By Michael Schneider, Baltimore County Recreation & Parks

Welcome to the dog days of summer, when the dog star Sirius rises with the sun. Tap in to the outdoors with a shooting stars campfire, dragonflies, crabby canoe trips, mud day, and a cool pickle party at Baltimore County’s parks and nature centers.

Every day is a “dog day” in Baltimore County with our five dog parks. These member parks are sure to keep your pooch social, happy and well exercised:  Paw Point at Lake Roland; BARC Dog Park at Hannah More; Perry Paw Dog Park at Honeygo Regional Park; Saint Helena’s Dog Park in Dundalk and The Dog Park at Southwest Area Park in Baltimore Highlands.

Check out our Baltimore County Recreation and Parks Summer Listing of Fun Stuff to Do! Here are some August highlights:

Wednesday, August 1

Natural World of Art: Mini Summer Flower Banner (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Preschool Program    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Thursday, August 2

Shoots and Letters: Chesapeake Bay    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, August 3

Creative Clay: Free Choice (registration required – class concludes on Wednesday, August 17)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Friday Strolls    Lake Roland

Bookworm Story Time    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Saturday, August 4

Hereford Jr. Farm Fair    Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park

Foraging At Banneker’s Homestead (registration required)   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Get Ready for the Perseids! (registration required)   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Kids in Gardens   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Discovering Dragonflies (registration required)   Cromwell Valley Park

Yoga in the Park    Lake Roland

Acorn Hill Nature Drop-In    Lake Roland

Leaping Lizards (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Tubing on the Little Falls (registration required)  Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Sunday, August 5

Late Summer Wildflowers    Cromwell Valley Park

Tracks and Scat (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Tubing on the Little Falls (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Wednesday, August 8

Natural World of Art: Everlasting Sand Sculpture (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Thursday, August 9

Shoots and Letters: Native Americans    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, August 10

Friday Stroll    Lake Roland

Shooting Stars Campfire (registration required)    Lake Roland

Campfire and Owl Prowl (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Morning Bird Walk (registration appreciated)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Saturday, August 11

Basket Making: Cat’s Head Basket (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Mud and Fire – Part II (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Acorn Hill Nature Center Drop-In    Lake Roland

Fishing the Dock (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Backyard Butterflies (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Sunday, August 12

Go Wild for a Native! (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Sunday Birdwalk    Marshy Point Nature Center

Backyard Butterflies (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Tuesday, August 14

KinderGarden Club (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Wednesday, August 15

Preserving the Harvest: Salsa! (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Natural World of Art: Native American Dice Game (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Thursday, August 16

Shoots and Letters: Nature Scavenger Hunt    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, August 17

Friday Stroll    Lake Roland

Saturday, August 18

What’s Cookin’, Mr. Banneker?   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Kids in Gardens    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Just for Kids – Animal Story Time (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Weed Warriors    Cromwell Valley Park

 

Going Batty    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Acorn Hill Nature Drop-In    Lake Roland

SAVs - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Live Bluegrass and Country Music    Middle River Recreation Council

Canoe the Gunpowder (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Hot August Music Festival    Oregon Ridge Park

Sunday, August 19

The Earth Oven and A to Z Pizza (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Fan Brush Landscape (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Aw Shucks! (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Canoe the Gunpowder (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Wednesday, August 22

Preserving the Harvest: Pickle Party (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Weed Warriors    Cromwell Valley Park

Thursday, August 23

Shoots and Letters: Insects    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, August 24

Owl Prowl (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Friday Stroll    Lake Roland

The Full Sturgeon Moon Canoe Trip (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Saturday, August 25 - Sunday August 26

End of Summer Campout (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Saturday, August 25

Moss Workshop (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Trace Your Roots (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Nighttime Music (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Migrating Monarchs (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Weed Warriors    Cromwell Valley Park

Acorn Hill Nature Drop-In    Lake Roland

Singing Insects Campfire (registration required)    Lake Roland

Crabby Canoe Trip (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Sunday, August 26

Stream Search    Cromwell Valley Park

Mud Day (registration required)    Lake Roland

 

The Hive and the Honey Bee (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Monday, August 27

Pre-K Nature Drop In     Marshy Point Nature Center

Tuesday, August 28

KinderGarden Club (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Wednesday, August 29   

Weed Warriors    Cromwell Valley Park

Thursday, August 30

Shoots and Letters: Mammals    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, August 31  

Friday Stroll    Lake Roland

Programs are run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and Nature Council volunteers. Many programs are free, but some ask for a donation or have a small fee. Be sure to check the websites to confirm times and locations.

With over 200 Baltimore County Parks, there’s something to do every day of your summer. Dogs included.

 

 

By Michael Schneider, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks

For many of us, this time of the year inspires us to make promises for our health, happiness, family and our own well-being. Now’s the time to promise to take advantage of the nature, arts, athletic and fun programs at Baltimore County Recreation and Parks. Whether you’d like to try yoga, volunteer to restore a winter habitat, learn about the nighttime sky, or listen to live bluegrass music, there’s a nature or recreation center program for you.

On your mark, get set, start off the New Year with a promise of fun, health and happiness for 2018!

Monday, January 1

• First Day Hike (registration required)    Lake Roland
• First Day Yoga (registration required)   Lake Roland

Wednesday, January 3

• Pre-School Nature Program    Holt Park

Thursday, January 4

• Shoots and Letters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, January 5

• Friday Strolls    Lake Roland
• Bookworm Story Time   Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Saturday, January 6 

• Wintertime Natural Ornaments (reservations required)    Cromwell Valley Park
• Winter Woods & Campfire    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Yoga in the Park    Lake Roland
• Surviving Winter    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Sunday, January 7

• Winter Tree Identification (reservations required)   Cromwell Valley Park
• Endangered Species    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Monday, January 8

• Feed Your Feathered Friends    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday, January 10

• Habitat Restoration Team Work Day (reservations required)   Cromwell Valley Park
• Pre-School Nature Program    Holt Park
• Bow Making (5 week course, registration required)  Marshy Point Nature Center

Thursday, January 11

• Shoots and Letters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, January 12

• Friday Strolls    Lake Roland

Saturday, January 13

• Gourd Bowls With Stone Tools (reservations required)    Cromwell Valley Park
• Habitat Restoration Team Work Day (reservations required)   Cromwell Valley Park
• Trace Your Roots (reservations required)   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Paper Making (reservations required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Insects In Winter (reservations required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Owl Pellets    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Sunday, January 14

• Nature Quest Winter Hike (reservations required)    Cromwell Valley Park
• Sunday Birdwalk    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Bird Party!    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Monday, January 15

• School’s Out     Lake Roland
• Speaker Series:  Peter Groffman, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Tuesday, January 16

• Speaker Series: “The Role of Connection to Nature on Psychological Well-Being and Spirituality” (reservations required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday, January 17

• Habitat Restoration Team Work Day (reservations required)   Cromwell Valley Park
• Pre-School Nature Program    Holt Park

Thursday, January 18

• Homeschool Astronomy Day (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Shoots and Letters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, January 19

• School’s Out and the Sky’s the Limit Astronomy Day (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Friday Strolls    Lake Roland
• Owl Prowl and Campfire    Marshy Point Nature Center

Saturday, January 20

• Animal Adaptations to Cold (reservations required)    Cromwell Valley Park
• Basket Making: Wood Drying Basket (reservations required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Saturday Storytime – Colonial Style  Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Winter Pizza (reservations required)   Marshy Point Nature Center
• LIVE Bluegrass and Country Music at Victory Villa   Middle River Recreation Council
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center
• Auditions for “The Sky is the Limit” Community Theater’s spring production    The Sky is the Limit Community Theater– Therapeutic Recreation

Sunday, January 21

• Edible Greens & Pizza In Winter (reservations required)    Cromwell Valley Park
• Furbearer Feature (reservations required)    Lake Roland
• Tracks on Tees    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Monday, January 22

• Snow    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Nature Book Club: Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History by Dan Flores (registration appreciated)   Oregon Ridge Nature Center
• Auditions for “The Sky is the Limit” Community Theater’s spring production    The Sky is the Limit Community Theater– Therapeutic Recreation

Wednesday, January 24

• Pre-School Nature Program    Holt Park

Thursday, January 25

• Shoots and Letters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, January 26

• Vegetable Growers Meeting    Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park
• Friday Strolls    Lake Roland

Saturday, January 27

• Build A Model Tree House (reservations required)     Cromwell Valley Park
• Habitat Restoration Team Work Day (reservations required)   Cromwell Valley Park
• Basket Making: Wood Drying Basket (reservations required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Winter Night Hike and Campfire (reservations required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Winter Photography    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Sunday, January 28

• Winter Tales (reservations required)    Cromwell Valley Park
• Winter Plant ID    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Weekend Animal Encounters    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Monday, January 29

• Arctic Animals    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday, Janary 31

• Pre-School Nature Program    Holt Park

Programs are run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and Nature Council volunteers. Many programs are free, but some ask for a donation or have a small fee. Be sure to check the websites to confirm times and locations.

Just a reminder, our more than 200 beautiful Parks are open sunrise to sunset throughout the cool winter months.  Think of the invigorating walks, magnificent sites, and times to reflect as you hit the trails and visit our Nature Centers. What an incredible way to spend a cool day.

by Michael Schneider, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks

Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean the fun and adventure is stopping. Yoga in the Park, Monarch Magic, Arachnophobia, The Law of Claw and Fang, canoes and campfires – pick a time to walk and play among the soon-to-be-colorful trees, have fun at Baltimore County’s playgrounds, and participate in fall sports. September with Baltimore County Recreation and Parks features activities and explorations for adults, youngsters and families.   

Friday, September 1

• Banneker Birds (Adult Workshop)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Summer Nature Camp    Lake Roland
• Friday Strolls     Lake Roland

​Saturday, September 2

• Wonders of Water    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Habitat Restoration Team – Week Warrior Days!    Cromwell Valley Park
• Painting with Rocks and Minerals   Cromwell Valley Park
• Saturday Morning Bird Walk    Cromwell Valley Park
• Canoe Lake Roland     Lake Roland
• Yoga in the Park     Lake Roland
• Miraculous Monarchs    Marshy Point Nature Center

Sunday, September 3

• Wonders of Water    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Animal Encounter    Cromwell Valley Park
• Canoe Dundee Creek with a Naturalist    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday and Thursday, September 6 and 7

• Benjamin Banneker Historic Park and Museum Volunteer Training (Adults Workshop)  Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Friday, September 8

• Yoga at Banneker Park (Adult Workshop)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Night Out With Nature: “Homesteading On An Acre” (Adults)    Cromwell Valley Park
• Friday Strolls     Lake Roland
• Pokémon Late Night Madness    Marshy Point Nature Center

​Saturday, September 9

• Ravens Rally    Angel Park
• Trace Your Roots (Adult Workshop)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Insect Safari    Cromwell Valley Park
• The Wild Banana    Marshy Point Nature Center
• The Susie’s Cause Concert   Oregon Ridge Park

Sunday, September 10

• Grandparent’s Day Concert – Music by Snowday    Angel Park
• Walk Through Time    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Hunt for the Wild Banana    Cromwell Valley Park
• Sunday Birdwalk    Marshy Point Nature Center
• Late Summer Sketching    Marshy Point Nature Center

Monday, September 11

• Pre-K Nature Drop-In    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday, September 13

• Banneker Explorers Series (Kids Series)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Trail Guide Training (Adults)    Marshy Point Nature Center

​Thursday, September 14

• Nature, You and Me Series (Kids Series)   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Trail Guide Training (Adults)    Cromwell Valley Park

​Friday, September 15

• Trail Guide Training (Adults)   Fort Garrison
• Fall Accent Mirror (Creative Clay class – concludes on September 29)    Holt Park & Center for The Arts
• Friday Strolls     Lake Roland

Saturday, September 16

• Monarch Magic    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Moth Night Hike    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Saturday Morning Bird Walk    Cromwell Valley Park
• Hawk Watch Weekend     Cromwell Valley Park
• Critter Hike    Holt Park & Center for The Arts
• Bonfire and Night Hike    Holt Park & Center for The Arts
• Autumn Native Plant Sale    Lake Roland
• Basic Paddling Course    Marshy Point Nature Center

Sunday, September 17

• Sunday Story Hour    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Hawk Watch Weekend     Cromwell Valley Park
• Birds of Prey     Cromwell Valley Park
• Spiders and Their Kin    Marshy Point Nature Center

Monday, September 18

• Pre-K Nature Drop-In    Marshy Point Nature Center

Tuesday, September 19

• Free Speaker Series, Monarchs and Milkweed    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday, September 20

• Fall Notecards    Holt Park & Center for The Arts
• Rosh Hashanah Under the Stars   Oregon Ridge Park

Thursday, September 21

• Ben’s Nature Journals   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Sounds of the Wild Camp    Holt Park & Center for The Arts

​Friday, September 22

• Autumnal Equinox Hike and Campfire    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Autumn Solstice Bonfire and S’mores     Cromwell Valley Park
• Friday Strolls     Lake Roland

​Saturday, September 23

• Autumn Earth Oven Baking    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Nature Quest Hike    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Habitat Restoration Team – Week Warrior Days!    Cromwell Valley Park
• Saturday Morning Bird Walk    Cromwell Valley Park
• Drop In Gardening!   Cromwell Valley Park
• Johnny Appleseed     Cromwell Valley Park
• Fall Festival    Marshy Point Nature Center

Sunday, September 24

• Nature Quest Hike    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Monarch Madness     Cromwell Valley Park
• Flower Pastels    Holt Park & Center for The Arts
• Nature Quest Canoe Trip     Lake Roland
• The Law of Claw and Fang  Marshy Point Nature Center

​Wednesday, September 27

• Banneker Explorers Series (Kids Series)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Fun with Foliage    Holt Park & Center for The Arts

Thursday, September 28

• Nature, You and Me Series (Kids Series)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Friday, September 29

• Friday Strolls     Lake Roland
• Fall Campout 2017     Lake Roland

Saturday, September 30

• Oella Fall Festival    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Moss Workshop (Teen and Adult Workshop)   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
• Saturday Morning Bird Walk    Cromwell Valley Park
• Drop In Gardening!    Cromwell Valley Park
• Arachnophobia     Cromwell Valley Park
• Have Seeds, Will Travel    Holt Park & Center for The Arts
• Make a Scarecrow    Marshy Point Nature Center

Programs are run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and Nature Council volunteers. Many programs are free, but some ask for a donation or have a small fee. Be sure to check the websites to confirm times and locations. 

With over 200 beautiful parks  and Recreation and Nature Council activities, September with Baltimore County Recreation and Parks is a must for your calendar. Youngsters ages 8 to 17 can enjoy Police Athletic League (PAL) After-School Programs at nine PAL Centers located throughout Baltimore County. Contact the PAL Center closest to you to join, mentor or volunteer.