Montgomery Parks Events & Spring Break Camps

Montgomery Parks will host seasonal events for March as well as special spring events and programs. Several facilities will open for the season in March and Spring Break camps are available for students to enjoy sports, arts and crafts, nature activities and more while they are off from school.

Facility Openings:

March 1 marks the opening of the South Germantown Driving Range. The facility, located at South Germantown Recreational Park, features 40 tee boxes (10 covered), a sand trap training area, synthetic turf putting green, elevated greens and a clubhouse. Montgomery County Golf Academy Instructors are available for lessons. The facility is open Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. March 1 – April 30, with extended hours May – August.
Visit South Germantown Recreational Park website for more information.

Weekend camping opens March 1 at Little Bennett Campground. Full-service camping will be available starting March 28. The campground, located in Little Bennett Regional Park features 91 campsites, more than 30 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and horseback riding, and numerous weekend activities including family films under the stars, guided hikes, hayrides and more. People who don’t have equipment can try camper-ready camping where a campsite is completely set up upon arrival with a four-person tent, two camp chairs, a propane stove and lantern for $25 per night, in addition to the campsite fee. New this year, beginning Feb. 3, online reservations can be made at www.ParkPASS.org.
Visit Little Bennett Campground website for more information.

Olney Manor Skate Park opens March 29 for the season. Located in Olney Manor Recreational Park, the 90-foot by 160-foot Skate Park features a 10-foot bowl, Hubba ledge, steps with handrail, quarter pipes, Fun Box with flat rail, manual pad and pyramid ledge. The skate park is open to skaters (skate board and inline) of all skill levels, ages 4 and up. Skaters 8 and younger must be accompanied by a parent.
Visit Olney Manor Skate website for more information.

Festivals, Special Events and Programs

Montgomery Parks has a variety of family-friendly, affordable (and free) festivals, special events and programs planned throughout March and April. A sampling of offerings is listed below; a complete list is available in the Montgomery County Spring Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs. Copies of the guide are available at select Parks and Recreation facilities, government buildings and libraries, while supplies last.

March 2014 Special Events and Programs

Philadelphia Flower Show Trips
Tuesday, March 4, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Course #245851 Thursday, March 6, 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Course #245852
$89 includes coach transportation and entrance fee.
Register online at www.ParkPASS.org
Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902

Join Brookside Gardens staff on a day trip to the Philadelphia International Flower Show to explore acres of great gardens and learn from some of the world’s most celebrated growers and florists.

Nature Matters Lecture Series:

Patterson Clark-Invasive Plant Harvest: Art from alien weeds Wednesday, March 12, 6:45  – 8 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center
5100 Meadowside Lane
Rockville, MD 20855
Admission is free. Register online at www.ParkPASS.org (Course# 267899)

Patterson Clark, well-known for writing and illustrating The Washington Post’s natural history column Urban Jungle, describes how he taps this bounty and reassembles it into art that refers to its botanical origins.

Montgomery Parks summer Camp Expos:
Meet our naturalists and experienced recreational professionals to learn all about our summer camps. Find the summer camps that are the perfect fit for your children. On-site registration is available at the expos too.

Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m. – Noon
Cabin John Ice Rink
10610 Westlake Drive
Rockville, MD 20852
301.765.8620

More information about individual camps, dates, times and registration details is available at www.ParkPASS.org.

Sunday, March 16, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena
11717 Orebaugh Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
301.905.3000

More information about individual camps, dates, times and registration details is available at www.ParkPASS.org.

St. Patrick’s Day Ice Skating Sessions

Sunday, March 16, 2:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena
11717 Orebaugh Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
$6.50 includes admission and skates
(when you wear something green or Irish) www.WheatonIceArena.com

Monday, March 17, 4:30 – 6:15 p.m.
Cabin John Ice Rink
10610 Westlake Drive
Rockville, MD 20852
$5.00 includes admission and skates
(Two for the price of one if you wear something green or Irish) www.CabinJohnIce.com

Wheaton Sports Pavilion Open House
Sunday, March 30, 1 – 4 p.m.
Wheaton Regional Park
11751 Orebaugh Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
FREE
www.WheatonSportsPavilion.com

Bring the family to Montgomery Parks’ newest facility for an afternoon of fun including family field games, an all-girls soccer clinic and a chance to watch the Montgomery College Raptors scrimmage—both men’s and women’s teams face off.

April 2014 Events

Potomac River Cleanup – Little Seneca Lake Saturday, April 5, 9 – 11 a.m. Black Hill Nature Programs
20926 Lake Ridge Dr.
Boyds, MD 20841

Please wear shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy, and bring a water bottle. No reservations needed – just show up to help! Meet at the Visitor Center. Individuals and Groups are welcome. For more information contact: Katrina Fauss, Katrina.Fauss@ MontgomeryParks.org, or call 301.528.3482.

Nature Matters Lecture Series:
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a RoboRaven!
Wednesday, April 9, 6:45 – 8 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center
5100 Meadowside Lane
Rockville, MD 20855
Admission is free. Register online at www.ParkPASS.org (Course # 267900)

RoboRaven, a micro aerial vehicle (MAV) with independent, programmable wings, was introduced in 2013 by University of Maryland professors, S.K. Gupta and Hugh Bruck. Join Professor Gupta for an interesting presentation and discussion on these amazing ‘featherless birds.’

History in the Parks Opening Day Celebrations

Special Night Hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail: Voices of the Underground Railroad* Friday, April 4, 7 – 9 p.m. Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Admission: $5
www.ParkPASS.org (Course #275649)

*Free guided tours on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail are offered every Saturday April 5 – Nov. 1 starting at 10 a.m.

Journey back to the 1800s during this special night hike and meet persons of the past.

Guided Cabin Tours and “Celebrating African Rhythms through Dance & Song”
*Saturday, April 5, Noon – 4 p.m.
Oakley Cabin African-American Museum & Park
3610 Brookeville Road
Olney, MD 20832
Free

*Free guided tours of Oakley Cabin are offered the second and fourth Saturdays from Noon – 4 p.m., April 12 – Nov. 1.

Join the fun at Oakley Cabin for an African dance workshop, crafts and games for children. Explore an archaeology dig with Montgomery Parks’ archaeologists.

Tennis Play Days “Red Ball” (4 – 8 years old)

Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. – Noon
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis
7801 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20817
www.CabinJohnTennis.com
$12 www.ParkPASS.org (Course #274409)

Saturday, April 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wheaton Regional Park
11715 Orebaugh Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
www.WheatonTennis.com
$12 www.ParkPASS.org (Course #275199)

Red Ball Tennis Play Days are perfect for children, ages 4 – 8 years old, who are brand new to tennis. Participants play short matches on 36-foot courts with the “red ball.” Players should be able to attempt serving, rally and keep score.

Tennis Play Days “Orange Ball” (9 – 10 years old)

Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. – Noon
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis
7801 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20817
www.CabinJohnTennis.com
$12 www.ParkPASS.org (Course #274409)

Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wheaton Regional Park
11715 Orebaugh Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
www.WheatonTennis.com
$12 www.ParkPASS.org (Course #275199)

“Orange Ball” Tennis Play Days are suited for children ages 9 – 10 years old who are slightly more experienced. Participants will play matches on 60-foot courts with the “orange ball.” Players should be able to serve, rally and keep score.

The 18th Annual Gas & Steam Engine Show

Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Agricultural History Farm Park
18400 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD 20855
Free admission and parking
For more info call 301).253.2673 or visit www.FriendsoftheFarmPark.org

Join The Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park to see and learn about gas engines and tractors, antique cars and trucks and steam engines. Live country music, hay wagon rides, kiddie tractor pull and more.

Annual Egg Hunt
Friday, April 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center
5100 Meadowside Lane
Rockville, MD 20855
Admission: $8, sessions start every half-hour.

Search for real eggs through our meadows, then dye and decorate the ones you find. Enjoy other spring-related activities throughout the day. Fun for the entire family! Reservations are required at www.ParkPASS.org (Course # 271349)

Native Plant Sale
Friday, April 25, 3 – 7 p.m.; Sat. April 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sun. April 27, 1 – 3 p.m. Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs (FOBH)
20926 Lake Ridge Dr.
Boyds, MD 20841
www.BlackHillNature.org
Call 301.528.3484 for information on species and possible pre-orders.

Save the Frogs Day
Saturday, April 26, Noon – 4 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center
7777 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20817
$3 Register online at www.ParkPASS.org (Course # 268499)

Celebrate “International Save the Frogs Day” and learn all about our vanishing amphibians and why these good natured bouncers need our help. We’ll explore the pond to wonder at tadpoles, sing in our own frog chorus, and try our hand at drawing frogs for fun.

15 Days of Garlic Mustard: Help Save the Forest April 19 – May 3, 2014, Sign up for locations and times at www.WeedWarrior.org
Free, approved for student service learning hour credits

Join Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior staff and volunteers to celebrate the Weed Warriors 15 years of saving forests. Help rid forests of garlic mustard for 15 days to mark the 15th anniversary. Training is provided before or during the events.

Spring Bunny Hop Skate
Saturday, April 19
Noon – 2 p.m. at Cabin John Ice Rink
4 – 6 p.m. at Wheaton Ice Arena
$6.50 includes admission and skates.

Cabin John Ice Rink
10610 Westlake Drive
Rockville, MD 20852
$6.50 includes admission and skates
www.CabinJohnIce.com

Wheaton Ice Arena
11717 Orebaugh Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
$6.50 includes admission and skates
www.WheatonIceArena.com

Third Annual Olney Manor SK8FEST
Friday, April 25, 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Olney Manor Skate Park
16601 Georgia Avenue
Olney, MD 20832
$10 by April 22; $15 April 23 and later
Register online at www.ParkPASS.org (Course #273649)

Participate in contests for prizes. T-shirts and refreshments will be provided for all contestants. Three age groups include “Under 10,” “11 – 15” and “16 and over.”

Spring Break Camps

Sign your kids up to spend spring break in Montgomery Parks. Spring Break camps are available with activities on many different interests including nature, archaeology, ice skating, tennis and more, offered at locations across Montgomery County for students ages 6 – 12 years old. More information about individual camps, dates, times and registration details is available at www.ParkPASS.org.

The miniature train at Cabin John Regional Park and miniature train and carousel at Wheaton Regional Park will be open Saturday, April 12 – Monday, April 21 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. for spring break. Tickets are available at the park.