NatureFest 2026: Southern Maryland's Ultimate Free Family Event with Over 50 Hands-on Activities!
Prepare to be amazed, get your hands dirty, and have a blast as we celebrate the wonders of the natural world together! The Neighborhood Creative Arts Center (NCAC), in collaboration with the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), is thrilled to invite you to the 6th Annual NatureFest.
This is a FREE event designed for families and nature lovers of all ages. To save time when you arrive, be sure to complete your free pre-registration online!
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Event Details
When: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM โ 3:00 PM
Where: College of Southern Maryland (La Plata Campus), 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata
๐ฟ Whatโs Happening? (50+ Hands-On Activity Stations!)
We have packed the campus with over 50 incredible, interactive stations for the whole family to explore. Here is a sneak peek at what you will experience:
๐ Live Animal Encounters: Get up close and personal with turtles, snakes, birds, and other incredible creatures that call Southern Maryland home.
๐จ Eco-Art & Nature Crafts: Let your creativity run wild! Use leaves, pinecones, and other natural treasures to craft beautiful, earth-friendly artwork to take home.
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Nature Scavenger Hunts: Ready for an adventure? Explore the wild world of plants and insects with an exciting campus-wide scavenger hunt perfect for kids.
๐งโโ๏ธ Live Interactive Performances: Enjoy captivating shows throughout the day, including stories and shells with the beloved Chesapeake Mermaid, silly songs with the Barnyard Bard, workshops on creating your own sea drift sculptures, and much more!
๐ฌ STEM in the Wild!: Step into the shoes of a scientist! Dive into hands-on experiments featuring seed sprouting, soil testing, and mini weather stations, or peer into the cosmos with high-powered telescopes for a unique look at our solar system.
๐งธ A Peaceful Place for Little Explorers: Need a moment to recharge? We feature a dedicated quiet, sensory-friendly space designed specifically for younger kids and families with neurodivergent childrenโthe perfect pit stop for an afternoon recentering.
๐ค Our Partners & Sponsors
This community celebration is brought to life thanks to our incredible partners and generous sponsors.
Community Partners:
- Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay
- Southern Maryland Audubon Society
- Keep La Plata Beautiful / Bird City & Bee City Campus
Proudly Sponsored By:
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC)
- Charles County Arts Alliance
๐๏ธ Join Us!
Whether you want to meet live raptors, build an eco-masterpiece, or just enjoy a beautiful spring day learning about our planet, NatureFest 2026 has something for everyone.
Don't forget to share this event with friends and family, and pre-register online to breeze through check-in on arrival. We can't wait to see you there!
(Note: Neighborhood Creative Arts Center (NCAC) is a proud 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Official links to free registration can be found directly on our website.)
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3639582-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3639582-2
