Learn about the beauties of nature at the most fun family event of the year!
NCAC presents its 6th 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 30, 10 AM–3 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
Our Partners
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
Recurring / Extraordinary Caterpillar Film
Rest your weary feet in CE 101 during this beautifully themed movie documenting the little life and transformation of the caterpillar. Showtimes: 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:00 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 / Works of Art from Found Objects
Stop by BU 105 to learn how to make all types of art using found objects with Sea Drift Sculptures. This presentation is perfect for creatives and explorers.
10:15 AM / Little Bug Yoga (ages 2+)
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 in the BU lobby area.
10:30 AM / CSM Campus Nature Walk
With CSM's botany professor, Bill Wultich, students will start in BU 111 and explore the college's campus for natural wonders, bugs, butterflies, flowers, and more.
10:45 AM / Yoga Charades
Mix some music and movement in this short yoga session with Annah of Yoga & Movement Rx with Annah in BU lobby area.
10:45–10:55 AM / Relay Races
Race with your friends at the Creative Cove on the SR lawn to burn some energy before seeing another show!
11 AM / The Last Bivalvian
Join the Chesapeake Mermaid in BI 103 for an exciting look into the aquatic world of mollusks!
11 AM / Raptors: Native Birds of Prey
Learn all about raptors from Mike Callahan of the Nanjemoy Environmental Education Center outside the library! Plus, meet a raptor in real life.
11:15 AM / Musical Yoga (ages 2+)
Mix some music and movement in this short yoga session with Annah of Yoga & Movement Rx with Annah in BU lobby area.
11:30–11:50 AM / Forest Frolic: Music & Movement Fun (ages 2–6)
We're wiggling and squiggling in this nature-themed interactive mix of jumping, shaking, and song with Ms Miriam of the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center. Join us at the Creative Cove on the SR lawn.
11:50 AM–12 PM / Relay Races
Race with your friends at the Creative Cove on the SR lawn to burn some energy before seeing another show!
12 PM / Silly Songs by the Barnyard Bard
On the CC building stage (Room 102), Alden Phelps, a children's song writer and singer, shares animal songs like ‘Everybody’s Wakin’ Up,’ colorful visuals, and animated stories to cultivate an appreciation of farms and understanding of the central role that farms play in our everyday lives. Perfect for ages 5–9.
12:30 PM / Giants of the Bay
With the Chesapeake Mermaid in BI 103, we're introduced to some of the biggest challenges facing our environment—development, industry, and policy. Together, we learn how to be giants ourselves as we explore the environment and how to protect it.
12:30 PM / Little Bug Yoga (ages 2+)
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 in the BU lobby area.
12:45–12:55 PM / Relay Races
Race with your friends at the Creative Cove on the SR lawn to burn some energy before seeing another show!
1–1:20 PM / Forest Frolic: Music & Movement Fun (ages 2–6)
In the Creative Cove on the SR lawn, we're wiggling and squiggling in this nature-themed interactive mix of jumping, spinning, shaking, and song with Ms Miriam of the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center.
1:15 PM / Exploring on a Nature Walk
Join the Earth Liaison in BU 107 as we begin a nature walk to explore everything nature-related from bugs and stems to seeds and soil.
1:30 PM / Raptors: Native Birds of Prey
Learn all about raptors from Mike Callahan of the Nanjemoy Environmental Education Center outside the library! Plus, meet a raptor in real life.
1:45–1:55 PM / Relay Races
Race with your friends at the Creative Cove on the SR lawn to burn some energy before seeing another show!
2 PM / CSM Campus Nature Walk
With CSM's botany professor, Bill Wultich, students will start in BU 106 and explore the college's campus for natural wonders, bugs, butterflies, flowers, and more.
10 AM–1:30 PM / Celtic Music
Presented by the River Barge Trading Company on the AD Building Awning.
10 AM–2 PM / Banjo Music
By our returning Roundhouse Banjo Band on the bookstore steps.
Get ready for
live bird shows
Get to know
a frog
Create a
animal-themed cup
Get out and
go on a nature scavenger hunt and win a prize
2026 Exhibitors
1treeyoga
4-H STEAM Rollers Club
Alice Ferguson Foundation
Atlantic Kayak Company
B-Fabric Art
Charles County 4-H Club
Charles County Government – Planning & Growth Management
Chesapeake Mermaid
Conservancy for Charles County
Cub Scout Pack 1786 Mechanicsville
CSM BIO Department - Owl Pellet Dissection
CSM Butterfly Masks
CSM Environmental Studies Degree
CSM Seed Library / Seed Box
CSM Student Nature Art Display
CSM Natural Dyeing
CSM Campus Nature Walks with Bill Wultich
CSM Kids' and Teen College
DarkSky
Earth Liaison
Earthly Delights Native Gardening
Ecobay Landscape
Forrest Career & Technology Center – Natural Resources Management Class
Goodman LLC | Native Plants & Conservation Consultancy
Herpetology / Amphibian Display, Keith Linville
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Maryland Bird Nerd
MD Volt Inc.
Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center
NCAC Nature Art Experiences
Owl Moon Raptor Center
Paracord Bracelet Activity
Pat Biles’ Vermicomposting
Port Tobacco River Conservancy
Rootbound Farms
Roundhouse String Band
Salted Scoop
Scouting America
Sea Drift Sculptures
SMECO EV Program
SOMD Conservation Alliance
Southern Maryland Astronomical Society
Southern Maryland Audubon Society
Tesla Owners Club of Maryland
The Hip Hop Homestead Press
Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association
Tim Hutzley, Arborist
Town of La Plata & CSM La Plata – Bird City/Bee Campus
Treasure Nest
University of Maryland Insect Zoo
University of Maryland Extension – Charles County Master Gardeners
USGS Bee Lab
Virginia Osprey Foundation
Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay
Wildlife Rehabilitation-Holly Smirnoff
Yeduri
Yoga with Annah
Door Prizes Supplied By
Bona Terra — Assorted Native Plants
Chesapeake Mermaid — 2 Book Bundles
Chesapeake Natives — Gift Certificate
Earthly Delights Native Gardening - Nature themed print
ECOBAY Landscape — Two potted native plants
Forrest Career & Technology Center—Natural Resources Management Class
Foster’s Grill — Gift Certificates for Family Meals
Goodman LLC — 3 Gallon Chickasaw Plum
Mission Barbeque - Sandwich coupons
Neighborhood Creative Arts Center — Five $20 gift certificates
Providence Greenhouses — Potted plant (swamp milkweed) and $50 gift card
Salted Scoop — Two gift cards
Southern Maryland Audubon Society — Stuffed Bald Eagle (approximately $30 value)
Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay - Native Plant Assortment
Sponsors & Grantors
NatureFest 2025
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
NatureFest would not be possible without the in-kind donations from these organizations over the years:
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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:
For more fun nature-based resources, please check these out:
For more amazing online resources, check out the Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation's website.
Thank you to the following individuals who helped our first NatureFest in 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