Join us for the magic of the full moon for a hike and campfire on each Friday nearest the full moon. We offer a variety of Full Moon Friday programs for a variety of ages.

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day here in Cabin John Regional Park. Join us as we keep track of the different migratory birds that pass through the park this time of year. Ask our naturalist any bird related questions as well. All levels of birders welcome, you are welcome to bring your own pair of binoculars, the nature will have pairs to borrow if necessary. Registration is required for this program.

Beautify your backyard with native plants! New- we are moving the Spring sale to our nursery location at Pope Farm. Ask the experts your questions about growing low-maintenance and pest-resistant varieties that help attract wildlife to your garden. Shop a unique selection of the highest quality plants and seeds. Free Admission. No Registration Required. Sales support educational programs at Locust Grove Nature Center. The Live, in person sale will be held at Pope Farm Nursery 7400 Airpark Rd. in Gaithersburg (only one greenhouse will be open to the public for these sale hours only- Pope farm is closed the rest of the year)

In this 10-week session, Caregivers will have the chance to play, create and learn right alongside their little nature explorers. Each one-and-a-half hour class will include a hike, storytime and hands-on, nature-based activities that encourages imaginative play, curiosity, and cooperation.Program is intended for children 1 1/2 to 3 years old.The majority of each class will be outdoors (barring extreme weather) so be sure to dress appropriately. This trail difficulty is moderate. The trail is on natural surfaces with dirt, rock and rut. Trails steepness varies and some trails will only be accessible with stairs.
Register each child. An adult guardian must accompany the child. Each class meets Wednesdays, March 13 to May 22, skipping March 27 with May 29 for weather makeup (10 classes).

Studies show that babies as young as a few weeks old thrive with daily outside time. So pack your baby in a carrier and join us for a low-key nature walk lead by one of our naturalists. Get to know other local parents while enjoying the fresh air and beauty of Cabin John forest. The trail is on natural surfaces with dirt, rock and rut. Trails steepness varies and some trails will only be accessible with stairs. Trails are not stroller accessible. Fee is for one child and their adult for the entire Spring session, which meets Thursdays from April 18 to May 23, with May 30 for weather makeup (6 classes).

Create an array of nature themed crafts with any of our Nature Make and Take programs.

Forest bathing promotes wellness through deepening our connection to natural environments. Based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates as “taking in the atmosphere of the forest,". This 2-hour session, led by certified forest therapy guide Adria S. Zeldin, will guide you through mindfulness-based sensory invitations to help you slow down, awaken your senses, and reconnect with nature.

Please dress comfortably with the weather in mind. We will be outdoors and moving slowly so you may want to bring extra layers. There may be times that you wish to sit, so a blanket or mat may make your experience more enjoyable. This trail difficulty is moderate. The trail is on natural surfaces with dirt, rock and rut. Trails steepness varies and some trails will only be accessible with stairs. Registration required for 18 and up.

Think you have what it takes? In this action-packed adventure that closely follows a storyline, you and your friends must work together to survive in the wilderness. You'll build your confidence outdoors by meeting daily challenges to find food, water and shelter. Can you identify wild edible plants? Build a solar still to purify drinking water? Start a fire without matches? We'll learn together through fiercely fun games and collaborative activities.

"Are you interested in birding? Do you want to be part of a national community science project? Then, join us at Locust Grove Nature Center for Project FeederWatch.
Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome.
We advise you to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring your binoculars if you have them. Registration is encouraged, just so we can notify participants of cancellations. You are not required to attend all the sessions in the season, come to as many as you like If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to [email protected]."

A camp just for our younger explorers to play and learn alongside our animal neighbors, such as chipmunks, frogs, turtles, birds and more! Campers will be introduced to our Nature Center's resident animal ambassadors and engage in nature based play and exploration. Campers must be fully toilet trained and able to dress themselves.

Summer Campers don't have to "age-out" anymore- now they can start learning responsibility and the skills necessary to become a confident and competent camp counselor. Camper Assistants will work with Naturalists and Counselors to develop leadership and group management skills. They will spend most of the day with younger campers, gaining experience with different activities from arts and crafts to nature exploration.
This is restricted to former LGNC campers and only two spots are available for each session so contact the nature center to apply now at [email protected]

For just a few magical weeks in the Spring, the forest floor is studded with our most beautiful woodland wildflowers, including spring beauties, bluebells, and bloodroot. Take a leisurely stroll through the park with our Master Naturalists who will interpret this spectacular show before it disappears entirely (at least until next spring!). Now a three part series, you may join us for one class or sign up for all three to watch the season unfold before your eyes. This trail difficulty is moderate. The trail is on natural surfaces with dirt, rock and rut. Trails steepness varies and some trails will only be accessible with stairs.

Do you have an interest in birding? Then join us for a morning of bird watching at Cabin John Regional Park. Bring a thermos of your favorite breakfast beverage to enjoy as you learn beginner birding techniques . Bring your own pair of binoculars or borrow a pair from the nature center, we will show you how to use them. Registration is required for this program.

Learn a variety of outdoor skills by checking out programs for our outdoor skills workshops

Get wet and go wild this summer with Creek Explorer's Camp ! This water world camp will explore the cool things happening near and in our local stream. Learn through games, demonstrations, experiments and play about the unique aspects of stream life and how to keep our streams healthy. Water shoes, a towel, and a change of clothes are required! Warning: You will get wet!

Hike a mile in a Naturalist's shoes! Spend a week learning what it's like to care for our live animal ambassadors, steward our gardens and stream, be a community scientist and an advocate for wildlife. Each day we'll learn through wildly fun games, imaginative play, and activities that give back to nature.

Need a break? Drop the kids for a Nature Night In and enjoy a Parent’s Night Out. We will have a fun filled night with natured based games, crafts, a picnic dinner, and a hike on natural surface trails if weather permits. Children must be potty trained and dressed appropriately for weather. Please pack a nut-free dinner, snack, and a water. Register each child for this program

Check out all of these fun birding programs at Locust Grove Nature Center. We offer a variety of birding programs through out the year focusing on different aspects of birding.