Events and Programs

AUGUST 

Friday, August 20, 7:30-9 pm
Family Campfire
Enjoy roasting marshmallows, stories, and an animal show.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #194067

Saturday, August 21, 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 #194083

Saturday, August 28, 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 #194088

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 4, 10-11 am
Discovery Hike
Join a naturalist and enjoy a seasonal hike looking for wildlife and plantlife.
Ages 4 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #280864

Wednesday, September 8, 1-2 pm
Puppet Show
Enjoy a seasonal-themed puppet show, and meet several live animals.
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #281314

Saturday, September 11, 10-11:30 am 
People and Pups Hike 
Enjoy a naturalist-led hike with other dog lovers and owners. Please bring a leash. 
Ages 18 & up 
Free, registration is required. 
SMARTlink #295964

Tuesday, September 14, 9 am-4:30 pm 
Home School Science Workshop: Trip to National Colonial Farm
Students are invited to join us on a field trip to the Accokeek Foundation's National Colonial Farm. Participants should bring a bag lunch and bottled water.
Ages 8-12
Fee: $10 (R), $12 (NR)
SMARTlink #296364

Friday, September 17, 7-8:30 pm
Family Campfire
Enjoy roasting marshmallows, stories, and an animal show.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #280714  

Friday, September 24, 10-11:30 am
Family Campfire
Enjoy roasting marshmallows, stories, and an animal show.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #280716

Friday, September 24, 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 #281214

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 2, 10-11 am
Live Animal Show
Meet and learn about some of the center's animals.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink#280964

Friday, October 8, 7-8:30 pm
Family Campfire
Enjoy roasting marshmallows, stories, and an animal show.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #280715

Saturday, October 9, 10-11 am
Discovery Hike
Join a naturalist and enjoy a seasonal hike looking for wildlife and plantlife.
Ages 4 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink#280865

Wednesday, October 13, 1-2 pm
Puppet Show
Enjoy a seasonal-themed puppet show, and meet several live animals.
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #281315

Sunday, October 17, 11 am -12:30 pm 
People and Pups Hike 
Enjoy a naturalist-led hike with other dog lovers and owners. Please bring a leash. 
Ages 18 & up 
Free, registration is required. 
SMARTlink #296064

Saturday, October 23, 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 #281215

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 (Effective 5/1/2010)

• $120 (Prince George's and Montgomery County residents), $155 (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 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.