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Located in West Springfield, Hidden Pond Nature Center and
Park feature a pond, streams, and vernal pools surrounded by a mixed
hardwood forest. The nature center has an exhibit area featuring native
aquatic reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate species that can be found in
Fairfax County. The center also features a classroom for the indoor parts
of our interpretive programs. Hidden Pond has ample picnic area for
groups wishing to have lunch or snack on site. Listed below are our
programs for grades K-7. Any program can be tailored to meet the Science
Standards of Learning categories listed. Some of our programs may be
brought to your school, subject to staff availability. If you have any
questions please call 703-451-9588. If out of county, add $1 to student
cost of listed program.
Programs
Wetland Ecosystems
This is the most requested program topic at our park. The program
utilizes the resources of the pond and wetlands near the nature center
and may be tailored to several SOL learning areas. The park also offers
stream study opportunities at the Pohick Creek and exploration of a local
swamp. Several site-related PowerPoint presentations may be part of the
program, including Web of Life which deals with the pond food chain,
while Croakers introduces students to our native frogs and toads and
their life histories. This program features the following study stations;
netting at the pond's edge with identification, wetland walk, live animal
presentation, macro and microscopic life of wetlands and center visit.
This program very adequately meets the 7th grade Meaningful Watershed
Educational Experience requirements as it ties in our wetlands' influence
on the Chesapeake Watershed. These SOL objectives can be met with this
program: K.6, K.8 B, C, 1.5, 1.7, 2.4A, 2.5, 3.4, 3.6A, 3.8B, 3.9, 3.10,
4.8A, 5.6C, 6.7, 6.9A, L.S 4, L.S 7, L.S 9, L.S 10, and L.S 11.
Cost: Grades K-4 -$4 per student, Grades 5-6 $5 per student Grade 7-$6
per student
Ecosystems-for the 4th Grade
Hidden Pond, with its wetlands and surrounding forest, is the perfect
place to cover this area of study. Based on your classes' needs, our
staff can lead students in wildlife observation, identifying tracks,
searching for den sites and more. If you wish to use components from
other programs listed, they can easily be added. These SOL objectives can
be met with this program: 4.5 and 4.8
Cost: $4 per student
Field, Forest and Edges-NEW
The park has a variety of trees, and woody and herbaceous plant species
to help students better understand our natural world. Plant program
topics range from flower parts, seeds, pollination, the role of trees,
the impact of plants on habitats of other living species and the role
plants play in the planet's carbon cycle. Program includes habitat study,
tree/plant id, and center visit. SOL objectives that can be covered with
this program are: 1.4, 1.7, 2.4B, 2.5, 2.8, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8B, 3.10, 4.4,
and 4.8BD
Cost: $4 per student
Insects and other Invertebrates
This program Includes a slide show about the insect world, with either
netting for aquatic insects at the pond or searching for them in our
forest or meadow. Species that are caught will be identified,.and a
center visit is included. SOL objectives met as part of this program are:
K.6, K.8BC, 2.4A, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, and 3.8B
Cost: $4 per student
Reptiles and Amphibians
Hidden Pond Nature Center has one of the largest collections of live
exhibits in Fairfax County. Students will get to see these animals up
close and personal. The outside portion of the program can use either our
wetland areas to observe these animals in their natural habitats or our
forest areas where students can check some snake survey sites or visit
likely reptile locales. SOL objectives covered are: K.6, 1.5, 2.4A, 2.5,
3.4, 3.5, and 3.8B
Cost: $4 per student
Rocks, Minerals and Soil
Rock and mineral samples are shown with discussion about how geology has
influenced human civilization and how we use earth materials in our daily
lives. The outside portion of the program will range from gold panning to
rock hunting or soil study. Students are given rock and mineral samples
to start their own collection. SOL objectives that may be met are: 2.7B,
2.8C, 3.7, 4.8CD and 5.7
Cost: $5 per student
Seasonal Changes
This is a popular program which opens the eyes of younger students to
changes in the world around them. This program can easily be tailored to
meet some of the younger grades' SOL objectives including: K.6, K.8BC,
1.5, 2.4B, 2.5, 2.7A, 2.8BC, 3.4 and 3.8B
Cost: $4 per student
Wildlife Evidence
Through a PowerPoint and a hike through our forest, we will cover ways
to study mammals and other wildlife by searching for the evidence they
leave behind. SOL objectives that can be met are: K.6, 1.5, 2.5, 3.4,
3.5, 3.8B, 3.10, 4.8B and 5.6C
Please note: Hidden Pond can cover most SOL learning objectives, if you did not see an SOL listed above, but you feel we could help you with it, contact us.
Hidden Pond Programs at your School
If you can't come to us, we can go to you. The above programs can be adapted to your school and grounds, Our outreach programs cost $125 for programs 90 minutes or less. Additional charges apply for longer programs.
Home, Private, and Pre-school Programs
All public school programs listed can be adapted to your school needs, Hidden Pond is flexible toward meeting your teaching requirements, and can combine many of the above for an age appropriate program.
Scheduling Programs
You may call anytime to schedule school programs. Requests will be scheduled on a first-call, first-served basis. Hidden Pond makes every attempt to find dates and times to meet your request. Contact Mike McCaffrey at 703-451-9588.
Waivers: If your school or any student has financial difficulties in meeting our costs, please call to discuss the matter. We do not want any student to miss out on a visit to our park. We hope to see you at Hidden Pond during the coming school year.
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