[Archived] Alexandria’s Ford Nature Center Offers New Early Spring Programs and Summer Camp Opportunities

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	April 3, 2006 PIO# 079-06	Steven J. Mason, Public Information Officer, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

Alexandria’s Ford Nature Center
Offers New Early Spring Programs and Summer Camp Opportunities

The City of Alexandria is offering new programs for the entire family this spring at the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave. Registration and advance reservations are required. The new schedule of programs includes:

Large Twill Laundry Basket - (Adults/Teens)
Saturday, April 8 and 15 (parts 1 and 2), 9 am - 1pm
Participants will make a plaited basket with a twill pattern weave. The fee for materials is $40.

Rock Art - (Adults)
Saturday, April 8, 2 - 4:30 pm
Participants will create wildly cute animals out of ordinary cobbles in this “funtastic” program. Prior painting experience is helpful, but it is not necessary. There will be a supply fee of $15.

Colors of Spring - (Families)
Saturday, April 15, 2 - 3:30 pm
Parents are invited to participate with their children in a program featuring natural egg dying, “eggciting” games, and a search for Mr. Cottontail’s candy basket. There will be a materials fee charge of $5.

Nature Center Open House - (Families)
Saturday, April 22, 10 am - 2:30 pm
A day of family events that includes live bluegrass music, ongoing nature-oriented activities for children, hourly Heritage Walks on the history of Dora Kelley Nature Park, and a special presentation by EcoVoce. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.

“The Lorax” (Video) - (Children)
Saturday, April 29, 2 - 3:30 pm
“I speak for the trees!” Watch this animated tale from Dr. Seuss while enjoying fresh popcorn and lemonade. An outdoor conservation project will follow. There will be a supply fee of $2.

Children’s Discovery Hour - (Children)
Friday, April 7 and 21, 4 - 5 pm
This biweekly after-school program for children, ages 6 - 11, features outdoor hikes, games, crafts, live animals, science experiments, and more. The fee for materials is $2.

Little Adventures - (Preschoolers)
Sunday, April 9, 1 - 2 pm
Children, ages 3 - 5, are invited to explore the world of nature through a series of programs developed for them. The fee for materials is $2.

Guest Speaker Programs
The Ford Nature Center will host guest speakers each third Wednesday of the month from 7 - 9 pm. On April 19, Kent Knowles from the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia will visit with live hawks and owls in a special presentation on the rehabilitation and conservation of birds of prey. The $6 admission includes refreshments. Reservations are required.

Birthday Parties
The Ford Nature Center now offers birthday parties for children, ages 4 - 12. Each 90 minute birthday party features live animals, a nature-oriented activity, and use of a private room. The fee is $125 for a party of up to 12 children. Prior registration and payment is required to secure a party date. For booking information and forms, call 703.838.4829.

Summer Camps
Register children, ages 3 - 12 years old, for summer nature day camps. Walk-in registration for Alexandria residents opens Wednesday, April 5, from 6 - 8 pm at the Nature Center. Nonresidents may sign up beginning Friday, April 14. Early registration is advised. The camps include T-shirts, games and prizes, field trips, live animals, take home crafts, and much more. For registration forms or additional information, call the Nature Center at 703.838.4829.

• Tadpole Camp (3 - 4 year olds)
Cost: $55
July 10 - 14, 2 - 3 pm

• Budding Naturalist Camp (Kindergarten - 1st grade)
Cost: $65
Session I, June 26 - 28, 1 - 3 pm
Session II, July 17 - 19, 10 am - noon

• Junior Naturalist Camp (2nd - 4th grade)
Cost: $75
Session I - June 26 - 30, 9 am - noon
Session II - July 17-21, 1 - 4 pm

• Naturalist Aides Camp (5th - 6th grade)
Cost: $85
July 10 - 14, 9 am

For more information or to make reservations, call the Ford Nature Center’s naturalist staff at 703.838.4829, or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

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