In-person programs (with restrictions): For all ages. Free. Registration is required for everyone (All adults, children + siblings), and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. We ask that you and your family please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

FAMILY FEATURES

Life Under A Log
Sunday, August 25, 2–3 p.m.
What do you see under a fallen tree? Lots of decomposers at work and other critters looking for a dark, cool place to rest. We’ll search for spiders, slugs, and bugs and learn how important rot, or decomposition, is in nature. For all ages. Registration is required and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. Meet at Heron Shelter, at the end of the lower parking lot.

Animal Tracks and Signs
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2–3 p.m.
Tracks can tell us so much about an animal's behavior. Learn to read the land, including who has been here, where they are going, and how fast! Observe nature around us on a habitat hike and use bug traps to catch and release your favorite insects. For all ages. Registration is required and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. Meet at Heron Shelter, at the end of the lower parking lot.

In-person programs: For all ages. Free. Registration is required for everyone (All adults, children + siblings), and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. We ask that you and your family please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Nature Families: Fish Tales
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m.-noon
There are lots of fish in Crowder Pond! Learn what kinds of fish we find in the park and how they move through water and breathe through gills. Examine some fish up close, then listen to a fishy tale! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Heron Shelter, at the end of the lower parking lot.

In-person programs: For all ages. Free. Registration is required for everyone (All adults, children + siblings), and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. We ask that you and your family please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Nocturnal by Nature
Friday, Sept. 13, 5–6 p.m.
Have you ever been curious about what comes alive after dark? Join us as we learn all about what our resident critters do when the sun goes down, and watch us discover some wildlife out in the park. Make a fun nighttime animal craft. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. Meet at the Heron Shelter, at the end of the lower parking lot.

Walk in the Woods
Offered once a quarter. Join one of our naturalist staff on a nature hike around Crowder to see what we can find! Come prepared to hike a mile by wearing closed-toe shoes and bringing a full water bottle. For all ages (best for ages 6 and up). Free.

Registration is required for everyone (All adults, children + siblings), and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the park office, and we ask that you and your family please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Walk in the Woods
Saturday, Sept. 28, 10-11:30 a.m.
Step into fall with a stroll in the woods to uncover the plants and animals that inhabit our park. This month let's explore signs of fall, and spot critters hunkering down for the season! For all ages (best for ages 6 & up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and no unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. Meet at the park office.

Offered once a quarter. Kids use their imagination to create a different themed craft each season. For all ages. Free. Registration is required for everyone (All adults, children + siblings), and children must have adult accompaniment.

Fun in the Sun
Tuesday, July 16, 11–11:45 a.m.
Let kids unleash their creativity by creating unique art pieces relating to the warmth and brightness of the sun! Create fun sun crafts to help bring in the season. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination!  For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Heron Shelter, at the end of the lower parking lot.

We hope your tiny tots can join us for a short story time and a fun craft with park educators! For all ages (best for ages 6 and under); FREE. Registration required for all programs, and adult accompaniment is required. We are now also offering Tiny Tots in Spanish! (You do not have to speak Spanish to attend.)

August: "The Best Nest," by P. D. Eastman: Aug. 19, 10:15–11 a.m. (English)

Agosto: "El mejor nido," por P. D. Eastman: Aug. 19, 4:30–5:15 p.m. (Spanish)

September: "The Rabbit Listened," by Cori Doerrfeld: Sept. 2, 10:15–11 a.m. (English)

Septiembre: "El conejo escuchó," por Cori Doerrfeld: Sept. 2, 4:30–5:15 p.m. (Spanish)

Crowder is excited to offer you and your families a wonderful, interactive StoryWalk^® activity within the park!

Join us for this fun self-guided activity. This will be located on the Outer Loop Trail, beginning at the park's Bird Garden, which is immediately on the left as you enter the park, across from the park's office.

This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature. This hike is around 0.8 miles.

New to StoryWalk^® concept? Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to signs, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk^® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk^® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Want to explore the park with the knowledge of staff? Check out a discovery box from the park! Discovery boxes are self-guided lesson plans, intended for use by teachers of small classes or parents who wish to educate children without requesting a formal program through the office. All boxes come complete with hands on lesson plans, equipment, story books, guides and take-home activities!

Discovery boxes can be checked out at the park office. Stop by and sign one out today!

For larger groups, please call ahead to 919-662-2850 to reserve a box.

A complete list of activities and age recommendations can be found here.

Birds: Activities Length 15 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will learn to identify different bird behaviors and common birds of the park.

Bugs: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will familiarize themselves with insect life cycles and bugs found at the park.

Crowder’s Critters: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will familiarize themselves with animals native to the NC Piedmont.

Pond-Go: Activities Length: 15 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will identify the plants and animals  that live in a pond.

ABC Hike: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will practice their ABCs on a nature walk and learn about habitats around the world.

Wetlands: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 6 years of age +
Summary: Students will explore a wetland and learn defining characteristics.

Trees of the Park: Activities Length: 15 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will explore the parts of a tree, life cycle and discover the trees of the park.

Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you! Learn more here.