppet shows, crafts, summer day camps, and other programs attract over 50,000 visitors each year.
Specialty programs are offered for school groups, scout groups, home school students, and adults. Volunteer opportunities are offered year round for teens and adults ages 14 and over.
Watkins Nature Center offers specific curriculum based programs for elementary school groups. Most programs generally last about 45 minutes. All programs are by reservation only.
Fees for On-site Programs (10 Student Minimum)
Prince George’s or Montgomery County School Students: 
$3

Non-County School Students:
$4

Fees for OFF-site Programs (25 student minimum)

Prince George’s or Montgomery County School Students:
$4

Non-County School Students:
$5

A limited number of adult chaperones and teachers will be admitted free, additional adults will be charged the same rate as students. For fees for off-site programs, please call the nature center. Reservations should be made by calling at least 2 weeks in advance. 
Six to eight weeks in advance is recommended for spring programs as we book spaces quickly. Please plan to be on time. Large groups may have to be divided into smaller groups. Listed below are the program titles, descriptions, and grade levels.
Making Sense of Nature (Pre-K-Kindergarten)
Use your senses to meet animals and learn in a child-friendly way to touch and enjoy nature. Students will: 1) identify the 5 senses and the related body parts, 2) classify objects based on sensory information to include color, texture, size, sound, taste, or shape.
Wild Things (Pre-k-adult)
Targeted to your age group, a naturalist will choose several live animals to introduce, which can include reptiles, mammals, or birds of prey. Students will: 1) identify the different characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and 2) learn about local wildlife