Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary offers field trips, camps, and programs to give children the opportunity to learn about and experience nature. Activities range from water quality testing to catching frogs along the marsh boardwalk. Our mission is to immerse children, the future stewards of the planet, in the wonders of science and the natural world.
Children spend less time outdoors than ever before. Children who are connected to nature have better health, higher satisfaction with life, and pro-environmental behaviors. Bring the children to Jug Bay where they can experience, explore, and learn to appreciate nature while considering the impacts of human activity on it.
Become a Jug Bay Volunteer Naturalist
Do you love nature and teaching kids?
Become a Volunteer Naturalist educator and share your love of nature with children at Jug Bay! Our field trips rely on a dedicated group of volunteer educators. We provide the training.
Contact Beth at rpsieg21@aacounty.org for more information.
Classrooms In The Field (CITF)
Classrooms in the Field are hands-on field experiences for students from kindergarten to college. Our outdoor programs are tailored to meet the needs of students and teachers alike, actively involving students in the learning process and introducing them to many facets of ecology and scientific research, while meeting state core curriculum standards.
School Field Trips
Sign up your class for a field experience at Jug Bay! Groups will join a naturalist for an exploration of a variety of habitats found at Jug Bay. Experience the marsh, learn about our local plants, animals, and birds, and explore nature's beauty!
- 50 children max per day.
- $5 pp. ($50 minimum fee). (Wetland Ecology by Canoe is $20 pp. limit 14, age requirement applies.)
- We follow AACPS chaperone guidelines. Learn more in the guidelines link below.
- Max 4 hours - between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm
Spring season applications are open from November to March (or until full) for CITF trips from early April to the end of May.
Fall season applications are open from May to August (or until full) for CITF trips from mid-September to early November.
*Our Marsh Boardwalk is closed until further notice*
Self-Led Field Trip
Bring your class or homeschool group to Jug Bay for a self-guided field trip. Self-led field trips are held here at the Sanctuary Proper on Wednesdays and Fridays (*car and bus fee) OR at Glendening Nature Preserve Monday - Friday (*bus fee only), 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Self-led trips provide you an opportunity to lead the trip yourself and learn at your own pace. You will have access to informational videos about Jug Bay and the Education Coordinator can help guide you with materials to lead your trip. Watch videos, borrow an explorer bag with educational materials and activities, and spend the day teaching your charges about nature.
Click below to fill out the field trip application and register your group. Also, sign up for our Educator's Newsletter for deadlines and information.
*$30 bus fee or $6 per vehicle required.
CITF for Elementary School
CITF for Middle and High School
Preschool Program
Jug Bay offers a monthly program for preschoolers and their parents/guardians.
Bring the little ones to explore nature! Learn about a nature topic and then head out to experience the Sanctuary. We look, feel, listen, and discover at preschooler speed. Dress for the weather - we will always try to go outside! Parents play along with their children.
Ages: 3-5. Fee: $10 per child. To register click the "Sign up today!" button below or on each date.
Program Dates:
September 20, 2023 (#33880) - Birds
October 18, 2023 (#33881) Trees
Homeschool Hikers - Fall Series!
Jug Bay also offers seasonal programs for homeschoolers. (4 in the Fall and 4 in the Spring)
Bring your learners to explore and learn about nature! Each fall and spring we offer a series of 4 homeschool lessons that are organized around a central theme with each lesson covering a different topic. This Fall our theme is Life on the Patuxent. While not mandatory to attend all 4, it is recommended to get the whole picture. We will have a short lesson followed by outdoor time and an activity or craft. We look, feel, listen, and discover. Dress for the weather - we will always opt for outside!
Ages: 6-10. Fee: $10 per child. To register click on the "sign up today" button or follow the link on each date.
Program Dates: