Explorations
May 2008
Audubon Naturalist Society
Over 300 education programs for children and adults. Outdoor explorations, bird walks, family activities, summer camp, birthday parties, school programs, natural history classes, weekend trips, domestic and international travel. Open to the public dawn to dusk. Nature sanctuaries: Chevy Chase, MD and Leesburg, VA. Sanctuary Shop, (Bird seed, books, gifts), Chevy Chase. 301-652-9188, ext. 61.
www.audubonnaturalist.org, 8940 Jones Mill Rd., Chevy Chase, MD,
Butler's Orchard
A family farm offering pick-your-own berries and other crops, cut-your-own flowers and cut-your-own Christmas trees. Plus gourmet treats and country gifts at our Farm Market; evening hayrides; birthday parties; special group outings; Pumpkin Festival in October and other family activities.
www.butlersorchard.com, 22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD, 301-972-3299.
Clark's Elioak Farm
Available daily: petting farm, hay rides, pony rides, Enchanted Forest attractions, playground and play area, picnic area, country store, kids' jump course. Birthday parties and tours also available.
www.clarklandfarm.com, 10500 Route 198, Ellicott City, MD, 410-730-4049.
Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia
JCCNV hosts ever-changing fine-art exhibits in the Bodzin Art Gallery. See website for current and upcoming exhibitions. The International Jewish Film Festival is held annually.
www.jccnv.org, 8900 Little River Tnpk., Fairfax, VA, 703-537-3063.
The Kreeger Museum
Located in the former residence of David and Carmen Kreeger. Designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson to showcase the Kreeger's permanent collection of 19th- and 20th-century paintings and sculptures, including works by Monet, Rodin, Picasso and van Gogh. Twice monthly introductions to the museum and the arts for 3- to 5-year-olds and parents.
www.kreegermuseum.org, 2401 Foxhall Rd., NW, Washington, DC, 202-337-3050.
Loudoun Academy of the Arts
Gallery 222
Visit Gallery 222 to see original fine art by the area's leading artists. Paintings, drawings and sculpture. Please see website for current and upcoming exhibits. The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is a creative community whose mission is to encourage artistic expressions, offer new experiences in art and challenge and instruct art students to new levels of practice.
www.loudounacademy.org, 222 South King St., Leesburg, VA, 703-777-8043.
Montgomery County Recreation Department
Experience the fun! The Montgomery County Recreation Department offers activities for children, teens, adults and seniors, including supervised play, sports, open gym, crafts and special events at 18 community and neighborhood recreation centers. Aquatic programs at 4 area indoor pools. Visit the newly opened Olney Manor Skate Park in Olney, MD.
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec, 240-777-6870.
Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks - 404 parks and 33,000+ acres of parkland to play in, explore and enjoy! Check out MontgomeryParks.org for summer camps, nature programs, historic properties, boat rentals, ice skating, miniature trains, playgrounds, campgrounds, splash playground, carousel, mini-golf and more. Join us at Wheaton Regional Park July 27, 2008 for Parkapalooza!
MCP-Park@MontgomeryParks.org, 9500 Brunett Ave., Silver Spring, MD, 301-495-2595.
The National Zoological Park
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country. The 163-acre zoological park is set amid Rock Creek Park in the heart of Washington, DC, and is home to more than 2,400 individual animals of 400 different species. Our best-known residents are our giant pandas.
www.nationalzoo.si.edu, 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-3034.
Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake
A unique, unforgettable experience for your child aboard a pirate boat in Annapolis Harbor. Join our merry band of pirates on our mighty ship "Sea Gypsy" for swashbuckling family outings, birthday parties, field trips and exciting adventures! You will be amazed as we tap into your children's imaginations and transform them into pirates, complete with face paint, tattoos and costumes.
www.chesapeakepirates.com, 410-263-0002.
Rustic Retreats
Rustic Retreats provides lodging with character for weekend or longer vacations in Maryland (Sharpsburg, Keedysville, and Clear Spring) and West Virginia (Berkeley Springs and Grant County). Several are historic, restored 19th-century log cabins. They are ideal for a family, and one cabin sleeps a dozen.
www.rusticretreats.net, 202-686-5339.
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
Hands-on learning is what we do best at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum with nine exhibit areas focusing on the arts, mathematics, sciences and the humanities, the Discovery Museum offers hours of fun for the entire family.
www.discoverymuseum.net, 54 South Loudoun St., Winchester, VA, 540-722-2020.
The Water Mine
The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole is a Fairfax County family water park where the excitement of the Old West's Gold Rush is captured by attractions especially tailored to the young...and the young at heart! Guarantee a summer of cool family fun with a season pass. Passes on sale now at Lake Fairfax Park.
Lake Fairfax Park, Reston, VA, 703-471-5415.
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Wolf Trap is situated in a setting of rolling hills and woods located on 130 acres of national park land in Vienna, VA. Through the unique partnership and collaboration of the National Park Service and the nonprofit Wolf Trap Foundation, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts offers both natural and cultural resources.
www.wolftrap.org,