Brookside Gardens & Nature Center
This is a 26-acre sculpted garden in Wheaton, MD features a children's garden, greenhouse, nearby nature center, miles of trails, and ongoing events. Wheaton Regional Park is right nearby as well.
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo
This preserve and zoo is north of Frederick, off of Route 15. Over 20 acres of animal exhibits, many in natural settings. Interpretive programs, safari rides, camel rides, butterfly garden, and petting zoo part of the family fun. Open daily April through October.
https://catoctinwildlifepreserve.com/
Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
The park is open daily and the nature center is open (with bathrooms) Tuesday through Friday during the school year. The park has miles of trails, creek access, playground, and sensory trail. Classes for homeschooled children are offered here through the Rec. Department. Private group classes can also be scheduled for a fee.
http://catoctincreek.blogspot.com/
http://recreater.com/207/Catoctin-Creek-Park
College Park Aviation Museum
This museum is dedication to preserving and promoting innovations in aviation while fostering research, inventiveness and lifelong curiosity about the history and science of flight.
http://collegeparkaviationmuseum.com/1593/College-Park-Aviation-Museum
Crystal Grottoes Caverns
This natural phenomenon is located in Boonsboro, just west of Frederick. Open daily April 1 - November 30. Open weekends only in the winter.
www.crystalgrottoescaverns.com
Discovery Station
This science museum in Hagerstown has hands-on learning for curious minds of all ages. They have interactive exhibits on science, technology, and history. Open during school hours Tuesday through Friday with discounts for groups of 10 or more.
http://discoverystation.org/
Earth Space & Science Lab (ESSL)
This state of the art facility is located on the grounds of Lincoln Elementary in Frederick. The ESSL includes a planetarium, arboretum, and observatory. Shows and camps offered throughout the year.
https://education.fcps.org/essl/
Fountain Rock Nature Center
The park is open daily (as are the bathrooms) but the nature center is only open on weekends. The park has a filled in quarry with turtles and fish to feed, a playground, wooded trails, and trout pond. Classes for homeschooled children are offered here through the Rec. Department. Private group classes can be scheduled for a fee.
http://recreater.com/294/Fountain-Rock-Park-Nature-Center
Fox Haven Organic Farm and Learning Center
This is a farm, wildlife sanctuary, ecological retreat, and learning center in Jefferson. Events (mostly evenings and weekends) in farming, nature, and gardening held on a regular basis.
http://foxhavenfarm.org/
Frederick County Public Libraries
All branches have excellent children's sections. Several branches are now offering STEM programs for homeschool children. Visit the website, click on Participate, and view the calendar for specific details.
http://www.fcpl.org
Kid Museum
This is a museum geared for elementary and middle school children centered on robotics, science, and global citizenship. Located in the basement of the Davis Library in Bethesda, MD. Drop in days on the weekends only but open for groups and workshops year round.
http://www.kid-museum.org
LaDew Topiary Garden
Beautiful gardens and manor house in Monkton, MD. Open daily 10am-5pm with events and classes year round.
http://www.ladewgardens.com/
Maryland Science Center
Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the center includes three floors of exhibits and hands-on activities. Open 10am-6pm Tuesday-Friday during the school year, plus weekends. Homeschool classes available, class description and link is on the Classes page of this website.
http://www.mdsci.org/
Maryland STEM Festival
Annual festival held the first two weeks in November with activities and classes held throughout Maryland. The festival aim is to help create a culture of STEM throughout the state. Most events are free.
www.MarylandSTEMFestival.org
The Maryland Zoo
Full animal exhibits, easy parking, family bathrooms, group rates, and homeschool classes are available at this zoo in Baltimore, MD. Homeschool classes are available but fill quickly.
http://www.marylandzoo.org
Montgomery County Recycling Center
Schedule a guided tour of the Recycling Center for your group of 10 or more. Tours are free of charge and can be scheduled during school hours. Individual self-guided tours are free Mondays-Fridays without an appointment.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SWS/facilities/rc/tours.html
National Aquarium
Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the aquarium has excellent and extensive displays of both aquatic and jungle animal life. The Aquarium offers Homeschool Days as well as field trips for homeschool groups. Class description and link is on the Classes page of this website.
http://www.aqua.org
Patuxent Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1936 and managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service, this is the nation's only national wildlife refuge dedicated to supporting wildlife research. There are activities and events throughout the spring and fall including a free tram tour and visitor's center.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent/
Port Discovery Children's Museum
Hands-on children's museum in Baltimore for children ages 3-8. Open during school hours. Group pricing for homeschoolers available.
http://www.portdiscovery.org/
This is a 26-acre sculpted garden in Wheaton, MD features a children's garden, greenhouse, nearby nature center, miles of trails, and ongoing events. Wheaton Regional Park is right nearby as well.
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo
This preserve and zoo is north of Frederick, off of Route 15. Over 20 acres of animal exhibits, many in natural settings. Interpretive programs, safari rides, camel rides, butterfly garden, and petting zoo part of the family fun. Open daily April through October.
https://catoctinwildlifepreserve.com/
Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
The park is open daily and the nature center is open (with bathrooms) Tuesday through Friday during the school year. The park has miles of trails, creek access, playground, and sensory trail. Classes for homeschooled children are offered here through the Rec. Department. Private group classes can also be scheduled for a fee.
http://catoctincreek.blogspot.com/
http://recreater.com/207/Catoctin-Creek-Park
College Park Aviation Museum
This museum is dedication to preserving and promoting innovations in aviation while fostering research, inventiveness and lifelong curiosity about the history and science of flight.
http://collegeparkaviationmuseum.com/1593/College-Park-Aviation-Museum
Crystal Grottoes Caverns
This natural phenomenon is located in Boonsboro, just west of Frederick. Open daily April 1 - November 30. Open weekends only in the winter.
www.crystalgrottoescaverns.com
Discovery Station
This science museum in Hagerstown has hands-on learning for curious minds of all ages. They have interactive exhibits on science, technology, and history. Open during school hours Tuesday through Friday with discounts for groups of 10 or more.
http://discoverystation.org/
Earth Space & Science Lab (ESSL)
This state of the art facility is located on the grounds of Lincoln Elementary in Frederick. The ESSL includes a planetarium, arboretum, and observatory. Shows and camps offered throughout the year.
https://education.fcps.org/essl/
Fountain Rock Nature Center
The park is open daily (as are the bathrooms) but the nature center is only open on weekends. The park has a filled in quarry with turtles and fish to feed, a playground, wooded trails, and trout pond. Classes for homeschooled children are offered here through the Rec. Department. Private group classes can be scheduled for a fee.
http://recreater.com/294/Fountain-Rock-Park-Nature-Center
Fox Haven Organic Farm and Learning Center
This is a farm, wildlife sanctuary, ecological retreat, and learning center in Jefferson. Events (mostly evenings and weekends) in farming, nature, and gardening held on a regular basis.
http://foxhavenfarm.org/
Frederick County Public Libraries
All branches have excellent children's sections. Several branches are now offering STEM programs for homeschool children. Visit the website, click on Participate, and view the calendar for specific details.
http://www.fcpl.org
Kid Museum
This is a museum geared for elementary and middle school children centered on robotics, science, and global citizenship. Located in the basement of the Davis Library in Bethesda, MD. Drop in days on the weekends only but open for groups and workshops year round.
http://www.kid-museum.org
LaDew Topiary Garden
Beautiful gardens and manor house in Monkton, MD. Open daily 10am-5pm with events and classes year round.
http://www.ladewgardens.com/
Maryland Science Center
Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the center includes three floors of exhibits and hands-on activities. Open 10am-6pm Tuesday-Friday during the school year, plus weekends. Homeschool classes available, class description and link is on the Classes page of this website.
http://www.mdsci.org/
Maryland STEM Festival
Annual festival held the first two weeks in November with activities and classes held throughout Maryland. The festival aim is to help create a culture of STEM throughout the state. Most events are free.
www.MarylandSTEMFestival.org
The Maryland Zoo
Full animal exhibits, easy parking, family bathrooms, group rates, and homeschool classes are available at this zoo in Baltimore, MD. Homeschool classes are available but fill quickly.
http://www.marylandzoo.org
Montgomery County Recycling Center
Schedule a guided tour of the Recycling Center for your group of 10 or more. Tours are free of charge and can be scheduled during school hours. Individual self-guided tours are free Mondays-Fridays without an appointment.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SWS/facilities/rc/tours.html
National Aquarium
Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the aquarium has excellent and extensive displays of both aquatic and jungle animal life. The Aquarium offers Homeschool Days as well as field trips for homeschool groups. Class description and link is on the Classes page of this website.
http://www.aqua.org
Patuxent Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1936 and managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service, this is the nation's only national wildlife refuge dedicated to supporting wildlife research. There are activities and events throughout the spring and fall including a free tram tour and visitor's center.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent/
Port Discovery Children's Museum
Hands-on children's museum in Baltimore for children ages 3-8. Open during school hours. Group pricing for homeschoolers available.
http://www.portdiscovery.org/
