New Germany to Host Junior Ranger Sprouts
New Germany State Park will host Junior Ranger Sprouts, a free program designed for children ages 2-4, every Monday from September 11 through October 9.
Each week, a nature-themed program will focus on one of the five senses -- taste, touch, hearing, smell, and sight. Programs will include a short walk, an art or music activity, and snack time. All children must be supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the program.
The programs are free (supported by the Friends of New Germany State Park), but donations are welcome. Registration is required for each weekly program. To register, please email noah.manges@maryland.gov.
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Sept. 11: Week One - Touch
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Tall Oaks Pavilion
During this program, Rangers Noah and Hannah will lead the group on a short walk (weather permitting), during which the kids will find and feel things like leaves, rocks, pine cones, dirt, and mud. Various animal furs will also be available for kids to feel and compare. After the walk, the group will return to the Lake House, where the kids can paint some of the things they found, using their fingers and pine needle brushes. The program will conclude with "worms and dirt" for snack time, along with grapes and apple slices.
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Sept. 18: Week Two - Hearing
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Tall Oaks Pavilion
During this program, Rangers Noah and Hannah will lead the group on a short walk (weather permitting), during which the kids will listen to the sounds of nature. After the walk, the group will return to the Lake House for story time and a craft. The program will conclude with "ant logs" for snack time, along with grapes and apple slices.
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Sept. 25: Week Three - Smell
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Tall Oaks Pavilion
During this program, Rangers Noah and Hannah will lead the group on a short walk (weather permitting), during which the kids will smell the scents of nature and play a scent-guessing game. After the walk, the group will return to the Lake House for story time (What Can I Smell?) and a craft using scented playdough. The program will conclude with a variety of fruits for snack time.
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Oct. 2: Week Four - Sight
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Tall Oaks Pavilion
During this program, Rangers Noah and Hannah will lead the group on a short walk (weather permitting), during which the kids will look for different plants and animals along the way and see how many different colors they can find in one spot. After the walk, the group will return to the Lake House to make tie-dyed butterflies using coffee filters, clothes pins, and markers. The program will conclude with "spider crackers" (crackers topped with peanut butter or cream cheese and pretzel sticks for legs), along with grapes and apple slices.
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Oct. 9: Week Five - Taste
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Tall Oaks Pavilion
During this program, Rangers Noah and Hannah will lead the group on a short walk (weather permitting), during which the kids will search for bugs and salamanders and find out what they are eating. After the walk, the group will return to the Lake House for a matching game (Who Eats What), story time (Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar), and a bird feeder craft. The program will conclude with a pizza party to celebrate the last week of Sprouts.
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Unless otherwise noted, events are held rain or shine, free and fun for all ages; donations are always welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dress for the weather/activity, wear sunscreen and insect repellent, bring plenty of water and snacks, and check for ticks.
Please call 301-895-5453 for additional information or to register.
New Germany staff also manages Big Run, Casselman River Bridge and Dans Mountain state parks.
Save Our Pollinators!
Donate today to support butterfly and bumblebee
habitat and education in state parks!
Donations in any amount are a helpful way to make a difference. Thank you!
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 Annual Pass Available for Purchase
$75 for Marylanders; $100 for out-of-state visitors
Our annual State Park and Trail Passport grants unlimited day-use admission and boat launching at state parks, and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals.
To enhance convenience and value, this year's pass will arrive in a self-contained packet with a detachable hang-tag, and will be valid for a full year from the month of purchase.
Our network of state parks include more than 900 miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, as well as unique water access and camping facilities.
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