Weekend Programs
Irvine membership discounts apply to specific programs (*). See our program descriptions for more information. Click on the program title to register.
Youth and Family Programs
Open Fire Circle – Monthly Drop-in Event
Build your fire skills, whittle, or come simply to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a campfire! Join Naturalist Clare at our fire pit along Bauer Road, to practice fire skills, such as using a friction fire kit, flint and steel or ferro rod. Drop in anytime for some fire fun. Monthly sessions held the last Saturday of the month.
Instructor: Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Saturday, January 29th
Saturday, February 26th
Saturday, March 26th
10:30AM – 12:30PM
Great for adults and teens, FREE with the cost of admission.
* Winter Woods Adventure
Dress for the weather and have fun as a family as we explore the winter world using all of our senses. Along with Naturalist Clare, look for animal homes, find out who is the best at seeing animals hidden along the trails, and if we are lucky, read track stories in the snow. Finish by warming up with a story and s’mores around the campfire. Age 3+ Great event for families.
Instructor: Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Saturday, February 19th
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost $7 per participant or $20/family {Includes admission to Irvine for the day}
* MAPLE MAGIC – Go With the Flow
It may sound sappy, but there’s magic in our trees at this time of year! A short walk into a deciduous forest in late winter can quickly become a sticky situation. Join Irvine’s naturalists for an outdoor hike-n-learn that is sure to be in great taste. Along the way, you’ll learn to identify maple trees and why this is peak season for collecting their sap. Practice using a hand drill to experience how trees are tapped and check the buckets where sap is collected. Then explore how the process of turning clear watery liquid into everyone’s favorite breakfast condiment has changed through time–from wooden tools and heated stones to the kettle system over an open fire to today’s evaporators and hydrometers. There is no sugar-coating it, the practice of producing maple syrup is labor intensive and requires patience, but the result is pure sweetness! Great for all ages. Four public sessions to choose from.
Saturday, February 12 – this session sold out
10:00 – 11:30AM OR 1:00 – 2:30PM
Sunday, February 20 – register today!
10:30 – 12:00PM OR 1:00 – 2:30PM
$10 per participant (children under 3 FREE)
*Equinox Full Moon Hike and Campfire
On this special day we can see the sun set due west and then the full moon rise. Learn why the seasons change, then go on a family friendly hike in the twilight as we wait for the moon to rise (bring a flashlight in case of clouds). Listen for animals, who are accustomed to people disappearing from Irvine before dark, emerge to feed. We may even hear some owls. Then enjoy a campfire with s’mores while listening to stories about the moon and stars. Age 5+ Dress for the weather and be ready for an outdoor adventure. Great event for families.
Instructor: Kaeley Pryor and Mallory Mlynarek, Environmental Educator
Saturday, March 18th
7:00 – 9:00PM
$10 per participant or $30/family
*Find the Frogs Campfire
Head down to our campsite for a campfire and be serenaded by thousands of frogs! First learn some different frog calls, then we’ll go on a short hike to a better listening spot. Find out how many frogs you can tell apart by sound. Then, back to the campfire to warm up and roast s’mores! All ages welcome, ideal for ages 6+ Great event for families!
Instructor: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Friday, April 1st
7:00 – 9:00PM
$10 per participant or $30/family
*Frog and Toad Family Fun
Do you know the difference between a frog and a toad? Find out as we explore Irvine’s wetlands for frogs, toads, and dip for tadpoles. Try frog hopping games, toad crafts, and meet some of ambassador amphibians up close. Expect an ‘un-frog-gettable’ afternoon of fun. Irvine’s wetlands are a 15 minute walk, down a short hill. Wear waterproof boots and expect to get wet and muddy! All ages welcome, ideal for ages 4+ Great event for families!
Instructor: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Sunday, April 3rd
1:00 – 3:00PM
$10 per children ages 4+ (adults and children under 3 are free)
*SpringFest for Families
Celebrate Spring at Irvine! Lots of fun for all the family with games, crafts and nature activities. Try your hand at building a bird’s nest, decorate eggs, plant flower seeds to take home, explore the Woodland Garden, look for birds along the trails and more. All ages welcome Great event for families!
Instructor: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Sunday, May 1st
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Early Bird Price: $10 per child or $15 per child, if purchased after April 5th (Adults and children under 2 are free)
*Babies and Friends with (cool) progeny
Calling all moms and caregivers of babies and toddlers! Want to get out and about? Looking to meet other moms? Join us for a new program offered with our friends at (cool) progeny, Babies and Friends. Meet new friends and mingle while enjoying an outdoor guided walk with one of Irvine’s environmental educators. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and be ready for an easy hike on the beautiful trails of Irvine. We suggest bringing a wearable carrier for your little one, too. Designed for caregivers of infants and toddlers. All are welcome. Preregistration is encouraged.
Instructor: Irvine’s environmental educators
Tuesday, May 10th
10:00AM – 11:00AM
Cost: $5/Caregiver + Little for all members of Irvine Nature Center or (cool) progeny OR $10/Caregiver + Little for non-members. Program fee includes admission to Irvine Nature Center for the day!
*Plant a Three Sisters Garden – SOLD OUT
Learn the purpose and the process of creating a Three Sisters Garden – a tradition that dates back to Maryland’s First People. All ages welcome. Great event for families!
Instructor: Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Sunday, May 22nd
10:00AM – 12:00PM
$8 per participant or $25/family (20% of program fees will be donated to the Baltimore American Indian Center)
*Babies and Friends with (cool) progeny
Calling all moms and caregivers of babies and toddlers! Want to get out and about? Looking to meet other moms? Join us for a new program offered with our friends at (cool) progeny, Babies and Friends. Meet new friends and mingle while enjoying an outdoor guided walk with one of Irvine’s environmental educators. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and be ready for an easy hike on the beautiful trails of Irvine. We suggest bringing a wearable carrier for your little one, too. Designed for caregivers of infants and toddlers. All are welcome. Preregistration is encouraged.
Instructor: Irvine’s environmental educators
Tuesday, June 14th
10:00AM – 11:00AM
Cost: $5/Caregiver + Little for all members of Irvine Nature Center or (cool) progeny OR $10/Caregiver + Little for non-members. Program fee includes admission to Irvine Nature Center for the day!
*Babies and Friends with (cool) progeny
Calling all moms and caregivers of babies and toddlers! Want to get out and about? Looking to meet other moms? Join us for a new program offered with our friends at (cool) progeny, Babies and Friends. Meet new friends and mingle while enjoying an outdoor guided walk with one of Irvine’s environmental educators. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and be ready for an easy hike on the beautiful trails of Irvine. We suggest bringing a wearable carrier for your little one, too. Designed for caregivers of infants and toddlers. All are welcome. Preregistration is encouraged.
Instructor: Irvine’s environmental educators
Tuesday, July 12th
10:00AM – 11:00AM
Cost: $5/Caregiver + Little for all members of Irvine Nature Center or (cool) progeny OR $10/Caregiver + Little for non-members. Program fee includes admission to Irvine Nature Center for the day!
