PARKS
Call For Submissions: Cabin Fever Film Festival Friends of Banshee Reeks invites Loudoun filmmakers to submit films in the 9th Annual Cabin Fever Film Festival, presented by the Town of Purcellville Arts Council and the Franklin Park Arts Center. Films must be between 60 seconds and 60 minutes in length and can be documentaries, short live actions, features, stop motion, animations or music videos. The Festival theme is “Independence” and the Friends of Banshee Reeks encourages submissions that highlight Independence in the natural world. Submission info and registration at franklinparkartscenter.org. Festival dates Jan. 30-31, 2026. Entry Fee: $10 for first film, $5 for each additional film. All Ages Join a Virginia Master Naturalist for this free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants will count and report their sightings to help researchers from Audubon create an instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations. Some binoculars are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Meet at the Visitor Center. Sa 8:30-10:00am 2/14 Free 267311-01 Junior Naturalist Ages 6-12 Banshee Backyard Bird Count Youth are invited to complete a self-guided four-part challenge that covers information about Banshee Reeks history, natural resources, and the wildlife skills required to become an official “Junior Naturalist”. Earn a prize for each challenge and an official certificate upon completion of the series. Start at the Visitor Center. 9:00am-4:00pm Anytime Free 267722-01
Th Sa
5:00pm-6:30pm 5:30pm-7:00pm 5:30pm-7:00pm
12/4 1/3 2/1
$10 $10 $10
267715-01 267715-02 267715-03
Sun
January New Year Intention Hike All Ages A new year hike is a great way to keep resolutions centered on family outdoor time together! During the 1–2-mile hike with a Virginia Master Naturalist, you’ll work on creating an intention word to write on paper. After the hike, warm-up around a morning campfire and toss your intention word into the flames to carry it forward into 2026! Meet at the Visitor Center. Sa 9:30-11:00am 1/10 Free 267737-02 February Heart Hunt Hike All Ages What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by discovering a greater love for nature! Let the great outdoors be your valentine this year with a 1–2-mile hike led by a Virginia Master Naturalist. Enjoy beautiful Banshee during winter with the company of those you love while we discover heart- shaped rocks, leaves, bark, and more! Meet at the Visitor Center. Su 9:30-11:00am 2/1 Free 267737-03 Volunteer Workday All Ages Lend your hands to care for our lands! Join us to help with invasive plant removal, upkeep in the Native Plant Garden, trail maintenance, and more. Please dress to work outdoors (closed-toe shoes, long pants, sunscreen, etc.) Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Visitor Center. Sa 9:00am-12:00pm 2/21 Free 267780-01 All Ages What do you see on the trail? Who left that behind? Grab an ID booklet from the Visitor Center before you hit the trails so that you can identify local wildlife and record observations. Be sure to report what you find so we can update our Weekly Wildlife Report. Start at the Visitor Center. Daily 9:00am-4:00pm 12/1-3/31 Free 267702-01 Traditions Of Light Trail All Ages Bring the family for a celebration of global festivities centered around lights. Enjoy a short self-paced walk in the woods as you learn about worldwide rituals of fall and winter. Traditions of Light Trail is a quarter-mile loop over uneven natural surfaces. No registration required. Start at the Visitor Center. Daily 9:00am-4:00pm 12/1-1/5 Free 267732-01 All Ages How can frozen snow keep something warm? Where do snowflakes come from? What is the cryosphere? Learn all about the science of snow on a self- guided exhibit in the Visitor Center. Daily 9:00am-4:00pm 12/22-3/1 Free 267701-01 Audubon Christmas Bird Count All Ages EVENTS & EXHIBITS Winter Wildlife Tracks & Scat Science Of Snow Exhibit Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and fellow citizen scientists for one of the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Counts, to conduct a volunteer- based winter bird census. This 126-year tradition involves identifying, counting, and reporting critical bird population data for large-scale conservation benefit. Optional training walk at Banshee Reeks on 12/13 from 8-10am. Meet promptly at the Visitor Center with appropriate weather gear and binoculars. This event is rain or shine. Register for both or either at loudounwildlife.org. M 8:00am-12:00pm 12/29 Free 267723-01 Banshee Reeks Research Expo All Ages For over two decades, both professional research and community science observations at Banshee Reeks have contributed insights into our natural world. Learn more about current projects and hear from experts in the field. Bring your curiosity and questions! Meet at the Education Complex. Sa 12:00-4:00pm 1/17 Free 267733-01
Nature Sketching Ages 13+ Tap into your artistic side with instruction from a Virginia Master Naturalist. Learn drawing techniques that include color blending, shading, and perspective while practicing deep noticing skills outdoors and on the trail. Each class is different, and participants are encouraged to attend multiple classes. All art supplies are included in the registration fee. Class takes place indoors during inclement weather. Meet at the Visitor Center. Su 10:00am-12:00pm 12/14 $15 267703-01 Su 10:00am-12:00pm 1/11 $15 267703-02 Su 10:00am-12:00pm 2/8 $15 267703-03 Ages 13+ Enjoy the magic of the winter solstice with a peaceful guided night hike at Banshee Reeks. As darkness settles, experience the quiet beauty of the preserve and connect with the stillness of the longest night of the year. Expect to hike two miles over uneven surfaces. Meet at the Visitor Center. Sa 5:00-6:30pm 12/20 $10 267551-01 Solstice Silent Night Hike & Campfire Guided Nature Therapy Ages 13+ Kick-off the New Year with a “Forest Bathing” walk that invigorates your senses under the direction of a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide. Participants will be guided through a series of invitations to connect with nature around a cozy campfire. This introductory class can accommodate those with some mobility challenges. Meet at the Visitor Center. Sa 10:00-11:30am 1/13 $10 267510-01 All Ages Hot chocolate after a chilly winter hike is truly a magical experience! Warm- up with a cup of cocoa (marshmallows optional!) while you enjoy a 1–2- mile winter walk through the woods with a Virginia Master Naturalist. We’ll welcome the winter season as we look for signs of winter animals and notice all the cool changes happening around us! Meet at the Visitor Center. Su 9:30-11:00am 12/21 Free 267737-01 MULTIAGE December Hot Cocoa Hike Evergreen Creations All Ages Bring the outdoors in by designing your own festive centerpiece or wreath using fresh evergreens and natural accents from the season. Each paid participant can make their own creation. Advanced registration required to ensure supplies. Meet in the Education Complex Sa 2:30-3:30pm 12/20 $10 267310-01 Full Moon Hike & Campfire Ages 6+ Experience nature after hours on this quiet moonlit hike guided by a Virginia Master Naturalist. Learn about the moon and use bionic ears to amplify the sounds of night. Expect to walk about one mile over uneven surfaces. Stay for a campfire and s’mores after the hike. Meet in the Education Complex.
BANSHEE REEKS NATURE PRESERVE 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 703-737-8894 • loudoun.gov/BansheeReeks Open Daily 8:00am-5:00pm Closed Christmas 12/25 Closed Fridays in December and February facebook.com/BansheeReeksNaturePreserve
PRESCHOOL Wildschooling
Ages 2-6 Join us for experiential learning and hands-on fun outdoors! Every first Thursday of the month we will explore a different nature theme with activities, crafts, and adventure walks. Program fee is per preschool-age participant; parents/guardians are free. Advanced registration required. Check-in at the Visitor Center. Th 9:30-10:30am 12/4 $5 267212-01 Th 9:30-10:30am 2/5 $5 267212-02 Ages Infant-6 There’s never been a storytime like this! Explore nature stories and wildlife topics each month through interactive hands-on play and walks. Storytime takes place outdoors in the Visitor Center yard on the 4th Tuesday each month. After storytime, join us for an optional walk in the woods related to the seasonal stories we share. In the event of rain, we meet in the Education Complex. Tu 9:30-11:00am 1/27 Free 267211-01 Tu 9:30-11:00am 2/24 Free 267211-02 Storytime Gone Wild Ages 6-11 Celebrate the season with a guided walk to discover winter wildlife, followed by hand painting your own nature-themed ornament or gift tag. Participants may be dropped off in the Education Complex. M 2:00-3:00pm 12/22 $5 267241-01 Ages 6-11 This drop-off program invites youth to enjoy the day off from school while exploring local wildlife, hiking along trails, completing outdoor challenges, and creating art from nature. Bring your own nut-free picnic lunch and snacks. Meet at the Education Complex. Tu 9:00am-1:00pm 1/19 $40 267240-01 W 9:00am-1:00pm 1/23 $40 267240-02 ELEMENTARY Winter Art & Adventure School’s Out(side): Nature Explorers Ages 13+ Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for this regular outing that takes place the second Saturday of every month. Varied habitats including streams, woodlands, and fields make Banshee a birding hotspot. Bring binoculars if you have them. Advanced registration required at loudounwildlife.org/events/ Sa 8:00-10:00am 12/13 Free 267714-01 Sa 8:00-10:00am 1/10 Free 267714-02 Sa 8:00-10:00am 2/14 Free 267714-03 TEEN & ADULT Birding Banshee
CLAUDE MOORE PARK Visitor Center: 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling, VA Athletic Fields: 46150 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, VA 571-258-3700 • loudoun.gov/ClaudeMoorePark Visitor Center & Discovery Room: Daily 9:00am-5:00pm Closed Christmas, 12/25
Park Hours: Daily 7:00am-Dusk facebook.com/ClaudeMoorePark
SCOUT PROGRAMS Activities are available for all scout levels and multiple scouting organizations such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and American Heritage Girls. These programs can fulfil requirements for many adventures, journeys, badges, etc. An adult must accompany scouts. Leaders and chaperones are free. Minimum fees apply. Call 571-258-3700 for information, prices, and reservations. CAMPFIRES For the following programs, children MUST be accompanied by an adult. Minimum numbers required to run programs; please register online in advance. Marshmallow Madness All Ages Celebrate the start of winter and enjoy marshmallow themed activities around a roaring campfire. Build and roast your own marshmallow creations (provided while supplies last, Halal available). M 11:00am-12:30pm 12/22 Free 261704-01 The Great Dino Hunt & Campfire All Ages An invisible dino is loose in the park! Help a park naturalist find it by following its trail. Dig for dinosaurs and bring home your own dino friend! After your adventure warm up by the fire and toast some marshmallows (provided, Halal available). Pre-registration required, children must be accompanied by adult. F 1:00-2:15pm 1/23 $5 261722-01
Register at loudoun.gov/PRCSConnect
loudoun.gov/PRCS
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