Hidden Pond Nature Center

CONTACT INFORMATION: The Nature Center is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays), and weekends from 12-5 p.m.
703-451-9588 TTY 711
8511 Greeley Blvd.
Springfield, Virginia
Jim Serfass
Manager

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Hidden Pond Nature Center Field Trips and Outreach

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Request a Reservation

Fairfax County Park Authority Field Trip Programs at Hidden Pond Nature Center

  • Reservation Information:
    • Create a customized program and select from options below.
    • Each station lasts for 30 minutes unless specified.
    • Information about topics each station entails, the options for each station and the SOLs to which they apply are included.
    • Stations and options that are available for outreach are noted.
    • Programs require a minimum of 15 students and can accommodate up to 75 students.
    • The Request a Reservation Form is a request. Hidden Pond staff will contact you to confirm the selected date and will send an invoice.
    • When securing times, acronyms are defined below:
    • OU- Outreach at the school
    • AM-Morning field trip times
    • PM-Afternoon field trip times
  • Field Trip Fees

 

Note: Each station lasts 30 minutes

Description: Learn about wildlife ranging from reptiles and amphibians to bugs. Get a hands-on, up-close experience with live animals.

Seven options, all available for Outreach:

  • Virginia Native Wildlife
    Learn about animals at the nature center in the park’s standard and most popular animal talk.
    o K.7 a, c
    o 1.5 a, b, c
    o 2.4 a
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.5 b, c; 3.8 b
    o 4.5 a, c, e; 4.9 b
    o 5.5 b, c
  • Bugs
    Learn about creepy crawlies, their life cycles, and the adaptations that help them survive.
    o K.7 c
    o 1.5 b, c
    o 2.4 a
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.5 a, c; 3.8 b
    o 4.5 a, e; 4.9 b
    o 5.5 b, c
  • Life Cycles
    What is a life cycle? Which animals have them? How do animals grow? Learn about animals that undergo metamorphosis and how they survive in their environment.
    o K.7 c, K.9 c
    o 2.4 a
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.8 b
    o 4.5 a, e; 4.9 b
  • Animal Adaptations
    Animals need a good offense or defense to survive in the wild. Learn about adaptations animals have developed and how they are used.
    o K.7 a
    o 1.5 a, b
    o 2.5 b
    o 3.5 b, c; 3.6 a, b
    o 4.5 a, d; 4.9 b
    o 5.5 c
  • Seasonal Changes (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter options)
    Discover how animals adapt to the changing of seasons, which animals are in the county at each time of year, and what the new seasons bring.
    o K.7 a, c; K.9 c
    o 1.5 a
    o 2.4 a; 2.5 a, b, c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.8 a, b; 3.10 a
    o 4.5 a, d, e;  4.9 b
    o 5.5 c
  • Wetlands
    Learn what a wetland is, the animals that inhabit it and how they survive, and why these ecosystems are so important.
    o 2.4 a; 2.5 a, b, c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.6 a, b, c; 3.8 a; 3.10 b, d
    o 4.5 a, b, d, f; 4.9 a, b
    o 5.5 c
    o 6.5 e, f; 6.7 d
  • Mammal Pelts, Skulls and Tracks
    Learn of the mammals that call Fairfax County home. Examine the characteristics that make them unique. 
    o 1.5 b, c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.5 b; 3.8 a
    o 4.5 a; 4.9 b
    o 5.5 b, c

Description:  Discover the wonders of the pond using dip nets to safely catch and release native plants and animals. Available April through June and September through October.

  • Pond Netting
    o K.7 c, d
    o 1.5 a, b, c
    o 2.4 a; 2.5 a, b, c; 2.8 c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.5 a, b, c; 3.6 a; 3.8 b, c; 3.10 a, b
    o 4.5 a, c, f; 4.9 b
    o 5.5 c

Description:  Examine a Hidden Pond habitat, and see which decomposers are at work. Learn where and when to find them. Learn what they do for the ecosystem. 

  • Bug/Decomposers
    o K.7 a, c
    o 1.5 a
    o 2.4 a; 2.5 a, b, c
    o 3.4 a; 3.5 a, b, c; 3.8 a
    o 4.5 a, c, e
    o 5.5 c

Description:  Splash into the streams of Hidden Pond and uncover the life cycles of the creatures that call it home. Learn how to safely catch them and explore what their presence says about stream health. Available April through June and September through October.

  • Stream Study
    o 4.5 a, d, e, f; 4.9 a
    o 6.7 a, b, d, f, g

Description:  Explore the trails in the park’s woods and around the pond. Learn about the plants and animals that live along those trails and the impact of nature and humans on them.

Six options; one available for Outreach

  • Woods Walk
  • Take a short hike into the woods of the Pohick Stream Valley. Learn about the plants and animals that live there. This is the standard and most popular hike.
    o K.7 a, b; K.9 c
    o 1.4 a, c; 1.5 a, b
    o 2.5 a, b; 2.7 c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.5 a, b, c; 3.6 b; 3.10 a
    o 4.4 c, d; 4.5 a; 4.9 b
    o 5.5 c
  • Senses Hike
    Students hike through the Pohick Stream Valley. They explore their senses by listening for wildlife, feeling tree textures, and smelling plants.
    o K.2 a, b; K4 a, b, c, d; K.9 b
    o 1.1 a
  • Pond Walk
    Walk around the pond and observe native animals while learning what they eat and their importance to the ecosystem. We recommend this option only in spring or summer or during warmer months when wildlife is active.
    o K.7 a, b, c; K.9 c
    o 1.4 a; 1.5 a, b
    o 2.4 a; 2.5 a, b; 2.8 c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.5 a, b, c; 3.6 a; 3.8 b; 3.10 a
    o 4.5 a, b, c, d, e; 4.9 a, b
    o 5.5 c
  • Erosion Hike
    Description:  Students look for signs of erosion, areas where erosion has been controlled, and unique rocks and minerals along a trail and stream. They learn to recognize signs of erosion and discuss ways to prevent or reduce it.
    o 2.7 b; 2.8 d
    o 3.7 a, b, c, d
    o 4.9 d
    o 5.7 f, g
  • Seasonal Changes (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter options)
    Walk around the park and observe changing leaves, animals preparing for hibernation, or flowers blossoming. See the changes each season brings.
    o K.7 a, b, c; K.9 c
    o 1.5 a
    o 2.4 a, c; 2.5 a, b, c; 2.8 c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.8 a, b; 3.10 a
    o 4.4 d; 4.5 a; 4.9 b
    o 5.5 c
  • Schoolyard Hike (Outreach Option)
    Hike with a naturalist around your schoolyard and observe local flora and fauna. Learn how they survive in their habitat, human impacts on them, and what a habitat requires to support life. 
    o K.7 a, b
    o 1.4 b; 1.5 a
    o 2.5 a, b, c; 2.8 b, c
    o 3.4 a, b; 3.6 b, c, d; 3.7 a, d; 3.9 d; 3.10 a, b
    o 4.4 d; 4.5 a, d, f; 4.9 b, d

Description:  Engage in a hands on, small-scale demonstration of the erosion process while learning about how it’s caused and how to prevent it.   

  • Erosion Simulation
    o 2.7 b; 2.8 d
    o 3.7 a, b, c, d; 3.10 c
    o 3.7 a, b, c, d; 3.10 c

Description:  Learn about rocks and minerals, the layers of the earth, plate tectonics and more in this station.   

  • Rocks and Minerals Talk
    o 3.7 a, b, c, d
    o 4.9 c
    o 5.7 a, b, c, d

Public Outreach Programs

Hidden Pond offers public outreach programs that bring nature to you. Outreach topics are similar to field trip topics and can be adapted to your needs. Look through the list of field trip programs to see outreach options. Programs that can be conducted outside of the park are noted. Call the park for details at 703-451-9588.

  • The minimum is 60 minutes. It can be split into two 30-minute presentations. 

Fees:

  • First hour: $175
  • First hour with live animals: $200
  • Each additional hour: $100
  • A $50 fee is added for each additional instructor for outreach programs that require more than two instructors.

Programs / Activities

Birdwatching
Birthdays
Campfires
Classes and Camps
Events in the Park
Field Trips
Hidden Pond On Your Own
Plants and Wildlife
Pohick Rangers
Scouts

Facilities / Rentals

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Trails
Visitor Center

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