ORNCC Speaker Series; March 20, 2023! Free Seed Libraries: The Whys and Hows of a
Growing Movement – Visit our Programs and Events Page for Details
ORNCC Speaker Series; March 20, 2023! Free Seed Libraries: The Whys and Hows of a Growing Movement – Visit our Programs and Events Page for Details
View and Register for Events Online
View and Register for Events Online
Remember that many programs open to members first. If you are a member, make sure to sign in to view all the programs that are only open to members. Check back often as new programs are added and opened to non-members every week.
PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS:
The Speakers Series programs are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of January, March, April, May, September, October and November. Our speakers give presentations on a wide range of nature-related subjects. These talks are Free for members or $10 for non-members. They take place either online via zoom or in-person at the Nature Center.
Both of these programs require advance registration which can be done online at:
www.OregonRidgeNatureCenter.WildApricot.org
SUMMER CAMP AT OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER
An invitation to register went out to all Members in Good Standing on January 15, 2023.
Registration will open to New and Renewing Members on a first-come, first-serve basis on February 14, 2023.
Registration will open to the General Public and to Members who would like to register their child for an additional week of camp on a first-come, first-serve basis starting on February 28, 2023.
Registration (3 forms and payment) is only accepted via U.S. mail or in-person, phone and email are not an option.
Applications for either of the first-come, first-serve rounds of registration that are received prior to 9:00 a.m. the day that round of camp opens for registration will be held until the day after that round of camp opened, in order to fairly facilitate the first-come, first-serve registration.
Events and Festivals
The Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council sponsors several Annual Events and Festivals each year.
Music in the Woods 2023
(The first Saturday in June)
2023 details to be announced.
Honey Harvest Festival 2023
(The first weekend in October)
2023 details to be announced.
Maple Sugaring Weekends
Thank you to everyone that came out to join us for the 2023 event.
Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at the Oregon Ridge Lodge
(The first weekend in March)
The Pancake Breakfast is back! After the Covid hiatus the Pancake Breakfast returns this year on March 4th and 5th (8am to noon).
Field Trips and Group Programs
School Field Trips
The Oregon Ridge Staff, assisted by our volunteer Trail Guides, provide a variety of nature-based field trip opportunities. These programs are available to public and private school groups as well as community and homeschool groups.
Summer Outreach Programs
When school is out, we switch directions and move from School Field Trips to Summer Outreach Programs. Our Summer Outreach Specialist is available to provide programming to Summer Schools, Summer Camps, Summer Playground Programs, Day Care facilities and other groups looking to provide nature-based educational opportunities to their participants. Our Summer Outreach Program Registration opens on May 1st.
Scout Workshops
We have developed several Cub Scout Adventure Loops and Pins, and Girl Scout Badge Workshops. We have adjusted our scout programs to meet the Nature Center COVID Guidelines. This means all programs are primarily outdoors, usually in one of our pavilions. Most programs are 1-1/2 hours with a capacity of 20 people, including at least 2 leaders/chaperones. The cost of a 1-1/2-hour program is $100.
Other Group Programs
Our Naturalists are well versed and able to provide programming on any number of nature-based topics. Whether you are looking for an on-site or off-site program for your group, we look forward to hearing from you and will do our very best to accommodate your requests.
Nature Quest
Year-round Fun! The Great Outdoors! Prizes!
Nature Quest provides a great opportunity to experience the outdoors and be active with friends and family while discovering some of the best parks and trails in Baltimore County. The Quest is ongoing, but questers that complete at least 5 trails each year receive free admission to that year’s Quest Fest and are entered into raffles for great prizes.
MAEOE
We are a Maryland Green Center and available to assist local schools wishing to become or recertify as a MAEOE-certified Green School
In 2015 ORNC was certified by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) as a Maryland Green Center. In addition to supporting community environmental learning and being a model for various sustainability practices, the key criteria for becoming a Maryland Green Center is helping local schools become MAEOE-certified Green Schools. ORNC is here to encourage and support schools to apply (or re-apply) for Green School Certification from MAEOE.