Alert:
Active construction is anticipated to be completed in time for an estimated opening to the public in late Fall 2023. Residents should expect occasional construction traffic entering and exiting the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park/Cabell’s Mill entrance. The park is located at 5235 Walney Road in Centerville, VA.
Step by Step Instructions to Request a Field Trip Date: Read all instructions before beginning your booking process
If you are requesting a date less than two weeks in advance, please call the park for availability.
Please note that sites limit the total number of students per day. Larger groups may be accommodated over multiple days.
Please use the “Request a Reservation” button above to check field trip availability and make your reservation request. You will receive a confirmation email once your request is processed. If you need help checking availabilities, making your reservation, or if you need to request a date less than two weeks in advance, please contact us by phone at 703-631-0013 or email at Karen.Monroe@FairfaxCounty.gov.
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park is well suited to reinforce students’ knowledge of Virginia history and natural resources. Its 650 acres feature historic structures, evidence of past land use, and diverse natural habitats. Students can see firsthand the relationships among plants, animals and their environments and human impacts on the natural world. The Walney Visitor Center features a live animal display and exhibits about the parkland’s history.
Explore the life cycles and habitats of Reptiles and Amphibians. Then meet reptiles and amphibians that reside at the Walney Visitor Center in a hands-on exploration.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, and 4.3.
1 hour
Students explore the characteristics of the current season by using their senses to make observations on this fun and interactive trail walk.
SOLs addressed include Science K.5, 1.7, and 2.7.
1 hour
Act in a play to learn about our smallest friends. Explore the life cycle of ants as you role-play. Observe ants in the wild and identify the physical characteristics of ants.
SOLs addressed include Science K.6, K.7, and 1.5.
1 hour
Students investigate the physical and biological characteristics of a pond habitat through hands-on collection and release of aquatic insects and other pond dwellers. Naturalists discuss the interdependency of life at the pond, habitat characteristics, and how human actions affect water quality and aquatic habitat life. This program meets at Walney Pond.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, and 3.8.
1 hour
Explore the life cycles and habitats of Reptiles and Amphibians. Then meet reptiles and amphibians that reside at the Walney Visitor Center in a hands-on exploration.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, and 4.3.
1 hour
Students investigate the physical and biological characteristics of a pond habitat through hands-on collection and release of aquatic insects and other pond dwellers. Naturalists lead observation and discussion of the interdependency of life at the pond, habitat characteristics, and how human actions affect water quality and life in aquatic habitats. This program meets at Walney Pond.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, and 3.8.
1 hour
Explore the life cycles and habitats of Reptiles and Amphibians. Then meet reptiles and amphibians that reside at the Walney Visitor Center in a hands-on exploration.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, and 4.3.
1 hour
Students learn the basics of tree biology, identification and the important roles trees, both dead and alive, play in the environment through an interactive game, discussions and a trail walk. Depending on the season, naturalists guide students in tree identification by examining and comparing leaves, barks, twigs and/or seeds.
SOLs addressed include Science 1.4 and 2.4.
1 hour
Students explore what life may have been like for Eastern Woodland Indians and the relationship they had with the land that is now Fairfax County. Students rotate among three stations to learn about Native American culture, skills and jobs practiced in this area, and the use and stewardship of natural resources. Activities include listening to a story from Native American lore around the campfire, corn grinding, a corn dart game, and a trail hike in search of native plants and animals. Naturalists talk about the material evidence these peoples and those who came before them left behind.
SOLs addressed include HSS 2.3 and VS.2.
1.5 hours
Students investigate the physical and biological characteristics of a pond habitat through hands-on collection and release of aquatic insects and other pond dwellers. Naturalists discuss the interdependency of life at the pond, habitat characteristics and how human actions affect water quality and the life in aquatic habitats. This program meets at Walney Pond.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, and 3.8.
1 hour
Explore the life cycles and habitats of Reptiles and Amphibians. Then meet reptiles and amphibians that reside at the Walney Visitor Center in a hands-on exploration.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, and 4.3.
1 hour
Students discover the part they play in soil and water conservation by exploring a water droplet journey; taking a short trail hike to investigate living soil, see how the decomposition process creates new soil, and observe the impact of erosion on a forest; and experimenting with the infiltration rates of different soil types by creating their own soil mixture.
SOLs addressed include Science 2.3, 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8.
1.5 hours
Students explore what life may have been like for Eastern Woodland Indians and the relationship they had with the land that is now Fairfax County. Students rotate among three stations to learn about Native American culture, skills and jobs practiced in this area, and the use and stewardship of natural resources. Activities include listening to a story from Native American lore around the campfire, corn grinding, a corn dart game, and a trail hike in search of native plants and animals. Naturalists talk about the material evidence these peoples and those who came before them left behind.
SOLs addressed include HSS 2.3 and VS.2.
1.5 hours
What determines, in part, which animals call Ellanor C. Lawrence Park their home? Students use critical thinking and observation to answer this question on a guided trail hike. They compare the habitat needs of an assigned animal species with what they identify as suitable food, water, shelter and safe places to raise young in the park.
SOLs addressed include Science 3.4, 3.5, and 4.3.
1 hour
Explore the life cycles and habitats of Reptiles and Amphibians. Then meet reptiles and amphibians that reside at the Walney Visitor Center in a hands-on exploration.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, and 4.3.
1 hour
Explore local watersheds to gain an understanding of the importance of water as a natural resource for all life. Students will determine water quality and compare different aquatic habitats through hands on investigation such as collection and release of benthic macro invertebrates and other aquatic creatures. Naturalist led discussion will include the interdependency of life and the flow of energy in water ecosystems in addition to the effect of human activity on water quality. This program meets at Walney Pond.
SOLs addressed include Science 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 3.5, 3.7, 4.3, 4.8 and 6.8.
1.5 hours
What choices did 19th century residents of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park make to survive the Civil War? Experience the Civil War through the eyes of the soldiers, civilians and enslaved people who lived here. Activities include photo analysis, document analysis, and drilling with a soldier.
SOLs covered include Social Studies VS.7 and USI.9.
2 hours
Students explore what life may have been like for Eastern Woodland Indians and the relationship they had with the land that is now Fairfax County. Students rotate among three stations to learn about Native American culture, skills and jobs practiced in this area, and the use and stewardship of natural resources. Activities include listening to a story from Native American lore around the campfire, corn grinding, a corn dart game, and a trail hike in search of native plants and animals. Naturalists talk about the material evidence these peoples and those who came before them left behind.
SOLs addressed include HSS 2.3 and VS.2.
1.5 hours
Explore the life cycles and habitats of Reptiles and Amphibians. Then meet reptiles and amphibians that reside at the Walney Visitor Center in a hands-on exploration.
SOLs addressed include Science K.7, 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, and 4.3.
1 hour
Explore local watersheds to gain an understanding of the importance of water as a natural resource for all life. Students will determine water quality and compare different aquatic habitats through hands on investigation such as collection and release of benthic macro invertebrates and other aquatic creatures. Naturalist led discussion will include the interdependency of life and the flow of energy in water ecosystems in addition to the effect of human activity on water quality. This program meets at Walney Pond.
SOLs addressed include Science 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 3.5, 3.7, 4.3, 4.8 and 6.8.
1.5 hours
