***Unless otherwise noted, events are held rain or shine, free and fun for all ages; donations are always welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather/activity, wear sunscreen and insect materials, bring water and snacks, and remember to check for ticks***
--------------------------------------------------------September-----------------------------------------------------
September 3, 10, 17, 24: Little Explorers
10-10:45 a.m. at Nature Center in Hilton Area
1101 Hilton Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228
Join us on Thursdays in September for a program designed to get young explorers aged 0-4 outside and engaged in nature! Children will enjoy story times, nature walks, crafts, and sensory exploration. Children must be accompanied by a guardian. While the program is geared towards younger children, siblings are welcome with advance notice. Signup required. Will be cancelled for heavy rain.
*FULL*September 5: Toys for Talons
1-2:30 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center
5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Help encourage natural behaviors in our birds of prey by assembling interactive items! Staff will guide participants through the creation of enrichment materials to mentally stimulate the Scales & Tales ambassadors. Perhaps yours will get chosen for the day! Materials provided, donations accepted.
Signup required, limited to 20 participants. Rain or shine.
*FULL - Waitlist Open* September 9: Runoff, River Health, and Drinking Water
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Daniels Trailhead
2090 Daniels Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
The human-built and natural environment can both threaten water quality and river health. We’ll canoe the Patapsco River while talking about how pollutants enter our water, and how we can mitigate the risks both before and after they enter the water. Shine only. Signup required, limited to 16 participants. Canoes, PFDs, and paddles provided. While this program is free of charge, we do appreciate donations to help support programs like this.
September 19: The Cosmic Distance Scale: A Journey Across the Universe
8:30-10:30 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center
5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Join Westminster Astronomical Society Inc., for an enlightening voyage through the vastness of space! Our stellar navigators will unravel the secrets of cosmic distances, allowing us to piece together the fabric of the universe. Learn how astronomers use parallax - the apparent shift in a star’s position- to measure distances to nearby stars. Signup encouraged. Rain or shine.
September 23: Patapsco Valley State Park History Bike Ride
10-noon at Avalon Area, William Offutt Johnson History Center
5120 South Street, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Patapsco Valley’s history is full of creation and destruction, and its future is full of promise. Led by a Naturalist, you’ll take a mostly flat and paved (6 mile) bike tour of the Avalon Area to discover the past, present, and upcoming potential of the areas that make up Maryland’s oldest state park. Participants will need to provide their own bicycles and safety gear.
Signup required, limited to 15 participants. Shine only.
September 27: Interpretation Volunteer Training
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center
Spend more time in Patapsco Valley State Park and Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area by becoming a volunteer! Join us for Interp Training, where we will explain volunteer expectations, updates, and end with several break-out sessions.
Signup required. Rain or shine.
--------------------------------------------------------October-----------------------------------------------------
October 3: Leave No Trace Hike
10 a.m.-Noon at Soldiers Delight NEA
5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Enjoy the fall foliage with a volunteer ranger on a leisurely 2 mile hike to learn and discuss the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. Think about how Leave No Trace affects everyone and how you can help! The trail features uneven terrain and is in direct sunlight, so please follow the first principle and Be prepared! Shine only. Signup encouraged.
October 16: Teen Rangers - PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Avalon Area, Shelter 105
5120 South Street, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Earn you service learning hours, learn about environmental conservation, and help your community in this service-based program. This is specifically designed for ages 14-18. Shine only. This program will focus on river dam destruction, so be prepared to wade in the river (with waders provided by the park). Signup required, limited to 20 participants.
October 17: The Quest for Cosmic Companions
6:30-8:30 p.m. at Soldiers Delight Visitor Center
5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Tonight we will provide an overview of this age-old question: are we alone in the universe? We will draw upon the pioneering work of physicist Dr. Frank Drake and his eponymous equation for estimating the number of communicative civilizations in our galaxy. Rain or shine. Signup encouraged.
------------------------------------------------------Girl Scouts Love State Parks------------------------------------------------
Girl Scouts Love State Parks!
September 11-13: Earn your badge!
September 19-20: Complete a service project!
This year, Girl Scouts Love State Parks has EXPANDED! Join us on one or both of the weekends to earn a badge, patch or
September 11: Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Night Owl Badge *FULL and CLOSED*
6:30-8:30 p.m. at Avalon Area, Shelter 106
5120 South Street, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Night has captured the human imagination for centuries, and tonight will be no different! Join our naturalists as they lead you on a journey through the night listening to stories and the nature all around you. Open to Cadettes. Signup required, limited to 20 scouts. Please be sure to follow Volunteer Essential Guidelines. Shine only.
September 12: Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Trees Badge
*FULL and CLOSED*
1-3 p.m. McKeldin Area, Tall Poplar Trailhead
11676 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Grab your Naturalist hat and get ready to explore the wonderful world of Trees! Join us as we lead you through the Trees badge. All ages are welcome, the program is geared towards Cadettes. Signup required, limited to 20 scouts. Please be sure to follow Volunteer Essential Guidelines. Shine Only.
September 12: Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Campfire Safety Badge *FULL and CLOSED*
6:30-8 p.m. Avalon Area, Shelter 10
5120 South Street, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Join our naturalists around the campfire and learn a bit about safety, some songs to sing, and gain some new stories to tell at your next camping trip! This program is open to all ages. Signup required, limited to 20 scouts. Please be sure to follow Volunteer Essential Guidelines. Shine Only.
September 13: Girl Scouts Love State Parks- Find your Way Badge (Orienteering)
*FULL and CLOSED*
11-12:30 p.m. McKeldin Area, Shelter 508
11676 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Learn the basics of navigating using only our topographic maps and compass. Expect fun activities and crafts. No compass required! Open to Juniors. Signup required, limited to 20 scouts. Please be sure to follow Volunteer Essential Guidelines. Shine Only.
September 13: Girl Scouts Love State Parks- Shapes in Nature Badge
*FULL and CLOSED*
1-3 p.m. Hilton Area, Nature Center
1101 Hilton Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228
Join the naturalists as they guide you through the Shapes in Nature badge! Be free to express your creativity through the power of natural beauty that is all around us! Signup required, limited to 20 scouts brownie to junior age (7-11). Please be sure to follow Volunteer Essential Guidelines. Shine Only.
September 19: Girl Scouts Love State Parks Service Project- Trail Work at Soldiers Delight
10-2 p.m. Soldiers Delight NEA, Meet in the Visitor Center
5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Grab some gloves and help your local Natural Environment Area in doing some trail work! This event is only for Girls Scouts with troops of Cadette age and older(11-17). Signup required. Limited to 20 participants. Please be sure to follow Volunteer Essential Guidelines. Shine Only.
September 19: Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Service Project- Walk-in Raptor Enrichment Workshop
11-3 p.m. Soldiers Delight NEA, Meet in the Visitor Center
5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Have you ever given a vulture a toy? Captive wild animals need lots of activities and benefit from toys and enrichment items. Join us at Soldiers Delight to learn about raptors and craft enrichment for them! Signup required for groups larger than 5. Recommended for Girl Scout troops of Daisy (5) and older. Rain or shine.
September 20: Girl Scouts Love State Parks Service Project- Hilton Nature Center Sensory Trail Work
*FULL and CLOSED*
11-1 p.m. Hilton Area, Nature Center
1101 Hilton Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228
Join the naturalists as we work on the Hilton Area Sensory Trail! Projects may include weeding the gardens, re-stringing the ropes, and more. Signup required, limited to 20 scouts Junior to Cadette age (9-14). Please be sure to follow Volunteer Essential Guidelines. Shine Only.
Senior Rangers - Fall 2026 - FULL AND CLOSED!
Wednesdays from September 30 to November 11
2 sessions available!
10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.
10 a.m. FULL
$40 for all 7 sessions, $10 discount for Golden Age Pass Holders
This program is for seniors ages 55 and older. Enjoy a different program each Wednesday: history, the natural world, archery, canoeing, and hiking. Fun and fellowship guaranteed!
**Headquarters is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
