Irvine Nature Center

Nature preschool: the mission of the Nature preschool at Irvine is to provide hands-on opportunities for learning and skill development through nature-based inquiry, creative arts, and outdoor exploration in order to develop a lasting appreciation for the Natural world. Our "classroom" is Irvine's entire 211-acre campus, including forests and meadows, a 60-acre restoration of streams and wetlands, outdoor classroom, woodland garden, 8 miles of trails, and other features. The program seeks to develop the whole child using a child-centered emergent curriculum that facilitates the cognitive, physical, social, emotional and creative development of every child. Irvine also offers early childhood education programs for students 4-6 years of age and for homeschooled students using the same nurturing, nature-based approach.

Summer Nature camps: summer camps at Irvine offer environmental education disguised as fun! We offer age-appropriate, week-long camp sessions throughout the summer for children 2-12 years of age. Younger children may participate in trail walks, arts and crafts, animal encounters, puppet shows, and scientific experiments, while older children may go on offsite excursions, camp out under the stars, participate in conservation projects, or explore nature-based art, Science, farming, and foraging. No two seasons are alike, with new themes, activities, and adventures offered every year. Recent topics have included splash zone, naturally creative, summer safari, tiny chefs, and ways of wildlife. All programs are taught by professional early childhood educators or naturalists, and the camp is certified by the state so parents know their children are in good hands.

School programs: Irvine offers a variety of learning opportunities for school audiences. All programs are aligned with baltimore county public school Science curriculum and msde learning requirements. Field trips bring students to Irvine for environmental education and exploration that takes advantage of our 211-acre campus. All programs include small-group activities in which students learn to make observations, collect data, compare and classify data, and draw conclusions. For those unable to come to Irvine, our outreach programs take environmental education into the classroom. Irvine's naturalists teach curriculum-aligned lessons using work stations, small groups, and interactive discussions. Eco-explorers afterschool program engages students in indoor and outdoor activities, nature-based crafts, and animal encounters after the school bell rings.