HOURS OF OPERATION
Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Summer Nature Camps
Hop, crawl or swim your way to Leight Park to join one of our summer camps for kids ages 5-17. Paddle the watery world of Otter Point Creek, explore the forest habitat, track down the wild and green things that live around us, and investigate the mysteries of nature in our science lab. Dare to adventure the out of doors and see what fun nature exploration can be!
Click here for online registration.
For more information, call the Center 410-612-1688 or email aclec@harfordcountymd.gov.
Campers bring a lunch and refillable water bottle each day (no glass)
All camps require registration. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. M = Member price; NM = Nonmember price
In, On, and Through the Water
Mon. - Thurs., June 26 - 29
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ages: 13 - 17 Fee: $108/M; $120/NM
Explore the watery world of Leight Park and beyond. Dare to adventure by canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding and tubing off-site. Delve into the depths of Leight Park with fishing, stream-walking, hiking, and seining.
Kayaking Adventures
Mon., Wed. - Fri., July 3, 5 - 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ages: 11 - 15 Fee: $108/M; $120/NM
Experience the water of the upper Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries via kayak. Splash, paddle, and glide your way through games, wildlife discoveries, and fun on the water!
Chesapeake Bay CSI
Mon. - Thurs., July 10 - 13
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 8 - 11 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Tap into your investigation skills! Examine evidence and decipher clues to solve the mystery of “who dunnit”, investigating everything from animal signs to Chesapeake Bay changes. Canoe trip on the last day.
Animal Adaptations - Survival in the Wild
Mon. - Thurs., July 17 - 20
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 8 - 11 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Learn how feet, teeth, ears, tails, wings and coverings can be super adaptations for an animal, helping them live in their habitats, find food, move around and stay safe. Canoe trip on the last day.
WOWW - Wonders of Water and Wetlands
Tues. - Fri., July 25 - 28
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 8 - 11 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Submerge yourself in games, critters, and crafts related to water and aquatic life. Wade in and get to know the tidal creek, wetlands, marsh, and pools of the Estuary Center and Otter Point Creek. Canoe trip on the last day.
Wild Things
Mon. - Fri., July 31 - August 4
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 5 - 7 Fee: $108/M; $120/NM
Go wild over the creatures that call Otter Point Creek home. Discover all kinds of critters with hands-on activities, games, hikes, crafts, and real animal exploration!
Chesapeake Canoers
Mon. - Thurs., August 7 - 10
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ages: 11 - 15 Fee: $108/M; $120/NM
Canoes are often the best vehicle for exploring shallow waters and wetlands. Nudge around the nooks and crannies of Harford’s secluded flatwater areas, discovering wetland creatures up close and personal, while honing your canoeing skills and staying cool.
Scientific Superheroes
Tues. - Fri., August 15 - 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 8 - 11 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Did you know that scientists don’t just wear lab coats and use graduated cylinders? Connect with the unsung heroes of the scientific community by becoming one yourself! We’ll conduct experiments, play games, explore and observe the forest, marsh, and shoreline, and take a canoe trip on the last day!
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Ages: 11 - 15 Fee: $108/M; $120/NM
Delve into local streams and their watersheds with upstream/downstream explorations on foot and by boat - kayak or canoe. Discover the plants and animals that rely on stream habitats and how human activity in the watersheds affects them.
Imagi-Nature Tues. - Fri., July 5 - 8
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 8 - 11 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Let your imagination run wild with Mother Nature! We’ll spend time on the trails, in the water, around the gardens, and more as we look for inspiration to create, play, and explore. Canoe trip on the last day.
Estuary Detectives Mon. - Fri., July 11 - 15
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 5 - 7 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Have you ever wondered why birds fly and fish swim? How trees grow tall and strong? We will investigate to find answers on how we are similar to, yet different from, the inhabitants of the natural world through exploration, experiments, hikes and crafts.
WOWW - Wonders of Water and Wetlands Mon. - Thurs., July 18 - 21
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 8 - 11 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Submerge yourself in games, critters, and crafts related to water and aquatic life. Get your hands wet as we explore our tidal creek, wetlands, marsh, and pools. Canoe trip on the last day.
Bay Ranger Camp Mon. - Thurs., July 25 - 28
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ages: 11 - 14 Fee: $108/M; $120/NM
Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and more. We’ll explore the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, what problems it’s facing, and what we can do to help!
In, On, and Through the Water Mon. - Thurs., August 1 - 4
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ages: 13 - 17 Fee: $108/M; $120/NM
Explore the watery world of Leight Park and beyond. Dare to adventure by canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, and tubing off-site. Delve into the depths of Leight Park with fishing, stream-walking, hiking, and seining.
Critters of the Creek Mon. - Thurs., August 8 - 11
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages: 8 - 11 Fee: $99/M; $110/NM
Get up close and personal with the animals of the estuary, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians,
and fish. Canoe trip on the last day.
Calendar of EventsView all
- Plankton Monitoring Studies09/27/2017 @ 10:00 am-12:00 pmOur plankton citizen science project is a great opportunity for science-minded individuals to contribute to monitoring and research at the Center. Help is needed with collection, identification, and analysis of plankton samples. Interested individuals should contact the Center for introductory training.
- Good Morning Marsh Kayak09/30/2017 @ 7:30 am-10:00 amIn the natural world the day begins early. Get up with the sun to see who’s “shaking a leg” in the wee hours of the morning, on the water and in the wetlands.
- Meet a Critter10/01/2017 @ 1:30 pm-2:30 pmCheck out one of our live critters up close while discovering what makes that animal special.
- Nature's Playgroup10/02/2017 @ 9:30 am-10:30 amLittle ones and their parents play and learn in the natural world. Stories, songs, simple crafts and discovery outings will highlight each day's theme. Topics: Fall colors, deer, spiders, foxes, migration, turkeys
- Nature Tots10/02/2017 @ 11:00 am-12:00 pmLittle ones and their parents play and learn in the natural world. Stories, songs, simple crafts and discovery outings will highlight each day's theme. Topics: Fall colors, deer, spiders, foxes, migration, turkeys
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