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Rock Creek ParkJunior Rangers
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Rock Creek Park
Ranger Led Programs

November 2009 Program Schedule
For December 2009 Schedule click here.

Sunday, November 1

  • 11:00 AM Peirce Mill Corn Husk Dolls Join a park ranger and create your own doll out of corn husks, the way children have done it for centuries. Ages 5 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star Visit the only planetarium in the National Park system and explore the wonders of the night sky. View the brightest stars, planets, and constellations of October and learn their stories. Ages 5 and older.
  • 2:00 PM Nature Center Autumn in the Park Join us for a 1 ½ mile hike to enjoy a crisp autumn day and learn why leaves turn brilliant colors. Ages 7 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center The Native American Night Sky In honor of “National American Indian Heritage Month,” join us for an talk about tonight’s sky. We’ll examine star pictures above us in the planetarium, focusing on Native American star legends. Ages 7 and older.

 Wednesday, November 4

  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Young Planetarium This introduction to the night sky for the youngest of astronomers is a shortened version of our Night Sky Planetarium Program. Ages 4 and older.

Thursday, November 5

  • 3:00 PM Nature Center Oasis in Space Journey through the solar system on a quest for water in this half-hour planetarium presentation. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Leaf Celebration Take a hike among the falling leaves, while learning why they turn beautiful colors every year. Find your favorites and make a leaf rubbing. Ages 4 and older.

Friday, November 6

  • 3:00 PM Nature Center Oasis in Space See description for Thursday, November 5. Ages 5 and older
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Creature Feature Get acquainted with the nature center’s live animals and assist in their feeding. All ages.

Saturday, November 7

  • 10:30 AM Old Stone House Old Stone House Tour Ever wondered where the expression “sleep tight” came from? Learn this and other fascinating facts about colonial life inside the oldest house in the city. Ages 7 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star See description for Sunday, November 1. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Exploring the Universe Join us for a series of planetarium programs exploring the universe. Topics for these programs include the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other space phenomena. Ages 7 and older.
  • 5:30 PM Peirce Mill A Candlelight Walk in the Park Experience Rock Creek Park in the cool of the evening on a guided lantern walk with a ranger. Follow the history of this changing landscape. Bring a flashlight. Ages 5 and older. Rain or severely cloudy weather will cancel this event.
    • 7:00 PM Picnic Grove 13 Exploring the Sky: Taurus Visible Come see the stars! Join the National Park Service and members of the National Capital Astronomers in Rock Creek Park to view the stars, planets, and other night sky phenomena with telescopes. All ages. Rain or severely cloudy weather will cancel this event.

Sunday, November 8

  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star See description for Sunday, November 1. Ages 5 and older.
  • 2:00 PM Battleground National Cemetery Battleground Cemetery Talk In honor of Veteran’s Day, learn about the Battle of Fort Stevens as seen through the eyes of the Civil War Union soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending the nation’s capital. Ages 7 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center The Native American Night Sky See description for Sunday, November 1. Ages 7 and older.

Wednesday, November 11

  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Young Planetarium This introduction to the night sky for the youngest of astronomers is a shortened version of our Night Sky Planetarium Program. Ages 4 and older.

Thursday, November 12

  • 3:00 PM Nature Center Oasis in Space Journey through the solar system on a quest for water in this half-hour planetarium presentation. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Fall Discovery Hike Enjoy the beauty of Rock Creek Park while searching for signs of fall along the Woodland Trail. Ages 3 and up.

Friday, November 13

  • 3:00 PM Nature Center Oasis in Space See program description for Thursday, November 12. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Creature Feature Get acquainted with the nature center’s live animals and assist in their feeding. All ages.

Saturday, November 14

  • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Old Stone House Revolutionary War Re-enactors The garden at the Old Stone House will be transformed into an 18th Century war encampment with re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment. Stop in for a chat about life as a soldier in the war that gave America its independence. Then step into the Old Stone House to tour the only pre-revolutionary war home in DC. All events are free.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star Visit the only planetarium in the National Park system and explore the wonders of the night sky. View the brightest stars, planets, and constellations of October and learn their stories. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Exploring the Universe Join us for a series of planetarium programs exploring the universe. Topics for these programs include the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other space phenomena. Ages 7 and older.
  • 5:30 PM Peirce Mill A Candlelight Walk in the Park Experience Rock Creek Park in the cool of the evening on a guided lantern walk with a ranger. Follow the history of this parks changing landscape. Bring your own flashlight. Ages 5 and older. Rain or severely cloudy weather will cancel this event.

Sunday, November 15

  • 10:00 AM Peirce Mill Theodore Roosevelt Hike Take a rigorous 2-mile hike up the Teddy Roosevelt Trail to Pulpit Rock and return to Peirce Mill via the Valley Trail. Participants will discover the story of the Jusserand Memorial, dedicated to one of Roosevelt’s closest friends. Ages 8 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star See program description for Saturday, November 14. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center The Native American Night Sky In honor of “National American Indian Heritage Month,” join us for an introduction to tonight’s sky. We’ll examine star pictures above us in the planetarium, focusing on Native American star legends. Ages 7 and older.

Wednesday, November 18

  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Young Planetarium This introduction to the night sky for the youngest of astronomers is a shortened version of our Night Sky Planetarium Program. Ages 4 and older.

Thursday, November 19

  • 3:00 PM Nature Center Oasis in Space Journey through the solar system on a quest for water in this half-hour planetarium presentation. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Fall Discovery Hike Enjoy the beauty of Rock Creek Park while searching for signs of fall along the Woodland Trail. Ages 3 and up.

Friday, November 20

  • 2:00 PM Nature Center Oasis in Space See program description for Thursday, November 19.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Creature Feature Get acquainted with the nature center’s live animals and assist in their feeding. All ages.

Saturday, November 21

  • 10:30 AM Old Stone House Old Stone House Tour Ever wondered where the expression “sleep tight” came from? Learn this and other fascinating facts about colonial life inside the oldest house in the city. Ages 7 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star See program description for Saturday, November 14. Ages 5 and older.
  • 2:00 PM Peirce Mill Theodore Roosevelt Hike Take a rigorous 2-mile hike up the Teddy Roosevelt Trail to Pulpit Rock and return to Peirce Mill via the Valley Trail. Participants will discover the story of the Jusserand Memorial, dedicated to one of Roosevelt’s closest friends. Ages 8 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Exploring the Universe Join us for a series of planetarium programs exploring the universe. Topics for these programs include the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other space phenomena. Ages 7 and older.
  • 5:30 PM Peirce Mill A Candlelight Walk in the Park Experience Rock Creek Park in the cool of the evening on a guided lantern walk with a ranger. Follow the history of this changing landscape. Bring your own flashlight. Ages 5 and older. Rain or severely cloudy weather will cancel this event.

Sunday, November 22

  • 11:00 AM Peirce Barn Children’s Archeology Explore the world of archeology by attempting a simulated archeological dig! Ages 7 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star See description for Saturday, November 21. Ages 5 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Peirce Mill Cornhusk Dolls Learn how to make this popular 19th Century toy with only a few corn husks and bits of string. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center The Native American Night Sky In honor of “National American Indian Heritage Month,” join us for an introduction to tonight’s sky. We’ll examine star pictures above us in the planetarium, focusing on Native American star legends. Ages 7 and older.

Wednesday, November 25

  • No programs are planned for this day, however the park is open until dark. Please enjoy the trails safely.

Thursday, November 26

  • Nature Center, Old Stone House and Peirce Barn are closed for the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 27

  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Creature Feature Get acquainted with the nature center’s live animals and assist in their feeding. All ages.

Saturday, November 28

  • 10:30 AM Old Stone House Old Stone House Tour Ever wondered where the expression “sleep tight” came from? Learn this and other fascinating facts about colonial life inside the oldest house in the city. Ages 7 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Peirce Mill Cornhusk Dolls Learn how to make this simple and popular 19th Century toy with only a few corn husks and bits of string. Ages 5 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star See program description for Saturday, November 21. Ages 5 and older.
  • 2:00 PM Nature Center Fall Milkhouse Ford Hike Join a park ranger on the Milkhouse Ford trail and learn how animals prepare for winter. Ages 8 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center Exploring the Universe Join us for a series of planetarium programs exploring the universe. Topics for these programs include the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other space phenomena. Ages 7 and older.

Sunday, November 29

  • 10:30 AM Old Stone House Black Georgetown Hike Join a park ranger for a walking tour of historic Herring Hill, a Georgetown neighborhood that holds reminders of the vibrant African-American community that thrived here in the 19th century. Ages 8 and older.
  • 1:00 PM Nature Center Autumn Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star See program description for Saturday, November 21. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM Nature Center The Native American Night Sky See program description for Sunday, November 22. Ages 7 and older.
 

All ranger-led programs are free and open to the public. All programs start promptly at the scheduled time.

Hours of operation and contact information:

  • Nature Center Located at 5200 Glover Road, NW (off Military Rd.), Open Wed – Sun 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 202-895-6070
  • Old Stone House Located at 3051 M Street, NW (in Georgetown), Open daily 12:00 Noon – 5:00 PM 202-426-6851.  
  • Peirce Barn Located at the corner of Tilden Street and Beach Drive. Closed for the winter season. 202-895-6070
    The Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium, Peirce Mill, and Old Stone House
    will be Closed Thursday, January 1, 2009.

If you would like to receive our monthly calendar of events, please call 202- 895-6070 or email us at e-mail us.
Rock Creek Park's A-4 projector  

Did You Know?
Rock Creek Park has the only planetarium in the National Park System. It was built in 1960 and is located in the Rock Creek Park Nature Center at 5200 Glover Rd., NW, Washington, DC,.

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Last Updated: November 20, 2009 at 16:31 EST