2021
field guide TO EXPLORE THE WORLD & MAKE YOUR MARK SPONSORED BY:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PUBLISHED BY: Jefferson Communications, LLC 121 Cathedral Street 3A Annapolis, MD 21401 410-263-1641 Fax: 443-782-1495
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MARITIME INDUSTRY Explore the waters and histor y of the Chesapeake Bay
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U-PICK FARMS Get out in the field to pick your own produce
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FOSSIL HUNTING Dig for centuries old fossils, rocks, sharks teeth, and more
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BIRD WATCHING Best spots to watch and obser ve birds and other wildlife
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HISTORY LESSON Learn about our state's histor y by visiting archaeological sites
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ART LESSON Feel inspired to get creative with a visit to an art museum
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BEACHES OFF THE BEATEN PATH Get your feet sandy and play in the waves on area beaches
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FINDING BUTTERFLIES Obser ve and mar vel at butterflies and other winged insects
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FISHING IN MARYLAND Tons of places to drop in a hook and start fishing
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TUBING IN MARYLAND Hold on tight and head down the river floating on a tube
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WATERPARK ENGINEERING Splash around and cool off with a day at the waterpark
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LET'S GO CHASING WATERFALLS Adventure out to find the area's best and coolest waterfalls
All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of Chesapeake Family Life, by any means without permission, is strictly prohibited. ©2021 Jefferson
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FIELD GUIDE FUN Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore and learn new things. We are fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of opportunities for fun and discover y. The Field Guide is designed to offer suggestions for places to scout out and then record some of what kids have learned during their exploration, just like scientists do when they go out and do field work. MONEY SAVING TIPS • Consider buying a Mar yland State Park Annual Passport. One annual fee of $75 will permit you to have unlimited day-use admission for ever yone in your vehicle (up to 10 people) to Mar yland's state parks and facilities, unlimited boat launching at all applicable state park facilities and a ten percent discount on state-operated concession items and boat rentals. You can purchase the pass at a state park, or online. dnr.mar yland.gov/publiclands/pages/ annualpass.aspx • County Parks and Recreation permits are also available with similar benefits to the Mar yland State Park Passes. • Consider heading out for your adventures mid-week, or at non-peak times. There will be fewer people and related fees may be reduced. • Due to COVID please check any restrictions before leaving home. As of the time of printing the Field Guide was current, but things can change quickly. $ Denotes admission fee
There are special offers and chances to win prizes to ever yone who purchased the Field Guide. Check the following web page often to learn more about the latest offers. chesapeakefamily.com/field-guide-deals Your password is summer2021
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MARITIME INDUSTRY The Chesapeake Bay has a long and storied maritime histor y, dating back to the Native Americans. Watermen and shipping traffic have played a huge role in the histor y, economy and culture of Mar yland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. These Maritime Museums around the Bay offer hands-on experiences and educational exhibits that showcase the Chesapeake Bay's unique maritime histor y. ANNAPOLIS MARITIME MUSEUM Annapolis, amaritime.org
Interactives invite visitors to learn, play and experience the maritime histor y and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors can step up to a large-scale, four player digital game, interact with a life-like hologram of a Bay waterman, or board one of three boats to experience the Bay in a virtual reality setting. $ CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM Solomons, calvertmarinemuseum.com
Explore how our Prehistoric past, natural environment, and maritime heritage come together to tell a unique stor y of the Chesapeake Bay. $ CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM St. Michaels, cbmm.org
Each day offers something unique at CBMM. Talk with a shipwright or visiting captain about his or her work or vessel and be sure to climb to the top of the historic 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse for the best view of St. Michaels harbor. $ HAVRE DE GRACE MARITIME MUSEUM & ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER Havre de Grace, hdgmaritimemuseum.org
The Underground Railroad, John Smith Trail and the Susquehannocks and the Coast Guard have all had an impact on moving products and people across the water. Exhibits here show how boats and their movements were essential to the growth of the community. $ C&O CANAL Potomac, nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/visitor-centers.htm
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was started in 1828 as a way to transport coal, lumber and agricultural products to and from Washington DC up the Potomac River all the way to Pittsburgh. Unfortunately cheaper railroad transportation made it to Cumberland before the canal was finished, limiting its use. You can walk along the canal and learn more about it at the Great Falls Visitor Center (expected to open soon). $
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The Hooper Strait Lighthouse Lighthouse keepers had risky jobs with an important responsibility to keep the Chesapeake’s shoals and channels safely marked for shipping. The 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse was originally built in 1879 to light the way for boats passing through the shallow, dangerous shoals of Hooper Strait, a thoroughfare for boats bound from the Chesapeake Bay across Tangier Sound to Deal Island or places along the Nanticoke and Wicomico Rivers.
What happened to the original Hooper Lighthouse?
Draw a picture of what you imagine the boats looked like passing through Hooper Strait.
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U-PICK FARMS Get your hands on the freshest local produce as you and your family pick your own fruits, vegetables and flowers.
BERRY DAZE Lothian, houseonthehill4.wix.com/berrydaze
Berr y Daze farm is an organic blueberr y pick-your-own farm in Mar yland. Appointment only. Blueberr y bushes also available for purchase. Check website for 2021 picking season times. CHASE’S PRODUCE Davidsonville, facebook.com/Chases-Produce-1000627260006403
U-Pick Strawberries. Please check the Chase Facebook page for updates, including pop-up sales for pre-picked strawberries. LARRILAND FARM Woodbine, pickyourown.com
Larriland Farm is a family owned farm in Western Howard County. You can pick your own fruits and vegetables like strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, grapes, pears and apples. MILBURN ORCHARDS Elkton, milburnorchards.com
Milburn Orchards is a family owned and operated farm that has been growing and selling fresh fruit since 1902. It is now run by the fourth generation of the Milburn family, offering U-pick produce such as cherries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, peaches, grapes, and apples. SHAW ORCHARDS White Hall, shaworchards.com
Shaw Orchards is a 4th generation family farm located on the PA/MD line, selling fresh fruit, as well as locally produced vegetables, flowers, honey, and more. Shaw also has pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, apples and pumpkins.
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Activity Create a recipe using three or more ingredients that you found at the farm!
* RECIPE * Title: Ingredients
Notes
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FOSSIL HUNTING During a time period known as the Miocene Epoch 10-16 million years ago, the Chesapeake Bay region was completely under water. And so a wide variety of animals sank to the bottom when they died and have been fossilizing since then. This makes the Chesapeake Bay area perfect for fossil hunting. CALVERT CLIFFS STATE PARK Lusby dnr.maryland.gov
The massive cliffs dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay for roughly 24 miles in Calvert County. These cliffs reveal the remains of prehistoric species, including sharks, whales, rays and seabirds that were the size of small airplanes. Calvert Cliffs State Park is a day-use park featuring a sandy beach, unique fossils, an accessible recycled tire playground, fishing, a freshwater and tidal marshland and 13 miles of hiking trails. $ PURSE STATE PARK Nanjemoy stateparks.com
Purse State Park is a former Mar yland state park located on the Potomac River in Charles County that has been subsumed into the 1,365-acre Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area. As the Purse Area, the park is known for fossil hunting on the beaches of Wades Bay at the southern end of the Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area. Fossilized shark teeth, bones and shell fragments are often found at low tide in the rocks and sand along the water's edge. FLAG PONDS NATURE PARK Lusby calvertcountymd.gov
Flag Ponds Nature Park is perfect for fossil hunting and beach combing. Millions of years ago, sharks, whales, crocodiles and other creatures inhabited the waters and shores of this area. To the sharp-eyed visitor, sharks teeth and other Miocene fossils may be found along the park’s shoreline. $ MATOAKA CABINS St. Leonard matoakabeachcottages.com
Matoaka Beach is open ever y day 7 a.m.–6 p.m. and is another great fossil beach. In addition to day use access, they have cabins to rent April through November so you can wake up right next to the Bay! $
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Activity Using this ruler measure both the width and the height of your fossils. Record the measurements here!
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BIRD WATCHING Mar yland is home to over 400 species of birds, with habitats ranging from beach shores to wooded elevations, making it easy to bird watch from anywhere in the state. The National Audubon Society recommends the following places for great spots to start your bird watching adventures! POINT LOOKOUT STATE PARK
FORT SMALLWOOD PARK
Scotland, dnr.maryland.gov
Pasadena, aacounty.org
From fall to spring, look for scoters, mergansers, Northern Gannets, Great Cormorants, and Purple Sandpipers (on rocks). Ospreys are common except in winter, and Bald Eagles are seen year-round. $
Mid-March to mid-May is the best time to see raptors here, with 10,000 or more recorded some years. In summer, visitors may see Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Least Tern, Common Tern, Eastern Kingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Pine, Warbler, Orchard Oriole, and Baltimore Oriole. $
SANDY POINT STATE PARK Annapolis, dnr.maryland.gov
This 786-acre park is known for waterfowl, loons, grebes, shorebirds, gulls, and terns. Unusual seabirds and other rarities also make Sandy Point a birding hot spot. Look for wintering ducks, loons, and grebes, and the occasional Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, or rare gull such as Blacklegged Kittiwake or Iceland Gull. $ ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Cambridge, fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater
This 28,000-acre refuge is most famous for having the highest density of nesting Bald Eagles on the Atlantic Coast. The birds nesting at Blackwater include Least Bittern, Osprey, King Rail, Clapper Rail, Virginia Rail, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, Prothonotar y Warbler, Seaside Sparrow, and Grasshopper Sparrow. $
Berlin, nps.gov/asis/index.htm
Located on an Atlantic Ocean barrier island, this National Park Ser vice site is an excellent birding destination for all sorts of waterbirds, wading birds, and seabirds. Highlights in winter include flocks of Brant, plus scoters and Northern Gannet; in the summer, Brown Pelican, wading birds, Osprey, and Clapper Rail; and nesting Piping Plover. At the height of fall migration, starting in late September, the trees and shrubs can be alive with warblers and other songbirds, and Peregrine Falcon peak in early October. $
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HERRINGTON MANOR/SWALLOW FALLS STATE PARKS Oakland; dnr.maryland.gov
The birds breeding in this area include Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Black-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Creeper, Veer y, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Canada Warbler. $
Activity Find the birds below.
Maryland Bird Search E U R O P E A N S T A R V F R Y V B NO R T H E D S P V M J R E DW I N T UQ V E A S T E R N B B UWH I T E T H R O A V E Z E C B R OWN H E K P S D D OWN Y WO O I Y DD P A F Y V V HM ZWH I T E B R E A S T T DD B X G T AM E R I H N D K OWS T X H U G AWS MO A I P HM S T I K T U F T E D T I T M RWU L N O K F U V H X Y AM E R I C A NGO L WT J W L K H I Z EWD OQ T S ONG S P A R R O C Z D A ZMX I O B A D XMOU R N I NGDO P C L NO R T H E R N F E L P L S N K K E O Z D CM P G P R E D B E L L K A Q A N H EWN Q H L E B L QU S E O L HOU R G F C A R O L I N A C
L I NG A R N C A R G E D B L L U E B I T E D S P A D E D C D P E C K N K I J J E DN U T C A N C R T T C C I K Z X N R OU S E A Z A H J F D F I N C N S E S I OW L B V S QG S K V E K OG L I C K E A R K E Y I E DWO Z A E MK S E S P A H I C K A
Y I C Z N I D X D I N A L I X F A C K B I R DG R D R Y J M F H A R R OWA R N OWB I R D B O E R U P Q A I R O A L H ZMC T H A T C H E OH OWR B C R M E Y H X L A I MR DO L U R C ON E U S E O A NM E S F J L NGO H E V A I R R C Y F T Y NO A K O I O Y A B C I I N J PW I K N C C E D R N L G R HON E F E B E D J U N C O I OD P E C K E R X K E S I O P D R R OWSWQ U D E E Y X R H V
American Crow
Carolina Wren
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Red-bellied Woodpecker House Finch Common Grackle American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch White-throated Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Moc
Song Sparrow Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker Blackbird Blue Jay Brown-headed Cowbird Red-winged European Starling Carolina Chic
American Northern CardinalNorthern Northern Eastern White-breasted Nuthatch Blue Flicker Flicker European Starling CarolinaGoldfinch Chickadee Downy WoodpeckerTufted Titmouse
Dark-eyed Junco Hairy Woodp FIELD GUIDE 2021 | chesapeakefamily.com 11
House Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Song Sparrow
Common Gra
HISTORY LESSON Mar yland is an amazing state filled with incredible places of histor y. Here are places you can learn about archeology and histor y, tour historical sites, and step back in time to experience our countr y’s roots. ST. MARY'S CITY St. Mary's City, hsmcdigshistory.org
Historic St. Mar y's City is one of the premier historic sites in America, a museum of living histor y and archaeology telling diverse stories on the site of Mar yland’s first capital in beautiful, tidewater Southern Mar yland. HSMC is responsible for the preser vation of more than 800 acres of land and three miles of shoreline. The museum continues to make new archaeological discoveries and train future archaeologists with its annual Field School in Historical Archaeology, the longest running historical archaeological field school in the countr y. $ GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON Mt. Vernon, Va., mountvernon.org
Mount Vernon is the historic home of America's first president, George Washington and his wife, Martha Washington. Once a vibrant plantation in the 18th centur y, George Washington's Mount Vernon estate is now one of the nation’s most visited historic sites. Explore the mansion, gardens, and over a dozen historic outbuildings. You can also visit two museums with over 700 original Washington artifacts.$ JEFFERSON PATTERSON PARK AND MUSEUM St. Leonard, jefpat.maryland.gov
At Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum (JPPM), you can hike miles of trails, explore the Visitor Center with interactive exhibits, tour the Mar yland Archaeological Conser vation Laborator y (MAC Lab), and enjoy participating in educational programs or events. Learn about Native American tribes in the area with archaeology activities, hands-on sur vival skills, and exploring the local rivers throughout the park. $ HISTORIC LONDON TOWN & GARDENS Edgewater, historiclondontown.org
Visit a lost colonial town and garden sanctuar y on the South River. Historic London Town and Gardens is a twenty-three acre park featuring histor y, archaeology, and horticulture on the South River in Edgewater. $
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Activity What kind of flowes do you think are native to Mar yland and grow in the Mount Vernon and Historic London Town Gardens? Complete the connect-the-dot picture then draw the flowers you find at the gardens around it.
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ART LESSON There is a reason the ‘A’ was added to the acronym STEM because Art is a huge part of a wellrounded education. Plus you don’t have to be a professional artist to enjoy and learn from creative expression through the medium of art.
ANNMARIE SCULPTURE GARDEN & ARTS CENTER Solomons; annmariegarden.org
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center is located in scenic Solomons, Mar yland, where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The sculpture garden features a 1/4 mile walking path that meanders through the woods past permanent and loaned sculpture, including over thirty works on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Galler y of Art. Visit their indoor galler y for exhibits and events, including their hands-on ArtLAB. $ BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART SCULPTURE GARDEN Baltimore; artbma.org
Located on nearly three acres, the BMA’s two terraced sculpture gardens are home to 33 master works of modern and contemporar y sculpture ranging from Auguste Rodin’s striding bronze Balzac (1892) to Ellsworth Kelly’s stainless steel arc Untitled (1986)—providing a 100-year sur vey of sculpture from the figural to the abstract. MARYLAND HALL Annapolis; marylandhall.org
The Mar yland Hall is a multi-disciplinar y arts center in Annapolis, Mar yland which offers opportunities in the arts for individuals of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds. It was founded in 1979 to promote art appreciation and education in Mar yland. Visit Mar yland Hall to see the recently completed outdoor sculpture “ The Old Home Place” by Patrick Dougher y AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM Baltimore; avam.org
AVAM specializes in original thematic exhibitions that combine art, science, philosophy, humor and social justice and betterment. This museum offers permanent collections as well as new exhibits with an awesome gift shop that you just have to check out! $
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Activity Draw a self portrait without lifting the pen/pencil from the paper.
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BEACHES OFF THE BEATEN PATH Ah those lazy days of summer when ever yone wants to at least dip their toes in the water and cool off a bit. Mar yland has 3,180 miles of ocean coastline and tidal inlets. Here are a few quiet beaches to explore. BEAVER DAM SWIMMING CLUB
ELK NECK STATE PARK
Cockeysville
North East, dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/ Pages/central/ElkNeck/Beach.aspx
beaverdamswimmingclub.com
At Beaver Dam Swimming Club in Cockeysville, your family can swim in the two pools, play beach volleyball and swing from a Tarzan swing or jump off the small cliffs into the freshwater rock quarr y. Bring your own food and drink or there is also a snack bar and grills for picnics.Adults: $17$20, children 11 & under : $14–$16. Lifeguards on duty when club is open. $ BETTERTON BEACH Betterton,kentcounty.com/recreation/parks/ county-parks/betterton-beach
This 5-acre, family-oriented, waterfront park has 300 feet of beach for swimming and 700 feet of shoreline access. There is a bathhouse with public restrooms and a short boardwalk, with benches, lighting and handicap access. Concessions usually available for purchase. A picnic pavilion is located on a bay view bluff. There is also a fishing jetty, public pier and parking. The beach is near the mouth of the Sassafras River in the northwest part of Kent County, which lowers the salinity and makes the water free of sea nettles. Free. No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk.
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The park boasts 2,188 acres of sandy beaches, marshlands, and heavily wooded bluffs overlooking the North East River, the Elk River and the Chesapeake Bay. A sandy beach at the North East Beach Area offers swimming access on the Chesapeake Bay with shallow waters perfect for young children. There’s also a canoe and kayak hand-launch area nearby plus picnic tables, grills, a playground, a restroom with showers, and a seasonal convenience store offering cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, sunscreen, souvenirs and beach supplies. $3 per person for in-state vehicles and $5 for out-of-state; weekdays. No lifeguard. Swim at your own risk. $ PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK Baltimore, bit.ly/3eabnmg
Swimming is permitted all along the Patapsco River except in posted areas. There are many spots perfect for wading and splashing after a hike. One in particular is just a stone’s throw from the playground in the Orange Grove area of the park. The Cascade Falls Trail, also in the Orange Grove area of the park just across from the swinging bridge, offers a short hike to a waterfall with a small swimming hole perfect for kids. $3 per person or $5 per person out-of-state-residents. No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk; the current can be strong in places. $
Activity Draw some of the Mar yland creatures you can find in the Chesapeake Bay under the water and in the sand at the beach.
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FINDING BUTTERFLIES Mar yland has over 150 species of butterflies and skippers. They can be found in the woods, in fields, yards, gardens and even near the water. While butterflies are pretty to look at they are ver y important pollinators and we need to take good care of them. Fortunately many of the places that attract butterflies are also along hiking trails, or wooden areas that are also good for exploring while you are on your butterfly hunt. The following places are good for obser ving butterflies and their behavior, not for catching them. BROOKSIDE GARDENS
QUIET WATERS PARK
Wheaton, montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-
Annapolis, aacounty.org/departments/
trails/brookside-gardens
recreation-parks/parks/quiet-waters
Award-winning 50-acre public display garden within Wheaton Regional Park. The garden has several distinct areas: Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden, and the Woodland Walk. The Formal Gardens areas include a Perennial Garden, Yew Garden, the Maple Terrace, and Fragrance Garden. Admission to the gardens is free. A short walk through the woods from the gardens to the opposite side of the park leads to an outstanding playground and a carousel.
Adjacent to the ice skating rink, there is a lovely little garden that has been planted with the goal of attracting butterflies. The meadow across from the garden has been planted with milkweed, a Monarch butterfly favorite. Throughout the summer you can obser ve all the stages of a butterfly in the milkweed field. There are multiple playgrounds in the park and numerous hiking trails. $6 per vehicle. $ BUTTERFLY HOUSE AT LADEW GARDENS Monkton, ladewgardens.com
NATIVE BUTTERFLY AND BENEFICIAL INSECT GARDEN AT BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Cambridge, fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater/ visit/directions.html
Located behind the Blackwater Refuge Visitor Center. A beautiful bronze monarch butterfly sculpture greets visitors to the garden that is full of butterfly-attracting plants and obser vation benches that encourage discover y. In addition to the butterfly garden, there are also educational exhibits about butterflies and gardening to encourage their visits. Walking trails, water trails and a driving tour are fun options after viewing the butterflies. $3 per vehicle, $1 per bike. $
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The Butterfly House contains all the plants and materials that a butterfly needs to complete its life cycle, which means that visitors can view eggs, caterpillars, chr ysalis, cocoons and adults. Trained guides answer visitor questions for more than 20 different species of local butterflies and will also give you tips on how to attract butterflies in your own yard. Open July 6th through late September (9 am - 3 pm). Closed on Wednesday. Dates and hours are subject to change. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, timed-tickets may be required for entrance. $15 for adults, $4 for children 2-12., and $10 for students. $
Activity Make a list of Mar yland Butterflies and the type of plants you are likely to find them on.
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FISHING
The Chesapeake Bay produces 500 million pounds of seafood per year. Learn about fishing and kids will have a better appreciation for their environment, the business that drives a large part of Mar yland’s economy and the enjoyment of the sport. Mar yland is abundantly full of small lakes, ponds and creeks that are good places to take kids fishing, especially when they are still new at it. TIPS FOR FISHING WITH KIDS • Don’t spend a lot of money on a fishing rod and tr y to get one with a closed reel. (Or check one out from the librar y) • Remember the goal is for your kids to have fun, help them out as much as they need it. • Keep ever ything as simple as possible, equipment, location and techniques • Bring bait for the fish and snacks and water for the kids • Allow for a little exploring of the area around your fishing hole when things get boring • Don’t forget a camera! LICENSES Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a license to sport fish/crab. Mar yland's free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and July 4th. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of the State for recreational purposes without an angler's license For more information about licensing and to order a license visit: dnr.maryland.gov/Pages/service_fishing_ license.aspx
PLACES TO FISH For fishing sites across the state of Mar yland: dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries
Centennial Lake Ellicott City The lake has large mouth bass, tiger muskie, panfish, channel catfish, and rainbow trout, and is regularly
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stocked each season from area hatcheries. Centennial Lake also hosts summer programs including ‘learn to fish’ workshops for kids and adults, fishing tournaments, and a popular ‘Nite Bites’ fishing program in the summer that allows anglers to fish up until 11 p.m. Wye Mills Lake Wye Mills. dnr.maryland.gov/ fisheries/Pages/hotspots/wyemills.aspx
Wye Mill, hosts largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish, common carp, yellow perch, gizzard shad, and golden shiners, anglers can catch a variety of fish all year long. Parts of the lake abut private property, but kids can find room to fish along the shore near the Old Wye Grist Mill and Museum. Waterworks Park Annapolis annapolis.gov/1085/Waterworks-Park
The three freshwater fishing ponds are stocked with bass, and are catch and release only. Visitors regularly spot beavers, heron and other wildlife near the ponds and the 600 acres of biking and hiking trails. A permit is required and can be obtained at the "Pip" Moyer Recreation Center. $ Kings Landing Park c alvertcountymd.gov/1205/Kings-Landing-Park With a two-hundred-foot fishing pier that stretches into the Patuxent River, Kings Landing Park in Calvert County is a picturesque spot to cast for bass, catfish, chain pickerel and bluefish.
Activity Draw some funny fish you would see in a Mar yland resevoir.
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TUBING If floating down a lazy river in an inner tube, on a hot summer afternoon, sounds like fun then Mar yland is the place for you. Before heading out make sure to check that the water flow will be suitable for the ages of kids in your family. Older kids will probably want the faster water and thrills in places like Antietam Creek. Don’t forget sunscreen and dr y clothes for the ride home.
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GUNPOWDER RIVER, MONKTON
PATAPSCO RIVER, BALTIMORE
ANTIETAM CREEK, SHARPSBURG
Monktonbike.com
dnr.state.md.us
Rivertrail.com
Monkton Bike Shop coowner Dan Heinecke says the Gunpowder River is a great escape for families with children of all ages. The water is calm and knee-deep in most parts so it’s suitable for families with young children, he says. Choose a 90-minute or a 2½-hour route. Monkton Bike Shop provides tubes, life jackets and trail maps to various starting points. The closest drop-in point is a 15-minute walk down a wooded path that begins just outside their shop. Parking is available at Monkton Bike Shop or throughout the town of Monkton. $
Get instant relief from the summer heat by spending an afternoon floating down the Patapsco River. Bring your own tube or rent equipment in advance from nearby Terrapin Adventures, which will provide a life vest, tube and map of a 1.8-mile tubing trip on the river. Terrapin will deliver equipment to the park for a fee. Park on River Road and hike across the swinging bridge at Ilchester Road to just below Bloede Dam before dropping in for a calm, easy float along the forested river. Kids can splash their way to the Gun Road Bridge before emerging or keep drifting down river to the Halethorpe area. The slight current and shallow water make it appropriate for all ages. $
Only an hour from Washington, D.C., families can get a taste of histor y while tubing down Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg. The spring-fed waters of this beginner-level whitewater stream will ensure a cool escape. The Class I rapids and deeper water are perfect for families with older children hoping for a faster pace, and a brief taste of Class II rapids at the end of the journey will have them whooping with joy. Guides from River and Trail Outfitters pack a picnic and share some histor y as they lead the 4-hour excursion past landmarks like the historic Burnside Bridge, part of the Antietam National Battlefield. $
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Activity Complete the tubing maze below!
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WATERPARK ENGINEERING A day at the waterpark is more than just fun, it’s an engineering mar vel! Math, Engineering, Chemistr y and Economics all come together to create a fun-filled place for you to splash in the cool water, ride along the lazy river, or zoom down the water slides!
CHESAPEAKE BEACH WATER PARK Chesapeake Beach,
NORTH ARUNDEL AQUATIC CENTER
chesapeakebeachwaterpark.com
Glen Burnie; aacounty.org/departments/
Open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Town and County Residents and then Thursdays through Sundays, open to all. Ride on our lazy river, splash in the pool, and take a ride on our slides to keep cool this summer! $
recreation-parks/aquatics/naac
GLENN DALE SPLASH PARK Glenn Dale; mncppc.org/4520/Glenn-Dale-
The North Arundel Aquatic Center offers an 8-lane 25 yard competition pool and a leisure pool. The leisure pool is a zero depth entr y pool with three 20 yard lap lanes and indoor water features. The water features include a 134 foot water slide, splash down area, water buckets, preschool water slide, vortex area and poolside spa for adults. $
Splash-Park
Play around in the outdoor pool and grab a ride down the water slide .$ MAKE YOUR OWN SLIP N’ SLIDE OR WATER BLOB chesapeakefamily.com/summer-fun-day-29make-a-water-blob-or-slip-n-slide
Let the kids stay cool in the backyard slip n slide and water blobs—which make for cool summer fun at home. The summer backyard toy of our youth is pretty simple to make if you can’t find one in stores or will get you feeling creative and thrifty! AQUATICS AT KENNETH R. DUNN MUNICIPAL POOL AT TRUXTUN PARK Annapolis; annapolis.gov/1081/Aquatics
Stay cool all summer long with the newly reopened swimming pool at Truxtun Park. $
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JOLLY ROGER SPLASH MOUNTAIN Ocean City, jollyrogerpark.com
The area’s largest water park in Ocean City. Splash Mountain has 16 slides and attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Splash in the Kiddie Pools, kick back and relax in the Lazy River, or test your limits on the adrenaline pumping slides. Whatever your preference, Splash Mountain offers a collection of water activities for your entire family, all under the watchful eyes of a fully trained and certified Water Safety Staff. $ WATER PARK AT BOHRER PARK Gaithersburg, gaithersburgmd.gov
Intended for swimming, the main pool is like a dream vacation on an island resort with palm trees, multiple slides, inflatable animals, and a “tumble bucket” water feature for children to enjoy. $
Did you know the deepest part of the Water Park Pool is 4 feet? The average height of a 7 year old is 4 feet so picture yoursel f or someon e you know at the age of 7 and that’s how “tall” the water is.
Did you know that the pool at Chesapeake Beach Water Park holds 365,000 gallons of water? What else comes in gallons? (Hint: you pour it on your breakfast cereal)
Activity Draw your dream waterpark below and read the fun facts all about Chesapeake Beach Waterpark.
To keep people safe during the pandemic, the Park will allow 350 people in at the same time. In past years, they could allow 1363 people. What is the difference in the number of people allowed? Do the math below. Looking for a job? The Park hires about 150 employees every summer. Write down what kinds of jobs that you think the Park offers below. (Hint: who watches over you to keep you safe while swimming in a pool?)
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LET'S GO CHASING WATERFALLS Few natural formations are as interesting and mesmerizing as waterfalls. Seeing a waterfall in person feels magical, and no matter where you find one, it feels like an adventure getting there and being able to play in the surrounding waters. Mar yland is fortunate to have quite a few waterfalls, which is a surprise to many. If you haven’t taken your kids to one of these waterfalls yet, now’s the time!
CASCADE FALLS Patapsco Valley State Park
Cascade Falls at Patapsco Valley State Park is the ideal destination for kids of all ages. It has falls, pools of water and a trickling stream perfect for splashing.. Park at Avalon/ Glen Arney/Orange Grove area. 9 a.m.– sunset. $2 per vehicle weekdays; $3 per person weekends for Mar yland residents April-October. $ CUNNINGHAM FALLS Thurmont
The largest cascading waterfall in the state. Enter the park at the William Houck area, located 3 miles west of Thurmont off Rt. 77, and park near the lake area. 8 a.m.–sunset April–October ; 10 a.m.–sunset November– March. $3 per person weekdays; $5 per person weekends for Mar yland residents Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day. $
a.m.–4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays; park open daylight hours year-round. Cost: Three-day pass $10 per vehicle. $ KILGORE FALLS ROCKS STATE PARK Jarrettsville
Get an up-close look at the waterfall made famous in the Disney movie “ Tuck Everlasting” at Kilgore Falls in Rocks State Park. This short, family-friendly hike on the Falling Branch Trail (1.2 miles) of Rocks State Park leads to Mar yland’s second-highest vertical drop waterfall of 19 feet 9 a.m.-sunset MarchOctober ; 10 a.m.-sunset November-Februar y. Some areas free; others weekends $3 per person, weekdays $2 per vehicle Mar yland residents. Parking passes are now required to visit Kilgore Falls on weekends and holidays between May 1 and Labor Day. $ SWALLOW FALLS
GREAT FALLS C&O Canal National Historic Park Potomac. Watch the Potomac cascade over
rocks to form 20-foot waterfalls, creating the steepest fall line rapids of any river on the Eastern Seaboard. For families with older children who aren’t afraid to scramble over a rock or two, the Billy Goat Trail offers panoramic glimpses of some of the most inspiring scener y in the Washington area. Visitor Center CLOSED During COVID. 9
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Oakland
Swallow Falls is north of Oakland. It is home to the Youghiogheny River and Muddy Creek, two whitewater rivers that flow through the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. 8 a.m.sunset year round. $3 per person Mar yland residents; $5 per person out-of-state Memorial Day-Labor Day plus weekends in May, September and October. All other times $3/car for Mar yland residents, $5/car for out of state residents. $
Activity Make Your Own Waterfall using what you can find outside, rocks, sticks, mud, buckets, containers and a hose, build your own waterfall and see what works and what keeps the water flowing. Then head down to a local creek or beach and see how your waterfall building changes from the backyard to building in nature!
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Presorted Std. U.S. Postage PAID Baltimore, MD Permit No. 4475
121 Cathedral Street, Suite 3A Annapolis, MD 21401 Find us: chesapeakefamily.com
Fill your days with fun...
Daily activities to keep your kids active, learning and exploring.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, we share great ideas for your family to enjoy. Find amazing activities that go from your backyard to all around the DMV.
Check the 100 Days of Summer page every day for your next fun adventure. chesapeakefamily.com/100daysofsummer
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