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NatureFest 2025

Another year done!

Thank you SO much for all your love and support at NatureFest this year! We had 700+ attendees and 60+ exhibitors, presenters, and vendors. You made this event the special experience it was for every family and individual. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

To keep events like this coming, please leave us a review on Google or Facebook (or both!!). ☺️

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Hello friend!

We are SO excited to welcome you to our 5th annual Nature Fest! This is the biggest yet, so we've provided ALL the resources you'll need to have a wonderful time here on this page. If you have any questions, please ask one of our NCAC volunteers!

CROWD RELEASE/NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY: By entering an event or program of the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. Your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising. By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event premises. ANIMAL WAIVER The need for people to understand and become familiar with a broad range of animals and living organisms is important to both education and the development of an appreciation of other life forms. Attendees of the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center events may encounter live animals which are part of approved educational programs, science projects or learning experiences. In some circumstances, attendees may be encouraged to touch or handle these animals as a part of the educational experience. While dangerous animals are not permitted at these events, any animal may at times bite, scratch, or otherwise react to human contact. Reptiles also require special care to ensure that, after handling, the hands are washed with soap and water to prevent the possibility of illness. While reasonable efforts will be made to prevent any injury or illness which could result from interacting with such animals, the possibility of an incident may still exist. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to certain types of animals such as cats, dogs and birds and, as a result of such contact, may develop a reaction which could include skin rashes or respiratory distress. This may not be evident until the first time a person handles an animal to which they had not previously been exposed. By attending this event, you agree to hold the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, its Board, the individual members thereof, and all employees and volunteers harmless from any claim of loss or liability for bodily injury, damage to property, or any other loss, claim of any kind or nature, arising out of participation in educational activities involving animals owned by staff, vendors or other pupils as well as live animals owned or authorized by the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center for educational purposes.

MAP

To view the map in full-screen mode, tap or click the image. The map can also be downloaded to your photos! 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Every Hour / Flight of the Butterflies Movie

Rest your weary feet in CE 101 during this beautifully themed movie documenting the discovery of Monarch migration patterns. Showtimes: 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM

All Day / Face Paint

Stop by our face paint canopy for a free nature-inspired look!

All Day / Peaceful Place

A peaceful place in CE 108 for little ones to rest, decompress, or just take a break. Designed especially for PreK and elementary-aged children.

10:15 AM / Little Bug Yoga

Calling all our little bugs and their partners! For ages 2+ and their parents, join us for a short yoga session with Annah of Yoga & Movement Rx with Annah in BU 112.

10:45 AM / Yoga Charades

For ages 6–100+, join us for a short yoga session with Annah of Yoga & Movement Rx with Annah in BU 112

11 AM–12 PM / Native Bees

Visit BU 105 to learn about native bees from Sam Droege, a Wildlife Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD!

11 AM / Native Birds of Prey

Join us outside the library to learn all about raptors from Mike Callahan!

11–11:15 AM / Oyster Reefs with Forrest Tech

You probably know what an oyster is, and we'll bet you know what a reef is, but do you know what an oyster reef is? Visit BU 117 and find out.

11 AM–12 PM / The Last Bivalvian

Join the Chesapeake Mermaid in BI 103 for an exciting look into the aquatic world of mollusks! 

11:15 AM / Musical Yoga

Mix some music and movement in this short yoga session with Annah of Yoga & Movement Rx with Annah in BU 112

12 PM–12:45 PM / Oyster Jeopardy

The world is your oyster...or is it? Test your knowledge in BU 107 with Richard Siciliano of the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners. 

12–1 PM / Chesapeake Mermaid Pictures

Don't miss the queue for VIP sessions and pictures with our visiting Chesapeake Mermaid! Line up at the BI building.

12:30 PM / King's Kingdom

Discover and pet native reptiles and amphibians at this family-oriented animal showcase in BU 111.

12:30 PM / Little Bug Yoga

Calling all our little bugs and their partners! For ages 2+ and their parents, join us for a short yoga session with Annah of Yoga & Movement Rx with Annah in BU 112.

1–2 PM / Volunteering in Calvert County

Visit the Calvert Nature Society in BU 106 to learn about the many, many volunteer opportunities in Calvert County!

1 PM / Native Birds of Prey

Learn all about raptors from Mike Callahan outside the library!

1:15 PM / Yoga Charades

For ages 6–100+, join us for a short yoga session with Annah of Yoga & Movement Rx with Annah in BU 112

Learn about the beauties of nature at the most fun event of the year!

NCAC presents its 5th annual

NatureFest

Prepare to be amazed, get your hands dirty, and have loads of fun as we learn about the beauties of nature together! This is a free event for families of all ages.  

When: Saturday, May 31, 10 AM–2 PM

Where: College of Southern Maryland,

              8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata​​

Register online to save time on your arrival!

Share NatureFest with your friends and family

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Get ready for

Image by Chandan Chaurasia

live animal shows

Get to know

Image by Stephanie LeBlanc

a frog

Create a

stick wind
chime

Photo Credit: Happy Hooligans

Get out and

Children's Race

go on a nature scavenger hunt and win a prize

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Thank you to our 2025 exhibitors

121 Creations

Alice Ferguson Foundation

American Chestnut Land Trust

Amos Cozy Creations

Art of Belle

Calvert Kettle Corn

Calvert Nature Society

Caretta Inspired Journeys

CC Planning and Growth Management

Chesapeake Bay Laboratories

Chesapeake Bay Trust

CSM BIO DEP Owl Pellet Dissection—Pollinator Garden Scavenger Hunt 

CSM Environmental Studies Degree—Bottle Cap Art

CSM Seed Library

CSM Vertical Agriculture

Earth Liaison

Ecobay

Face Painting

Forrest Career and Technology Center

Herpetology and Amphibian Display

Kid's College Display

King's Kingdom

Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA)

Maryland Bird Nerd

MD Volt Inc.

Microcope Critters Display

Monarch Display

Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center

Nurture Natives

Owl Moon Raptor Rescue

Paracord Bracelets by Nathan Daetwyler

Port Tobacco River Conservancy

Pottery Inspired by Nature

Robert Ramos Photograpy 

Roundhouse String Band

Salted Scoop Ice Cream Truck

School House Pottery

Sensory Table by Ashton Gordon

SMECO-EV Program

Southern Maryland Astronomical Society

Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance

Southern Maryland Engineering Partnership with Christine Owens

The Conservancy for Charles County

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association

Town of La Plata and CSM La Plata—Bird/Bee City, Bird/Bee Campus

UMD Extension Charles County Master Gardener

UMD Extension 4-H

USGS Bee Lab

Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay

NatureFest 2024

NatureFest 2023

Did you miss out on NatureFest?

Watch and listen as our director, Ms. Georgia, talks about NatureFest 2023 and all of its fun!

Credit: Bill Smith, videographer

Image by Florian GIORGIO
A couple of helpful resources and fun activities!

When you attend NatureFest, your child will receive activity kits. The Charles County Master Gardeners have created these resources to help them further understand how to assemble and use their kits.

You may also reference Instructional videos here:

Charles County Extension YouTube channel

And further resources are available here:

CCMG website Resource page

For more fun nature-based resources, please check these out:

 

For more amazing online resources, check out the Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation's website.

NatureFest would not be possible without the kind donations from these organizations:

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Thank you to the following individuals who helped NatureFest 2021 become a reality through their donations:

Bill and Marlene Smith
Jacqueline Jenkins

Laverne R. Madison

Lester and Bettina Bailem

Michelle Chenault

Pat Biles

Teresa Jones

Teri White

Terry Thir

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