Classes and Camps to Sign Up For – 2011

Class and Camps to Sign Up For:

Camp Invention – several dates and locations   A fun, creative, 5-day summer enrichment for rising 1st – 6th graders, part of the nationally acclaimed, non-profit, creative science enrichment camp held in 48 states. http://www.campinvention.org    There are several locations in Maryland and Virginia so visit the site to find the location closest to you.  JavaBoy attended last year and enjoyed this camp immensely!

Camps at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park- Located at 5040 WalneyRoad, Chantilly, VA 703-631-0013 
There are several that still have openings, but registrations go so fast, it is easiest for you to just go visit the site:  http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ecl/eclcamps.htm

Pender United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School 7/11-15 - For rising Pre-K3 (potty trained) through sixth grade, space is limited and it fills up quickly – http://www.penderumc.org/vbs to register.

Pender United Methodist Church’s Music Camp 7/11-15  - For rising second graders through sixth graders – http://penderumc.org/musiccamp to register.

A great list of other camps — why re-invent the wheel? 

Michaels Craft stores Make-It and Take-Its- Michael’s web site has changed since last year and information about kids’ classes is hard to find, but there is information about free make-it and take-its that are in-store events.  Check with the store closest to you to verify times. http://www.michaels.com/Store-Events/store-events,default,pg.html (note the arrow to click to the second page).   They are running an internation “Passport to Fun” theme, which also includes at home projects, see this page:  http://www.michaels.com/Passport-to-Fun/projects-kidsteachers-passporttofun,default,sc.html

Lake Anne Plaza – Free Children’s Art Workshops  -Every Saturday 10 am – noon.  Reston Art Gallery & Studios 703-481-8156  Make-and-take projects, themed for the seasons. Presented by Pat Macintyre. Free.   Call to verify.

Home Depot Kids Workshops – First Saturday of every month between 9am and noon- see http://bit.ly/dcqWnm  for more details.  Although it says ages 5-12, I know people who have taken children (boys, in particular) who were younger.  They tend to list project a month or two at a time.

Lowe’s Build-to-Grow Clinics – Although recommended for elementary school kids, I know people who have taken younger children – use your own discretion.  Check out https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/ for class projects, dates, and sign ups.  They only list a month or so at a time.  The classes are approximately every two weeks.

Classes at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park- Located at 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA unless otherwise indicated 703-631-0013 

  •  Single-session classes and events:
    • 6/16/2011 8:00 PM Father’s Day CampfireBegin Father’s Day weekend with a hike, campfire and s’mores.  Moms are invited too. Ages: 2 years and up Cost: $5/person
    • 6/22/20117:30 PM Wednesday Evening Explorations – Fishing at Walney Pond Join a naturalist at the pond and go fishing. Learn about our native fish and enjoy an evening of fishing. Receive tips on equipment and techniques. Beginners welcome. Bring your own fully rigged fishing poles; worms provided for bait. Ellanor Lawrence Park – Walney Pond 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA 20151 703-631-0013 Ages: 2 years and up, must register an adult with your child Cost: $5/person
    • 6/23/20112:00 PM Kids Korner – Water Snakes MEET AT WALNEY POND.  Wearing muck-friendly shoes such as rain boots advised.  Learn about Northern Virginia’s water snakes and explore the edges of Walney Pond. Ellanor Lawrence Park – Walney Pond 5040 WalneyRoad, Chantilly, VA 20151 703-631-0013 Ages: 3-5 years old Cost: $5 per child registered.
    • 6/23/20112:00 PM Kids Korner – Chipmunks, Bluebells, Watersnakes Preschool children learn about chipmunks, bluebells and water snakes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. No older siblings please; space is limited.  Ages: 3-5 years old Cost: $5 per child registered.
    • 6/24/20119:30 AM Kids Korner – Chipmunks, Bluebells, Watersnakes Preschool children learn about chipmunks, bluebells and water snakes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. No older siblings please; space is limited.  Ages: 3-5 years old Cost: $5 per child registered.
    • 7/10/2011 10:00 AM Reptile and Amphibian Nature Photography Join a naturalist for a nature walk to photograph reptiles and amphibians. Learn tips on camera angles in field situations. Bring a digital camera and hiking shoes.  Ages: 8 years and up Cost: $5/person
    • 7/13/2011 8:00 PM Wednesday Evening Explorations – Reptile Campfire Join a naturalist for a night hike to learn about our native reptiles that become nocturnal during the warmer months. Return to our campfire to roast marshmallows and make s’mores.  Ages: Families Cost: $5/person
    • 7/16/2011 10 AM – 2 PM Green Tree Frog Excursion Meet at Mason Neck State Park, Woodbridge VA, to look for green tree frogs. Learn about these awesome amphibians and find out why scientists believe they can predict weather. All family members must register. Mason Neck State Park, VA   Ages: All ages Cost: $5/person
    • 7/17/2011 9:00 AM Reptile Survey: Northern Virginia Water Snakes Assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Learn the habits and habitats of the aggressive but misunderstood water snake as we search for them and document their size, gender and location. Wear shoes that can get wet.  Ages: 8 years and up Cost: $10/person
    • 7/19/2011 9:00 AM Queen and King Snakes Walk the creeks and streams in search of queen and king snakes. Learn about these two unique species while having fun. Soft shell crayfish is on the queen snake’s diet, and the queen snake is on the king snake’s diet. Wear shoes that can get wet.  Ages: 8 years and up Cost: $10/person
    • 7/20/2011 8:00 PM Wednesday Evening Explorations – Night Creek Walk Explore Big Rocky Run Stream at night! When the park shuts down, nocturnal animals come out. Bring flashlights and wear good hiking shoes for this hike to locate and identify local nocturnal critters. Register with an adult/ Ellanor Lawrence Park – Cabell’s Mill5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA 20151 703-631-0013 Ages: 8 years and up Cost: $5/person
    • 7/24/2011 10:00 AM Painted Turtles Walney Pond. Meet a naturalist at Walney Pond to learn about painted and other native turtles. See turtles close up and then search for them at the pond. Ellanor Lawrence Park – Walney Pond 5040 WalneyRoad, Chantilly, VA 20151 703-631-0013 Ages: Families Cost: $5/person
    • 8/14/2011 10:00 AM Lizards Watch a brief movie on our native lizards and see our lizards up close. Join a naturalist on a short hike to find these elusive reptiles.  Ages: All ages Cost: $5/person
    • 8/16/2011 9:00 AM Snake SearchAssist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Head to the outback of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to search for, capture, identify and release reptiles. Learn the habits and preferred habitats of our native snakes.  Ages: 8 years and up Cost: $10/person
    • 8/17/2011 7:00 PM Wednesday Evening Explorations – Nocturnal Hunters Join a naturalist for a night hike to learn about the park’s nocturnal animals. Catch and release fireflies, locate bats with a bat detector and search for other live animals. At the campfire roast marshmallows and make s’mores.  Ages: Families Cost: $10/person
    • 8/24/2011 7:00 PM Wednesday Evening Explorations – Night Creek Walk Explore Big Rocky Run Stream at night! When the park shuts down, nocturnal animals come out. Bring flashlights and wear good hiking shoes for this hike to locate and identify local nocturnal critters. All family members must register.  Ages: Families Cost: $2.50/person
    • 8/27/2011 10:00 AM Pond Life Meet a Naturalist by Walney Pond. Bring boots that can get wet and get ready to find out who is living under the water at the ponds edge. Tadpoles, dragonflynymphs, water scorpions and what else we catch will be talked about. All family members must register. Ellanor Lawrence Park – Walney Pond 5040 WalneyRoad, Chantilly, VA 20151 703-631-0013 Ages: Families Cost: $2.50/person
    • 12:00:00 AM 2:00 PM Camping – Mountain Wildlife Camping TripMeet naturalist Tony Bulmer on Saturday at Big Meadows campground  Visit the unique  Appalachian Cove forest habitat and learn about it‘s black bears, snow shoe hairs, white tailed deer and seal salamanders among others. Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah National Park.  Ages: 4 years and up Cost: $32/family. NPS entry and camping fees additional ($30). To make camping reservations go to www.recreation.gov

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