Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center






Director: Mark S. Kelly, Naturalist 5750 Sanger Ave. Facility Hours: Tue - Sat 10 am - 5 pm Sun 1 - 5 pm (Apr-Nov) 703.838.4829 Where is this Center? Visit Alexandria’s very own Nature Center! At the Nature Center, you can see live animals up close and learn about the cultural and natural history of Dora Kelley Nature Park. The Naturalists on staff are here to help you and your family explore and enjoy Alexandria’s wild side! The Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center provides year-round programs and exhibits on Alexandria’s human and natural history. A listing of Summer Nature Day Camps is available here. For more information, or to make program reservations, please call the Nature Center at 703.838.4829. Dora Kelley Nature Park Just outside the Nature Center lies Dora Kelley Nature Park, a 50-acre wildlife sanctuary with a one-mile long nature trail that meanders along streams, wooded hills, and freshwater marshland. Naturalist-led tours of the park are available upon request for groups of eight or more (reservations required). A self-guided booklet, available at the Nature Center, interprets the natural features of the park using numbered signposts along the trail. A paved bike trail connecting Sanger Ave. and Van Dorn St. winds through the park which is ADA accessible. Year-Round Exhibits Mary Anne Warner’s beautiful 16’ x 7’ oil mural, “Wildlife of the Dora Kelley Nature Park” Mounted black bear, red fox, turkey and bobcat Interpretive exhibits on local geology, prehistory, and history Live turtles, snakes, toads and salamanders Aquarium with native fish species from Holmes Run Exhibit on Alexandria’s birds of prey Small reference library with children’s section Games and activity stations for children Greenhouse with tropical rainforest plants Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Bring your troop to earn a badge, patch, bead, challenge, or “try-it” at the nature center. We will provide the learning activities, program materials, and set a time to suit your troop’s schedule (you provide the badge, patch, etc.) $3 per scout. Please call 703.838.4829 to reserve. School Field Trips Teachers are encouraged to set up a field trip to the newly expanded Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center this school year, or let one of our Naturalist staff come to your school for an outreach program! Interpretive programs are designed to assist teachers in meeting Virginia’s SOL requirements. Please call 703.838.4829 for more information. Volunteer Opportunities A variety of volunteer opportunities are available through the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center for ages 16 and above. Positions include front desk attendant, park conservation aide, and park watch assistant. Volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups in outdoor conservation and trail maintenance are also available from 9am-12pm on the following Saturdays: April 12, May 17, June 14, July 26, and August 23 Birthday Parties The Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center now offers birthday parties for ages 4-12. Each 90 minute birthday party features live animals, a nature-oriented activity, and use of a private room. Fee (residents): $125 for a party of up to 12 children. To secure a party date, prior registration and payment are required. For booking information and forms, please call 703.838.4829. Facility Rental The Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center’s activity room is available for use and rental by community groups and organizations. Please call 703.838.4829 for more information. NATURE PROGRAMS All classes will be held at the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center unless otherwise noted. For more information, or to register, call 703.838.4829. Fledglings Series Ages 1½-2. Parents can encourage their toddler’s enthusiasm for nature through short woodland excursions and hands-on experiences at the Nature Center. A different theme is offered each month. Examples include: “The Rainbow Connection”, “Sensational Senses” and “Mushroom Madness”. Choose only one class per month. $2 materials fee per class. Siblings welcome. Reservations required. Fr, 10:30-11:30am: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 6/13, 7/18, 7/25, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22 Su, 4-5pm: 4/6, 5/4, 6/8, 7/20, 8/10 Little Adventures Series Ages 3-5. Children and their parents are invited to explore the world of nature through a series of programs developed just for them. We’ll play games, do crafts, hike through the forest, and much more! Siblings welcome. Choose only one class each month. $2 materials fee per class. Reservations required. Th, 10:30-11:30am: 4/3, 7/24 Fr, 10:30-11:30am: 5/30, 6/6, 8/29 March Spiders Ages 6-12, 13-17. What makes a spider a spider? What spiders can be found in Virginia? Come prepared for a spider hunt in Dora Kelley Nature Park. Sa 3/1 2-3:30 pm Fee: $2 Spring Basket Workshop Ages 13-17, 18+. Join Debby Wells in creating an spring basket with a round bottom and oak handle. Twine the base and start/stop the sides. Lash on a rim to finish. Finish by coloring with dye. Supplies to bring with you are a bucket, towel, scissors, awl, tape measure, pencil and spring type clothes pins. Sa 3/8 9 am - 1:15 pm Fee: $30 Spring Equinox Festival Ages Family, 6-12. Join us as we celebrate spring! Natural crafts, games and activities, such as natural egg dying, will be part of this fun afternoon festival at the Ford Nature Center. Families welcome, activities for ages 5 and up. 3/22 2-4 pm Fee: $3 per child Family Nature Journaling Ages Family. Explore your connection with the natural world through nature journaling. This class will focus on how to incorporate the experiences of the whole family into a nature journal. We will provide the journals for you. Sa 3/29 2-4 pm Fee: $4 April Wild about Science! Volcanism Ages 6-12. Learn about Earth’s most violent process – Volcanism. This program features a short presentation on geology followed by a craft session during which participants build their own erupting volcano! Sa, 4/5 10:30am-12pm $3 Predator versus Prey Ages 6-12. Discover relationships between predator and prey while playing tag and hide & seek! What could be more fun? Dress for the outdoors… running shoes a must! Sa, 4/5 2-3:30pm $2 Discover the Marsh Ages 6-12. Journey to a marsh in Dora Kelley Nature Park and learn about its many inhabitants. A critter catch and release session is featured (nets provided). Sa, 4/12 2-3:30pm $2 Basket Workshop: Medium Market Basket Ages 16 & up. Join Debby Wells in creating a plaited rectangular market basket with lashed on rim around an oak handle. Bring your own towel, bucket, spring type clothes pins, awl, scissors, tape measure, pencil, and large plastic bag. Material fee of $25 payable to instructor day of class. Sa, 4/12 9am-1pm $5 Dora Kelley Nature Park Clean-up Ages 10 & up. Join in on the spring clean-up of Dora Kelley Nature Park. Help keep this beautiful resource safe and attractive for wildlife and people by volunteering at this annual event. Sa, 4/12 9am-12pm Free Nature Art: Poster-Making Contest Ages 8-12. Children are invited to participate in a poster-making contest to enlighten others about conservation and the natural environment. All posters to be displayed at Alexandria Earth Day! Sa, 4/19 10:30am-12pm $2 Animal Homes Ages 6 & up. Children and their parents will search for different types of animal homes on a hike through Dora Kelley Nature Park and then construct wildlife shelters together. Sa, 4/19 2-3:30pm $2 Dog Day at the Park Ages 18 & up. Bring your dog on a Naturalist led interpretive hike through Dora Kelley Nature Park. Learn ways that you and your dog can enjoy the outdoors in an eco-friendly way. Dogs must be friendly and up-to-date on all vaccinations. Su, 4/20 11am-12pm Free Alexandria Earth Day 2008 Family. Join the Naturalist staff at Ben Brenman Park (Samuel Tucker Elementary if raining) in celebrating Alexandria Earth Day. Lots of family fun and activities! Sa, 4/26 10am-2pm Free May Wild about Science! The Forest Floor Ages 6-12. Discover what lies within and beneath “forest litter”. This program features a scientific look at the forest floor using techniques employed by real field biologists. Fun and educational! Sa, 5/3 10:30am-12pm $3 Prehistoric Safari & Fossil Hunt Ages 6-12. Take a trip back in time to learn about prehistoric Alexandria. Then, search the gravels along Holmes Run for specimens of rocks and ancient fossils to take home. This popular program fills up fast, so register today! Sa, 5/3 2-3:30pm $2 Make a Flower Card for Mom Ages 6 & up. Children are invited to make their own beautiful cards for mom using pressed flowers and their own artistic expressions. Parents welcome. Sa, 5/10 10-11:30am $1 Round Colonial Basket Ages 16 & up. Join Debby Wells in this exciting project. Participants will make a plaited basket with round twined base and lashed on rim around an oak handle. Bring your own towel, bucket, spring type clothes pins, awl, scissors, tape measure, pencil, and large plastic bag. Material fee of $25 payable to instructor day of class. Sa, 5/10 9am-1pm $5 Ford Nature Center Open House Family. Enjoy a spectacular afternoon of family fun for children (ages 4 and older) and adults. Family heritage walks, local and exotic wildlife exhibitions, nature crafts, music and refreshments featured. Fee per person. Sa, 5/17 1-4pm $1 Survival Skill Day Ages 8-12. Would you be lost, wet and hungry without a cellphone and fast food? Learn outdoor survival skills including shelter building, wild foods, orienteering, and basic wilderness first-aid. Join us all day for a primitive skills experience and bring a bag lunch. F, 5/23 10:30am-3:30pm $15 Let’s go Birding! Ages 13 & up. Search for songbirds, hawks and woodpeckers in Dora Kelley Nature Park. Binoculars provided. Sa, 5/24 9-10:30am Free Fabulous Flowers and Ferns Walk Ages 18 & up. Join one of our naturalists on a hike to learn about the spring wildflowers and ferns of Dora Kelley Nature Park. Slide show and nature walk featured. Sa, 5/24 2-3:30pm Free Kayak Adventure for Teens Ages 13-18. Embark on an adventure to explore the wetlands of Piscataway Creek by kayak. Teens should bring a bag lunch, sunscreen and appropriate clothing. No prior kayaking experience necessary. Sa, 5/31 8am-1pm $5 June Wild about Science: The Microscopic World Ages 6-12. Children will explore hidden worlds too small to be seen with the naked eye using microscopes. Program includes an outdoor collecting hike through Dora Kelley Nature Park to gather specimens. Sa, 6/7 10:30am-12pm $3 Small Americana Basket Ages 16 & up. Join Debby Wells to create this fun, multicolored basket. Participants will make a small plaited basket with alternating rows of red and white, with a blue row for stars. Bring your own towel, bucket, spring type clothes pins, awl, scissors, tape measure, pencil, and large plastic bag. $25 material fee payable to instructor day of class. Sa, 6/7 9am-1pm $5 Snake Feeding Exhibition! Family. It’s feeding time at the Nature Center. Come watch snakes and other animals feast. Not for the faint hearted! Sa, 6/7 2-3pm $1 (Fee per person) “She sells Seashells…” Ages 6-12. Create fabulous shell critters while helping to save our coral reefs! Program fees will be donated to the Centerfor Ecosystem Survival to purchase an acre of coral reef for preservation. Sa, 6/14 2-3:30pm $5 Build a Boat with Dad Ages 6 & up. Fathers are encouraged to do something fun with their children on Father’s Day by building a toy boat together and then racing it down Holmes Run. Su, 6/15 10:30am-12pm $5 Monarch Migrations Ages 6-12. Learn about the journey of the monarch butterfly from our Naturalists, and find out what you can do to help monarch butterflies on their journey. Take home seeds for your own butterfly garden, and a fun butterfly craft! Sa, 6/21 10:30am-12pm $2 Evento Especial: Día de la Comunidad Hispana Family. Alexandria’s Spanish speaking residents are invited to participate in a bilingual family nature program and walk in Dora Kelley Nature Park. Features live Mariachi band and refreshments. Bienvenidos amigos! Fee is for the entire family. Sa, 6/21 2-4:30pm $5 Summer Tree Identification Hike Ages 18 & up. Learn to identify native woodland trees and their unique roles in nature. Participants will learn to how use a tree identification key. Sa, 6/28 10:30am-12pm $2 July Ribbed Egg Basket Ages 16 & up. Join Debby Wells in creating a ribbed basket. Participants will construct a round frame for weaving by joining the basket rim and handle with two god’s eyes. Bring a towel, bucket, spring type clothes pins, awl, scissors, tape measure, pencil, and large plastic bag. $25 material fee payable directly to instructor. Sa, 7/5 9am-1pm $5 Wild about Science! Bone Detectives Ages 6-12. Discover how forensic scientists use skulls, tracks, scat and bones to identify wildlife and their activities. Specimens of skulls available to touch and examine. Sa, 7/19 10.30am-12pm $3 Insect Safari Ages 6-12. Join insect enthusiast Peter Edelman on a hike through Dora Kelley Nature Park to get “up close and personal” with local insect specimens. Catch and release session featured (nets provided). Sa, 7/26 10:30am-12:30pm $2 August Small Lunch Pail Basket Ages 16 & up. Join Debby Wells to create your very own lunch pail basket. Participants will create a rectangular plaited basket with lashed on rim and oak handle. Bring your own towel, bucket, spring type clothes pins, awl, scissors, tape measure, pencil, and large plastic bag. $25 material fee payable directly to instructor. Sa, 8/2 9am-1pm $5 Nature Puppets Ages 5-8. Parents are encouraged to assist their child in making a puppet out of an old sock and then join in on outsmarting Mr. Snake puppet in a series of fun games. Sa, 8/2 10:30am-12pm $2 The Raptor Conservancy Family. Learn about the important work of the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia from wildlife expert Kent Knowles. Live hawk and owl presentation featured! Sa, 8/9 10:30am-12pm $2 Pehistoric Tool Workshop Ages 16 & up. Discover how Stone Age peoples used stone to make useful tools and implements. Participants will watch a flint knapping exhibition and test their own skill at making a stone tool. Sa, 8/16 10:30am-12pm $2 Nature Art: Coloring Contest Ages 4-7. Budding artists will employ their creative talents at coloring wildlife drawings with crayons to win a certificate of award. Everyone’s a winner! Sa, 8/23 10:30am-12pm $2 Watershed Journeys Ages 6-17. Learn about how water has shaped the Earth’s surface and made landforms we see everyday, as well as how water sustains all forms of life. Gain information on how we can protect our precious watersheds. Sa, 8/30 2:30-4pm Free JEROME “BUDDIE” FORD NATURE CENTER SUMMER CAMPS It’s time to once again register for Summer Nature Day Camp! Theme based nature camps are offered for children ages 3-12 years old (see below). Camps feature great looking tee shirts, games and prizes, field trips, live animals, take home crafts and much more! Walk-in registration for Alexandria residents opens Wednesday, March 12, from 6-8 pm at the Nature Center. Nonresidents may sign up beginning Friday, March 21. Early registration is advised. Registration forms may be picked up at the Nature Center, all local recreation centers and libraries. To obtain registration forms or additional information, please call the Nature Center at 703.838.4829. Tadpole Camp (3-4 yr. olds) 7/7-7/11 10-11am $65 Budding Naturalist Camp (K-1st Grade) Session I: 6/23-6/25 1-3pm $75 Session II: 6/30-7/2 10am-12pm $75 Jr. Naturalist Camp (2nd-4th Grade) 6/23-6/27 1-4pm $85 Naturalist Aides Camp (5th-6th Grade) 7/7-7/11 1-4pm $95 Science Adventures Summer Camps! Kindergarten-6th Grade This summer, Science Adventures Inc. will be offering a series of week-long camps in the science room of the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center. For registration forms, camp fees, or additional information, visit ScienceAdventures.com or call 1.888.458.1812. Gizmos, Gadgets & Goop 7/14-7/18 9am-3:30pm (full day)/9am-12pm (half day) Space & Rocketry 7/21-7/25 9am-3:30pm (full day)/9am-12pm (half day) Science Detectives 7/28-8/1 9am-3:30pm (full day)/9am-12pm (half day) Extreme Sports Science 8/4-8/8, 9am-3:30pm (full day)/9am-12pm (half day) Science Detectives 8/11-8/15 9am-3:30pm (full day)/9am-12pm (half day)