Park Authority

Explore a world of learning through our engaging homeschool programs available at Fairfax County Parks and Rec Centers. Designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for learning, our programs offer a diverse range of educational experiences for homeschoolers. From interactive science labs to history programs and physical activities, our offerings can help enrich your child's educational journey.

The Park Authority has more than 15 course offerings available, including:

• Homeschool Science- Vertebrate Classification (6-12 years) at Huntley Meadows Park (Sunday, Feb. 11, noon to 2 p.m., $14)
• Homeschool at the Lake Winter (7-12 years) at Burke Lake Park (Monday, Feb. 12, 10 to11:30 a.m., $12)
• Mapping the Past for Homeschoolers at Historic Huntley (Wednesday, Feb. 21, 1 to 3 p.m., $14)
• Homeschool at the Lake Winter (7-12 years) at Lake Accotink Park (Thursday, Feb. 22, 2 to 3:30 p.m., $12)
• Homeschool at the Lake Winter (7-12 years) at Burke Lake Park (Monday, Feb. 26, 10 to 11:30 a.m., $12)
• Homeschool Environmental Science (8-14 years) at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (Feb. 29 through March 21, 1:30-3 p.m., $49)
• Homeschool Stroke & Swim (9-17 years) at South Run Rec Center (Feb. 28 through April 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m., $129)

Join us in creating a dynamic and supportive community for homeschool families where educational exploration meets fun!

Register for Homeschool programs

For the second year in a row, Laurel Hill Golf Club received the prestigious Weddy Award for Best Golf Club venue presented by Brides & Weddings Magazine. The 2024 Weddy Awards celebrate excellence in the wedding and event industry. The award reaffirms Laurel Hill Golf Course’s dedication to providing an outstanding venue and event planning for weddings and special events.

“We are so honored to receive this award. At Laurel Hill, we are committed to the thoughtful planning and execution of events. From a beautifully arranged banquet room to delicious food, we strive to provide an elevated and seamless experience for couples on their special day,” said event director Marisa Devin.

Laurel Hill Golf Club’s open, rolling terrain with scenic views and rich history is perfect for couples who envision a golf club as the backdrop for their wedding. Laurel Hill features an elegant 9,400-square-foot clubhouse and Tower Grill restaurant as the site's centerpiece.

Beyond providing beautiful overlooks for memorable photos, Laurel Hill ensures an all-inclusive experience with customizable packages tailored to their guests' specific needs. The attentive staff and attention to detail ensures that every aspect of the experience is thoughtfully curated, promising a great event.

Brides & Weddings Magazine is a complimentary planning guide available in jewelry and department stores, reception sites, bridal salons and wedding shows. In this publication, couples can find valuable planning advice and local wedding vendors.

Laurel Hill Golf Club is located at 8701 Laurel Hill Crest Drive in Lorton. It is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority. For more information, visit the Laurel Hill Golf Club website.

When Fairfax County Public Schools are on break, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) offers a full roster of camps that are sure to keep children entertained and engaged. Camps focus on everything from the arts to sports, from STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to cooking, and from gaming to nature exploration.

Sign your child up for an exciting, fun-filled day at camp during upcoming school holidays this winter and spring:

• Feb. 19 (Presidents Day Holiday)
• March 25 to 29 (Spring Break)
• April 1 and 2 (Student Holiday)
• April 10 (Eid Holiday)
• May 3 (Student Holiday)

Don’t forget Summer Camps! Many spaces remain open for summer camps that run from mid-June through August.

For all camp details, registration and a variety of planning resources – such as the 2024 Camp Guide and Camp Spreadsheet – visit the Park Authority Camps website. 

Register today! All camp spaces are open on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information or assistance, please email camps@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Embark on a journey of cultural richness and historical significance this Black History Month with several programs in Fairfax County parks. Join us in honoring and exploring the vibrant tapestry of Black heritage though interactive events, programs, exhibits and offerings for all ages.

Programs and Events

• Black History Month at Historic Frying Pan Church, Frying Pan Farm Park, Feb. 3 and Feb. 17, noon-2 p.m., Free.
• Paths of Freedom Seekers, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Feb. 11, 1-2 p.m., $8.
• Preserving Our Legacy: A Workshop for Black Cemetery Owners and Stakeholders, Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center Auditorium Feb. 17, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., Free.
• Remembering Metilda- An Enslaved Child at the Mill, Colvin Run Mill, Feb. 17, 1-2 p.m., $9.
• Enslaved Lives and the Legacy of Slavery, Historic Huntley, Feb. 17, 1-2 p.m., $12.

Workshops, Exhibits and Activities

• Getaway-Frederick Douglass Home & Portrait Gallery, Green Spring Gardens Park, Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $89.
• Special Black History Month Exhibit: "On One Farm—The Women of Walney, 1853-1862," Exhibit is on display through Mar. 26. Ellanor C Lawrence Park, Free.
• Celebrate Black Athletes in Sports and Recreation, Oakmont Rec Center, display available through Feb. 29.
• Black History Month at Oakmont Rec Center.
  • Take a picture with the LOVE Sign at Oakmont that features Black History Month colors.
  • Explore achievements of Black Inventors throughout the years in the Oakmont Minigolf Story Walk.
• Honor Black Musical Artists.
  • All Rec Centers Drop-In Fitness Classes will be showcasing songs by Black artists during many of the classes.
  • South Run Rec Center will offer music that celebrates Black culture and artists during Anne Hugill’s Zumba class at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.
• Black Athletes in Fairfax County.
  • Providence Rec Center will be showcasing a different athlete from Fairfax County each week. The rec center will display a banner that tells the story of Edwin B. Henderson, who introduced D.C. to basketball in 1907.

To learn more about Black History and culture in Fairfax County Parks or to participate in any of the programs above, visit the Black History Month webpage.

View the Black History Month flyer

Are you looking for creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day? The Fairfax County Park Authority has many activities to usher in the big day of adoration. Whether you are into chocolate, animals, do-it-yourself crafts or good ol’ fashion togetherness, love is all around in our parks! Check out these fun activities to enjoy the holiday that commemorates love.

• Nature DIY Valentines, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Saturday, Feb. 10, 3-4 p.m., $9.
• Valentine's Cookie Decorating, Burke Lake Park, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6-7 p.m., $8.
• Valentine’s Day Science, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6-7 p.m., $8.
• How to Say ‘Be Mine’ in the Animal World, Burke Lake Park, Saturday, Feb. 17, 1-2 p.m., $8.
• Valentine's Disco Skate and Dance Night, Franconia Rec Center, Saturday, Feb. 17, 6-9 p.m., $10/$15.

For more information or to register, visit the Seasonal Events in the Park webpage.

More than a dozen eager kids, joined by their excited parents, celebrated the opening of a brand-new space at Cub Run Rec Center especially for them. The new room at Cub Run Rec Center is designed as an inviting and engaging space for kids ages 6 months to 10 years to enjoy, while their parents come to get in a workout, swim laps, participate in classes or relax in the spa.

In the room, children can play with toys and games, work on crafts, and enjoy reading or other age-appropriate activities. The brand-new, open playroom features a separate area for infants and toddlers who are not walking. Park Authority staff ensure that children are kept entertained while adults are able to use the Rec Center.

Everything about the space — from the drop cloud features to make the space feel smaller and the specialty space for crawling children, to the calming colors and playful decorative features, such as our pencil wall protectors — was intentionally selected to provide a calming, engaging and fun environment for children. Safety is also paramount with all staff supervising the children required to be certified in First Aid and CPR, while adhering to the Virginia Department of Social Services child-to-staff ratio standards.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board welcomed Johna Toomey as the newest member of the Park Authority Board. Toomey was appointed to the Park Authority Board as an at-large member by Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.

Toomey has more than 20 years of experience in public policy, strategic planning, education and business. She is CEO of Learn Thrive Grow Academic Support, a serial entrepreneur, and has served in several senior federal government and corporate posts, including advising the U.S. Secretary of State as a member of the Policy Planning Staff and serving as a senior director at a government relations consultancy. She obtained her bachelor of arts in international relations from Mount Vernon College at The George Washington University and her juris doctor from George Mason School of Law.

Toomey has deep personal and professional ties to Fairfax County and is a dedicated advocate and fundraiser for environmental and parks issues. She served as a member of the Steering Committee and Corporate Outreach Committee Chair for Plant NOVA Natives, raising corporate funding for tree planting and invasives removal throughout the county’s park system.

She was also a member of the Fairfax County Tree Policy Working Group and the Fair Parks Initiative, where she advocated for policies and funding to preserve the county’s tree canopy and advance equity. In 2023, she and her colleagues were recognized for their work by FCPA with the Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award. Additionally, Toomey is a member of the McLean Citizens Association, Environmental, Parks & Recreation Committee.

Toomey is a resident of McLean and enjoys walking and spending time on the extensive trails in the county's park system with her husband, Nathan and daughter, Schuyler.

Toomey’s term ends in December 2027.

Join the Fairfax County Park Authority for an exciting day of gardening delight as Washington Gardener Magazine proudly co-hosts the Annual Seed Exchange at Green Spring Gardens.

The event on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. promises a gardening experience with insightful lectures, engaging discussions and a seed swap.

It costs $15 to participate if you are a member of the Friends of Green Spring (FROGS) or if you are a Washington Gardener subscriber. It’s $20 for the rest.

Register for the Washington Seed Exchange

Bring your surplus seeds for a lively exchange, and depart with a bountiful bag of seeds, newfound gardening companions and expert planting advice. Discover the joy of cultivating connections within the gardening community at this must-attend event.

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. For more information, visit the Green Spring Gardens website or call 703-642-5173.

As the sap begins to flow and the maple trees are tapped, Colvin Run Mill invites you to embrace the winter warmth by our fire. Immerse yourself in the fascinating process of maple syrup production. Discover the secrets behind why trees produce sap and witness the art of sap collection through tree tapping.

Experience the magic as the sap is expertly boiled down to create the delectable maple syrup that graces our tables. Indulge your taste buds by sampling this liquid gold on cornbread made with Colvin Run Mill grains.

Join us on Saturday, Feb. 10 and on two Sundays on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25 for a Maple Syrup Boil Down. Choose times between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This program is tailored for groups, families and children aged 6 and older.

Register for Maple Syrup Boil Down

While you're here, explore the historic mill, delve into the Miller's House exhibit, and peruse the offerings at our charming general store.

Don't miss this enjoyable and educational experience for all at Colvin Run Mill!

Colvin Run Mill is located at 10017 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls. For more information, visit the Colvin Run Mill website or call 703-759-2771.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board held its annual election of officers at its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The board re-elected Braddock District Representative Kiel Stone as chairman; Sully District Representative Maggie Godbold as vice chair; Franconia District Representative Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter as secretary; and Dranesville District Representative Timothy B. Hackman as treasurer.

Chairman Stone was appointed to represent the Braddock District on the Park Authority Board in 2017. Chairman Stone currently serves as associate director for the Business for a Better World Center at George Mason University, where he is also a doctoral candidate in the Environmental Science and Policy Program. He is a strong advocate for the Park Authority’s stewardship of the environment and the county’s natural open spaces, and the importance of community involvement in county parks.

Vice Chair Godbold joined the Park Authority Board in 2016, serving as the Sully District representative. Vice Chair Godbold is a retiree and an active community volunteer. Before her retirement, she worked as a certified project management professional and was a consultant, providing system engineering and management services for the federal government. She is a Northern Virginia native and has been a resident of the Sully District for more than 30 years.

Secretary Carter was appointed to the Park Authority Board in 2016, representing the Franconia District. Before her appointment, Secretary Carter also served on the Fairfax County Park Foundation board. She is currently the senior advancement officer at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She currently heads the Harriet Tubman Legacy Society and is helping to build an endowment for the museum.

Treasurer Hackman joined the board in 2016 and is a retired IBM executive. He served two terms as president of Friends of Riverbend Park, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of Riverbend Park on the Potomac River. He is the recipient of several awards for his dedication to community service and has worked with the Park Authority and the Dranesville District on multiple projects.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board is appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and sets policy and establishes priorities for the park agency. Board officers are elected by the representatives on the board on an annual basis. For more information, visit the Park Authority Board website.