Forum | Nature For Kids

carmenjenkins on Catoctin Mountain Park - Wolf Rock

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:01:50 -0700

I just took my kids (3 yo twins & 5yo) for their first "on the ropes" rock climbing trip. My outdoorsman brother chose Wolf Rock in Catoctin Mountain Park as a prime location for climbs with multiple levels of difficulty. It was easy to find some great climbs for the kids on Wolf Rock. There was also plenty of safe and shady places for them to run around and play with their dinosaurs.

It is a tough 1 mile hike up to this spot - that is my only caution. It is a steep hike - make sure the kids are up to it.

For more information on Catoctin Mountain Park (National Park) - see http://www.nps.gov/cato/.

carmenjenkins on "Hikes with Tykes" post at A Parent in Silver Spring

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:34:52 -0700

A Parent In Silver Spring is a great resource for families in the Maryland suburbs of DC. In this post, there are lots of great spots mentioned for taking toddlers and kids on hikes. (They work for adults, too!)

http://www.aparentinsilverspring.com/2008/07/hikes-with-tykes-guest-post-by.html

carmenjenkins on Carderock - Great for Rock Climbing with Kids

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:37:05 -0700

Carderock is a Park on the Potomac River - very close to Great Falls. It is a great location for bouldering and top-roping. There is a wide variety of difficulty on these cliffs. Definately some good ones for kids learning - as well as a lot of boulders for kids to explore while the "grown ups" are climbing.

It's also nice because there are hiking trails along the Potomac. You can sit and watch the water bugs and the fish swimming below. Just use caution with kids on the side of the river. The Potomac looks very gentle here, but there are drownings every year from people who try to swim or play in the river. Swimming and wading are both restricted here.

carmenjenkins on Sharp's at Waterford Farm

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:51:22 -0700

Every year for the past five years we pack the kids in to head to Sharp's at Waterford Farm to pick our own pumpkins. It is really the best deal compared to other DC Suburb "Pick-Your-Own" Farms. You don't have to pay for parking or entry. They have free hayrides and a free petting zoo. It is an absolutely beautiful property. You only pay for what you buy.

It's kind of set up like a farm museum. You can see how bees make their honey and walk through the barns. In the Spring and Summer they do educational tours. You can do this with a small family group or with a school. I hope to find some other people to do that with me.

It's a great farming experience for the kids. (Located in Brookville, MD north of Olney off Georgia Ave).

http://www.sharpfarm.com

carmenjenkins on Thanks for adding this!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:40:40 -0700

Thanks! I hope to get more parents in the area using this forum! What a great idea.