Events and Programs

March

Saturday, March 17, 1-2 pm
Nature Craft
Enjoy a story, meet a live animal, and make a craft
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157835

Friday, March 26, 10 am-12 pm
Children's Wildlife Art Class
Join an artist/naturalist and learn some basics of art using nature and live animals as the subjects of inspiration. Supplies will be provided.
Ages 8-12
Fee: Resident $10; Non-Resident $12
SMARTlink #157822

Monday-Friday, March 29-April 2
Spring Break Nature Camp - Cancelled

Tuesday, March 30, 1-2 pm
Live Animal Show
Meet and learn about some of the center's animals.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $1; Non-Resident $2
SMARTlink #157831

Wednesday, March 31, 2-3 pm
Puppet Show
Enjoy a seasonal-themed puppet show, meet a live animal, and make a craft.
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157839

APRIL

Thursday, April 1, 1-2 pm
Nature Craft
Enjoy a story, meet a live animal, and make a craft
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157836

Friday, April 2, 10-11 am
Small Fry : Gardening for Wildlife
Little ones learn about gardening to attract wildlife. Enjoy stories, crafts, games, and hikes.
Ages 2-4
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #157843

Saturday, April 3, 10 am-12 pm
People & Pups Hike
Enjoy a naturalist-led hike with other dog owners and lovers. Please bring a leash.
Ages 18 & up
Free, reservations required
SMARTlink #157845

Monday, April 5, 11 am-12 pm
Family Campfire
Enjoy roasting marshmallows, stories, and an animal show.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157823

Friday, April 23, 7-8:30 pm
Family Campfire
Enjoy roasting marshmallows, stories, and an animal show.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157824

Saturday, April 24, 10-11 am
Live Animal Show
Meet and learn about some of the center's animals.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $1; Non-Resident $2
SMARTlink #157832

MAY

Saturday, May 1, 12-3 pm
Day of the Dinosaur
Join us for a day of learning about Maryland's dinosaurs, prehistroic animals, and fossils with fun shows, crafts, and surprises at our family event. Reservations are not required.
Ages 2 and up
Fee: $3 per person

Friday, May 7, 10-11 am
Small Fry : Ponds & Streams
Little ones learn about ponds and streams. Enjoy stories, crafts, games, and hikes.
Ages 2-4
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #157844

Saturday, May 8, 10-11 am
Nature Craft
Enjoy a story, meet a live animal, and make a craft
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157837

Tuesday, May 11, 10 am-12 pm
Family Fossil Hunt
Meet us at Henson Creek, a local fossil site in Ft. Washington, MD to collect unique specimens from the past. Bring a plastic bag and dress to get wet.
Ages 4-7, with an adult
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157829

Saturday, May 15, 10-11 am
Discovery Hike
Join a naturalist and enjoy a seasonal hike looking for wildlife and plantlife.
Ages 4 & up
Fee: Resident $1; Non-Resident $2
SMARTlink #157828

Friday, May 21, 7:30-9 pm
Family Campfire
Enjoy roasting marshmallows, stories, and an animal show.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157825

Sunday, May 23, 5 am-3 pm
Charter Boat Fishing Trip
Join a naturalist for an early day of fishingon the Chesapeake Bay. Fish for bluefish, rockfish, and smaller stripers. The boat and crew provide the poles, bait, and other fishing supplies. Participants should bring a lunch, snacks, and sunscreen. We will be on the water approximately 6 hours. No refunds unless trip is cancelled.
Ages 18 and up
Fee: Resident $110; Non-Resident $135
SMARTlink #157858

Saturday, May 29, 10-11 am
Puppet Show
Enjoy a seasonal-themed puppet show, meet a live animal, and make a craft.
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #157841

Wild Things Birthday Party

Your birthday party package includes:

• A 30-minute Wild Things animal show featuring a variety of our resident animals, such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and/or birds of prey.
• 3-hour use of our workshop room, including set up, party, nature program, and clean up time. Available from 1-4 pm on a Saturday or Sunday. (You must be cleaned up and vacate the room by 4 pm)
• Use of our workshop room, which includes tables, chairs, sink, and refrigerator/freezer.
• Receive a free nature coloring book for each child in your party. These will be provided the day of the party.
• Receive a 15% discount in our Little Shop of Nature gift shop on the day of your party or the day you reserve and pay for your party.

Group Size

• Up to 25 child guests. The room capacity is 50 including adults and children.

Party Time and Date

• For reservations, please call 301-218-6702; TTY 301-699-2544. Please call at least two months in advance, as we tend to fill up fast no matter the season. Reservations are tentative and subject to cancellation unless payment is received in full by due date.

Fees

• $100 (Prince George's and Montgomery County residents), $120 (non-residents) includes the birthday party child and up to 25 child guests. Payment is required to reserve your date.
• There is no fee for adult guests.
• Payment is required within 10 days of scheduling your party date. Make checks/money orders payable to: M-NCPPC. Please mail or bring payment in to Watkins Nature Center at 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. Until payment is received, all reservations are tentative. When paying we need to see a copy of your driver's license and/or other form of identification with your payment, regardless of the payment type.

Additional Birthday Party Guidelines

• When you make your reservation, we will ask you to please select a time for your 30-minute animal show (anytime between 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm). Please plan your setup, party activities, animal show, and clean up within your 3 hour reserved time.
• All cancellations must be addressed to the manager of Watkins Nature Center or his/her designee at least 5 business days prior to the event. Cancellation requests may be faxed to 301-218-6712. With sufficient notice and approval of the manager, a refund will be issued minus a 20% administrative fee.
• If payment was made in the form of cash, money order, or check,the refund, in the form of a check, will be mailed to the address on the original reservation form. Please allow 3-4 weeks. Payments made by credit card will be refunded to the credit card used for payment.
• Please limit your party activities and food consumption to the workshop. Adults must accompany and supervise all children visiting the exhibit hall, bathrooms, and birds of prey areas. Please do not allow climbing, running, screaming, or other inappropriate behavior inside the Nature Center or outside in the birds of prey areas. Please DO NOT feed any animals or put any items in the turtle pond or cages.
• Please dispose of all trash and recyclables in the proper receptacles, and leave the workshop and outside areas as you found them. Brooms and dustpans for your use are available; from the staff person on duty.