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.
Field Trips
** 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! Dress for the Weather.
- 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.
- Wear Closed–toe shoes.
Please complete the program request form for reservations.
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!
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.
Green School
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.
