Irvine Nature Center
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Early Childhood Programs Blog

free play

Forest Dreamers Go Into Hibernation!

December 2, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

What a wonderful week it has been at the creek! Our whole week focused around the creek and its muddy majestic-ness! From straining to sliding to moss covered fairy houses,… Read more »

Tags: acting adaptation creek dirt on my shirt drops exploration fairy garden families forest dreamers forest kindergarten Forest School free play free range kids frogs getting dirty hibernate hibernation hiking learning by doing migration moss mud muddy mudslide native americans nature based edication nature community performance playing in the woods with kids plays raindrops rainy play stream teamwork trail trees understory winter working together

Oh My Gourd, it’s a Creature of the Night!

October 27, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

  Happy late October! As this month wraps up, the Forest Dreamers have been feeling the inspirations of the season! We got up close and personal with some pumpkins, gourds,… Read more »

Tags: bats climbing creatures of the night drizzle fall forest dreaming forest kindergarten forest stew foxes free play free range kids gourds harvesting seeds having fun outdoors hiking human spider web learning outside learning together no boundaries outdoor immersion Owl playing out in the rain playing outside with friends pumpkin craft rain play screech owl seasons. seasonal changes seed comparisons smashing things spiders squash the great outdoors trail blazing working together writing in journals

Ripe for Adventure!

October 21, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

Finding fall is becoming easier and easier this past week. From persimmons to pumpkins, we have found all sorts of neat things to pique our interests! On Tuesday, we were… Read more »

Tags: autumn olives black walnut ink carving pumpkins discovery fall colors folk tales forest kindergarten free play free range kids working together group work hay bales hiking hiking with kids ink Irvine journaling mark making music making painting persimmons playing instruments playing outside playing with kids outdoors pumpkin pumpkin seeds reading music self discovery signs of fall teamwork wild kids working together

Nature’s Sweet Sounds

September 30, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

We Forest Dreamers love action, excitement and adventure! Last week we started taking closer looks at the native and non native plants of Irvine. This week, we took a closer… Read more »

Tags: ancestral knowledge building clay coyote makes man creeping experiment folktales forest dreamers forest kindergarten free exploration free play fun in the rain games games with preschoolers getting muddy hands on learning learning while doing listening to the forest meadow meadow activities milkweed monarch mud native americans nature kindergarten outdoor kindergarten playing with a purpose playing with kids rain play reading school in the rain sneaking stream wet play Wild Nature Play working together

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    • About
      • About Irvine Nature Center
      • Mission, Vision and Values
      • Irvine Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Employment Opportunities
    • Visit
      • Plan Your Visit to Irvine
      • Programs & Events
      • Programs for Schools
      • Animal Ambassadors
    • Support
      • Become A Member
      • DONATE
      • Other Ways To Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Pumpkins on the Green 2026
      • Volunteer/Intern
    • Early Childhood Education
      • Nature Preschool
      • Little Birds
      • Earth Friends Homeschool
    • Nature Programs
      • Summer Nature Camp 2026
      • Programs for Children
      • Programs for Adults
      • PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS
        • Field Trips
        • Nature in the Classroom (school presenations)
        • Eco-Explorers After-School Nature Club
    • Rentals & Special Events
      • Birthday Parties
      • Weddings & Rentals
      • Pumpkins on the Green 2026
  • Irvine Nature Center

    11201 Garrison Forest Road
    Owings Mills, MD 21117
    Phone: 443­-738-9200
    Fax: 410­-902-8210

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    GROUP VOLUNTEER INQUIRY

    Irvine Nature Center is located in Owings Mills, Maryland. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!

    • Name of Company/Organization
    • Expected # of Volunteers (5-30)
    • Name of Primary Contact Person
    • Pronouns
    • Primary Language
    • Phone Number
    • Email Address
    • Irvine Nature Center hosts volunteer groups Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9:00am-12:00pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm. Please enter 3 possible dates that work for your group
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    • How did you hear about Irvine Nature Center?
    • About
      ▼
      • About Irvine Nature Center
      • Mission, Vision and Values
      • Irvine Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Employment Opportunities
    • Visit
      ▼
      • Plan Your Visit to Irvine
      • Programs & Events
      • Programs for Schools
      • Animal Ambassadors
    • Support
      ▼
      • Become A Member
      • DONATE
      • Other Ways To Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Pumpkins on the Green 2026
      • Volunteer/Intern
    • Early Childhood Education
      ▼
      • Nature Preschool
      • Little Birds
      • Earth Friends Homeschool
    • Nature Programs
      ▼
      • Summer Nature Camp 2026
      • Programs for Children
      • Programs for Adults
      • PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS
        ▼
        • Field Trips
        • Nature in the Classroom (school presenations)
        • Eco-Explorers After-School Nature Club
    • Rentals & Special Events
      ▼
      • Birthday Parties
      • Weddings & Rentals
      • Pumpkins on the Green 2026
    • Become a Member/Renew
    • Registration & Payment