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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: Snails, Slugs and More!
Sunday, Sept. 14,  2–3 p.m.
Slugs and snails are often misunderstood creatures. Join us and learn the differences between snails, slugs and other mollusks and how they all benefit our environment. 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.

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.

The Needs of Seeds
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m.–noon
Discover the incredible journey of seeds as they transform into plants. Learn about the parts of a flower and the magic behind how seeds grow into the foods we eat and the plants we see every day. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. 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.

Crowder by Night: Predators vs Prey
Friday, Sept. 5, 5–6 p.m.
Delve into the fascinating dynamics of predator-prey relationships in the wild. Explore the strategies predators use to catch their prey and the clever ways prey animals defend themselves. Then join park staff for a walk to look for animals in the park! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children). 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. FREE. 

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.

Discover the Park: Walk in the Woods
Saturday, Sept. 20, 10–11:30 a.m.
Join park staff for a stroll in the woods to uncover the animals and plants that inhabit our park. This month let's explore early signs of fall and spot critters hunkering down for the season! Help collect data for our Natural Resources Inventory Database and other citizen science projects. All experience levels are welcome. We can learn together! For all ages. Registration is required for everyone (all adults, children + siblings), and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Front Office, the first left after entering the park. FREE. 

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.

Check back for our next offering!

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.)

Tiny Tots: "Turtle Splash: Countdown at the Pond" (English Version)
Monday, Sept. 8, 10:15–11 a.m.

Tiny Tots: (Spanish version)
Please note that we are taking a break from Spanish Tiny Tots until the fall. Stay up to date for when the fall season starts by following the park's Facebook page or checking this website.

This slow-paced, sensory-friendly walk is designed for individuals with disabilities and their families.  Free. Registration is required only for participants; this is not a drop-off program, so all guardians and/or aides must be present for the whole program.

Check back later for future offerings.

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.

STORYWALKS^®

August: "The Little Raindrop," by Joanna Gray

September: "Planting a Rainbow," by Lois Ehlert

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.

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.