Make the most of school holidays and days off by “unplugging” and getting your children outside in nature!

2017-2018 School Year
Days Off Nature Camps: 8:45am–5pm
Members: $95 per day; nonmembers: $110 per day

Thursday, September 21, MCPS day off, Grades K-9
Friday, September 22, DCPS day off, Grades K-5
Friday, October 27, DCPS day off, Grades K-5
Friday, April 27, DCPS day off, Grades K-5
Friday, May 25, DCPS day off, Grades K-5

Grades K-5: Nature Adventures: We fill each day with a variety of nature-themed, hands-on activities including outdoor exploration, nature hikes, field games, and crafts.

Grades 6-9: Eco-Team Service Learning: Older students can earn SSL hours while learning about the natural environment. Each day focuses on an environmental theme with four hours of service learning projects and tons of nature fun.

REGISTER HERE for Days Off Camps

Spring Break Camp: 8:45am-3pm
Monday, March 26 to Friday, March 30
Members: $347; nonmembers $432
Extended camp available from 3-5pm for an additional $95

Grades K-5: Spend your spring break outdoors on our beautiful nature sanctuary. Campers will spend a week discovering salamander eggs, flower buds, wood frog calls, and other signs of spring. Outdoor play, crafts, songs, and stories will enhance our natural history learning.

Grades 6-9: Older campers can earn 20 SSL hours while learning about nature. Each day, our Eco-Action Team will take on a new project to improve the sanctuary while learning about the environment and having fun.

First Saturday of Each Month

Join our Master Naturalists on the first Saturday of each month from 9am-10am for a nature hike around Woodend Sanctuary. Each hike will have a unique and engaging natural history theme. Programs are appropriate for members of all ages. Please come prepared to hike in sneakers, and don’t forget your water bottle.

Meet at the gazebo by the main house.

Programs are free but require registration.  REGISTER HERE

Every Day: Nature Backpacks

Visit our Naturalist Shop to check out a backpack (ID required) that will have tools and activities you and your family can use to explore nature at Woodend Sanctuary. Backpacks are free for check-out in the shop but must be returned by 4:30pm.

Shop hours are M-F 10-5; Sat 9-5; Sun 12-5.

The Nature Backpacks are made possible thanks to the generous support of REI and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

Trail Maps

Image credit: Karen Steffel

Children are born naturalists! Foster your child’s inherent curiosity about the natural world by sharing in hands-on, nature-based activities. Our Fresh Air Kids class is for children ages 5 and younger along with a parent or caregiver. Classes might involve crafts, songs, books, and always a hike. Bring your lunch or snack. Mingle and meet other caregivers!

Reserve your space by registering below, then send a check made payable to ANS and mail to ANS, Attn: Pam Oves, 8940 Jones Mill Rd., Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

Classes offered at two locations in Virginia

Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg: Fridays from 10-11:30 am

Fall Session: September 22-November 10, 2017
Cost: $120 per session
Siblings 21 months and older are $110
Siblings under 21 months are free
Register Here

Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling: Mondays from 10-11 am

This is a partnership between Audubon Naturalist Society and NOVA Parks.

Fall Session: September 18-November 20, 2017 (no class 10/9 & 11/6)
Cost $100
Siblings 21 months and older are $85
Siblings under 21 months are free
Register Here

Testimonials

Susanne –

The phrase, “thank you,” cannot satisfactorily express how grateful Sam and I are for having been a part of FAK this Spring. My typically shy 2.5 year old came out of his shell and talked non-stop about what he learned at Mrs. O’s class and how excited he was to go to Rust and see more nature. You brought him out of his shell and exposed him to so much. Being outside is hugely important to my husband and I and Sam’s

always been out with us, but to watch him take exploring on by himself and to hear him use his new vocabulary blows Doug and I away. Case in point, a Morning Dove has built a nest in our curly willow. Sam spotted her and said, “Mommy, she’s on a nest – it’s her habitat!”

Enjoy your summer.

With gratitude,
Karen and Sam Kunc

***

Thank you for leading such a fantastic nature program! You’re a wonderful teacher and my daughter talks about you often. She was always engaged and loved going every week. It enriched her vocabulary (and mine, I learned a lot!), got her asking even more questions and gave us a jumping off point for many nature hikes and explorations to come. The topics and vocabulary exceeded our expectations!

~ Courtney Dillon ( Tessa Dillon’s mom)

Ages 2-4 with a caregiver
Fall 2017 Session: $75 per child (9/12-11/14)

On Tuesdays at 10 am, join us in the historic Woodend mansion for nature-themed stories and songs. We will read new books each week, enjoy learning nature songs and games, and explore Woodend trails. Feel free to relax and enjoy our trails, picnic areas, and bookstore before or after the program.

Tales and Trails starts at 10 am in the Woodend dining room followed by trail hikes outside until 10:45.

REGISTER HERE