Find out what it takes to be an archaeologist! Uncover the past as you look for clues past peoples left behind! Campers will discover how archaeologists piece together the evidence from the past as they investigate the landscape around them and participate in hands-on activities. Each week campers will go on a fieldtrip to a historical site.

Want to become an awesome camp counselor and earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours while learning? The first week of this two week program you will learn the basics in archaeological methods, get CPR/ First Aid Training, and practice creating and planning camp activities. The second week, you will dig into the real thing! You'll assist camp staff while you work with campers and have an opportunity to ask questions and get feedback in our counselors' afternoon roundtables.

2nd WEEK: June 24th - June 28th from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Note: The Cultivate Guide originally listed the date for this program as Saturday, June 22. It has been moved to Sunday, June 23.

Instructor: Ana Ka’ahanui, certified Forest Therapy Guide

Connect with nature through a forest bathing walk among the vivid colors and rich fragrances of summer blooms. Stroll the grounds and neighboring forest at a measured pace that allows you to notice the small miracles of nature unfolding. We’ll close the walk by enjoying hot tea and healthy snacks.

About Forest Bathing:
The Forest Agency of Japan began promoting forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, in the 1980s as a response to the stresses of urban living and long work hours. This nature-oriented mindfulness practice, which is rooted in the traditional Japanese reverence for the natural world, has since become popular all over the world, bringing joy and improved mental and physical health to millions of people. Numerous health studies have confirmed forest bathing’s benefits and doctors and nurses in our region are taking note. Many are prescribing “Nature” to their patients.

*NOTE: This class will be held in the Japanese Tea House, located in the Gude Garden. No walk-ins will be accepted. Class size limited to 25 people.

Instructor: Charles Votaw

Tai Chi is an ancient, Chinese form of exercise perfect for adults seeking stress reduction while strengthening muscles, improving balance, and increasing flexibility. The Forms are repetitive patterns that emphasize slow, flowing motions and controlled movements. Classes will help beginners to learn the Forms while providing regular practitioners the guidance of an experienced instructor.

*NOTE: This class will be held in the Japanese Tea House, located in the Gude Garden. No walk-ins will be accepted. Class size limited to 25 people.

Instructor: Sherry Weber

These series of classes feature foundational yoga poses that are designed to support better breathing, walking, and space orientation. Yoga movements help build muscle, bone density and core strength while improving balance, posture, and flexibility. Mats are not included.

*NOTE: This class will be held in the Japanese Tea House, located in the Gude Garden. No walk-ins will be accepted. Class size limited to 25 people.

Instructor: Tanory Ateek

Enjoy yoga held in a peaceful setting under the cover of the Japanese Tea House. Designed to increase flexibility and physical strength and to cultivate mental focus, these classes are a beautiful and relaxing way to begin your weekend. Mats are not included.

Meet at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Brookside Nature Center (1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902)

Brookside Nature Center & Brookside Gardens staff

Celebrate National Pollinator Week as we wander through an open meadow of beautiful perennials swarming with pollinators. Learn about mid-Atlantic native plants you can plant to help support beneficial insects while adding beauty.

Bring your little ones to this series of fun, garden-related yoga movement classes. Physical exercise and mindfulness will awaken your senses, boost your energy, and give you good garden vibes to start your day. Classes are outdoors and either moved indoors or canceled in cases of inclement weather. Bring your own mat or borrow one of ours. Adults must accompany children. Meet at South Terrace.

Curious campers will investigate and explore Brookside Gardens to discover the fascinating plants and animals that make their homes here. Arts and crafts, games and gardening are all in a day’s fun as we spend time indoors and outdoors connecting with nature.

Join us each Tuesday evening in June for a series of musical performances set in the beauty of the Gardens! Admission is free, and no registration is required. Bring your friends and family, and don’t forget your chairs, blankets, and picnics (allowed in the Gardens on concert evenings only). Food trucks will also be available for your dining pleasure. No registration required.

Join integrative therapist Tania Lanning for a guided walk focused on self-care in nature. Among the fragrant blossoms, maple trees, and brightly colored roses of the Formal Gardens, you will be invited to awaken your senses, notice your inner voice, and reflect on how you can bring awareness and compassion to your internal experience. Group will meet on the South Terrace in front of the Visitor Center. Participants will receive a small blank notebook for journaling.

Please note that Brookside Gardens is not a mental health service provider.

Join us for an interactive story time followed by an outdoor exploration or activity for children ages 3-7. We will meet in the outdoor classroom area located in the Children’s Garden, weather permitting. Adults must accompany children. Meet in the Outdoor Classroom located in the Children’s Garden area.

Take a garden walk with one of our instructors and explore botany, nature, and all the outdoors has to offer. Curiosity, seasonal changes, and botanical variety will guide the content of the day and the route we take through the gardens. Meet in the Visitor Center at the start of class and dress for the weather.

NOTE: Address and parking logistics will be sent after registration.

Tour Guide: Rochelle Bartolomei, native plant program manager, Pope Farm

Enjoy this behind-the-scenes tour of the Montgomery Parks’ production facility that grows over 60,000 native plants annually. See how staff responsibly collect seed from over 200 native ecotype plants and then clean, prepare and store for future growing. Learn how these plants benefit important initiatives ranging from habitat restoration projects to local plant sales.

Speaker: Toni Gattone, author and adaptive gardening expert

Gardeners of all ages and abilities will benefit from learning new strategies to garden with comfort, safety, and ease. This lecture will review dozens of tips, tools, and techniques for adaptive gardening. Toni will help you modify the accessibility of your garden and re-think your space to include containers, raised beds and vertical gardens. Discover new ergonomic tools that are easier on your hands, back, hips, and entire body.

Instructor: Amy Davidson, cut flower farmer

Enjoy learning about natural dye techniques as you create a botanical landscape on fabric using fresh flowers and greenery grown on a local farm. Students can choose either an apron, tea towel, or canvas tote bag to craft. All supplies provided and students can supplement them with flowers from home.

This new series aims to fill the gap between theory and practice. Tours of home gardens will serve as real-world case studies of landscape projects. Onsite discussions with homeowners and Brookside Gardens staff will offer applicable lessons in design and maintenance. Plant lists provided for each Field Lab.

Instructor: Mindy Lighthipe, botanical artist and instructor
Prerequisite: Intermediate courses in botanical art & illustration
Level: Intermediate to advanced

Students will have the opportunity to select a pollinator and their host plant to develop with colored pencils and watercolors throughout this three-week course. Mindy will review composition guidelines that are specific to combining plants and insects. You’ll learn unique methods to create the delicate texture and transparency of insect wings. Discover innovative techniques to create metallic sheen and shimmer seen from any angle and direction without the use of iridescent paints. You’ll have the opportunity to experiment with different layering techniques on leaves and plant materials.

NOTE: This course will be taught online using Zoom. Students will need access to a computer that has a built-in camera or a smart phone. The instructor will use live demonstrations during this online workshop to demonstrate techniques and review concepts. During each three-hour session students will have the opportunity to ask questions and submit their artwork via email or share it live during the class for review by the instructor. A recording will be emailed to students after each session and made available for up to 90 days after.

Let's round up some fishing fun! No fishing experience or gear needed. We will provide a quick lesson and be on hand to assist participants as they fish. Prizes will be given in a variety of categories. Adaptive equipment through Fishing Has No Boundaries including wrist saver rods, rod holders, and seated rod holders are available with two weeks’ notice. Parent participation is required. Only one fishing line in the water per child. Fee includes a tee-shirt. Located at the fishing pond in Kings Local Park, 23715 Clarksburg Rd., Clarksburg, MD 20871. Registration required. Registration begins on Monday, April 15 at 6:30AM.

There is nothing like being at a campfire under the stars. Join a naturalist for themed songs, stories, games, and of course, s’mores around a fire. Bring a blanket if it’s chilly. Meet at the campfire area by Shelter F on Parking Lot 3, in Black Hill Regional Park. Registration required for all attending. FOBH $6

Fishing is fun for the whole family and for all abilities! We'll show you how to set up a simple bobber rig, bait your hook, and give you some tips on casting. We'll provide the bait and rigging supplies; you just need to catch the fish! We have fishing poles you can borrow, but if you have your own bring it along. Anglers of all abilities are welcome. All registrants 16 and over must have a current MD fishing license. Meet at the pontoon boat dock by the boat rentals. Registration required. Please register only those planning to fish. FOBH $13

Let's go fishin'! We'll provide poles and bait, then see what we can catch off the dock at Little Seneca Lake. Meet at the pontoon boat dock by the boat rentals. Registration required. FOBH $7

Want to watch wildlife or just enjoy a peaceful paddle? Then join us for a leisurely kayak tour of Little Seneca Lake. We could see beaver, herons, maybe even a bald eagle. We'll supply boats, paddles, and PFD's, but you can bring your own PFD (Type III or V) if you have one. And don’t forget to bring water, sunscreen, and extra shoes to change into after. You can expect to get your feet wet and your clothes a bit damp. Basic paddling experience is necessary (this is not a lesson). Meet in front of the gazebo by the pontoon boat dock and boat rental area. Registration required. FOBH $29

Toddlers of all abilities are invited to explore the exciting natural world around the Discovery Center. Families will explore at their own pace using nature play prompts that will remain out for the duration of the program. Visit the front entrance of the Discovery Center to begin your journey through our most accessible areas of the park which are stroller friendly, with shaded areas and locations to rest. All ages are welcome but prompts and materials are geared towards children aged one to three. Registration required.

What lives in a stream? Wade into the water and use nets to see what insects, fish, frogs, and other animals we can find. Please wear boots or closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting wet (no flip-flops, please!). All children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the gravel Boat Launch parking lot on Black Hill Road. Registration required. FOBH $7

Join us for a sunset cruise aboard the pontoon boat. We'll search for beaver lodges and feeding sites, and hopefully see some beavers! As the sun sets, we'll use our bat detector to help us find feeding bats. Please register and pay for all participants. You may want to bring a jacket or sweater as it is often cooler on the boat. Meet at the pontoon boat dock, by the boat rentals. Registration required. FOBH $7

Kayaking is even more fun that it looks! Come learn how to paddle on flat water in recreational solo kayaks on Little Seneca Lake. Learn basic strokes, entries and exits, boat control, and more, taught by certified American Canoe Association instructors. We won't roll, but you'll get wet, so dress accordingly. All necessary equipment provided but if you have your own PFD (Type III or V), you can bring it along. Please wear a hat, water sandals or shoes (no flip-flops, please) and bring water and sunscreen. You must be able to swim. Meet in front of the gazebo by the pontoon boat dock and boat rental area. Registration required.