Can we bring our own food or have food delivered?

Yes, you may bring your own food and drinks or have food delivered. If ordering delivery, make sure to provide the driver with the correct address, as it’s easy to get lost in the park.

• Visitor Center: 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls
• Nature Center: 8814 Jeffrey Road, Great Falls

Yes, decorations are welcome if they do not harm wildlife or damage park property.

Prohibited items include:

• Balloons or water balloons
• Moon bounces or inflatable equipment
• Noisemakers
• Grills
• Piñatas
• Glitter, confetti or silly string

Decorations may be attached to indoor walls with blue painter’s tape only. Tape will be provided. These rules are also listed in your contract. 

Will there be access to bathrooms? 

Yes, restrooms are available at both locations:

• The Nature Center has two indoor restrooms.
• The Visitor Center has outdoor public restrooms located on the deck.

Can I visit the space before the party? 

You’re welcome to visit the outdoor areas of the park ahead of time. The Nature Center is not open for drop-in visits, as it is a private building. If staff availability allows, you may request a meeting with the birthday party coordinator to see the space, but advance meetings cannot be guaranteed. 

How long is the party? 

Birthday parties last three hours total, including setup and cleanup. Here’s how the time is typically used:

• 30 minutes for setup before the party start time
• 1 hour and 30 minutes for the naturalist-led program
• 30 minutes for food, cake, presents and other activities
• 30 minutes for cleanup

Please note that all decorations and personal items must be removed, and the space fully cleaned, by your scheduled end time.

How early can we arrive to set up? 

You may arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled start time to set up. For example, if your party is scheduled from 2–4 p.m., you may begin setup at 1:30 p.m. 

How long is the naturalist-led portion? 

The naturalist-led program lasts about 90 minutes. The remaining time is reserved for food, presents and other activities.

If you’d prefer a shorter program to allow more time for your own activities, please contact the birthday party coordinator before your party date to discuss options. 

How many guests can attend? 

Parties are limited to 20 children and 20 adults, for a maximum of 40 guests total. Paddling parties are limited to 10 children. Guest limits are strictly enforced due to fire code requirements and staff availability.

Is adult supervision required? 

Yes. A minimum of one adult for every five children is required at all times, for both indoor and outdoor activities. 

Will tables be provided? 

Yes, picnic tables are available at both locations for food, presents and decorations. Tablecloths are not provided, so please plan to bring your own.  

Parties are responsible for setting up and cleaning up the party space. This includes bagging trash and putting furniture back where it was. Our staff will help with this and can provide cleaning supplies as needed. 

What happens if it rains or snows? 

Weather impacts depend on the party type, location and road conditions:

• Many parties, especially those at the Nature Center, can be moved indoors.
• Outdoor Recreation and Campfire Fun parties must remain outdoors and may need to be rescheduled or canceled.

If a party is canceled due to weather, a full refund will be issued. 

When is payment due and how do I pay? 

Full payment is due when the signed contract is submitted. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, cash, or check. To pay by phone, call the Visitor Center front desk at 703-759-9018 during business hours [link to ops hours page].

When are contracts and forms due? 

All contracts, payments and required forms must be submitted at least three weeks before the party date. If this deadline is missed, the time slot will be forfeited. 

What is the refund policy?

• Cancellations made at least three weeks in advance receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee.
• No refunds are issued for cancellations within three weeks of the party date.
• Full refunds are provided for weather-related cancellations.
• In case of illness, a partial refund will be issued, or you may work with the party coordinator to reschedule. 

Are birthday parties offered year-round? 

No. Birthday parties are not available from June through mid-August due to summer camp programming and staff availability. 

Cost

• $300 for 3 hours
  • Ages 6 and older
  • Maximum: 20 children

NOTE: These programs can be held at any time of the day but we recommend after 5 p.m.

Please choose from the following subtopics:

• Games after Dark – Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean you need to stop playing! Get your friends together and come play glow-in-the-dark lawn games, capture the flag or flashlight tag and compete for prizes in a blacklight scavenger hunt. End the night with s’mores around the campfire.
• Nocturnal Animals - Hooo hoooo's out in these woods after dark? Learn about what animals have adapted to come out at night and touch real pelts and skulls. Enjoy a scavenger hunt to look for animals hidden in the woods and call for owls! End the night with s’mores and stories around the campfire.
• Mock Camping – Enjoy the experience of camping with your friends and family without the hassle of planning an overnight trip. Learn to put up a tent or hammock, how to safely build a fire and how to navigate using a compass. End the night in your sleeping bag with s’mores and stories around the campfire. Bring some food to cook over the fire!

Cost

• $325 for 3 hours
  • Ages 6 and older
  • Maximum: 20 children

Please choose from the following subtopics:

• Kitchen Chemistry - Put on your apron and whip up some edible experiments with ingredients from your own kitchen! Explore science through hands-on activities: learn about melting and freezing points as you make ice cream, test pH levels with color-changing tea, discover polarity with a magic milk experiment, and create non-Newtonian fluids by making your own edible birthday cake playdough.
• Art in the Park - Discover the shapes, colors, textures and patterns hidden in the natural world through scientific exploration. Paint with natural dyes, sculpt with clay and use natural materials to make artful masterpieces!
• Escape the Nature Center – In this adapted version of the very popular Escape Room games, race against the clock to solve puzzles and unlock secret codes to help our turtle Tortuga complete her mission to save the trapped animals! This is a fast-paced, exciting, critical-thinking adventure your friends are sure to love.

Cost

• $350 for 3 hours
  • Ages 8 and older
  • Maximum: 20 children(10 max for paddling)

NOTE: Kayaking participants must sign a waiver and be accompanied by a parent/guardian

Please choose from the following subtopics:

• Fishing Fun - Go fishing with an avid angler on the Potomac River. Use different baits and lures to target fish such as sunfish, smallmouth and channel catfish from shore. Play games such as the casting competition and fish measurement games to learn angling skills and learn sustainable fishing practices.
• Paddle the Potomac – Ready to explore the Upper Potomac by boat? Paddle to Beal Island and the rock garden with your friends and family. Go dip netting to discover aquatic life down below. Price of program includes boat rentals. Must fill out and return waivers in order to participate. Availability is limited due to weather constraints and conflicts with weekend boating programs. Please reach out at least two months in advance to schedule.
• Survival Skills – Do you have what it takes to survive in the great outdoors? Learn essential life skills for meeting your basic needs in the wilderness. Activities may include using a compass, starting a primitive fire, foraging responsibly, tying knots and building a lean-to shelter from items in the park.