Watkins Nature Center offers something for everyone! Live animal displays feature native owls, hawks, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. The Discovery Cottage gives children the chance to explore the life of a naturalist. Indoor and outdoor ponds, a songbird feeding area, and a squirrel gym that showcases tricks to eating corn on the run entertain our visitors. For information on school and family programs, please call 301-218-6702, TTY 301-699-2544.

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Saturday: 8:30 am - 5 pm
Sundays & Holidays: 11 am – 4 pm
2009 Holidays: 5/25 – Memorial Day, 7/4 – Independence Day, 9/7 – Labor Day, 11/11 – Veteran’s Day)
Closed 1/19 – Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday, 1/20 - Inauguration Day; 2/16 – President’s Day); 11/26 - Thanksgiving; 12/25 - Christmas

Teachers, view our curriculum based programs designed specially for elementary school groups.

• Calendar of Events
• Birthday Parties

Saturday, March 28, 8 am-7 pm
Caving Trip
Enjoy a novice caving trip to Shepherdstown, WV. Visit two caves and learn about their history and formation. Learn to execute safe movement and rope climbing techniques. This program requires good physical condition, and a lack of fear of enclosed spaces. Reservations required.
Ages 18 & up
Fee: Resident $85; Non-Resident $100
SMARTlink #134485

Wednesday, April 1, 2-3 pm
Puppet Show
Enjoy a seasonal themed puppet show, meet a featured live animal, and make a craft. Reservations required.
Ages 2-10
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #134476

Friday, April 3, 10-11 am
Small Fry
Join a naturalist for nature-themed stories, games, and crafts for the little ones. Reservations required.
Ages 2-4
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #134480

Saturday, April 4, 12 noon-3 pm
Day of the Dinosaur
Join our naturalists for prehistoric fun! Enjoy live animal shows, dinosaur and fossil displays, games, crafts, and puppet shows.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: $3/person

Monday, April 6-Friday, April 10, 9 am-4:30 pm
Spring Break Nature Camp
Experience nature through indoor and outdoor games, crafts, and hands-on animal and plant activities. Reservations required.
Ages 8-10
Fee: Resident $110; Non-Resident $135
SMARTlink #134492

Monday, April 13, 11 am-12 noon
Family Campfire
Enjoy nature tales and roasting marshmallows. Dress for the outdoors. Reservations required.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #140034

Saturday, April 18, 10-11 am
Nature Craft
Join a naturalist for a story, meet a live animal, and make a nature-themed craft. Reservations required.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #134473

Thursday, April 23, 9:30 am-4 pm
Xtreme Teens: Home-School Science Workshop: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Join us on a trip to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center for a tour and nature-related activities. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy along the river and comfortable shoes for hiking. Reservations required.
Ages 12-17
Fee: Resident $10; Non-Resident $12
SMARTlink #134486

Friday, April 24, 7-8:30 pm
Family Campfire
Enjoy nature tales and roasting marshmallows. Dress for the outdoors. Reservations required.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #134468

Saturday, April 25, 8 am-4 pm
Patuxent River Kayak Trip
Meet at the nature center and join us for a day long trip along the Patuxent River. We’ll paddle from the 4-H Center approximately 10 miles down the Patuxent River. Kayaking supplies provided. Dress appropriately for the outdoors, and bring a bag lunch and water. Reservations required.
Ages 18 & up
Fee: Resident $20; Non-Resident $24
SMARTlink #134478

Saturday, April 25, 10-11 am
Live Animal Show
Bring the whole family to the nature center and learn about the center’s live animals, including reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey. See them up close and touch a few. Reservations required.
Ages 2 & up
Fee: Resident $1; Non Resident $2
SMARTlink #134483

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 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:

• Fee: $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 from the date the reservation is made. 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 by check or money order we need to see a copy of your driver's license and/or other form of identification with your payment.

Additional Birthday Party Guidelines:

• When you make your reservation, we will ask you toplease select a time for your 30-minute animal show. 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 72 hours 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.
• The refund, in the form of a check, will be mailed to the address on the original reservation form. Please allow 3-4 weeks.
• Please limit your party activities and food consumption to the workshop and outside deck areas. 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.