Scout & School Programs
Cromwell Valley Park is 460 acres of natural beauty nestled between Towson and Parkville in Baltimore County, MD. The Park is a stream valley, with a mixture of wetlands, pasture, cultivated fields, orchards, gardens, & woodlands. Settled for farming in the late 1700s, the Park has a little something for everyone: hiking, bird & wildlife watching, vegetable gardening, community service projects, and more! At our Willow Grove Nature Center, we offer Naturalist guided programs on nature, conservation, farming, nature, local and natural history.
Fall ’24 Registration
REGISTRATION UPDATE!
If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or scout program, please fill out the below request form and email the form to Ranger Laura at [email protected].
Please use these two documents for your Fall 2024 registration requests:
FIELD TRIPS ARE SCHEDULED TUESDAYS – THURSDAYS AT 10:00 AM
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
FALL 2024
For our Official 2024 programs registration, CLICK HERE.
For our Official 2024 PDF brochure, CLICK HERE.
All of our programs begin and end at the WILLOW GROVE FARM NATURE CENTER parking lot. Most programs include a hike that usually ends in the stream, so let us know if you do not want to get wet!
ALL FIELD TRIPS ARE SCHEDULED TUESDAYS – THURSDAYS AT 10:00 AM
( Key: S = Spring F = Fall W = Winter )
• Kinder Nature (SF). 1 Hour– Pre-K & K Explore a seasonal topic with a Naturalist.
• Outdoor Living Skills (SF). Grades 2 and up. Learn how to make fire, build shelter, and other survival skills.
• Colonial Life at Fort Garrison (F). Grades 2 and up. Who were the Rangers stationed at the old Fort in 1693? Emphasis is on skills, tools and 17th century history. (OFFSITE at Fort Garrison in Pikesville.)
• Reptiles & Amphibians (SF). Snakes, turtles and frogs have fascinating lives. Hike with us to look for and observe them.
• Geology of Maryland (SF). Rocks and the minerals within them are like cookies which have ingredients. We’ll hike to discover & collect specimens.
• Hike into History (SF). Grades 2 and up. Hike to the log cabin and lime kilns to learn about life in Cromwell Valley 160 years ago. Try your hand at some of the things they did back then.
• The Native Americans of Maryland (SF). What was life like for Native Americans be-fore Europeans arrived? Learn by doing some of the things they did daily.
• Habitat Explorers (SF). All animals need food, water, shelter, and living space. Learn how animals have adapted to thrive in their habitats.
• Stream Strollers (SF). How does the health of our stream affect the health of the Chesa-peake Bay? Wade in with us to catch the crit-ters that live there. Water shoes/boots are a MUST.
• Discovering Insects (Late S & Early F). Explore the park’s diverse insect life. Collect and observe insects. Learn about their life cycles and behavior.
• “Tree”mendous Trees (SF). All living things, including us, depend on trees. Hike and identify trees by their shape, leaves, branching, smell, taste, bark, fruit, and seeds.
• Spring Planting (S). 90 mins– Pre-K & K . Learn how plants grow & why farms are important and then plant a sunflower seed to take home.
• Fall Harvest (F). 90 mins– Pre-K & K. What was it like to live on Willow Grove Farm 160 years ago? Join in the harvest as we learn about the crops we harvest in the Fall.
• Scout Programs. All year round– 1 hour. We offer hands-on nature & animal programs that satisfy scout requirements.
• Community Outreach. All year round– 1 hour. Attention Teachers! Can’t come to the Park? Schedule a Ranger to come to your school!
Program Days & Times: Field trips are scheduled at 10 AM on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Rain or Shine! Dress for the Weather. Wear Closed–toe shoes.
Reservations
Programs are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.
If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or scout program, please fill out the below request form and email the form to Ranger Laura at [email protected].
All requests must be submitted using our Program Request Form. If you have any questions or need help selecting a program, please contact our Activity Coordinator / Master Naturalist, Laura Page via EMAIL at [email protected] or by calling 410-887-3014.
You may submit your form to Laura Page as well via the email above or via postal mail to CVP Program Requests, 2002 Cromwell Bridge Road, Parkville, MD 21234.
Program Days & Times
Field trips are scheduled at 10 AM on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Rain or Shine! Dress for the Weather. Wear Closed–toe shoes.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
For all PROGRAMS, the following fee schedule is in effect:
- Baltimore County Public Schools: Free
• Baltimore City Public Schools: Free
• Non-profit** Groups, Onsite Field Trip: $50 per hour
• For-profit Groups, Onsite Field Trip: $100 per hour
• Non-profit** Groups, Outreach Program: $100 per hour
• For-profit Groups, Outreach Program: $150 per hour
• Weekend Scout Programs: $6 per Scout
** Non-profits are required to provide their EIN identification number to receive discounted rate.**
NEW! Confirmation/ Payment Process
Once a completed request form is received, the field trip will be entered into Baltimore County’s CivicRec registration site. The teacher or representative of the school will then be requested to register online. If a fee is owed, payment must be completed at this time by card. (If a different form of payment is needed, please call 410-887-3014 for more information.) Upon registration and payment (if required) a confirmation email will be sent to the organizing teacher or representative.
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:
- School/Group program requests are limited to 2 trips per season.
- We do not have indoor bathrooms, but port-a-pots are available.
- Students, chaperones & teachers must stay together at all times. Teachers and chaperones are expected to be fully involved in the program and to provide oversight. Please do not bring siblings as our indoor space is limited.
- Trips are held RAIN or SHINE!
- Number of students LIMITED to 40 or less.
- Weekday Pre K and K programs are 1 hour in length at 10 AM, except Fall Harvest, which is 2 hours in length at 10 AM. All other age groups programs are 2 hours in length at 10 AM to 12 PM. Scout Programs are 1 hour in length.
- We have picnic tables to eat your lunch. Bring bags & carry trash out with you.
- Please complete the PROGRAM REQUEST FORM for reservations. See policy on right.
Reservations
Programs are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.
If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or scout program, please fill out the below request form and email the form to Ranger Laura at [email protected].
All requests must be submitted using our PROGRAM REQUEST FORM. You may also MAIL to CVP Program Requests, 2002 Cromwell Bridge Road, Parkville, MD 21234.
If you have any questions, or need help seleting a program, please contact our Laura Page atvia email.or by phone at 410-887-2503.
Program Days & Times
Field trips are scheduled at 10 AM on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Rain or Shine! Dress for the Weather. Wear Closed–toe shoes.
VOLUNTEER
Do you like nature and being outside with children? Are you concerned that many children are not developing an appreciation for nature? You can help by volunteering on our school field trips. No experience is necessary! We will train you and mentor you with naturalists and experienced volunteers. You can volunteer once a week or once a month. It’s rewarding and it’s fun!
Please call the Willow Grove Nature Center at 410-887-3014 to learn more about the September and March Volunteer Training sessions!
Program Days & Times
Field trips are scheduled at 10 AM on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Rain or Shine! Dress for the Weather. Wear Closed–toe shoes.
BUS DIRECTIONS
Beltway, I-695 to Exit 29, Cromwell Bridge Rd. At the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp, turn LEFT (East) onto Cromwell Bridge Rd. Continue on Cromwell Bridge Rd past Loch Raven High School. The 1st entrance to the Park is Sherwood Farm. Do Not turn into the Sherwood Farm entrance! Go ½ mile past the Sherwood Farm entrance to the 2 nd entrance, Willow Grove Farm. Turn LEFT into the driveway and continue across the bridge to the gravel parking lot. Do not block the Emergency Access road on the West end of the parking lot.
Program Days & Times
Field trips are scheduled at 10 AM on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Rain or Shine! Dress for the Weather. Wear Closed–toe shoes.
Green Schools Programs
Is your school interested in becoming a Green School? Or are you already a Green School and need some additional ideas or assistance? Cromwell Valley Park is proud to be certified as a Green Center by the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). We are here to help!
- Green School application support and/or review
- Green School process presentation to faculty or Green Teams
- Professional Development on a myriad of environmental topics
- Technical support for planning Green School projects
- Resources and contacts
- Environmental programs at your school
- Student field trips at CVP
- Environmental programs for adults at CVP
Contact the Nature Center at 410 887-3014 with your Green School questions.
The Green Schools initiative is sponsored by the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education.