BEAR BRANCH
NATURE CENTER
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410-386-3580
Hashawha and Bear Branch Nature Center are located just north of
Westminster, off Rt. 97 at 300 John Owings Road. The Nature Center
is open year round. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Saturday
11am-5pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm. The Nature Center staff can be
contacted by phone or email bbnc@carr.org. All Nature Center programs require pre-registration, unless otherwise noted. Groups MUST
schedule programs directly with the Nature Center.
Hashawha’s trails are open to the public from dawn until dusk 365
days a year. Parking is only available at Lake Hashawha or Bear
Branch Nature Center. There is no entrance fee for the park.
PLEASE NOTE: The Hashawha Environmental Facility is not open to
the public except through reservation. Please do not enter the Hashawha gates or the posted restricted areas. For more information
about group rentals of the facility, contact the Hashawha staff at 410386-3560 or Hashawha@carr.org.
In case of inclement weather… should inclement weather be in the
forecast, please call the Nature Center before coming to your program
to check and see if it has been cancelled or postponed. Note that if
Carroll County Government office is closed, the Nature Center is also
closed. We follow school weather closings as well - please see our
Inclement Weather Policy at the back of this brochure for complete
details.
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****** All programs meet at the Bear Branch Nature
Center unless otherwise indicated.*****
HIKING HASHAWHA - THE VISTA TRAIL
June 12
1 session
Sunday
Program #11BB32
Take a walk on the Vista Trail and discover plants and animals along
the way. Explore different habitats, meet the raptors, and meet other
hiking enthusiasts. Age: 8-adult.
TIME: 1-2:30pm
FEE: $5
MEET THE BEEKEEPERS
Jun 12 OR Jul 9 OR Aug 14
1 session
Saturday OR Sunday
Program #11BB33 Sunday 6/12
Program #11BB34 Saturday 7/9
Program #11BB35 Sunday 8/14
Learn all about this amazing insect. Are there boy bees? What do
beekeepers do? Do bees really dance? How is honey made? Learn the
answers to these questions and more. Meet a real beekeeper! Age: all
TIME: 10-11am
FEE: $5
BEAR CUBS CLUB
Jun 16 OR Jul 21 OR Aug 11
1 session
Thursday
Program #11BB36 6/16
Program #11BB37 7/21
Program #11BB38 8/11
Do you have a young explorer on your hands? If your little one loves
nature, join us for one or even all of this series of programs. Your
child will learn about the natural world through hikes, games, and
stories. Encourage your young naturalist with our Bear Cubs Club!
Age: 4-6.
TIME: 10:30-11:30am
FEE: $5
SUMMER SOLSTICE CAMPFIRE
June 17
1 session
Friday
Program #11BB39
Summer is here at last! Come celebrate the beginning of the season
with a campfire and s’mores. We’ll talk about the customs for celebrating the solstice and take a hike. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
Age: all.
TIME: 8-9pm
FEE: $7
LIFE AT THE LAKE
RAPTOR PHOTO SHOOT
June 4
1 session
Saturday
Program #11BB27 adults only, 9-10am
Program #11BB28 all ages, 10-11am
Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just getting started,
join us for a photo shoot with our resident raptors. Capture these majestic birds in natural settings. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Parking is available at BBNC and outside the
Hashawha gates. Age: all. Meet at the Raptor Mews
TIME: Choose above
FEE: $10
PLANETARIUM SHOW
Jun 10 OR Jul 8 OR Aug 6
1 session
Friday OR Saturday
Program #11BB29 Friday 6/10
Program #11BB30 Friday 7/8
Program #11BB31 Saturday 8/6
Join the Westminster Astronomical Society under the star dome to
learn the stars and constellations of the night sky. Following the show,
we invite you outside for a Star Party to observe the nighttime sights.
Bring your own telescope or look for one of ours. Age 8-adult.
TIME: 7:30-8:30pm
FEE: $5
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June 18
1 session
Saturday
Program #11BB40
Lake Hashawha is alive! Check out the cool critters that call the lake
home. We will take a walk to see who lives above the lake and then
use nets to see who lives below the surface. Wear shoes that can get
wet and clothes that can get dirty. Age: all.
TIME: 2-3:30pm
FEE: $5
THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKYARD CAMPOUT
Jun 25-Jun 26
1 overnight session
Saturday-Sunday
Program #11BB41
Join the National Wildlife Federation, Bear Branch and Piney Run
Nature Centers for the Great American Backyard Campout! This
program provides an opportunity for everyone to relive-or experience
for the first time-how much fun it is to spend a night sleeping under the
stars and enjoying the sounds of nature. Set up camp and gather
around the campfire to roast hotdogs and make s'mores! Spend the
night in a tent and enjoy a continental breakfast before breaking camp.
Families are asked to bring their own tents and sleeping bags. (We
have a limited number of tents that can be borrowed-please contact us
directly if you need one.) Age: families.
TIME: 6pm-8am
FEE: $50/family
- - NO Early Bird or Senior Discount for Bear Branch Nature Center programs - -
OSPREY BANDING TRIP
ON THE PATUXENT RIVER
June 28
1 session
Tuesday
Program #11BB42
Join as we head to Jug Bay on the Patuxent River to spend the day
learning all about the “fish hawk” with Naturalist, Greg Kearns. For
over 20 years, Greg has banded osprey chicks each spring in the Chesapeake region. During this incredible trip, you will have the chance to
get up close and personal with these birds, as well as help collect and
record important banding data. Bring water, hat/sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera. Fee includes transportation, admission, boat
tour, and riverside picnic lunch. Age: 14-adult.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 21.
TIME: 10:30am-approximately 6pm FEE: $25
FIREFLY FIREWORKS
July 2
1 session
Saturday
Program #11BB43
Nature has her own fireworks display. Take a walk to capture some
fireflies and learn why lightning bugs light up! All critters will be released at the end of the evening. Bring a flashlight. Age: 6-adult.
TIME: 7:30-9pm
FEE: $5
MARTIN CABIN HISTORY HIKE
July 10
1 session
Sunday
Program #11BB44
Take a walk back in time as we hike to the Martin Cabin. Learn what
life was like before electricity, television, cell phones, and cars. See the
inside of a log cabin as we discuss what life was like on this land before
Hashawha. Age: 6-adult.
TIME: 11am-12:30pm
FEE: $5
FULL BUCK MOON
July 16
1 session
Saturday
Program #11BB45
The antlers of bucks are just beginning to grow again. Join us to learn
more deer and other nocturnal animals before taking a hike to look for
other night-time creatures. Bring a flashlight! Age: 8-adult.
TIME: 7:30-9pm
FEE: $5
TOAD ABODES!
July 17
1 session
Sunday
Program #11BB46
Toads are fun and cute critters. Meet a toad in person
and make a fun toad house to take home. Age: all.
TIME: 1-2pm
FEE: $7
SALAMANDER SEARCH
July 23
1 session
Saturday
Program #11BB47
Salamanders are important indicators of a clean environment. Learn
more about these neat amphibians and take a walk through the woods
as we search for these wonderful and elusive creatures. Age: all.
TIME: 1-2:30pm
FEE: $5
HOORAY FOR HUMMINGBIRDS
July 24
1 session
Sunday
Program #11BB48
Hummingbirds are known as ‘flying jewels’. Learn some more fun
facts about these quirky little birds and find out how to attract them to
your yard. Make a feeder to take home. Age: all.
TIME: 2-3pm
FEE: $7
REPTILE ROMP
July 31
1 session
Sunday
Program #11BB49
What’s the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? Get up
close and personal with some of Bear Branch’s resident reptiles before
heading outside to search for others. Age: all.
TIME: 1-2:30pm
FEE: $5
OWL PROWL
August 5
1 session
Friday
Program #11BB50
Owls are the silent predators of the night. Learn more about
these amazing creatures and meet a live owl. Take a hike with a naturalist to call some of the wild owls that call Hashawha home. Age: all.
TIME: 7-8:30pm
FEE: $5
DIFFERENT STROKES
August 7
1 session
Sunday
Program #11BB51
Have you always wanted to try canoeing, but never had the opportunity? Here’s your chance! Try your hand at paddling on the calm waters of Lake Hashawha. We will provide some basic instruction and
give you the opportunity to practice. PFDs will be provided. Age: 8adult.
TIME: 10am-12pm
FEE: $7
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GAME DAY AT BEAR BRANCH
August 12
1 session
Friday
Program #11BB52
Let the games begin! Join us for a variety of nature-themed games that
help you learn in the best way possible-when you’re having fun! The
scavenger hunt leads to a special “treat!” Age: 7-11.
TIME: 2:30–4:30pm
FEE: $7
NATURE AT NIGHT
Aug 17-Aug 19
3 sessions
Wednes., Thurs. AND Friday
Program #11BB53
Hashawha becomes a different world as the sun sets. While staying
cool and exploring, your child will learn all about different nocturnal
animals including amphibians, bats, lightning bugs, and we’ll end with
a campfire on Friday! Age: 6-8.
TIME: 6:30-8:30pm
FEE: $20
BUSY BEAVERS
August 20
1 session
Saturday
Program #11BB54
Are beavers really busy? Find out as we take a night hike to the wetlands in search of our resident beaver. Bring a flashlight and wear
shoes that can get muddy. Age: 6-adult.
TIME: 7:30-9pm
FEE: $5
CATERPILLAR QUEST
August 27
Program #11BB55
1 session
Saturday
It’s that time of year again! Help BBNC prepare
for its upcoming Monarch Madness festival by
searching the meadows for Monarch butterfly eggs
and caterpillars. First, we’ll learn all about this
amazing insect and then we’ll look for caterpillars
to add to our Monarch Lifecycle display. Age: all.
TIME: 1-3pm
FEE: $5
- - NO Early Bird or Senior Discount for Bear Branch Nature Center programs - -
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- - BEAR BRANCH
BULLETIN BOARD - - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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BEAR BRANCH AND
PINEY RUN
NATURE CENTER
MEMBERSHIP
HELPING HANDS AT HASHAWHA:
June 11 OR July 16 OR August 13
Hashawha is everybody’s park. Come out and give
us a hand as we work to clear invasive species, pick
up litter, garden, and take care of other projects to
help keep the park beautiful. Age: 8-adult (children
under 12 years old should be accompanied by an
adult).
TIME: 9-11am
CAMP COUNSELOR TRAINING:
Sunday, June 5
Assisting with Bear Branch’s summer camps are a
great way for students to earn service learning hours!
Teens interested in volunteering at one or more of
our summer camps are required to attend this training. Please call the Nature Center for more information, or stop in and pick up a volunteer camp counselor
application. Age: 14-adult.
TIME: 1-3pm
MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING
VOLUNTEER TRAINING:
Sundays, August 28 and September 3 - training
September 11 - festival*
Learn all about Monarch Watch, safely catch, tag,
and release butterflies, and record crucial data to help
track the migration of the Monarch butterfly.
*Participants are required to volunteer at the
Monarch Madness Festival on Sunday, Sept. 11th.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
The Monarch Madness Festival is coming to the
Bear Branch Nature Center on Sunday, September
11th. Keep an eye out for our Fall Program Guide.
Are you a Nature Center Member?
Nature Centers Members play an important role within our parks and
membership has numerous privileges! Membership benefits include:
discount registration for Nature Camps, 10% discount in either Nature
Center Gift Shop, invitations to “Members Only” programs and activities, an opportunity to serve on your affiliate Council, plus Library book
check out privileges at Piney Run and Bear Branch. As a member of
either Piney Run or Bear Branch, you also know that you are helping
to support quality environmental education programs at the Nature
Centers in Carroll County.
Membership Rates:
Family
Individual
Senior Citizen (62+)
Senior Couple
Full Time Student
Organization
Contributing
Sustaining
Patron
Benefactor
Lifetime
$15
$10
$8
$12
$8
$25
$50
$100
$500
$1000
$250
YES, I would like to become a member of (please check one):
___ Bear Branch Nature Center
Check payable and mailed to:
Friends of Hashawha/Bear Branch
300 John Owings Road
Westminster, MD 21158
____ Piney Run Nature Cntr
Check payable and mailed to:
Piney Run Recreation &
Conservation Council
30 Martz Road
Sykesville, MD 21784
Enclosed is my check for $_____ for ________________________
______________________________________________________
(type) membership
*Contributions in excess of your membership fee are tax deductible.
Name___________________________________________________
SUMMER CAMPS
Registration is underway for 2011 Summer Camps!
There are 6 different sessions of camp to choose
from for ages 6-15. Please call BBNC at 410-3863580 or go online for more information: ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/recpark/hashawha.
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Address_________________________________________________
City________________________ State______ Zip_____________
Phone__________________________________________________
Email___________________________________________________
- - NO Early Bird or Senior Discount for Bear Branch Nature Center programs - -