Baltimore County News
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.
