11000 Thrift Road, Clinton, MD 20735-9764
301-297-4575; TTY 301-699-2544
Directions To Clearwater Nature Center
Hours of operation:
Monday-Saturday, 8:30 am-5 pm
Sundays, 11 am-4 pm
Holidays, 11 am-4 pm (9/3 - Labor Day, 11/12 - Veteran’s Day, 11/23 - Employee Appreciation Day)
Closed (11/22 - Thanksgiving Day, 12/25 - Christmas Day)
Located within Cosca Regional Park,Clearwater Nature Center offers a variety of interpretive programs hosted by the facility's park naturalists. Environmental education is strongly supported at this facility through interesting exhibits, displays, programs, special events, clubs, trips, and volunteer opportunities. A small indoor pond, live animal exhibits, a lapidary laboratory, and seasonal herb and butterfly gardens are some of the unique components of this facility. Many programs are closely coordinated with the county's public school curriculum, making Clearwater Nature Center a great place for school trips. Walk in on your own, or visit the facility as part of a group to explore live mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey (including a bald eagle!) that reside here at the center. Visitors are welcome free of charge. Nominal fees apply for programs.
Visit the following pages for more information about Clearwater Nature Center's ongoing programs:
Pardon Our Dust
Upcoming Programs
Saturday, May 3, 9 am-3 pm
Jewelry Making with Bob: Cabochons
Students will learn the basics of gem cutting as you create your own cabochon using diamond saws, grinds, and polishing equipment. Students need to bring a pair of safety goggles to class and bring an apron to protect clothing or wear clothes that can get wet and oily. Learn how to use rock cutting and polishing equipment to make your own cabochon! Reservations are required.
Ages 18 & up
Fee: Resident $30; Non-Resident $36 (CNCA members receive a fee discount)
SMARTlink #114402
Saturday, May 3, 10-11 am
Seasonal Puppet Show
Join our naturalists for a fun-filled seasonal puppet show. Reservations are required.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #114361
Saturday, May 10, 7:30-10 pm
Family Movie Night & Hike
Spend an enjoyable evening taking a short hike through the woods and then attend a night "at the movies" with friends and family. Popcorn, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase. Featured presentation tentatively scheduled: Ratatouille. Reservations are required.
Ages 5 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #114425
Saturday, May 17, 10-11 am
Live Animal Show
Children of all ages love meeting our live animals! Touching and questions are encouraged. Reservations are required.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $1; Non-Resident $2
SMARTlink #114349
Saturday, May 31, 1-2:30 pm
CSI: Nature Detectives
Join us as you become a CSI (Critter Scene Investigator) to explore a simulated crime scene using a variety of investigative techniques such as track analysis, dissection, scat examination, or bone and skull identification. Reservations are required.
Ages 6 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #114334
Upcoming Special Events
Summer Nature Day Camps
Clearwater Nature Center offers several 1-week long summer nature day camps for children and teens ages 4 - 16. Registration for camps begins March 15 (residents) and March 22 (non-residents). Before/After extended care registrations begins March 17 (residents) and March 22 (non-residents). Camps are listed below in order according to ages. If your child meets the age requirement by the start of a camp session, and you encounter problems registering via internet or SMARTlink automated phone, please call the Customer Service Help Desk at 301-699-2255 for assistance. Additional camp information and tips can be found after the camp listing below.
Nature SeekersAdditional camp information:Ages: 4-5 Dates: July 28-August 1 Time: 9 am-12 noon Fee: Resident $65; Non-Resident $75 SMARTlink: #117987 Must meet minimum age requirement by August 31, 2008 Before/After extended care is NOT available
Outdoor ExplorersAges: 6-7 Dates: July 14 - July 18 Time: 9 am-4:30 pm Fee: Resident $105; Non-Resident $130 SMARTlink: #117989 Must meet minimum age requirement by August 31, 2008 Before Care: #117990 / After Care: #117991
Nature DetectivesAges: 6-7 Dates: August 4 - August 8 Time: 9 am-4:30 pm Fee: Resident $105; Non-Resident $130 SMARTlink: #117984 Must meet minimum age requirement by August 31, 2008 Before Care: #117985 / After Care: #117986
Wetland WanderersAges: 8-10 Dates: June 16 - June 20 Time: 9 am-4:30 pm Fee: Resident $120; Non-Resident $145 SMARTlink: #117992 Must meet minimum age requirement by September 30, 2008 Before Care: #117993 / After Care: #117994
Endangered ExpeditionAges: 8-10 Dates: July 21 - July 25 Time: 9 am-4:30 pm Fee: Resident $120; Non-Resident $145 SMARTlink: #117995 Must meet minimum age requirement by September 30, 2008 Before Care: #118053 / After Care: #118054
Bug HoundsAges: 8-10 Dates: August 11 - August 15 Time: 9 am-4:30 pm Fee: Resident $120; Non-Resident $145 SMARTlink: #117978 Must meet minimum age requirement by September 30, 2008 Before Care: #117979 / After Care: #117980
Extreme AdventurersAges: 11-13 Dates: July 7 - July 11 Time: 9 am-4:30 pm Fee: Resident $185; Non-Resident $225 SMARTlink: #117981 Must meet minimum age requirement by December 31, 2008 Before Care: #117982 / After Care: #117983
Extreme Adventurers (Xtreme Teens)Ages: 14-16 Dates: June 23 - June 27 Time: 9 am-4:30 pm Fee: Resident $185; Non-Resident $225 SMARTlink: #118799 Must meet minimum age requirement by December 31, 2008 Before Care: #118800 / After Care: #118801
Before / After Extended Care
See Summer Day Camp Registration Information
IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to help insure that all campers will be able to attend camp on the first day, campers registered to attend camp at Clearwater Nature Center are asked to please have all camp forms turned in at least 2 weeks before the first day of camp. Please do not wait until the last minute to fill out and turn in forms. Turning forms in early helps avoid a lot of confusion and frustration by allowing staff time to make sure that all information has been provided and is correct. Turning forms in early helps parents avoid having to scramble to make last minute appointments with physicians to get any necessary medical paperwork filled out and signed by the doctor. We do not want to have to turn away campers on the first day of camp nor have to deprive children of necessary medication and/or medical devices during the camp because health forms are missing or were not properly or completely filled out. Also, if you can, please drop off your forms at the nature center in person. All too often, mailing the forms to us or sending them to the wrong M-NCPPC facility will significantly delay those forms in reaching us and this could prevent your child from being able to attend camp on the first day. Remember: state law mandates that children with incomplete or missing camp forms will NOT be allowed to attend camp until those forms have been completely filled out and turned in - No Exceptions.
For more summer camp information and policies, you can find that information here.
Location/Directions -
Located in Cosca Regional Park, in Clinton, Maryland.
From the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Branch Ave. toward Waldorf for 5.4 miles. At traffic light, turn right onto Surratts Road. Turn left at traffic light onto Brandywine Road. At next traffic light, turn right onto Thrift Road. Remain on Thrift Road until you see the sign for Clearwater Nature Center (it will be on your right).
From the South, take Route 301. At the split, take Route 5. Come under the bridge, and at second light (TB Junction) make a left onto Brandywine Road. Turn left onto Thrift Road.
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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County |