Youth and Family Weekend Programs

CLICK ON PROGRAM NAME TO REGISTER. All programs are eligible for member discounts (Pacesetters and above) unless noted with (*). Advance registration encouraged – events may be cancelled if minimums are not met. 

NATURE BY THE FIRE
Gather by the campfire with Naturalist, Ash, for a new monthly tradition at Irvine! Each month features a different seasonal nature theme, but every session promises the same cozy fun: roasting marshmallows, meeting one of Irvine’s animal ambassadors, and diving into hands-on nature-themed fun. Fireside chats are a relaxed, family-friendly way to enjoy the outdoors, one campfire at a time! Ideal for all ages. 

Instructor: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Animal Care Coordinator
Friday, August 14th
5:30 – 6:30PM
Cost: $5/participant and FREE for members
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

NATURE BY THE FIRE- CICADA CRAZE
Gather by the campfire with Naturalist, Ash, for a new monthly tradition at Irvine! Each month features a different seasonal nature theme, but every session promises the same cozy fun: roasting marshmallows, meeting one of Irvine’s animal ambassadors, and diving into hands-on nature-themed fun. Fireside chats are a relaxed, family-friendly way to enjoy the outdoors, one campfire at a time! Ideal for all ages. 

Instructor: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Animal Care Coordinator
Friday, September 4th
5:30 – 6:30PM
Cost: $8/participant and FREE for members
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

BUG BONANZA & MOTH NIGHT
Join Irvine Animal Programs Coordinator Ash Miller to see what animals emerge after the sun goes down! Naturalists will be setting up a insect-attracting light to see what kind of nocturnal critters call Irvine home!

During this event we will be setting up blacklight and white bedsheet to  observe or identify what animals arrive. There will be lots of bug guides, hand held lenses, and bug boxes available! Great for ages 4+ (with accompanying adult).

Instructor: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Animal Care Coordinator
Saturday, September 12th
7:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $8/participant and $25/family
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

MUSHROOM ROMP HIKE
Join Environmental Educator Ash Miller for a stroll through Irvine’s woods in search of seasonal mushrooms! We will discuss just what is a fungus, what types you may see locally, and which species are edible. Great for ages 5+. 

Instructor: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Animal Care Coordinator
Saturday, September 19th
1:00 – 3:00PM
Cost: $8/participant and $25/family
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

NATURE ART – DRAWING WITH WALNUT INK
Learn to draw with and make Walnut Ink!
We’ll use ink made from Black Walnuts at Irvine, practice different techniques and tricks before putting it all together. You”ll take home a finished piece of art work and ink samples. You’re set up for success with MICA-trained artist, Brittany Roger.
All supplies provided. Paper size will be 8×10. Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies–if they prefer. Please wear clothing that you do not mind getting stained as walnut ink is very difficult to remove from fabric. Ages 7+ (children must be accompanied by an adult)

Instructor: Brittany Roger, Manager of School Programs and MICA trained artist
Thursday, September 24th
6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $20/participant
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – HARVEST MOON
Join Irvine environmental educators for a fun-filled evening under the Harvest Moon. We will start with a pizza dinner, followed by a hike in search of animals who are starting to prepare for the winter. We will have harvest-themed content, such as games and an animal encounter, plus we will learn about the indigenous way of the Honorable Harvest. We will finish up with s’mores around the campfire. Kids will have a blast while parents get a well-deserved break! This is a drop-off program. Great for ages 6 to 12. 

Instructor: Environmental Educators
Friday, September 25th
5:30 – 8:00PM
Cost: $30/participant
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

PICNIC & SQUARE DANCE: a members-only event, great for all ages!
Attention Members! You are invited to the 2026 members-only* picnic & square dance!
Calling all Irvine members and friends! Join us for an evening of fun, food, games, live music, and square dancing. Together with old time fiddle music accompanying our revels, we will learn the Virginia Reel and other favorite barn dances. It will be a night of boisterous fun for our favorite supporters — you, our members!

Meet some of Irvine’s animal ambassadors, play in the Outdoor Classroom, explore the Exhibit Hall, and enjoy games and crafts inspired by nature. Tickets include dinner, drinks & dancing! This program is great for ALL AGES. 

Instructor: Kim Forry & The New Southern Cow Tippers
Friday, October 2nd
6:00-9:00PM
Early Bird Tickets: $14/person, ages 12+ or $8/child, ages 2-11 (children under 2 are free)
Register here 
Pricing after September 15, 2026: $20/person, ages 12+ or $12/child, ages 2-11 (children under 2 are free)
For groups of 10+ please contact Laura at 443-738-9215.

*This event is reserved exclusively for Irvine members. Not a member? Learn how members save on programs, get special access, all while supporting Irvine’s land stewardship and animal care. For questions or to check your membership status, contact Membership@ExploreNature.org.

INTRO TO WATERCOLOR PAINTING
Learn how to use watercolors—even if you hate watercolor!
We’ll practice different techniques and tricks before putting it all together. Your take-home piece can be a landscape, an animal; anything you like. You’re set up for success with MICA-trained artist, Brittany Roger. All supplies provided. Paper size will be 8×10. Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies–if they prefer. Ages 7+ (children must be accompanied by an adult)

Instructor: Brittany Roger, Manager of School Programs and MICA-trained artist
Sunday, October 4th
1:00 – 3:00PM
Cost: $20/participant
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

NATURE BY THE FIRE- SPIDER SURPRISE
Gather by the campfire with Naturalist, Ash, for a new monthly tradition at Irvine! Each month features a different seasonal nature theme, but every session promises the same cozy fun: roasting marshmallows, meeting one of Irvine’s animal ambassadors, and diving into hands-on nature-themed fun. Fireside chats are a relaxed, family-friendly way to enjoy the outdoors, one campfire at a time! Ideal for all ages. 

Instructor: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Animal Care Coordinator
Friday, October 9th
5:30 – 6:30PM
Cost: $8/participant and FREE for members
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

NATURE BY THE FIRE- NATIVE NATIONS
Gather by the campfire with Naturalist, Ash, for a new monthly tradition at Irvine! Each month features a different seasonal nature theme, but every session promises the same cozy fun: roasting marshmallows, meeting one of Irvine’s animal ambassadors, and diving into hands-on nature-themed fun. Fireside chats are a relaxed, family-friendly way to enjoy the outdoors, one campfire at a time! Ideal for all ages. 

Instructor: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Animal Care Coordinator
Friday, November 6th
5:30 – 6:30PM
Cost: $5/participant and FREE for members
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CELEBRATION – FREE EVENT!
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month at this Free Event! 
Explore our Native American educational site with its longhouse and wigwams.
Take this opportunity to engage in a number of hands-on activities and demonstrations of ancestral skills–grind corn, throw an atlatl, try your hand at starting a friction fire, make cordage, a buckskin bracelet and more! American Indians have made, and continue to make, lasting contributions to our nation in every arena. Help celebrate their achievements and learn about some of their history in Maryland.

Irvine’s Native American Educational Site, built in partnership with the Baltimore American Indian Center, is a 15-minute walk from the parking lot.  Guided hikes to the site will occur at designate times throughout the event, and the route will also be clearly marked for self-guided walks. Please provide advance notice if you require transportation to the site.

Instructors: Irvine Educators
Sunday, November 15th
10:30AM – 3:30PM (come any time during event window)
Cost: FREE for all – REGISTER HERE.
A Donation to the Baltimore American Indian Center is encouraged.

OWL PROWL
Join us after dark to search the woods of Irvine for some of Maryland’s native owls –  we have multiple resident owls and winter is the perfect time to listen for them. We will start indoors to practice recognizing their different calls and then head out for a quiet walk on the  trails to call to these incredible creatures. Finish up by meeting, up close, Irvine’s ambassador owls. Should be a hoot! Great for ages 7 and up (must be accompanied by an adult)

Instructor: Irvine Environmental Educators
Saturday, November 21st
6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $10 per participant/$25 per family
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

PAJAMA PARTY WITH IRVINE’S ANIMALS
Have you ever wondered what Irvine’s animals are up to when the sun goes down? Take this unique opportunity to visit with them and see who is energized by the dark. Some of the creatures out and about may surprise you! Come wearing your coziest PJ’s and get ready for a fun evening exploring our exhibit hall with a scavenger hunt (flashlights provided), a story, popcorn, and an animal encounter. Great for families with children ages 8 and up.

Instructor: Irvine Environmental Educators
Friday, December 4th
6:30 – 8:00PM
Cost: $15/child (Adults are FREE; must be registered)
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

HOLIDAYS WITH HOOT
Celebration the season with Irvine’s premier family program. Meet our animal ambassador owls to learn more about these amazing birds up close. Enjoy games and crafts, from making holiday gifts to creating a beautiful evergreen swag. Hunt for animals on a scavenger hunt. Fun for the whole family as you enjoy hot chocolate with a game of winter bingo and get a picture with Irvine’s mascot, Hoot!Great fun for the whole family.

Saturday, December 12th 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Early Bird Price: $10/child (ages 2+)  Accompanying adults are free
Pricing After 12/1/26: $15/child (ages 2+)  Accompanying adults are free
This event is expected to sell out.

OWL PROWL
Join us after dark to search the woods of Irvine for some of Maryland’s native owls –  we have multiple resident owls and winter is the perfect time to listen for them. We will start indoors to practice recognizing their different calls and then head out for a quiet walk on the  trails to call to these incredible creatures. Finish up by meeting, up close, Irvine’s ambassador owls. Should be a hoot! Great for ages 7+ (must be accompanied by an adult). 

Instructor: Irvine Environmental Educators
Friday, December 18th
6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $10/participant and $25/family
Advance registration encouraged – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.