OUTDOOR RECREATION

Adult Outdoor Adventurers

Ages 18+

Want to learn something new? Join a naturalist to learn some important outdoor skills while having fun that can help you with navigating, camping, exploring, and more. We’ll meet one Sunday of each month from September to December. Each session will feature a different skill or activity at various parks, so be sure to sign up for them all. Sign up with a friend or a loved one for a fun bonding experience. Registration closes the Wednesday before each program.

Sunday Afternoons, 2pm – 3:30pm

September 17 – Nature Art at Alum Spring Park

October 22 – Fishing at Motts Run Reservoir

November 19 – Archery at Motts Run Reservoir

December 17 – Survival Skills at Motts Run Reservoir

$10/session or $35/series, Pre-registration required.

JUNIOR NATURALISTS: INSECTS

Ages 10-16 years

Join other Junior Naturalists as we learn all about how to identify, collect, and observe insects in this hands-on program. We’ll dig up ant lions, search for beetles, and much more! Participants will earn a patch and after three different courses, get their name on a plaque in the Nature Center. Buzz on by for this one! This is a drop off program so kids will need to bring a small backpack with a notebook, pencil, and water bottle with them each day. Registration closes Sunday, September 17. Location: Motts Run Nature Center.

Wednesdays, 4:30pm – 6pm

September 20 – October 11

$55/residents or $67/non-residents, Pre-registration is required.

Afterschool Nature Club

Ages 6-12 years

Let’s have some fun in nature! We’ll meet one Thursday of each month from September to December and each date will feature a different topic at a different park, so be sure to catch them all. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing. Please no non-registered siblings. The kids must be accompanied by a non-paying adult. Registration closes the Sunday before each program.

Thursdays, 4:30pm – 6pm

September 21 – Stream Scientists at Alum Spring Park

October 19 – Insect Detectives at Memorial Park

November 16 – Beginning Birders at Old Mill Park

December 14 – Future Astronomers at Old Mill Park

$10/child for each session or $35/child for entire series, Preregistration is required.

Earthquest Programs

Walk With A Hawk

All Ages

On our Walk with a Hawk, we will take a hike through the woods while one of the Earthquest educators teaches you about Hawks and what makes them so special. During our walk, a flighted, nonreleasable Hawk will follow us through the woods in the trees. Participants are encouraged to take pictures during the hike. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Please leave your pets at home. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration closes the Wednesday before each program. For more information on Earthquest, visit www.Earthquest.org.

Location: Motts Run Reservoir.

Saturday, September 16 at 2pm – 3pm

Saturday, November 11 at 2pm – 3pm

$20/person or $50/family (up to 4), Pre-registration is required.

Parrot Palooza

All Ages

Birds of a feather flock together! Gather your family to enjoy this one-of-a-kind program. Discover more about parrots with Earthquest at Parrot Palooza. Explore their adaptations, ask questions, and meet a few feathered friends along the way! Please leave your pets at home. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration closes Wednesday, December 6. For more information on Earthquest, visit www.Earthquest.org.

Location: Motts Run Nature Center.

Saturday, December 9 at 2pm – 3pm

$20/person or $50/family (up to 4), Pre-registration is required.

Field Trips

Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events has environmental education field trip and classroom visit opportunities available for local schools. Most programs are developed for elementary students but can be adapted for older audiences. Interested in finding out more or booking for your class? Contact Callie Brown: cmbrown@FredericksburgVA.gov, 540-372-1086 x213.

FOR BIRTHDAY SNAKES!

All Ages

Ssssselebrate the birthdays of Pocket & Red (our resident corn snakes) at the Nature Center! We’ll hang out with Pocket & Red, make a craft, play a game or two, and enjoy a sssssweet treat. Ssssstop by anytime between 2-4 pm to take part in this special celebration. Location: Motts Run Nature Center.

Saturday, August 12 at 2pm – 4pm FREE

Escape Room In A Box

Ages 10+

Put together your best team to solve the puzzles before time runs out! Teams will compete to work their way through a series of puzzles and clues in the least amount of time. Teams can have up to 8 people. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes Sunday, August 13. Location: Dorothy Hart Community Center.

Saturday, August 19

Session 1 – 10:00am

Session 2 – 12:30pm

$20/team, Pre-registration required.

Parks For Pollinators Bioblitz

All Ages

Parks for Pollinators is a national campaign to raise awareness and community involvement in the pollinator crisis through local parks and recreation and like-minded organizations. Help Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events answer the challenge given by NRPA and The Scotts MiracleGro Foundation to get involved and host a pollinator BioBlitz during the month of September. To participate, community members will use their iNaturalist account through the iNaturalist or Seek app to take pictures of plants, insects, and other pollinators to see what life is present in the city. This event will provide our community with more information about local pollinators, which are essential to our ecosystem. To view the progress throughout the month of September, visit: bit.ly/FXBGPollinatorBioBlitz. Leading up to the event, download the iNaturalist app, create a free account, and practice making observations. Borders: City of Fredericksburg (including all parks).

Friday, September 1 – Saturday, September 30 FREE

Campout In The Park

All Ages

Bring out the family for a fun night in the park. You will have the chance to camp at Motts Run Reservoir, enjoy s’mores on the campfire, and more. Space is limited so register early. All meals and activity materials are provided but you are responsible for your own tent and camping supplies (a supply list and additional information will be emailed upon registration). Registration closes Sunday, October 15. Location: Motts Run Reservoir.

Friday, October 20 at 5pm – Saturday, October 21 at 10am $65/$75 for a family of 4 (residents/non-residents), $20/ each additional individual, Pre-registration is required.

Park After Dark

Ages 5+

Gather under the trees at Memorial Park after dark for an evening of spooky, family-friendly stories. On October 27, we will be led by storytellers from the Central Rappahannock Regional Libraries through tall tales of all kinds. Earthquest (www.Earthquest.org) will bring a vulture or two to allow everyone to learn more about these feathered friends before the stories begin. Bring a chair and maybe a blanket for this spookily fun evening. Family-friendly for ages 5 and up. Location: Memorial Park.

Friday, October 27 at 6:30pm – 8pm FREE, Pre-registration is recommended.

First Day Hike

All Ages

Start the New Year off right by spending the first day out in nature! Bring out the whole family to take a hike on one of the many trails at Motts Run Reservoir. Come out to this event anytime between 9am – 3pm. The First Day Hike at Motts Run is completely free! Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity to kick off the year on the right foot. No need to register for this event, just come out between 9-3 to participate. Location: Motts Run Reservoir.

Saturday, January 1, 2024, 9am – 3 pm FREE