Schedule of EventsSaturday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Maple Sugarin’ – Maple trees have been “tapped” for hundreds of years to produce syrup and sugar for our tables. Join us to “tap” a tree and learn when and how the sap can be boiled into syrup for our pancakes and waffles. Ages 5+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Wednesdays, Starting March 5 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. F.O.X. Club Begins!– Calling all 1st thru 4th graders! JOIN THE NEW AFTER SCHOOL F.O.X. Club Focus on Outdoor Exploration - We will meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month beginning March 5 from 4 to 5 PM through mid June at the Willow Grove Farm. This will be a hands-on exploration of the wonders of nature. As William Wordsworth said, “Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher”. This is a drop off program - parents are not required to attend. Reservations required. $15 members/$20 non-members. Willow Grove Farm 
Saturday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.“Tappin’ the Sugar Bush” – These are magical words to some, I’m sure. First class in the Senior Nature Series. Early spring is the time to collect the sap and make maple syrup. Learn the history, lore and techniques of maple sugar making. We will take a short walk to our sugaring trees. Ages 50+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, March 15 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Amphibian Search & Campfire – We will go on a hike to find amphibians & listen to their spring calls. After the hike we’ll gather round the fire for s’mores. Ages 5+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, March 22 from 10a.m. to 12 noon EASTER EGG HUNT – Sherwood Farm Easter Bonnet Contests, Easter Bunny, 4H Rabbit Club Presentation, Jelly Bean Counting Contest, Coloring Contest, Family Games Egg Hunts Times: Ages 3-4 10:30 a.m. Ages 5-6 10:45 a.m. Ages 7-8 11:00 a.m. Ages 9-10 11:15 a.m. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you’re free between 9:30 and 2:30 during the week and enjoy children & the outdoors, you might like assisting with school field trips. No experience necessary. We can use your help, whether it’s once a week or once a month. Come make some memories – its fun and rewarding! SCHOOL GROUP VOLUNTEER TRAINING Thursday, March 27 & Friday, March 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sherwood House Gear up for the spring field trip season. Training will include Insects, Habitat Exploration, Exploring Nature with the 5 Senses, and Spring Planting. Get your sniffers primed, your joints loosened up, and your sense of wonder dusted off! Call Kate Manrodt at 410-887-3014 to register. Lunch is provided! Saturday, March 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A Bird in Hand – Professor Scott Johnson of Towson University will capture, collect data about, and band songbirds, sharing with you the techniques of mist netting and importance of bird banding to our knowledge of bird populations. Prepare to be amazed by these tiny creatures when you see them “up close”. RAINDATE April 5. Ages 9+. Reservations required. FREE! Sherwood Farm Sunday, March 30 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Spring Treasures Treasure Hunt – Ahoy there Matey! Experience the spring treasures at CVP. Help solve the clues that lead you to the treasure. All pirates get a share of the loot. Ages 4+. Reservations required. $3 members/$5 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Greenhouse Growing – Take a tour of the CSA’s greenhouse and learn how it is used to get a jumpstart on the growing season. Then we’ll each make a mini-greenhouse and plant some seeds. Meet at the Willow Grove parking lot. All ages. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required. $2 CSA members/$4 CSA non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, April 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Rustic Spring Baskets – Make a beautiful spring basket using native & non-native vines. We supply all materials. Ages 10+. Reservations required. $5 members/$8 non-members per basket. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trail Day – Groups & individuals are invited to work with the CVP Trail Club to maintain & improve trails in the Park. Help clear trails & prevent erosion to keep our trails in tip top condition. All ages. Reservations NOT required. Sherwood Farm Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Stream Search – Explore Minebank Run as we hunt for critters in the creek. We’ll find fish, insects, crayfish and more. Ages 8+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Wednesday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Nature, Mom and Me – Share with your child the joy, excitement, and sense of wonder that comes with exploring our natural world. Each week we will investigate a different aspect of the world around us. Sessions include hikes, animal encounters, games, crafts and hands-on exploration. Meets on Wednesdays, 10 to 11:15 a.m. for ages 3-5 yrs. with a parent or adult daycare provider. April 16, 23, & 30/May 7, 14, & 21. Reservations required. $15 members/$20 non-members/6sessions. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, April 19 from 9:30 a.m. CHILDREN’S GARDENING CLUB – (ages 5 – 13) Join us at our new (& hopefully deer proofed) location on the Willow Grove Farm! April 19th through October 18th $25 CVPC members/$35 non-members Play in the dirt, sip mint tea in the sunflower house, make a refuge for a toad, take bouquets home for Mom and make pumpkin bread. Grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs while exploring the natural world of the garden. We meet on the first and third Saturday of each month beginning April 19, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for ages 5 - 7, and 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. for ages 8 - 13. Join us to play, learn, craft, and eat tasty foods you grow yourself. Please call the Park Office to register at 410-887-2503. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Earth Day Hike – On April 22, 1970, people across the country celebrated the first Earth Day. It is a day to stop and think about how you affect the environment. Join us on this “hike with a purpose” as we walk the trails picking up trash. Information will be provided on ways you can be more environmentally responsible. Remember the Indian proverb, “The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives”. All ages. Reservations required. FREE! Willow Grove Farm Saturday, April 19 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Earth Day Planting-Butterfly Garden – To celebrate Earth Day we will add a beautiful butterfly section to the new Children’s Garden. All ages. Reservations required. FREE! Willow Grove Farm Friday, April 25 from 5 p.m. to Sat., April 26 at 10 a.m. Spring Family Campout – Introduce your family to the camping experience close to home. Will include a night hike and evening campfire. Families must provide their own camping gear. BYO supper. Breakfast will be provided. Reservations required. RAINDATE May 2. $15/family members/$20 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Spring Hike to Loch Raven – Second class in the Senior Nature Series. On this hike to Loch Raven Dam we will look for early wildflowers, birds and other signs of spring. This hike is a bit lengthy over uneven terrain, has some hills and a small stream crossing. Bring water and snacks and wear good walking shoes. 50+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artisans in the Barn – The Cromwell Valley Park Council is pleased to sponsor this show and sale featuring artwork by local and regional artisans working in a variety of media. Reservations NOT required. All ages. FREE! Willow Grove Farm Saturday, May 3 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Cake Frosting Stepping Stone – Craft a unique stepping stone applying this creative method that uses colored cement, decorations, and stamps. Ages 5+. Reservations required. $5 members/$8 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Mother’s Day Fun – Join us at Willow Grove Farm to make an extra special gift for mom. We will be decorating pots and planting a flower. Ages 6+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, May 17 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Old Fashioned Weenie Roast & Night Hike – Join us around the campfire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Followed by a night hike under the spring stars. Food & drinks provided. All ages. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Campfire Ring Saturday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All About Orioles – Third class in the Senior Nature Series. Did you know that Cromwell Valley Park is one of the best places to see Baltimore Orioles? We will learn about their natural history, listen to their calls and then take a walk to look for them. If you have binoculars please bring them, we have a few to loan. Ages 50+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, May 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oriole Day at the Park – Mark your Calendars! Cromwell Valley Park and the Chesapeake Audubon Society announce the 4th annual Oriole Day at the Park! Morning bird walks begin at 7:30 am. Nature hikes, children’s activities, Oriole spotting, live birds of prey and much more. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day!! For more information please contact ChesAuduboninf@aol.com, or call Kate at 410-887-3014. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The American Chestnut – Come to the park to learn about the sad story of the American chestnut tree. Once it was the king of the forest, today it is anything but. Learn about how forests have changed and what we can do to help the American Chestnut to return to our forests. We will take a hike and look for some in the Park. Ages 10+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Sunday, June 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cinderella - A Great Way to Spend Father’s Day! – The Cromwell Valley Park Council presents THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE CHILDREN’S THEATRE. The Prince, Stepsisters, Fairy Godmother and all of your favorite characters are included in Thirst ‘n’ Howl Musical Productions’ interactive musical adaptation, written by Debi Wynn, of this treasured fairy tale. Audience members will assist the Stepsisters in a class of social manners, join the Prince and his father in a dance lesson and help the Fairy Godmother in making Cinderella’s dream of attending the ball come true. Among the musical numbers to be performed by the seven member cast with live musical accompaniment are songs “Time to Get Up”, “Scrub the Floor Blues”, “Social Manners” and “Magic in the Wind”. As part of the safety program, the CVPC, in cooperation with the Baltimore County Police Department, will provide each child with a free ID card. If requested by parents, an officer, beginning at 5 PM, will assist in adding the child’s fingerprints to the card. Come early and picnic on the lawn. Gates open at 4:30 PM. Reservations are NOT required. A $5 dollar donation per car is requested. Sherwood Farm Saturday, June 21 at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nature’s Healers – Fourth class in the Senior Nature Series. Folk remedies are not just old wives tales. Almost half of our prescription drugs contain at least one ingredient derived from nature. On this walk we will look at plants in the Park and learn how they were used in the past and their uses today. Ages 50+. Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members. Willow Grove Farm Saturday, June 21 at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. THE BIRDER’S BOX Spring Lineup – Leading off —Northern Shrike Sighting - CVP was host to a rare visitor in late December. A Northern Shrike, which is a robin sized predatory songbird, showed up near the Sherwood Farm bridge! What excited the birding community was that it has been 113 years since one was last seen in Baltimore County. Northern shrikes breed in Alaska and far northern Canada. Winters are spent in southern Canada and the northern U.S. Because of its habit of impaling excess prey on thorns, fence barbs, or broken twigs, the shrike is also known as the “Butcher Bird”. Batting Second - Senior Nature Series Oriole Walk—see above for details Batting Third - Oriole Day at the Park—see above for details. Rounding out the lineup - Saturday Morning Bird Walks—Join a park naturalist from 8 – 10 a.m. for bird walks on March 1 & 15, April 5 & 19, May 10 & 24, and June 7 & 21. Call 410-887-3014 for details. Willow Grove Farm SENIOR NATURE SERIES Put aside your busy lives for awhile and marvel in the beauty around you. This nature series is for adults 50 years and older. Come to one or all of the programs whose details you can find listed in our schedule of events. Must be able to hike over uneven terrain. Bring a journal to record your observations if you wish. Classes will be held on March 8 (Tappin’ the Sugar Bush), April 26 (Spring Hike to Loch Raven), May 24 (Orioles), & June 21 (Nature’s Healers). Reservations required. $2 members/$4 non-members/per class. Willow Grove Farm BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CROMWELL VALLEY PARK COUNCIL AND ENJOY MONEY SAVING BENEFITS ON DESIGNATED PROGRAMS! View printable membership form (PDF document) Reservations are required for all programs, unless otherwise noted. Payment must be made at least one week prior to the event. Make checks payable to: Cromwell Valley Park Council (CVPC). These programs are designed for individuals and families. They are not designed to provide childcare. Therefore, parents are encouraged to discuss attendance expectations with their children. Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Park staff cannot detain youth wishing to leave at any time. If you would like to arrange a program for a group or an organization, make reservations, or need special accommodations (i.e., language interpreter, large print, etc.), please contact the Park office: Phone: (410) 887-2503, TDD: (410) 887-5319, Email: cvpark@bcpl.net. For special needs accommodations, you may also contact the Therapeutic Recreation office at (410) 887-5370. Mailing Address: Cromwell Valley Park, 2002 Cromwell Bridge Road, Baltimore, MD 21234. |