Montgomery Parks has released a list of special events and programs taking place during the month of May.
Per the news release: Dive into the fun at Waterfest, spruce up your abode through a native plant sale or paddle your way to excitement at the special programs that will be featured in May at nature centers operated by Montgomery Parks.
The schedule of May special programs will include:
- Native Plant Sale. Locust Grove Nature Center’s Spring Native Plant Sale. Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pope Farm Nursery, 7400 Airpark Road, Gaithersburg. Experts will be available to answer questions. This in-person sale will take place at Pope Farm Nursery and sales will support educational programs at Locust Grove Nature Center.
- Nature Hike and Seek. Wednesday, May 22. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Preschoolers and their caretakers, guided by a park naturalist, will have the opportunity to collect, count and sort different materials, shapes and patterns in nature and develop social skills like sharing and cooperation. Ages 3-5. Registration required. $7 per person.
- Beginning Recreational Kayaking for Older Adults. Sunday, May 12 (noon-2 p.m.) and Wednesday, May, 15 (6-8 p.m.). Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Learn basic strokes, entries and exits, boat control, and more in two sessions taught by certified American Canoe Association instructors. Ages 55 and older. Registration required. $55 per person.
- Make Your Own Paper. Friday, May 17. 4-5 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Learn to make paper with upcycled and natural materials. Ages 10 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
- Orienteering 101. Saturday, May 18. 10 a.m.-noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Go “orienteering” in Wheaton Regional Park. Take turns finding wilderness checkpoints with your map, compass and powers of observation. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
- Waterfest, Saturday, May 18. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Make a splash while learning about your local watershed through crafts, games, exhibitors and activities. All ages. Free.
- Full Moon Fridays. Friday, May 24. 6:30-8 p.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. Enjoy the full moon for a hike and campfire. Registration required. Ages 10 and older. $8 per person.
- Nature Center Pop-up. Friday, May 24. 4-6 p.m. Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park, 12121 Skylark Drive, Clarksburg. Sunday, May 26. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds. Visit the Nature on Wheels vehicle and meet a naturalist to learn about the park, explore some natural objects, ask questions and do biology-themed activities. Registration optional. All ages. Free.
- Ready, Set, Go! Friday, May 31. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Embark on a family-friendly, nature-themed scavenger hunt adventure on the trails of Wheaton Regional Park. The hunt will be facilitated using the GooseChase smartphone app. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $15 per person.
Go to the Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Also visit the Spring 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.