Nature Programs at Clearwater Nature Center
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)
The Clearwater Nature Center staff and volunteers provide a wide variety of seasonal and year-round interpretive nature programs and special events to the public. Groups of 10 or more may arrange for private naturalist-led, nature-themed programs. Nominal fees apply for most programs. Unless otherwise noted, advance registration is required for all programs.
Year-Round Programs & Rental
Live Animal Shows: Come meet some of the nature center's resident animals including reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey. Groups of 10 or more people, please contact the nature center for details on scheduling a private naturalist-conducted animal show. For groups with fewer than 10 people, please check the seasonal calendar below for animal shows scheduled available to the public.
Scout Badge Workshops: Does your scout troop need assistance in fulfilling requirements for nature related scout badges? Maybe we can help. Clearwater Nature Center can assist scout troops in fulfilling some of the requirements for nature related scout badges. Fees for these programs vary depending on the length of the scheduled program. For details on setting up a workshop program for your group, call the nature center.
Birthday Parties: Surprise your child with a live animal show at his or her next birthday party. Party package consists of three (3) hour use of our auditorium. You can also fill up your gift bags with items purchased from our Terrapin Treasures Gift Shop at a 15% discount. Maximum room capacity of both children and adults is 40 people. Rental Fee: $100 (R) $120 (NR). For reservations, please call at least one (1) month in advance.
Room Rentals: Clearwater Nature Center offers rental of our auditorium (including outdoor patio and limited kitchen facilities) for meetings and small group parties or functions. Please call the nature center for information on rental policies, costs, and availability.
Summer 2008 Programs
Registration for Summer 2008 programs begins Monday, May 12 for residents of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, and Monday, May 19 for all other jurisdictions.
Unless otherwise noted, advance registrations through SMARTlink will be required for all programs with a SMARTlink course number.
To Register:
- SMARTlink Internet: www.pgparks.com
- SMARTlink Touch-Tone-Phone: 301-583-2665
- In person at any M-NCPPC staffed facility
- When you register, please have the customer barcode and family account pin-number for each person being registered for a program and the SMARTlink course number ready.
- Programs may be cancelled 24-48 hours prior to the start of the program due to lack of SMARTlink registrations so please call to confirm program availability if you wish to register within that time frame.
- For programs that do not have a SMARTlink course numbers, you may continue to call the nature center directly to sign up.
AUGUSTSaturday, July 5, 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 #121014Saturday, July 12, 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 #121030Thursday, July 17, 10-11:30 am
Reptiles Alive Show & Hike
Meet and learn about a variety of reptiles from the nature center’s collection and touch one if you like. Then join a naturalist for a short hike to look for reptiles. Reservations are required.
Ages 6 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #121025Saturday, July 19, 10-11:30 am
Nature: Explore Animal Tracks
Learn how to search for animals by using clues such as tracks (footprints), scat, and chewings. Make a plaster cast of an animal track. Reservations are required.
Ages 7 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #121201Tuesday, July 22, 10-11:30 am
Creek Hike
Come explore, examine, and identify the many creatures found in a local creek using dip nets. Dress to get wet. Wear wading boots, water shoes or old sneakers that can get wet / muddy. Reservations are required.
Ages 5 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #121008Wednesday, July 30, 10-11:30 am
Nature: Explore Insects
Explore the world of insects and learn about their life cycles and how they can be helpful. A craft is included along with a short hike to search for and observe local insects. Reservations are required.
Ages 6 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #121022
Wednesday August 6, 10-11:30 am
Reptiles Alive Show & Hike
Meet and learn about a variety of reptiles from the nature center’s collection and touch one if you like. Then join a naturalist for a short hike to look for reptiles. Reservations are required.
Ages 6 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #121026Saturday, August 9, 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 #121031Thursday, August 14, 10-11:30 am
Creek Hike
Come explore, examine, and identify the many creatures found in a local creek using dip nets. Dress to get wet. Wear wading boots, water shoes or old sneakers that can get wet / muddy. Reservations are required.
Ages 5 & up
Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3
SMARTlink #121009Saturday, August 16, 10-11:30 am
Nature: Explore Animal Tracks
Learn how to search for animals by using clues such as tracks (footprints), scat, and chewings. Make a plaster cast of an animal track. Reservations are required.
Ages 7 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #121203Saturday, August 23, 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 #121015Saturday, August 30, 10-11:30 am
Nature: Explore Insects
Explore the world of insects and learn about their life cycles and how they can be helpful. A craft is included along with a short hike to search for and observe local insects. Reservations are required.
Ages 6 & up
Fee: Resident $3; Non-Resident $4
SMARTlink #121023
Start Planning Now for Summer Day Camps
You must have established a free SMARTlink account before you can register for summer day camps. Registration for summer camps start March 15 (for residents) and March 22 (for non-residents). Before/After Extended Care registration begins March 17 (for residents) and March 22 (for non-residents).
Before and After Extended Care for camps:
AM Care (7-9 am), Fee: $13 (R), $15 (NR)
PM Care (4:30-6 pm), Fee: $12 (R), $15 (NR)
Nature Seekers - Ages 4 & 5
Learn about the world of nature through crafts, hikes, stories, and games in this half-day camp. Snacks will be provided.
Fee: $65 (R) $75 (NR)
Time: 9 am-12 noon
Camp: July 28 - August 1
No extended care available.
Outdoor Explorers - Ages 6 & 7
Experience nature through indoor and outdoor games, crafts, hikes, and hands-on animal and plant activities during this all day camp.
Fee: $105 (R) $130 (NR)
Time: 9 am-4:30 pm
Camp: July 14 - 18
Nature Detectives - Ages 6 & 7
If you listen closely there are ‘clues’ in nature that tell a story. Children will spend the week discovering the wonders of plants and animals through a range of indoor and outdoor activities including hikes, crafts and games during this all day camp.
Fee: $105 (R) $130 (NR)
Time: 9 am-4:30 pm
Camp: August 4 - 8
Endangered Expedition - Ages 8-10
Go on a journey filled with field trips that will take you to various habitats of local rare, threatened, and endangered species. Learn about these valuable creatures, reasons their numbers are decreasing and how you can help preserve them.
Fee: $120 (R) $145 (NR)
Time: 9 am-4:30 pm
Camp: July 21 - 25
Bug Hounds - Ages 8-10
Enjoy an up close look at insects, spiders and other creepy crawlies. Campers will conduct daily investigations into meadows, woodlands and wetlands to search for life on, above and below ground.
Fee: $120 (R) $145 (NR)
Time: 9 am-4:30 pm
Camp: August 11 - 15
Extreme Adventurers - Ages 11-13
This camp provides skill development in canoeing, beginner’s level whitewater rafting, trail cycling, and overnight camping. Campers must provide their own bikes, bike helmets, sleeping bags and backpacks.
Fee: $185 (R) $225 (NR)
Time: 9 am-4:30 pm
Camp: July 7 - 11
Volunteer Opportunities
Training is provided for volunteers, ages 14 & up, to assist in a variety of tasks such as animal care, gardening, educational programs, and administrative assistance throughout the year at Clearwater Nature Center.
Year-round volunteer application
(Download Acrobat Reader to read this file.)
Animal Caretakers: Get a behind-the-scenes experience at the nature center working with and taking care of some of our educational program animals. Individuals must be comfortable working with snakes, turtles, lizards, amphibians, and small mammals. Individuals should also understand the risks associated with working around animals in general (allergies, bites, scratches, etc.). Volunteers are trained in proper handling techniques, to feed animals, and cleaning and maintaining of animal enclosures. Volunteers may be asked to assist naturalists in handling animals during educational programs. This opportunity is ideal for home-schooled teens or adults to assist naturalists in animal care duties during the week when help is needed the most. Ages 14 & up. If interested, call Park Naturalist Michael Patterson at the nature center to inquire about registering for one of our Orientation & Training sessions.
Birds of Prey Assistants: Individuals, ages 21 & up, with good reflexes and eye-hand coordination are needed to assist our naturalists in training and working with our birds of prey. Volunteer duties include handling hawks and owls, cleaning and maintaining the bird cages, preparing food trays and feeding the birds, assisting with beak and talon manicuring, and helping with interpretative programs. Must be able to lift and carry bird carriers. Schedules vary. If interested, call Park Naturalist Michael Patterson at the nature center to inquire about setting up an interview.
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