Montgomery Parks Announces October Nature Center Programs

Per Montgomery Parks: Trick or treat yo’self this Halloween season at Montgomery Parks with many spooky activities as well as other programs celebrating autumn.

October nature center events include:

Cider Pressing | October 7 & 8 | 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Make apple cider using a traditional hand-crank cider press while learning about pollination, the history of cider making and different apple varieties. Programs runs in hour-long increments. All ages. Register for Cider Pressing (required for everyone 3 and older). $8.

Daytime Owl Prowl | October 12 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Designed to teach young children and their caregivers about the wildlife and nature in their own backyards through activities, explorations, games, hikes and take-home crafts. Register for Daytime Owl Prowl. Ages 3–5. $6.

Nature Journaling | October 12 | 5 – 6 p.m. & 6 – 7 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Learn how to connect with the natural world through the art and science of nature journaling. Ages 14 and older. Register for Nature Journaling. $7.

Yoga for Caregivers/Exploration for Kids | October 13 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Enjoy an hour of outdoor yoga while your little learner explores with a naturalist at the nature center. Registration for Yoga for Caregivers/Exploration for Kids required for one child and adult 18 and older. $50.

Campfire Time: Pumpkin Painting | October 13 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Celebrate autumn with pumpkin painting. Ages 18 and older. Register for Campfire Time: Pumpkin Painting. $10.

Night Hike | October 14 | 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Take a hike through the woods, meadows and ponds of Maydale and explore the early fall evening sights and sounds that surround us. Ages 6 and older. Register for Night Hike. $3.

Outdoor Skills: Shelter Building for Women and Non-Binary Individuals| October 15 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Learn how to build an outdoor shelter and tips for choosing a site, useful construction materials and the various types of shelters that offer protection from the elements. The workshop is designed to empower beginners in learning practical and fun outdoor skills. Ages 16 and older. Register for Outdoor Skills: Shelter Building for Women and Non-Binary Individuals. $20.

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley | October 17 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Black Hill Nature Programs, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds

Go on a trip to the Museum of the Shenandoah in Winchester, Virginia. Visit the historic Glen Burnie House and explore the gardens and take a hike on the trails. Register for Museum of the Shenandoah. $60 ($58 Friends of Black Hill).

Trail Buddies | October 18 & 25 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Discover nature while hiking along the trails in Wheaton Regional Park and meet new trail buddies. Ages 3–6. Register for Trail Buddies. $7.

Spooky Teen to Adult Trivia Night | October 18 | 6 – 7 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Gather around the table with family and friends with Quizmaster Jenn as she conducts a spooky nature-themed trivia night. Ages 14 and older. Register for Spooky Teen to Adult Trivia Night. Free.

Not so “Scary” Movie Night | October 20 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Put on your pajamas and enjoy a not so scary movie night inside the nature center. A snack and craft are included. Ages 7 and older. Register for No so “Scary” Movie Night. $5.

Beginning Birding for Every Body! | October 21 | 9 – 10 a.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Learn birding basics on a frustration-free “flat” bird practice trail. The wildlife pond boardwalk is accessible for all budding birders. Ages 18 and older. Register for Beginning Birding for Every Body. $7.

American Sign Language Family Fishing | October 21 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Cast your line at this ASL introduction to family fishing with a park naturalist at Lake Needwood All registrants aged 16 and older must have current Maryland fishing license. All ages. Register for American Sign Language Family Fishing. $12.

Nature Center Pop-Up | October 22 | 1 – 4 p.m.
Long Branch Arliss Neighborhood Park, 8810 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring

We’re bringing the nature center to you. Talk with a naturalist, explore natural objects, ask questions and try out biology-themed activities. All ages. Registration recommended for Nature Center Pop-Up. Free.

Spooky Skull Hike | October 22 | 2 – 4 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Start your Halloween festivities with a spooky hike. Find the animal skulls hidden in the woods and use clues to identify them. Get a Halloween treat after identifying all the skulls or for wearing a costume. Register for Spooky Skull Hike. Ages 3–12. $2.

Sustainability Day: Sunrise Stretch at the Sycamore | October 25 | 6 – 7 a.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Meet the day with slow flow yoga under our lovely grandmother Sycamore Tree. Register for Sustainability Day: Sunrise Stretch at the Sycamore. Ages 18 and older. $20.

Web Walk! | October 26 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Search for spiders, learn more about our eight-legged friends and make your own web. Ages 3–5. Register for Web Walk. $6.

Nocturnal Animal Days | October 27–29 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Bats, owls, snakes and insects seem spooky and scary but really aren’t. Nocturnal animals have cool adaptations that allow them to master the darkness. Join us for this spooktacular weekend as we celebrate these “superheroes” of the night. Register for Nocturnal Animal Days. All ages. Free.

Witchy Paddle | October 28 | 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Black Hill Nature Programs, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds

Dust off your booms and join us for a costumed paddle of Little Seneca Lake. Must bring your own boat (or paddleboard, kayak or canoe) and appropriate paddle as well as safety gear. Meet up at 5 p.m., Witchy Paddle begins at 5:30 p.m. with the campfire at 6:30 p.m. Register for Witchy Paddle. Free.

Visit the Fall 2023 Montgomery Parks Program Guide. Go to Montgomery Parks event calendarfor a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.

About Montgomery Parks 
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems.

Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or [email protected] to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.