Have you heard the saying “spark bird”? It’s a popular phrase among birders that describes the one special species that caught their eye, igniting their passion for birds. What is your “spark” species? What stoked your passion for nature? Spend the weekend with us and some of the state’s top naturalists to find your spark and turn that flame up to high.
Our weekend will begin with check-in on Friday, starting at 4 pm, and checkout is 11 am on Sunday, after breakfast and a morning class session. A diverse set of classes is in the works with instructors from around the state. Details are still being finalized, but you’re guaranteed to have fun with these talented instructors:
- Bird identification and night sounds program with Kevin Dodge, Program Director/Professor of Natural Resources & Wildlife Technology at Garrett College.
- All that is fungi with mycologist Serenella Linares, Programs Chair of the Mycological Association of Washington, DC.
- Wildflower identification and natural crafts activity with naturalist Clare Walker, instructor at Nature Forward, the US Botanical Gardens, and Irvine Nature Center.
- Mammal tracks with naturalist Kerry Wixted, Vegetation Ecologist with Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
- What you should know about the Maryland Biodiversity Project with co-founder Jim Brighton.
- Painting with watercolor with Molly Hoopes, artist-naturalist with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks.
- Bats with Sarah Witcher, Wildlife Education and Outreach Specialist for DNR, and Katie Dell, Resource Teacher- Naturalist, Baltimore County Public Schools.
- Everything bees with Clare Maffei, Bee Biologist, Division of Conservation Science and Partnerships, US Fish and Wildlife.
- Forest bathing with Ana Ka’ahanui, cofounder of the nonprofit, Capital Nature.
- Moths, anthropods, and bird ID with Dave Webb, longtime birder and editor at Maryland Biodiversity Project.
- Herps with Tori Schneider, Associate Professor of Biology, Montgomery College – Rockville Campus.
- The geology of Maryland, every day weather, and astronomy with NHSM’s Geology Curator, Martin Schmidt.
- Mammal skull identification with NHSM Fossil Club volunteer and avid collector, Tom Farrell.
- With more to come!
Plus canoeing, birding, and hiking, all on the property at the Western Maryland 4H Center, 1100 acres of private and public land with a lake. The class schedule will be finalized in early April, and you will be able to sign up for one class per session, with four or five sessions available, all based on the finalized number of classes available.
Meals provided include Friday dinner, three meals on Saturday, and Sunday breakfast. Accommodations will be in rustic bunkhouses with same-gender rooms, if requested, and with only the bottom bunks in use. If you have concerns about menu items or sleeping arrangements, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org. Not all dietary concerns can be addressed since this is a camp setting. Lactose-free and vegetarian options will be available. This weekend is designed for adults ages 18 and above.
NEW PRICING FOR DAY USE ONLY: For those who do not want to sleep on site, look for the revised price and register under that option.
Volunteers are needed to help with setup, class moderation, and cleanup. Full weekend volunteers will receive a discounted rate of $100. Saturday-only volunteers’ fee will be $120. Registration code needed to sign up for those discounted rates. Email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org to secure your volunteer spot.
Carpooling is encouraged. If you would like to join a carpool, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.
All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.
NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 30 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 30 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.
