Nature Programs 
NOTES:
- the Visitor Center is open ~
Monday - Friday ~ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday ~ 11 am - 6 pm
unless it is opened by the Naturalist Staff for their Nature Programs patrons. - To reach the naturalist staff call 301-528-3493 or the Administrative Assistant at 301-528-3481.
- Our pontoon boat the "Kingfisher" is back on the lake for public boat rides beginning May 5th. All patrons on the pontoon boat must register & pay the fee.
For all Storytime Programs on the Pontoon Boat, the children must be 3 yrs. or older & accompanied by registered adult.
All Pontoon Boat riders pay the fee!
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. When in doubt call us. Please call us to check on adult program status at 301-528-3492 or 301- 528-3480.
To make registration easier
Please make note of the course # before going to ParkPass ~ or if you click on the highlighted course #, you will go directly to ParkPASS registration.
Registration is required for programs unless otherwise noted. Under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Our pontoon boat the "Kingfisher"is back on the lake for public boat rides on weekends beginning 5/5. All patrons on the pontoon boat must register & pay the fee.
For all Storytime Programs on the Pontoon Boat, the children must be 3 yrs. or older & accompanied by registered adult.
All Pontoon Boat riders must register & pay the fee!
March Programs
April Programs
May Programs
Multiple date offerings
Special events
April Programs
May Programs
A Walk Through Spring
Nature is awakening from its winter sleep. Early flowering plants, budding trees, insects, birds and animals are starting their magical cycle of life—the rites of spring. We'll take a walk through a meadow and forest looking for these early signs of nature as it bursts back into action. Meet at the gravel parking lot above the boat ramp at Black Hill Regional Park. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult, and the trail is not suitable for strollers. Volunteer Naturalists: Ed & Karen Escalante. Ages: 1 & up FOBH $5/$6
#186899 5/12 Sat. 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Bring on the Birds: Beginning Birding
If you've ever wondered what birding is all about, come find out! Meet in the Visitor Center, where we'll go over some bird watching basics and how to get started. Then we'll carpool to a good birding area in the park and do some real-time bird watching. Volunteer Naturalists: Tim Gier and Ed Escalante. Ages: 16 & up FOBH $7/$8
#186999 5/19 Sat. 9:00am -11:00am
Wild Encounters
Enter the wild and wonderful world of amphibians and reptiles with guest herpetologist Elmore Brown. Elmore will share his exotic collection of live frogs, toads, lizards and snakes from all over the globe. Don't miss this fascinating experience! Ages: 1 & up FOBH $5/$6.
#186605 5/19 Sat. 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ladies Paddle
If you enjoy kayaking, come meet other like-minded outdoorswomen and paddle the waters together! Basic paddling experience necessary. We'll supply boats, paddles, and PFD's. Reservations required. Ages: 18 & up FOBH $12/$14
• After Work on Little Seneca Lake ~ Take an after-work paddle in lovely Little Seneca Lake. Meet at the Black Hill boat docks, below the Visitor Center
#185650 5/24 Thurs. 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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Multiple Date Offerings
A History of Black Hill's Bald Eagles
Black Hill Regional Park is honored to be a home to our national bird, the bald eagle. Come to the Visitor Center to learn the local history behind our resident eagles. We'll also visit a few of their favorite perches around Little Seneca Lake and try to catch a glimpse of one of these magnificent birds. Ages: 6 & up FOBH $5/$6
- #184901 5/30 Wed. 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Afterschool Adventures
After begin stuck indoors at school most of the day, here's your chance to get outside and explore what the season offers! Ages: 6 – 12 yrs. FOBH $4/$5
- • Stream Splash: Little Bennett Creek
Let's head to Little Bennett Creek with our nets and see what kinds of critters we can find living there. Wear your rain boots or waterproof shoes if you have them, because the water may still be chilly. Meet at Kingsley Schoolhouse Trail parking lot off Clarksburg Rd. in Little Bennett Regional Park.
#185501 5/18 Fri. 4:00pm - 5:30pm
An Evening with Flying Squirrels
Most wooded areas have flying squirrels–but they're nocturnal, so we often don't see them. So just after sunset, we'll lure them to a feeder with peanuts. After a brief talk, we'll walk to the woods to watch these elusive squirrels glide in to grab a bite. Led by Volunteer Naturalists Karen and Ed Escalante, or a Park Naturalist. Ages: 6 & up FOBH $4/$5
- #187104 5/19 Sat. 8:30pm - 9:30pm
Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Project
The beautiful Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is the official Maryland State insect and its populations are in decline. Learn what our volunteer group is doing to "bring back the Baltimores" in wetland habitats on parklands in Montgomery County. Meet at the Visitor Center for a short orientation, then caravan to the rearing tents to see the caterpillars and learn how we grow and release them. Participants may also help feed the caterpillars. Volunteer Naturalist and Project Leader: Barbara Kreiley. Ages: 10 & up Free program but registration required. Thurs. 9 – 10 am
Bats & Beavers Pontoon Boat CruiseUse our binoculars to find beaver lodges and feeding sites, and (hopefully) beavers! Insectivorous bats will be out, and our ultrasonic transducer bat detector will tell us where they're feeding and flying. Please register and pay for all participants. Ages: 6 & up FOBH $5/$6
- #184850 5/7 Mon. 6:30pm - 8:00pm
- #184851 5/17 Thurs. 7:00pm - 8:30pm
- #184852 5/24 Thurs. 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Beginning Recreational Kayaking
Kayaking is even more fun that it looks! Come learn how to paddle on flat water in recreational solo kayaks on Little Seneca Lake. Learn basic strokes, entries and exits, boat control, and more. We won't roll, but you'll get wet, so dress accordingly. You must be able to swim. All necessary equipment provided. Please wear water-friendly clothing and hat, strap-on water sandals or shoes (no slip-on sandals, please), and bring water and sunscreen. Ages: 12 & up FOBH $10/$12
- #185104 5/8 Tues. 6:30pm - 8:30pm
- #185105 5/23 Wed. 6:30pm - 8:30pm
- #185106 5/29 Tues. 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Homeschool Adventures with Black Hill ~
Get together with other homeschoolers and have fun exploring nature! Ages: 5 – 8yrs. Mon. 10 – 11 am FOBH $4/$5
Stream Walk in Little Bennett Bring your wading boots today to explore one of the most beautiful and pristine streams in the county. Volunteer Naturalist: Krisna Becker. Meet at the Wilson Mill parking area on Clarksburg Rd. in Little Bennett Regional Park.
#187152 4/30 Mon. #187153 5/21 Mon.
Nature's Explorers
Homeschooled children (ages 6-12) are invited to learn about different seasonal aspects of nature and science. Programs are mostly outdoors (rain or shine), so please dress appropriately for hiking. Ages: 6 – 12 yrs. Thurs. 1:30 – 3 pm FOBH $5/$6
#185116 5/24
Spring Walk at Hyattstown Mill
Join us to watch spring unfold in a quiet section of Little Bennett Regional Park. We'll explore a vernal pool to look for spring peepers, wood frogs, salamanders and toads. We'll also look for early butterflies and listen for migrating birds. One- to 1.5-mile walk on a gravel trail with one steep section. Meet at Hyattstown Mill parking area off Frederick Rd. (Rt. 355) Ages: 1 & up FOBH$5/$6
- #186651 5/19 Sat. 11:00am -12:30pm
Time For Tots
Enjoy a story, then go outside to explore nature with a Black Hill Park Naturalist. Ages: 18-36mo FOBH $4/$5
- • Are You My Mommy?
We'll read a story about animals and their babies, then hike and look for baby animals.
#185402 5/23 Wed. 11:00am -11:45am
Hikes
Wild Montgomery Hikes
Hike at Purdum Trail #185569
Take a hilly hike on Purdum Trail in Little Bennett Regional Park with Naturalist Lynette Lenz. Meet at the Burnt Hill parking area off Burnt Hill Road and Rt. 121. Please dress for the weather.
Wed. May 23, 1 - 3pm
Ladies Trek
Want to hike but don't quite know where to go? Meet other women and hike some park trails together with Park Naturalist Tina Stachura. Hike lengths vary with the pace of each group. Wear hiking boots or other sturdy shoes. Adults Ages 18 & up ~ Registration is required unless otherwise noted. FOBH $6/$7
- • Black Hill's Cabin Branch Area
Let's explore the Cabin Branch area in Black Hill Regional Park. Meet at the gravel parking area across from the public boat ramp on Black Hill Rd.
#185302 5/17 Thurs. 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Trips & Excursions
Potomac River Heritage Kayak Trip
The "Nation's River" is an amazing waterway that maintains a near-wilderness quality as it flows between Maryland and Virginia to Georgetown and beyond. Each of our kayaking trips focuses on a section of the Potomac or a tributary, giving us the time and luxury of taking a closer look at its natural and cultural history. The exact location of this trip will depend on weather and river conditions on that day. We'll paddle for 3-4 hours on moving water, so you should be proficient at basic strokes and comfortable paddling flat water for a few hours at a time. This is not an instructional course, so if you've never paddled, try our Beginning Kayaking course first. We will, however, do a quick review of moving water safety tips and maneuvers. Fee covers kayaks, paddles, PFDs, a dry bag, and round-trip transportation from Black Hill Regional Park to the river location. Ages: 18 & up FOBH $60/$65.
# 185304 5/12 Sat. 8:00am - 5:00pm
Special Events
Bluebirds Forever Festival ~ May 20th, Sunday ~ 1 - 4 pm
Come celebrate the beautiful Eastern Bluebird with us at Black Hill Visitor Center! Park Naturalists, Friends, and Volunteers of Black Hill Visitor Center, along with members of the Maryland Bluebird Society, have put together an afternoon of fascinating special programs, exhibits and demonstrations, all designed to enlighten you as they extol the virtues and champion the conservation of this special bird. The programs below are FREE but we do request registraion.
Beautiful Bluebirds #187352
Learn where these special native birds live, how they nest, how to attract them to your yard and help them survive. Get instructions on how to build and monitor your own bluebird nest box and other useful information. Sun. 5/20, 1 - 2pm FREE Program but you must register. Ages 7 & up;
The Quest for a Nest #187399
A
special bluebird play presented by children, for children, directed by Kathy Kremnitzer, Maryland Bluebird Society County Coordinator for Frederick and Washington Counties. Sun. 5/20, 2 – 3 pm FREE but you must register Ages 5 & up
Who's nesting in your box? (or, So what if the bird's not blue?) #187449
Learn to recognize the nests of various birds that will use bluebird nest boxes. FREE but you must register Ages 10 & up;
Sun. 5/20 2 - 3 pm
Planting for Bluebirds #187401
Learn which plants, flowers and shrubs you can plant in your yard to attract Eastern Bluebirds. FREE but you must register Ages 10 & up; Sun. 5/20, 3 - 4 pm
The Joy of Photography #187400
A presentation by professional photographer Michael Smith. FREE but you must register. 5/20, Sun. 3 - 4 pm Ages 10 & up;
Montgomery County Department of Parks