2008 Events at Lake Accotink Park!

May Events

Cardboard Boat Orientation and Workshop
May 3 Saturday, 10 a.m. - Noon
At this essential workshop, you will meet with former Cardboard Boat Regatta contestants and learn tips from the pros that will maximize your chances of entering a race-worthy vessel in this year's Cardboard Boat Regatta. You will learn what materials are allowed and what are not allowed. An orientation to the regatta and what contestants should expect will also be provided. $7 per person, $4 per person for groups of five or more. Registration and advanced payment required. Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.

Can You Canoe?
May 10 Saturday, 1 - 3 p.m.
(8 yrs. and up) Experience the great outdoors while having fun and getting a great workout! You will learn the basic mechanics of canoeing with an emphasis on safety and enjoyment. Perfect for beginners. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Canoes and life jackets provided. Bring a water bottle and snack if desired. Cancelled if rain or windy conditions. $10 per person. Refunds only if class is cancelled. Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.

Mothers Day Cruise
May 11 Sunday, Cruises leave dock at Noon, 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m.
(All ages) Choose from times listed below, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285 Reserve your spot, Treat Mom to a special day at lovely Lake Accotink Park! Cruise the shoreline while listening to an interpretive history of the park, lake and surrounding area. Refreshments served on board. Boarding fee: $4 for Moms, $7 for other adults, $4 for children, babies on laps free. Reservations and advanced payment required. Cruise cancelled in case of rain or gusty winds. Refunds issued only if cruise is cancelled. Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.

Nature Night Hike
May 16 Friday, 8:30 - 10 p.m.
(Appropriate for 7yrs and up) Bats, owls and foxes come out at night to hunt for prey. Join us for a nightime hike over wooded terrain as we try to encounter some of the "nightlife" in Lake Accotink Park. The forest comes alive after dark! Participants will learn about nocturnal activities of the forest residents. Dress for the weather. Meet at the park's Visitors Center. Use the front entrance at 7500 Accotink Park Road. Adults bring a flashlight. $5 per adult, $3 for children under 16yrs. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds only if hike is cancelled. Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.

Sunset Cruise
May 24 Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
(18yrs and up ) Admire the sunset and relax as you cruise the beautiful shoreline of Lake Accotink. You may spot a heron settling in for the night or a deer coming down to water's edge for a late drink. An interpretive history of Lake Accotink Park and the area is included in the tour. Beverages served on board. $5 per person. Cruise cancelled in case of rain or gusty winds. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds issued only if cruise is cancelled. Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.

Cardboard Boat Regatta and Springfield Days Festival
May 29 - June 1 Thursday - Sunday
(All ages) Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285, and other Springfield locations. This annual community celebration has expanded to four days of family fun, featuring a parade through downtown Springfield, children's rides and games, food, an art show, entertainment stage, outdoor movie and more. The grand finale is Sunday, June 1, as the popular Cardboard Boat Regatta plays to an exuberant crowd of spectators at Lake Accotink. Boat judging at noon, races 2pm. Regatta contestants: Register before 4pm Friday, May 31, $15 per boat; after 4pm Friday, May 31, $25 per boat. No boat registrations after 12 noon on Sunday. Springfield Days events are presented by Lake Accotink Park, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and local community groups. For more information call Lake Accotink Park or visit springfielddays.com.

June Events

Saturday, June 7
Mountain Biking for Beginners
(9 yrs. and up) 10:30-12:30 am, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285. Mountain biking provides more than just exercise. Experience nature, fresh air and the thrill of the trail, with new discoveries awaiting just around the next bend. Learn trail safety and bike maintenance fundamentals, then enjoy a group ride geared for beginners. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own bike and helmet or rent one from the park for $25. Bring a water bottle and snack if desired. Workshop fee: $20 per person. Refunds only if class is cancelled. 

Saturday, June 14
Can You Canoe?
(8 yrs. and up) 2-3:30 pm, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285. Experience the great outdoors while having fun and getting a great workout! You will learn the basic mechanics of canoeing with an emphasis on safety and enjoyment.  Perfect for beginners. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Canoes and life jackets provided. Bring a water bottle and snack if desired. Cancelled if rain or windy conditions. $12 per person. Refunds only if class is cancelled.

Sunday, June 15
Father’s Day Cruise
(All ages) Choose from times listed below, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Reserve your spot, cruises leave dock at noon , 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, and 6 pm. Spend this special day with Dad at Lake Accotink Park!  Cruise the shoreline while listening to an interpretive history of the park, lake and surrounding area. Refreshments served on board. Boarding fee: $4 for Dads, $7 for other adults, $4 for children, babies on laps free. Reservations and advance payment required. Cruise cancelled in case of rain or gusty winds. Refunds issued only if cruise is cancelled.

Tuesday, June 24
NEW! One-Stroke Painting Workshop: Roses, Roses, Roses!
(18 yrs and up) 9:30–12:30, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285. An introduction to this easy-to-learn decorative painting technique. This workshop will have you painting all sorts of roses, from buds to cabbage roses in full bloom and on to wild roses. Designed for novice painters, this workshop will teach you everything you need to know, from brush care to paint selection and then on to the stroke techniques that will enable you to paint beautiful roses with acrylic paint.  A supply fee of $15 payable at the beginning of class will cover your use of paints, the surface you will be painting on, and a brush that you can keep. Optional supplies for on-going practice can be purchased from the instructor.  Workshop fee of $25 payable in advance.  Refunds only if workshop cancelled. 

Saturday, June 28
Go Fish
(6yrs and up) 9 am-11am, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Join us for a morning of fishing and fun. Learn the wildlife-friendly catch-and-release fishing technique. Find out what species of fish live in the lake and how to protect their environment and your drinking water! Safety and environmental issues are also covered. Bring your own pole and tackle or borrow one of ours; barbless hooks only. $15 per child, accompanying adult free. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds only if class is cancelled. GROUP PROGRAMS: Call to reserve a date for your scout, sports team, homeschool, club, or other group of 10 or more people.

Saturday, June 28
Sunset Cruise
(18 yrs and up) 8-9pm, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Admire the sunset and relax as you cruise the beautiful shoreline of Lake Accotink. You may spot a heron settling in for the night or a deer coming down to water’s edge for a late drink. An interpretive history of Lake Accotink Park and the area is included in the tour. Beverages served on board. $5 per person.  Cruise cancelled in case of rain or gusty winds. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds issued only if cruise is cancelled.

July Events

Saturday, July 12
Can You Canoe?
(8 yrs. and up) 2-3:30 pm, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285. Experience the great outdoors while having fun and getting a great workout! You will learn the basic mechanics of canoeing with an emphasis on safety and enjoyment.  Perfect for beginners. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Canoes and life jackets provided. Bring a water bottle and snack if desired. Cancelled if rain or windy conditions. $12 per person. Refunds only if class is cancelled.

Saturday, July 26
Go Fish
(6yrs and up) 9 am-11am, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Join us for a morning of fishing and fun. Learn the wildlife-friendly catch-and-release fishing technique. Find out what species of fish live in the lake and how to protect their environment and your drinking water! Safety and environmental issues are also covered. Bring your own pole and tackle or borrow one of ours; barbless hooks only. $15 per child, accompanying adult free. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds only if class is cancelled. GROUP PROGRAMS: Call to reserve a date for your scout, sports team, homeschool, club, or other group of 10 or more people.

Saturday, July 26
Sunset Cruise
(18 yrs and up) 8 pm, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Admire the sunset and relax as you cruise the beautiful shoreline of Lake Accotink. You may spot a heron settling in for the night or a deer coming down to water’s edge for a late drink. An interpretive history of Lake Accotink Park and the area is included in the tour. Beverages served on board. $5 per person.  Cruise cancelled in case of rain or gusty winds. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds issued only if cruise is cancelled.

August Events

Saturday, August 9
Can You Canoe?
(8 yrs. and up) 2-3:30 pm, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285. Experience the great outdoors while having fun and getting a great workout! You will learn the basic mechanics of canoeing with an emphasis on safety and enjoyment.  Perfect for beginners. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Canoes and life jackets provided. Bring a water bottle and snack if desired. Cancelled if rain or windy conditions. $12 per person. Refunds only if class is cancelled.

Saturday, August 23
Go Fish
(6yrs and up) 9 am-11am, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Join us for a morning of fishing and fun. Learn the wildlife-friendly catch-and-release fishing technique. Find out what species of fish live in the lake and how to protect their environment and your drinking water! Safety and environmental issues are also covered. Bring your own pole and tackle or borrow one of ours; barbless hooks only. $15 per child, accompanying adult free. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds only if class is cancelled. GROUP PROGRAMS: Call to reserve a date for your scout, sports team, homeschool, club, or other group of 10 or more people.

Saturday, August 23
Sunset Cruise
(18 yrs and up) 8 pm, Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Admire the sunset and relax as you cruise the beautiful shoreline of Lake Accotink. You may spot a heron settling in for the night or a deer coming down to water’s edge for a late drink. An interpretive history of Lake Accotink Park and the area is included in the tour. Beverages served on board. $5 per person.  Cruise cancelled in case of rain or gusty winds. Reservations and advanced payment required. Refunds issued only if cruise is cancelled.

Nature Night Hike
Call to schedule a date for your scout, sports team, homeschool, club, or other group of 10 or more people. (7yrs and up) Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.
Bats, owls and foxes come out at night to hunt for prey. Step out for a nightime hike over wooded terrain as we try to encounter some of the “nightlife” in Lake Accotink Park. Participants will learn about nocturnal activities of the forest residents. Dress for the weather. Meet at the park Visitors Center. Use the front entrance at 7500 Accotink Park Road. Adults bring a flashlight. $5 per adult, $3 for children under 16yrs. Reservations and advanced payment required. One person must prepay for entire group. Refunds only if park cancels hike.