Winter Programs 
NOTES:
- Interpretive programs are offered year-round for families and individuals.
- To reach the Naturalist Staff call 301-972-5991.
- Novemberr 1 - April 1 the center is only open to the public on Sat. & Sun.
from 11 - 5 p.m. -
Weather-Related Cancellations Notice
During inclement weather, Nature Facilities follow Montgomery County Public School closures, delayed openings and early releases. If school is closed due to inclement weather, all children's programs are cancelled. Cancellation of adult programs is determined on a case-by-case basis. Please call us to check on adult program status at 301-972-0220. - The Pontoon Boat has been dry docked, See you next Spring!
To make registration easier
A detailed listing of all current Recreation and Parks programs is available in the Montgomery County Guide.
Black Hill's Winter program offerings are lited below, make note of the course # and register at ParkPASS.
08 Programs
Friends of Black Hill Monthly Meetings
If you love nature and live nearby, join us! This great group of folks supports and promotes nature programs and special events offered through the Black Hill Visitor Center. Monthly meetings feature a short presentation on a natural history topic by a Black Hill naturalist, and discussions on park programming and other issues. Meet at Black Hill Visitor Center. Free, no registration required. Age : 6 yrs & up Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm
#63260 1/27 #63261 2/24
A Bird Walk for Families: Winter
Join Beth and Keith Hamilton, birders, educators, and owners of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Germantown, for an afternoon of bird-watching fun in Black Hill Regional Park. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Call for December Owl Prowl meeting place and directions; for January and February meet at Black Hill Visitor Center. Free but registration required. Ages: 6 yrs. & up Sundays 1 – 2pm
#63253 2/08
Babes in the Park
Children and their parents explore the park and all the wonders of nature through guided hikes, stories and a craft. Dress for the weather. Fee is for the child only. FOBH $3/$4 Ages 3 – 6 yrs. 11 – 11:45 am Naturalist: L. Lenz
#62901 Wed. 1/7
#62903 Tues. 2/10 #62904 Wed. 2/11
Nature Explorer’s
Homeschooled children ages 6-12 learn about different aspects of nature and science. 1:30 – 3 pm FOBH $5/$6 Naturalist: L. Lenz
#62906 Thurs. 1/29 #62907 Thurs. 2/19
Our Puppet Shows were produced by our wonderful & creative volunteers. They spent many hours making the puppets, the supporting crafts and activities for these shows. Unfotunately, due low attendance all future puppet shows have been cancelled. ~ The Naturalist Staff
General Programs for the Winter 
Storytime At Black Hill Visitor Center
Learn about different aspects of the natural world through stories, hikes and crafts with a different nature topic each course. Activities are designed for children ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. No underage siblings, no exceptions. Dress warmly in layers, wear a hat that covers the ears & winter boots with wool or polar fleece, socks and gloves. Pay for child only. Ages: 3 – 6yrs. FOBH $4/$6 Naturalist: G. Cumings
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Beavers Tales ~ 1/22
Tail-slapping fun with stories about our beloved furry friends, plus a cool make-and-take beaver lodge craft, complete with its resident beavers! We'll also take a short walk to visit an active beaver lodge.
#64401 Thurs. 1/22 1 – 2:45 pm - Sleepers & Creepers ~ 2/5
Join the fun as we explore winter's sleepers and creepers. First we'll look under logs, rocks and leaves for beautiful dreamers, gently wake them, and put them back to sleep; then we'll search the woods for animals that creep, crawl and carry on all winter long, and learn to identify their signs
#64399 Thurs. 2/5 11 - 11:45 am - Willy Winter Fox ~ 2/18
Join us for tales of patience and determination as Mr. Fox works to survive the harsh winter. We'll touch real fox pelts and a fox skull,learn how to call foxes, and identify fox tracks outside. Make a furry fox craft, too.
#64400 Wed. 2/18 11 - 11:45 am
The Plight of the American Chestnut Tree ~ 1/10
Learn about the plight of the American Chestnut tree in the 20th century, & the current efforts to return the chestnut to the American landscape. Sharpen your tree identification skills through hands-on activities & a brisk walk in the park with Volunteer Naturalists: Cindy Clark & Judy Crowell, followed by refreshments at the Visitor Center. Dress for the outdoors. FOBH – free/$2
#64101 Sat. 1/10 11:30 – 1 pm
Wendy Wolf Spider Gets Her Winter Wool ~ 1/13
Learn all about Wolf Spiders and their relatives, the Tarantulas! Help Wendy the Wolf Spider get her winter wool with a giant take home craft, plus take a short walk to find real hibernating Wolf Spiders! Wake them up, say hi and put them back to sleep! FOBH $3/$4 Ages: 3 – 6 yrs. Naturalist: G. Cumings
#62066 Tues. 1/13 11 – 1 pm
Crystal Magic ~ 1/15
Winter is the time to explore all kinds of beautiful crystals--from exquisite ice crystals to brilliant quartz crystal. Discover how crystals have been used in the past and now, and check out our collection of crystals from all over the world. Then capture the magic of your own crystal, and make a crystal pendant to take home! We will be using low temp glue guns. FOBH $3/$4 Naturalist: G. Cumings
#62069 Thurs. 1/15 7 – 8:15 pm
Orchids in the Home ~ 1/24
Join Volunteer Naturalist Peg Dorgan and amateur orchid grower Laura Friemanis as they share tips on orchid propagation, how to grow orchids at home and how to re-pot an orchid. Meet in the greenhouse. All materials provided, and participants take an orchid home. Ages: 12 yrs & up FOBH $8/$10.
#64105 Sat. 1/24 10:30 - Noon
Gourd Birdhouses & Feeders ~ 1/24
Create a birdfeeder or birdhouse from a gourd, designed and painted by you especially for your backyard birds. Gourds, patterns and paints supplied. Children must be accompanied by parent. FOBH $10/$12. Ages: 10 yrs. & up Naturalist: L. Lenz
#62963 1/24 Sat. 2 – 4 pm
Backyard Bird Treats
Learn which seed is preferred by which bird and where to place your feeders, then make treats for your backyard feathered friends. Dress for outside bird watching, too. Free; registration required. All Ages Naturalist: L. Lenz
#62909 Sun. 1/25 3 - 4:30 pm
#62043 Sat. 2/7 9 - 10:30 am
Wild Montgomery Hike ~ Cabin Branch ~ 1/26
Meet at the boat launch parking lot of Little Seneca Lake, Black Hill Regional Park & hike Cabin Branch trail. Wear your hiking boots dress for the outdoors and don't forget your water. We will have hot cocoa in parking lot afterwards. Free but registration required. Ages: 6 yrs. & up Naturalist: L. Lenz
#63851 Mon. 1/26 1 – 3 pm
Waterfowl Viewing at Sunset
Come watch for waterfowl viewing off the back deck of the Visitor Center at sunset with us! We'll provide scopes and binoculars,and free hot cocoa to warm you. Please dress for the weather. Not appropriate for children under 6. FOBH $3/$4 Naturalist: L. Lenz
#63021 Wed. 2/4 #63022 Tues. 2/24
In Search of Flying Squirrels ~ 2/7
Let's use our night vision to find Maryland's smallest flying squirrel--the Southern flying squirrel. We'll learn some squirrelly facts, do hands-on activities and walk through the woods with special flashlights to the feeding station where these rambunctious nighttime gliders chow down. Enjoy warm refreshments at the Visitor Center after our hike. Volunteer Naturalists: Cindy Clark, Judy Crowell, and Ed Escalante.Ages: 6 & up FOBH - Free/$2
#64104 Sat. 2/7 5:30 – 7 pm
Beautiful Bluebirds ~ 2/14
Learn about these special native birds: where they live, how they nest, how to attract them to your backyard, and help them to survive year-round. The class is for the homeowner and the beginning bluebird enthusiast. Volunteer Naturalists: Ed Escalante and Donna Marino. Ages: 12 yrs. & up FOBH: $1/$2
#64052 Sat. 2/14 10 – 11:30 am
Volcanoes in Maryland ~ 2/25
Travel back in time (50 million years!) with Naturalist Glenn Cumings to learn about live volcanoes that spewed molten lava right around Catoctin and South Mountain. On the way to Myersville, we'll stop and collect meta-basalt (a type of volcanic rock) samples. Then we'll visit Geasey Farm to see their amazing volcanic fireplace, look at Native American artifacts (tools and implements made out of meta-rhyolite - another kind of volcanic rock), and visit the ancient Indian quarry to collect volcanic rocks to take home. Ages: 12 yrs. & up Free
#63800 Wed. 2/25 11 – 5:30 pm
Adult Winter Programs, Trips & Hikes
Breakfast with the Birds at Black Hill ~ 1/21
After a delicious breakfast (scrambled eggs with peppers, onions, bacon and herbs, cranberry juice or select coffee, served by your Park Gourmand/Naturalist) join us for some fantastic birding!. We'll look for home-grown eagles, ducks (wood, redhead, ring-necked, green-winged teal, goldeneye, canvasback, bufflehead and ruddy), grebes; common and hooded mergansers; and more! Van transportation, binoculars, scopes and hand warmers provided. Naturalist: G. Cumings FOBH $8/$10 Ages: 18 yrs & up. ~ 10 – 12 pm
#62999 Thurs. 1/21
Wintering Waterfowl at Black Hill ~ 1/24
Meet at the Visitor Center for a brief introduction to the ducks, geese and swans that spend the winter on Little Seneca Lake, and to observe them from the deck. We will then carpool to a few good viewing spots around the lake. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Spotting scope provided. Volunteer Naturalist: Tim Gier. FOBH: $4/$6 Ages: 18 yrs & up
#64106 Sat. 1/24
Winter Photography Excursion ~ 2/3
Travel with us to the spectacular Sideling Hill road cut, site of the largest exposed syncline (a downward-curving 'fold' in the earth) in the eastern United States. There'll be countless opportunities for great shots at this spot near Hancock, MD, including the exquisite blue icicles and pastel ice flows cascading down the vertical cliffs of the cut. We'll also visit an outstanding overlook of the Town Creek Valley, and the flooded frozen forest of the C&O Canal at the Town Creek Aqueduct. Bring extra batteries, your charger, and money for a delicious lunch at the colorful Road Kill Cafe (homemade pie!). We'll also stop for anything cool that needs photographing like old barns, cows, etc.! FOBH $20/$25 Ages: 18 yrs & up Naturalist: G. Cumings
#62099 Tues. 2/3
Valentine’s Week Chocolate Celebration ~ 2/12
Romance, obsession, addiction, nutrition, health and a rich history surround the food known as the nectar of the gods. Explore the cocoa tree's natural history, and the chocolate-making process and peer into the world's love affair with this amazing 'New World' discovery! Enjoy a sampling of gourmet varieties and custom-blended chocolates from around the world!! FOBH $8/$10 12:30 – 2:30 pm Ages:18 yrs & up Naturalist: G. Cumings
#62071 Thurs. 2/12
Van Trip: Historic Covered Bridges ~ 2/18
Take a day trip with us to explore Frederick County's beautiful covered bridges - all three of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places - and then enjoy a furnished, warm winter picnic together at Loy Station Park. We'll be indoors and out, so please dress in layers. FOBH $18/$20 Ages: 18 yrs & up Naturalist: L. Lenz
#63649 Wed. 2/18
Date of last update: February 27, 2008
