Riverbend Park Events Calendar

Birthdays on the Wild Side
(3-11 yrs.), Riverbend Nature Center, 703-759-9018. Celebrate your birthday by discovering the exciting world of nature. Choose to explore the world of reptiles and amphibians, uncover clues about forest animals, dig into dinosaurs, take an archaeology adventure, or go on an insect safari. Each party is active and will keep your group on the move. Two hour nature center rental including a one hour naturalist program $175. Themed goodie bags available, $4/bag. Call for available dates. Fee due at time of registration. Refunds for cancellation made within two weeks of program require written notice.

Holiday Ornaments: Make Your Own (November 14-December 31)
(All Ages), 9am-4pm Mondays and Wednesdays-Fridays, noon-4pm weekends and holidays, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Teasels, pine cones and walnuts all add up to make some cool holiday ornaments. Follow some of our examples or create your own stylish or wacky ornaments. Reservations recommended for groups. $5 for 2 ornaments

Daily offerings
Registration on-going. Call 703-759-9018 for reservations.

November

2 Monday and 3 Tuesday (Fairfax County School Holidays)
SEE Camps (for one day camps "Science and Astronomy Fun" and "Animal Vets")

6 Friday - 7 Saturday
Riverside Camping
(Families), 6pm Friday-9am Saturday, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Shake the dust out of your camping gear and head over to Riverbend Park. Bring the kids, toasting sticks, and a dinner to cook over the campfire. Take a night hike and enjoy s'mores around the campfire. Light breakfast provided. Canceled if rain. Reservations and advance payment required. $45/family

13 Friday
Riverside Campfire - Get Ready for Winter!
(Families), 6:30-7:30pm, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Have fun with games, stories and a warm fire as we talk about squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies and other forest friends getting ready for winter. S'mores provided. Come early if you want to bring a picnic or hotdogs. Bring toasting sticks, blanket, and flashlight. Reservations and advanced payment required. $4/person

December

5 Saturday
Cold Duck
(Adults), 8:30-11am, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Hike along the Potomac River with a naturalist to scan for waterfowl and raptors. Dress warmly, wear hiking shoes/boots, and bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes. Reservations required. $5/person

7 Monday
Animal Ornaments
(6-10 yrs.), 3-4pm, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Use natural items, like pine cones, to create animals, snowflakes, or your own unique invention. Staff guidance available. Reservations and advance payment required. $7/person

28 Monday - Fairfax County School Holiday
Animal Vets
(8-12 yrs.), 9:30am-3:30pm, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-222-4664 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Spend the day with our exhibit animals. Check their health, weight and size; clean and refresh their tanks; and enjoy some fun activities and games. Wear old clothes. Download camp forms and bring completed to first day of camp. Camp Forms $75

29 Tuesday - Fairfax County School Holiday
Zoology: Science behind Animal Lives
(7-10 yrs.), 9:30am-3:30pm, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-222-4664 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Study the biology and habits of the birds, mammals, reptiles and insects of the Mid-Atlantic region. Campers learn more about these critters and how and where they live. Activities include hikes, observations, art projects and games. $75

30 Wednesday - Fairfax County School Holiday
Science and Astronomy Fun
(8-12 yrs.), 9:30am-3:30pm, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-222-4664 or visit Parktakes Online to register. With experiments and fun activities, delve into the mysteries of the solar system and the science of space. Learn how science and optics have helped reveal the universe. Make your own telescope just like the one Galileo used to see lunar craters and mountains, four moons in Jupiter, the phases of Venus, Saturn's rings, and countless stars invisible to the naked eye. Download camp forms and bring completed to first day of camp. Camp Forms $90

January

2 Saturday
Cold Duck
(Adults), 8:30-11am, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Hike along the Potomac River with a naturalist to scan for waterfowl and raptors. Dress warmly, wear hiking shoes/boots, and bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes. Reservations required. $5/person

7 Thursday
Our Furry Friends
(2-5 yrs.), 10:15-11am, Great Falls Grange/Forestville Schoolhouse. Call 703-759-9018 (Riverbend Park) for information and reservations. Through puppets, activities and games explore the lives of skunks, squirrels, and other mammals and find out what they do in winter. Reservations and advance payment required. $6/child

10 Sunday
Dynamic Nature Walking
(13 yrs. and up), 10-11:30am every Sunday for 10 weeks, Riverbend Visitor Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. $134

11 Monday
Earthkeepers
(6-10 yrs.), 4-5pm every Monday for 10 weeks, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Discover how the earth works through a study of geology and watershed, plus learn how each of us impacts the environment. Become a citizen activist as you explore how to use resources wisely and participate in habitat restoration projects. Naturalist-led classes include demonstration, experiments, hikes, stream and pond exploration and crafts. $82

18 Monday
Bug Walks and Critter Talks
(2-3 yrs. plus adult), 10:15-11am every Monday for 8 weeks, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. In this class, children and their parents will 'stop and smell the roses' as they explore the outdoors and search for nature's fascinating creatures. Through forest walks, nature talks, stories, and insect collections art, youngsters develop a better understanding of the natural world. Supply cost of $5 payable at first class. $67

18 Monday
Landscape Painting with Watercolors
(13 yrs. and up), 1-3pm every Monday for 8 weeks, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Learn to paint landscapes with Rob Nevitte. Emphasis is on composition and color. Class includes discussions on how to 'see' landscape composition, adding mood to your work, and other tips and techniques. Supply list will be emailed. $132

19 Tuesday
Landscape Drawing with Color Pencils
(13 yrs. and up), 1-3pm every Tuesday for 8 weeks, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. With Rob Nevitte, learn to draw seasonal landscapes on prepared papers using colored pencils. Topics will cover drawing techniques, composition, and how to include architectural and other landscape features. Supply list will be emailed. $132

20 Wednesday
Oil Painting
(13 yrs. and up), 1-3pm every Wednesday for 8 weeks, Riverbend Visitor Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Learn techniques for painting with oils. Brush movements, color coordination and style are stressed. Supply list will be emailed. $132

20 Wednesday
I Dig Science
(3-5 yrs.), 2-2:45pm every Wednesday for 8 weeks, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Dig into great science topics. Explore rocks, dinosaurs, worms, archeology and more. Parents are encouraged to participate in this hands-on outdoor class. Supply cost of $5 payable at first class. $67

22 Friday
Winter Birds of the Coast
(Adults), 8am-8pm. Call 703-759-9018 (Riverbend Park) for information. Winter birding can be "hot" along the Maryland and Delaware coastline. Winter waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors are highlights. The day could end with streams of snow geese descending on the marsh. Dress for cold and windy conditions. Bring binoculars or spotting scopes and a bag lunch. Reservations required by 1/13. $48

22 Friday
Fireside Stories - Winter Wildlife
(Families), 6:30-7:30pm, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Listen to stories 'round our indoor fireplace, participate in winter fun activities and find out how local animals are spending the coldest months of the year. Reservations and advanced payment required. $4/person

25 Monday
Creatures of the Night
(4 yrs. & up), 3-4pm, Reston Regional Library. Call 703-689-2700 (Reston Regional Library) or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events for reservations.Bats and beavers; foxes and flying squirrels. So many of our favorite animals are nocturnal. Puppets, games and activities help us understand the wildlife that is awake while we are sleeping. FREE

26 Tuesday
Who's Hibernating?
(2-5 yrs.), 10:15-11am, Dranesville Tavern. Call 703-759-9018 (Riverbend Park) for information and reservations. Chipmunks, groundhogs and bats are just a few animals getting ready for hibernation. Meet some of our puppets, do activities and see if hibernating is for you! Reservations and advance payment required. $6/child

27 Wednesday
Furry Foxes
(2-5 yrs.), 10:30-11:15am, Great Falls Library. Call 703-757-8560 (Great Falls Library) or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events for reservations.These wild members of the dog family are a common sight on wintry evenings. Learn about their lives through activities and we'll end by practicing yipping like a fox. FREE

29 Friday - Fairfax County School Holiday
Zoology: Science behind Animal Lives
(7-10 yrs.), 9:30am-3:30pm, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Study the biology and habits of the birds, mammals, reptiles and insects of the Mid-Atlantic region. Campers learn more about these critters and how and where they live. Activities include hikes, observations, art projects and games. $75

February

1 Monday - Fairfax County School Holiday
Animal Vets
(8-12 yrs.), 9:30am-3:30pm, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Spend the day with our exhibit animals. Check their health, weight and size; clean and refresh their tanks; and enjoy some fun activities and games. Wear old clothes. Download camp forms and bring completed to first day of camp. Camp Forms $75

4 Thursday
Let it Snow
(2-5 yrs.), 10:15-11am, Great Falls Grange/Forestville Schoolhouse. Call 703-759-9018 (Riverbend Park) for information and reservations. Put on your fur coat, fluff out your feathers and head on over to learn fun facts about snow. Make your own snowflake and find out how our winter wildlife survives the winter cold. Reservations and advance payment required. $6/child

6 Saturday
Basket Making
(8 yrs. and up), 9am- noon, Riverbend Nature Center. Call 703-759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online to register. Learn to make a Native American style coiled needle basket or a traditional reed basket. Want to walk on the wild side?  Try your hand at a random weave basket. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class. Learn to make a Native American style coiled needle basket or a traditional reed basket. Want to walk on the wild side?  Try your hand at a random weave basket. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class. $35

13 Saturday
Skyline Caverns, Front Royal, VA - Motor coach trip
(13 yrs. and up), 10:30am-4pm. Call 759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online for registration, pick up stops and pricing. No matter what the weather is like outside, the caverns are always a comfortable 54 degrees. See rare Anthodite formations, stunning cave crystals that are only found a few places on Earth. The cavern tour also includes Fairyland Lake, The Capital Dome and a 37 foot Rainbow Waterfall. On the motor coach, a Riverbend Naturalist will discuss the geology of the area and stop at a few points of interest. Lunch will be on your own at a local restaurant. Transportation is by charter motor coach equipped with reclining seats. Seating is first come, first served.

19 Friday
Fireside Stories - Extremely Cool Critters
(Families), 6:30-7:30pm, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. Gather 'round our indoor fireplace for stories and activities and find out about animals that survive the coldest places in the world!  Reservations and advanced payment required. $4/person

23 Tuesday
Starry Nights
(2-5 yrs.), 10:15-11am, Dranesville Tavern. Call 703-759-9018 (Riverbend Park) for information and reservations. Stars twinkle in the evening sky. Where do they go during the day? Games and activities will introduce your preschooler to the stars and more. Reservations and advance payment required. $6/child

24 Wednesday
Busy Beavers
(2-5 yrs.), 10:30-11:15am, Great Falls Library. Call 703-757-8560 (Great Falls Library)  or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events for reservations. Explore the world of the beaver and then we'll become ‘busy as a beavers' making our own dam. FREE

27 Saturday
Penguins and Polar Bears
(4 yrs.& up), 11am-noon, Reston Regional Library. Call 703-689-2700 (Reston Regional Library) or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events for reservations.Why do penguins and polar bears never meet? How does a penguin keep its eggs warm? Fun activities help us to learn more about these creatures of the ice and about their chilly environment. FREE

 March

11 Thursday
Turtle Time
(2-5 yrs.), 10:15-11am, Great Falls Grange/Forestville Schoolhouse. Call 703-759-9018 (Riverbend Park) for information and reservations. Turtles will soon be on the move. Meet a box turtle, explore the world of reptiles and find out how you can help turtles in your neighborhood. Reservations and advance payment required. $6/child

12 Friday
March of the Salamanders
(7 yrs. and up), 8-9pm. Assist a park naturalist with a spotted salamander survey. Learn about these secretive amphibians as they march to pools to lay their eggs. $5/person

13 Saturday
Night Sky Festival
(All ages), 6:30-8:30pm, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. This year's festival will feature Saturn. Activities include guided star gazing, looking through a telescope and listening to ancient stories about the constellations around the campfire. Join in other activities and games throughout the evening. Hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and snacks will be available for purchase. Canceled if raining or snowing. Reservations recommended for groups of 10 or more. $5/person

15 Monday 
Return of the Amphibians
(4 yrs. & up), 3-4pm, Reston Regional Library. Call 703-689-2700 (Reston Regional Library) or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events for reservations. Hop on over and meet a toad, find out what's for lunch and participate in amphibian fun activities. FREE

20 Saturday
Impressionists in Washington, DC
(13 yrs. and up), 10:30am-4pm. Call 759-9018 or visit Parktakes Online for registration, pick up stops and pricing. Monet, Manet, Cezanne and other impressionists headed out-of-doors, "en plein air", in order to capture the ever changing moods of light, atmosphere, landscapes and seasons. Guided by a Riverbend Artist Group member, explore the impressionists: their lives, influences and paintings. Lunch is on your own in the museum cafeteria. We will visit the museum shop. Transportation is by charter motor coach equipped with reclining seats. Seating is first come, first served.

23 Tuesday
Fly, Hop or Run
(2-5 yrs.), 10:15-11am, Dranesville Tavern. Call 703-759-9018 (Riverbend Park) for information and reservations. Animals are busy in springtime. Through activities and games, find out where the birds, toads and other animals have been all winter. Reservations and advance payment required. $6/child

26 Friday
Riverside Campfire - Spring Has Sprung
(Families), 6:30-7:30pm, Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018. With games and activities we will explore why animals are now waking from hibernation and returning from migration. S'mores provided. Come early if you want to bring a picnic or hotdogs to toast. Bring toasting sticks, blanket and flashlight. Reservations and advanced payment required. $4/person