Youth and Family Weekend Programs

Click on the each program title to register.  Programs with an (*) are eligible for a member discount (Pacesetters and above). Advance registration encouraged – events may be cancelled if minimum not met.

*TERRARIUM BUILDING WORKSHOP 
Create your own mini habitat in this hands-on Terrarium Building Workshop! Using various tiny plants and mosses, you’ll learn how to design a beautiful terrarium in semi-enclosed glass bowls. This workshop is great for anyone 12 years+ to learn how to create and care for their own little environment. Participants will personalize their terrariums by selecting their plants and a new small world friend such as dinosaur, fairy, or other character. All materials are provided.

Instructor: Colby Bieschke, Director of Summer Nature Camp
Saturday, March 15th, 1:00 – 2:30PM
Cost: $45/individual
Advance registration encouraged.

*ANIMAL DIETS
Explore the topic of animal diets: from picky eaters to bottom feeders, learn about the wide variety of animal diets with hands-on activities like a live animal feeding, a DIY bird feeder build, and guided hike.

Instructor: Ash Miller, Irvine Naturalist
Sunday, March 16th, 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Cost: $8/individual
Advance registration encouraged.

*ANIMAL ART: FROGS
Frog Day is March 20. Come celebrate your love for frogs with an art class. Learn to draw and paint these tiny, adorable animals on tree cookies! All experience levels welcome.

Instructor: Brittany Roger, Irvine Environmental Educator and MICA-trained artist
Saturday, March 22nd, 2:00 – 4:00PM
Cost: $25/individual
Advance registration encouraged- event will be cancelled if minimum not met.

*AMPHIBIAN NIGHT HIKE
It’s that time of year again when the salamanders and frogs are on the move! You might be hearing them singing in the night, or have seen their jelly-like eggs in nearby bodies of water. Join us for an evening hike to search for and appreciate these unique and slimy creatures that call Irvine’s forests and waterways home. This event is ideal for ages 6+ 

Instructor: Ash Miller, Naturalist and Environmental Educator
Friday, April 25th, 6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $8/individual
Advance registration encouraged.

*DREAM CATCHER WORKSHOP
Have you always wanted to know how to make a dream catcher? Well here is your chance! Learn the art of weaving and create a 7-7 1/2 dream catcher. Hoops, beads, and feathers are provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own personal embellishments they’d like to incorporate. Dream catchers are not only beautiful, but can also be healing, meditative, and give rise to a hidden artistic side you never knew you had! This event is ideal for adults and children ages 12+

Instructor: Michelle Moreau, founder of Circle Of Dawn
Saturday, April 26th, 1:00 – 4:00PM
Cost: $40/individual
Advance registration encouraged.

*SPRINGFEST 2025
Join us for SpringFest 2025 – an Irvine family favorite!
Get ready for a fun-filled day of outdoor adventure and family-friendly activities as we welcome the vibrant season of spring! Enjoy nature adventures, creative arts, spring-themed games and more. Discover blooming flowers, buzzing pollinators and other seasonal wonders during a nature scavenger hunt, plant flower seeds to take home, and spot all sorts of feathered friends as you hike along  the shady Understory Trail to the beautiful Woodland Garden – in all its fully blooming glory! Enjoy special encounters with Irvine’s animal ambassadors and a special appearance by HOOT, Irvine’s Owl-Pal. Ideal for ages 3-7.

Saturday, May 3rd, 10:00AM-12:00PM 
$10 per child* (early-bird price through April 15)
$15 per child* (if purchased after April 15)
*adults and children under 2 FREE
Register early and save! Do not delay – event might sell out.

*WORLD CARNIVOROUS PLANT DAY CELEBRATION
Come out to Irvine to learn about and celebrate an amazing group of plants.
Carnivorous plants can be found all around the world including Maryland. During this program we will get to observe various carnivorous plants, participate in various self-lead activities and take a hike to our wetlands in search of some of our native species that occur here. This event is great for families (children ages 4+). 

Instructor: Colby Bieschke, Manager of Nature Camps/ Summer Camp Director
Saturday, May 10th, 10:00AM– 12:00PM
Cost: $10/individual
Advance registration encouraged.

*MACRO MARCH: MACROINVERTEBRATES IN THE STREAM
Join an Irvine educator to learn about benthic macroinvertebrates and their role in determining and contributing to stream health. Hike down to one of our streams and learn a few collection strategies to find and identify some of the benthic macroinvertebrates (and other critters) that call Irvine’s streams home. This event is great for all ages. 

Instructor: Emily Bass, Environmental Educator
Saturday, May 17th, 10:00AM– 12:00PM
Cost: FREE for members, $5 for non-members
Advance registration encouraged.