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Rock Creek Park
Ranger Led Programs

May 2008 Schedule
Ranger Led Programs

This month, programs will take place at the following locations:

 

  • Nature Center (NC) 5200 Glover Road, NW (off Military Rd.), 202-895-6070. Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
  • Old Stone House (OSH) 3051 M Street, NW (in Georgetown), 202-426-6851. Hours: Daily, 12:00-5:00 PM.
  • Peirce Barn (PB) Tilden and Beach Drive, 202-895-6070.
  • Fort Stevens (FS) 13th Street and Piney Branch Road, 202-895-6070 http://www.nps.gov/rocr/ftcircle/stevens.htm
  • Battleground National Cemetery (BNC) 6625 Georgia Avenue, NW 202-895-6070
  • Dumbarton Oaks Park (DO) Corner of R Street and 31st St., NW (in Georgetown), 202-426-6851.
  • Rock Creek Park Horse Center (HC) 5100 Glover Road, NW (off Military Road), 202-362-011
  • Military Field (MF) The field near Picnic Groves #13 & #14, off of Military Road, 202-895-6070

All ranger-led programs are free and open to the public. Rock Creek Park Activity Line: 202-895-6239.

 

All programs start promptly at the scheduled times. No admittance to the Planetarium after the doors close.

Thursday, May 1

  • 4:00 PM @NC The Forest Join a park ranger as we explore the Woodland Trail to learn what hidden treasures can be found in the forest. Ages 5 and up.

Friday, May 2

  • 4:00 PM @NC Creature Feature Get acquainted with the Nature Center’s live animals and assist a park ranger in their feeding. All ages.

Saturday, May 3

  • 9:30 AM @HC Ranger-Led Horseback Tour Experience Rock Creek Park with a Ranger by horseback. This one hour tour leaves from the Rock Creek Park Horse Center and travels south along Rock Creek. Participants must be 12 years old or older and weight limits may apply. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance and are taken on a first come-first served basis. Fee $35. A credit card is required to make a reservation. Please arrive 30 minutes before your ride. For further information call (202) 362-0117.
  • 1:00 PM @NC Spring Night Sky 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 May and learn their stories. Ages 5 and older.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe Join us for a series of planetarium programs discovering the cosmos. Topics for these programs include the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other space phenomena. Ages 7 and older.
  • 9:00 PM @MF Exploring the Sky 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 objects with telescopes. All ages. Rain or severe cloudy weather cancels this event.

Sunday, May 4

  • 10:00 AM @DO Dumbarton Oaks Park Tour Join a park ranger to discover the trails of this naturalistic landscaped garden turned public park, and learn of Beatrix Ferrand, the pioneering 20th century landscape architect who designed it. Meet at the Dumbarton Oaks Park "Lover’s Lane" entrance sign. Ages 8 and older.
  • 11:00 AM @PB Bike Hike Join a park ranger as we explore Rock Creek Park up to Boundary Bridge. Bring your own bike and water. Helments are required. Ages 10 and older.
  • 1:00 PM @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.

Wednesday, May 7

  • 4:00 PM @NC 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, May 8

  • 4:00 PM @NC The Sounds Around Us Use your senses to learn the challenges that birds face in the sometimes noisy, urban environment of Washington, DC. Ages 6 and older.

Friday, May 9

  • 4:00 PM @NC Creature Feature See the program description for Friday, May 2nd.

Saturday, May 10

  • 9:30AM @HC Ranger-Led Horseback Tour See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 10:00 AM @OSH By The Dawn’s Early Light Join a park ranger on a tour through historic Georgetown to Francis Scott Key Park. Discover how the burning of the City of Washington by the British led to the writing of our nation's anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Ages 7 and older.
  • 1:00 PM @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 2:00 PM @NC Milkhouse Ford Hike Join a park ranger for this 1 ½ mile hike to Milkhouse Ford and discover the diverse natural and cultural resources that surround this historic water crossing. Boots are recommended. Ages 7 and older.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.

Sunday, May 11

  • 1:00 PM @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 2:00 PM @PB Mill Update Discover what’s happening with Peirce Mill, Rock Creek’s last remaining mill. All ages.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.

Wednesday, May 14

  • 4:00 PM @NC Young Planetarium See the program description for Wednesday, May 7th.

Thursday, May 15

  • 4:00 PM @NC A Closer Look at the Sun Learn about the Earth’s closest star, the Sun, while looking at it through a specially-equipped telescope to search for sunspots. Ages 4 and older.

Friday, May 16

  • 4:00 PM @NC Creature Feature See the program description for Friday, May 2nd.

Saturday, May 17

  • 10:00 AM @OSH 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 @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.

Sunday, May 18

  • 11:00 AM @PM 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 @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 2:00 PM @NC What’s that sound? Many spring migratory birds announce their arrival with song. Come learn to tune in to the amazing beauty and diversity of bird songs in Rock Creek Park on this 1 ½ mile hike. Binoculars not necessary, but recommended. Ages 12 and older.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.

Wednesday, May 21

  • 4:00 PM @NC Young Planetarium See the program description for Wednesday, May 7th.

Thursday, May 22

  • 4:00 PM @ NC The Sounds Around Us See the program description for Thursday, May 8th.

Friday, May 23

  • 4:00 PM @NC Creature Feature See the program description for Friday, May 2nd.

Saturday, May 24

  • 9:30AM @HC Ranger-Led Horseback Tour See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM @FS Fort Stevens Cleanup Help clean up the hallowed grounds of Fort Stevens this Memorial Day Weekend and learn the stories of bravery and sacrifice of the Civil War soldiers who saved Washington, DC during the Battle of Fort Stevens. Ages 10 and up. Gloves and bags will be provided. Meet at the Nature Center at 9:45AM and car caravan to the fort.
  • 1:00 PM @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 2:00 PM @NC Rapids Bridge Hike Join a park ranger for a scenic 2-mile hike along Rock Creek to the Rapids Bridge and back. Boots are recommended. Ages 7 and older.
  • 3:00 PM @BNC Battleground National Cemetery Talk Join a park ranger at one of America’s smallest National Cemeteries, Battleground National Cemetery, and learn the stories of bravery and sacrifice of the 40 Union Civil War soldiers who were killed while defending Washington, DC during a Confederate attack in July 1864. Ages 8 and older.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.

Sunday, May 25

  • 10:00 AM @PB Riverwalk Experience a part of the park closed to traffic on the weekends. Enjoy the beauty of Rock Creek's rapids on this relatively flat, 3-mile walk to Military Road and back. Ages 7 and older.
  • 1:00 PM @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 2:30 PM @NC El Cielo de la Noche Visite el único planetario en el sistema del parque nacional y explore las maravillas del cielo de la noche. Vea las estrellas, los planetas y las constelaciones más brillantes de Mayo y aprenda sus historias. Edades 5 al adulto.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.

Wednesday, May 28

  • 4:00 PM @NC Young Planetarium See the program description for Wednesday, May 7th.

Thursday, May 29

  • 4:00 PM @NC Animal Olympics Come learn about some amazing animal adaptations. Then test your own skills to see how long you would survive in the wild! Be prepared for a brief hike around the nature center. For ages 4 and up. Meet at the Nature Center.

Friday, May 30

  • 4:00 PM @NC Creature Feature See the program description for Friday, May 2nd.

Saturday, May 31

  • 9:30AM @HC Ranger-Led Horseback Tour See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 1:00 PM @NC Spring Night Sky See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.
  • 2:00 PM @PB Presidential Footsteps in Rock Creek Park Discover how past American Presidents have used Rock Creek Park as a place for recreation and leisure with a rigorous 2½ mile hike along the Valley Trail. Boots are recommended. Ages 7 and older.
  • 4:00 PM @NC Exploring the Universe See the program description for Saturday, May 3rd.


Sign-up for 2008 Rock Creek Park Junior Ranger Camps

Our Junior Ranger Camps introduce youngsters, ages 7-12, to many of the natural, cultural, and recreational opportunities available at Rock Creek Park. Junior Ranger Camps begin at 10 AM and end at 4 PM. Campers should wear appropriate clothing and bring water, a bag lunch, and snacks.

ALL CAMPS ARE FREE!!!! Enrollment Begins MAY 4th. There is a maximum of 30 children per camp, so please hurry! For more information or to enroll, contact the Rock Creek Nature Center @ (202) 895-6070.

Park Rangers will lead a total of five two-day camps. Dates for each of the following age groups are:

Ages 7-8:
    July 9-10; Enrollment ends on June 18th
   August 6-7; Enrollment ends on June 17th

Ages 9-10:
   July 16-17; Enrollment ends on June 25th
   July 30-31; Enrollment ends on July 9th

Ages 11-12:
   July 23-24; Enrollment ends on July 2nd




Help Keep Rock Creek Park Green & Clean Please Do Not Litter

If you would like to receive our monthly calendar of events, please contact the nature center at 202-895-6070 or e-mail us.

Several ways to find out about Rock Creek Park’s public programs:

- Rock Creek Park website: www.nps.gov/rocr (look under “Ranger led public programs”)
- Rock Creek Park Information Line: 202-895-6239
- Receive the park calendar via mail or email
- Your local newspaper
- Rock Creek Park Bulletin Boards within the park
Great Horned Owl  

Did You Know?
Three kinds of owls make their homes in Rock Creek Park, the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl and the little Screech Owl.

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Last Updated: May 10, 2008 at 11:33 EST