Alert:
Study the life of a young Eastern Woodland Indian at the time of the first settlement at Jamestown. Compare a child's life today with a child's experience then. In addition to an indoor presentation, play traditional American Indian games, make clay pots and take a trail walk to explore how Native Americans used plants and animals in their daily lives. An additional $1 fee applies per student and chaperone for this field trip.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8-K.10, 1.5, 1.8
History and Social Science SOLs: K.1, K.2, K.6, 1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 3.12
We all grow and change every day, but complete metamorphosis is common only in insects and amphibians. Each student will enjoy a classroom presentation including a felt board story, plant a seed to nurture at home or school, meet a toad (and tadpoles in season), and observe and release their own ladybugs into the wildflower garden or woodland during April to June programs.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8-K.10, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 3.10, 4.5.
Students learn what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur and what characteristics make our favorite dinosaurs special. They explore dinosaurs, paleontology and fossils in this interactive presentation, which includes an outdoor walk and visit with a live animal relevant to dinosaur times.
Students take an entertaining look at the life of insects, with a focus on ants and butterflies. Using live insects when available and specimens, students will explore insect diversity in an urban woodland, life cycles, adaptations, habitat needs and feeding styles. The program includes a trail walk to look for live insects and evidence of their presence.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10.
How do you know what wildlife lives in your backyard, parks and streams if you rarely see animals? Animals leave evidence. Many stay out of sight through camouflage or by being active at different times of the day. This place-based program connects students to the natural community they share with urban wildlife. Students discover local biodiversity — from squirrels to insects to reptiles — through a puppet show, discussions, live and specimen animals, and a nature hike where they look for evidence of animals.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.4, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8.
Plant and animal species cope with seasonal changes in different ways. Students learn how through a puppet show, discussions, live animal presentations, exhibit viewing and a trail walk. On the trail, students look for signs of changes in plant and animal behavior, such as squirrel dreys.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8-K.10, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10.
Spring is a season for growing. Students learn about nature's changes as plants and animals emerge from the winter. Many birds migrate back to our woods to start families, and spring babies abound. The program explores the effects of changing seasons through a puppet show, discussions, live animal presentations and a trail walk. On the trail, students look for signs of changing animal behavior, such as birds nesting, squirrel dreys and tadpoles in the pond.
Science SOLs: K.8-K.10, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6-2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10.
Students focus on squirrels' physical and behavioral adaptations and defenses. They learn how these small animals crack through nuts, use their tails to communicate and act as natural foresters of the woodland. This program compares native gray squirrels with native flying squirrels. Naturalists lead discovery through a puppet show, demonstrations and trail walk, looking for dreys and other signs of gray and flying squirrels.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.7, K.9 1.1,1.5,1.7,1.8,2.1,2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.4, 3.5, 4.5
Students explore what a watershed is, how life in Virginia affects the Chesapeake Bay and beyond, and why these issues matter to families and communities. Through interactive activities and trail walks, they learn key concepts and vocabulary. Students meet live native reptiles and amphibians that depend on a healthy watershed and visit a local stream to learn how to assess stream health and observe erosion and weathering.
Science SOLs: 4.1a, 4.8a
Students venture into the woods to discover how wildlife gets food or avoids being food through adaptations. Animals compete for food, shelter, territory and mates with members of their own and other species. Naturalists lead stations featuring deer, reptiles, squirrels and owls with specimens and hands-on activities. The program is usually conducted along the trail but can be held in the classroom during inclement weather.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.2, K.4, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4-2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8.
History and Social Science SOLs: VS.2a-c, VS.4e, VS.6b-c, USI.2d.
Math SOLs: 4.12a-b
In-County:
Out-of-County:
Programs are tailored for each age group.
Those ideal for preschoolers noted by an asterisk (*).
Live native reptiles and amphibians, such as a snake, turtle and toad, are brought into the classroom to help separate fact from fiction. Students learn how these animals are adapted to be successful in our local environment.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.4, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.7, 3.4-6.
Owls may be the flying tigers of the night, but they still surprise us with their silent flight and keen senses. Through a puppet show and demonstrations, students explore the amazing adaptations of owls.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6.
Explore the life of a young Eastern Woodland Indian during the time of the first settlement at Jamestown. Students compare a child's life today with a child's experience then, play traditional American Indian games and view artifacts of tools and replicas of clothing, jewelry and foodstuffs.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8-K.10, 1.8
History and Social Science SOLs: K.1, K.2, K.3, K.6, 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 3.13, 4.1
Students explore squirrels' adaptations and discover how these small animals crack nuts, communicate with their tails and act as natural foresters of the woodland. Naturalists lead discovery through a puppet show, demonstrations and song.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6.
Plant and animal species cope with seasonal changes in different ways. Students explore how plants and animals prepare for winter through a puppet show, discussions and live animal presentations.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.10.
Learn about nature’s changes as plants and animals emerge from winter. Birds migrate back to our woods to start families, and spring babies abound. Students learn about the effects of changing seasons through a puppet show, discussions and live animal presentations.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.10.
Animals compete for food, shelter, territory and mates with members of their own and other species. Focusing on owls, deer, squirrels and reptiles, students explore different animal adaptations and discover some of their own.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.2, K.4, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8.
Explore metamorphosis from tadpole to frog and larva to adult in insects. Students investigate these creatures' life cycles, habitats and roles in the environment. All programs feature live native animals.
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.10, 4.5.
For information on 7th grade Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences (MWEEs) at Hidden Oaks, contact kristina.watts@fairfaxcounty.gov
Please keep the following in mind to help make your trip a success.
Enjoy lunch before or after the program. Hidden Oaks Nature Center has picnic areas available near the playground that is located within Annandale Community Park. In the case of rain, there may be space available at our picnic shelter. Unless reserved, the shelter is first come, first served. To reserve the picnic shelter, go to Reservable Picnic Shelter or call 703-324-8732.
The fee for four tables under the shelter is $60.
The main parking lot is in Annandale Community Park at the Packard Center, 4022 Hummer Rd. Upon entering the park from Hummer Road, take the right fork of the driveway and park in the back of the lot adjacent to the Packard Center. Look for the arch into the woods and follow the Storybook Trail to Hidden Oaks. This walk is on an ADA- certified paved trail and is about 75 yards. Follow the adventures of woodland creatures as you weave through the woodland. The path leading in front of the Packard Center has steps with railings. Alternatively, you can bear left at the fork of the driveway into the park to the parking lot next to the shelter, playground and ball fields. Follow the marked paths behind the ball field or from the playground behind the shelter. Path is paved.