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 – event will be cancelled if minimum not met.
*FAIRY HOUSES & WANDS
Join us for a magical day spent in nature at Irvine. Enjoy a woodland fairy story as we gather on blankets in a shady nook, then use natural materials to create homes for your fairy friends. Decorate a fairy wand so all your wishes can come true. Ideal for ages 3-6
Instructors: Madison Miller, Environmental Educator
Saturday, June 8th
1:30 – 3:00PM
Cost: $10/child
*KIDS MAKE AND TAKE: POM POM BUMBLE BEES
What’s all the buzz about National Pollinator Week? Come find out and celebrate with some pompom fun. Bumble bees are our fuzziest and cutest bees with their bright yellow and black stripes. Learn the method to make stipes in a pompom as you make your very own adorable bee. While we craft, there will be time to learn about why pollinators are so important and look at some real bee specimens for inspiration. Ideal for ages 8+
Instructors: Cecilia Boynton, Environmental Educator
Saturday, June 15th
2:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $10/individual
*A SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Connect with nature on the special solstice that this year coincides with a full moon (or wait another 19 years). Take a gentle walk to our pollinator meadow to experience the evening peace. Listen to solstice stories from around the world while gathering around a fire scented with herbs collected on this longest day. Enjoy some seasonal beverages like elderflower spritzers. Then watch the moon rise over the meadow as it dances with fireflies. Irvine magic! Ideal for adults and children 8+
Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker & Cecilia Boynton, Environmental Educators
Friday, June 21st
7:30 – 9:30PM
Cost: $12/individual or $25/family
*CELEBRATE WORLD MUD DAY
Let’s get messy and celebrate World Mud Day at Irvine! World Mud Day connects children around the globe to nature by getting them outdoors, observing nature, and interacting with mess. Help us make mudpies, mudcakes, mudsculptures, and even creating mud faces on trees with mud, sticks, and leaves. Science has even shown that mud causes us to release serotines that raise our mood! So, roll your sleeves up and get ready for a fun afternoon. Wear clothes you are willing to get dirty, a hose will be available to clean off after. All ages welcome.
Instructors: Cecilia Boynton, Environmental Educator
Saturday, June 29th
1:00 – 2:30PM
Cost: $5/ individual (FREE for Irvine Members)
*FIREFLY FLASH
Enjoy one of the wonders of a summer evenings with the flashing of fireflies at Irvine. Take a closer look at the many species of fireflies and learn all about their magical bioluminescent bottoms while we wait for dusk. Then we will explore Irvine’s grounds for fireflies and watch their amazing display in the meadow. Bring a flashlight for the return trip from the meadow when it will be dark. We recommend long sleeves/natural repellents for anyone who would like to catch fireflies without hurting them. Ideal for ages 5+
Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, July 6th
7:30 – 9:15 PM
Cost: $10/ individual or $30/ family
*ANIMAL HIKE: SEARCHING FOR SNAKES
Enjoy and celebrate World Snake Day by “herping” at Irvine! Herping is the art of hiking to search for hidden reptiles. Irvine is the home to seven different species of incredible snakes. Join our expert guides for an early morning hike through the woodlands to the wetlands and back in search of all seven! Ideal for all ages.
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Environmental Educator
Sunday, July 14th
8:00 – 10:00 AM
Cost: $5/ individual (Children under 2 FREE)
*ANIMAL PRESENTATION: SNAKES
Celebrate World Snake Day by meeting different snakes from around the world! Snake expert, Brittany Roger, will give an interactive presentation covering the incredible diversity and superpowers of snakes. Come and see up close the many ways snakes behave in the world– some climb, some dig, and some use their camouflage skills to be masters of disguise! All ages are welcome!
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Environmental Educator
Sunday, July 14th
12:00 – 2:00PM
Cost: $5/individual (Children under 2 FREE)
*ANIMAL ART: SNAKES
Celebrate World Snake Day by practicing observational drawing with live reptiles and artifacts! This class will focus on painting and drawing techniques that will provide new ways of expressing your connection with nature. Irvine’s animals will model for us as we capture their unique through drawing and painting on a canvas tote bag! Participants will be able to take home custom bag of their own creation at the end of the class. Not a typical “Paint Night” style activity where all painting the same thing step- by- step, each participant will instead be encouraged to engage in artistic expression and to bring their own sensibilities to this fun class. No experience needed, all skill levels welcome. Ideal for ages 13+
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Irvine Educator and MICA-trained artist
Sunday, July 14th
4:00 – 6:00PM
Cost: $5/individual
*MOON NIGHT CELEBRATION
On July 20, 1969 humans set foot on the moon for the first time! Mark the fifty-five year anniversary of this remarkable feat by celebrating International Moon Day with an (almost!) full moon at Irvine. We will listen to stories about the moon from around the world and share in a campfire with s’mores– all while observing the moon’s captivating and timeless beauty. Ideal for families with children 6+
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator
Saturday, July 20th
8:00 – 10:00PM
Cost: $10/individual or $25/family
*BEHIND THE SCENES ANIMAL ENCOUNTER: TURTLES
Love Turtles? So do we! Go behind the scenes with an animal caretaker to take care of these turtally awesome reptiles! Meet and touch the turtles, learn about their lives, and get hands-on- experience with feeding time! Ideal for families and children ages 4+
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator
Saturday, July 27th
11:00 – 11:30PM
Cost: $5/individual
*ANIMAL ART: BIRDS
Just in time for international Owl Awareness Day on August 4th, Irvine invites you to share your appreciation for our feathered friends by engaging in this art endeavor! This class will focus on painting and drawing techniques that will provide new ways of expressing your connection with nature. Irvine’s aviary friends will model for us as we capture their unique features through a mixed media activity with a variety of medium use- including acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, charcoal, ink pens and a number of different surfaces. Participants will be able to take home a custom item or their own creation at the end of the class. Ideal for ages 13+
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Irvine Environmental Educator and MICA-trained artist
Friday, August 2nd
6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $25/individual
* “GOING BATTY” AT IRVINE
Learn about and celebrate the much- maligned animal- the bat! International Bat Night is only a week away (August 24th) and we will use this class to investigate why some of the bats found in Maryland are becoming rare, while others become more common. We will hike around the building and down to the meadow (a gentle walk) to see where the “battiest” place at Irvine is by using an echolocator to detect bat calls. Ideal for ages 8+.
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, August 17th
7:30 – 9:00PM
Cost: $10/individual or $25/family
*ANIMAL ENCOUNTER: SNAKES!
Come meet a snake up-close and personal! An animal caretaker will introduce you to one of our resident snakes, answer any slithery questions, and give you the opportunity to touch the special guest. Perfect for longtime reptile fans, or anyone looking to face their fears! Ideal for ages 3+.
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator
Saturday, August 31st
11:00 – 11:30AM
Cost: FREE No registration required- included in the cost of admission.
