National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Capital Parks – East

Educator’s 

Resource Guide

2006 – 2007

Educational & 

Interpretive 

Programs
Greetings Educators:

It is my pleasure to welcome you 

to the National Capital Parks 

– East (NCP – East) 2006 – 2007 

Educator’s Resource Guide. 

National Capital Parks – East 

offers a wide array of historic, 

cultural, natural, and recreational 

park sites located in Washington, 

DC and Maryland. The 

resource guide includes programs offered at Anacostia Park, 

Fort Washington Park, Frederick Douglass NHS, Greenbelt 

Park, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Mary McLeod Bethune 

Council House NHS, and Oxon Cove Park.

We offer a variety of interpretive tours and curriculum-based 

educational programs for all grade levels. The program 

subjects range from sheep shearing to African American 

History; from bats to Bambi; from environmental education to 

Civil War fort tours. We also offer programs off-site. National 

park rangers can bring certain programs to your classroom. 

Our curriculum-based programs, such as the Exploring the Past 

at Oxon Cove Park, offer an interactive park/school experience. 

All sites require you to schedule an appointment prior to your 

visit. I hope you find the guide useful in planning your projects 

and field trips. 

We are interested in receiving your comments on this resource 

guide. For additional information about the 

programs in the guide and/or to submit comments, contact:

Ms. Lori M James, Education Specialist, 

National Capital Parks – East

1900 Anacostia Drive, S.E.

Washington, DC 20020

202-692-6036 

lori_M_james@nps.gov 

Gayle Hazelwood

Superintendent

National Capital Parks – East
Bridging the Watershed (BTW) 

Several sites managed by National Capital Parks – East are 

involved in Bridging the Watershed, an outreach program of 

the Alice Ferguson Foundation in partnership with the 

National Park Service and area schools. Bridging the 

Watershed offers five multidisciplinary learning modules in 

Earth science, chemistry, environmental science, and biology. 

Field studies provide students with hands-on/minds-on 

experiences focused on current natural resource issues 

impacting the Potomac River and its major tributary, the 

Anacostia River.

Curriculum-Based Programs 

These programs have six components: they are tied to school 

curricula/learning objectives, an educator was involved in its 

development, it uses developmentally appropriate content 

and activities, and it includes pre- and post-visit activities and 

evaluations, and is resource-based and tied to park interpretive 

themes.

Parks as Classrooms (PAC)

Seed money is used by many parks to develop new and 

innovative program opportunities for Americans to learn about 

their national parks. National Park Service rangers, interpreters, and education specialist work directly with educators and 

other partners to create new and unique opportunities for 

learning. PAC resources include: curriculum-based education 

programs, audio-visual materials, accredited teacher training 

and workshops, traveling trunks and kits, and teacher and 

student resource guides. 

DC Urban Tree House (UTH) 

This community-based environmental education program 

designed to bring an understanding of natural resources and 

environmental concepts and careers to urban communities. 

UTH is supported by a partnership of local and federal 

government agencies, and non-profit organizations and neighborhood groups who share ideas, resources, and experiences to 

support environmental education in Anacostia Park. 

Located in Anacostia Park in southeast Washington, DC, this 

outdoor structure is a place where learning can come in many 

forms. Education can be self-guided or through a partner 

provided program. Overlooking the Anacostia River, the 

curriculum is influenced by the surrounding aquatic environment, emphasizing education about our watershed, the 

independence of land and water, and the impact of an urban 

center on the health of our environment. 

Educational Programs




Anacostia Park

202-472-3884

Bridging the Watershed Curriculum Based Program

Grades: 9 through 12

Season: All Year

Programs: -Talkin’ Trash 

 -Alien Invaders

 -Watershed Watchdogs

 -Don’t Get Sedimental

Aquatic Resource Education Center Program 

sponsored by DC Department of Health Fisheries 

& Wildlife Division

Grades: All 

Season: All Year

Programs: -Free Fishing

 -Fishing Tackle Loaner Program

 -Teacher Workshops

 -Wetlands

 -Aquatic Ecology

 -Water as an Environment

 -Chesapeake Bay

 -Fish Biology

DC Urban Tree House School Outreach Program 

Grades: All 

Season: All Year 

Programs: -Resource Center

 -Outreach Projects

 -Service Projects

School Group Programs

Grades: 5 through 9

Season: Fall & Spring 

*Offered to Junior Rangers during the summer.

Programs: -Why is the River Brown?

 -Where Does Water Come From?

 -Nature Arts and Crafts 

 -Planning the Ideal Community

 -Talkin Trash/Garbology

 -The Web of Life

 -What’s in the Water?

 -Forest Ecology


Mary McLeod Bethune NHS

202-673-2402

Parks as Classrooms Programs

Grades: Pre-K through 1

Season: All Year

Program: -Elephant Program 

Grades: 4 through 6

Season: All Year

Program: -Experience Your America 

Grades: 7 through 9

Season: All Year

Program: -Social Action Through Music

Grades: 9 through 10

Season: All Year

Program: -Living the Legacy 

Distance Learning Curriculum Based Programs 

Grades: 4 through 12

Season: All Year upon request

Programs: -Women’s History:

 Video and Book Loan Program

 -Breaking Barriers Mrs. Bethune’s Way:

 Travel Notebook

 -Civil Rights Educator’s Packet 

Curriculum Programs

Curriculum Programs offered to 20 Jr. Rangers during the 

summer to be offered to school groups fall/spring upon request.

Grades: K through 3

Programs: -Adopt an Object 

 -Just the Facts about Artifacts 

Grades: K through 5

Program: -Artifact Search Contest

Grade: 4

Program: -The Alert Game

Grades: 6 through 8

Programs: -Genealogy Contest 

 -Community Stories

Grades: 9 through 12

Programs: -There’s History in Things

 -Community Stories

 -Photo Contest
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

202-426-6905

Curriculum Programs

Programs are offered all year upon request.

Grades: Pre-K through 1

Program: -Seeds Alive

Grades: Pre-K through 2

Program: -Pond Ecology

Grades: Pre-K through 6

Program: -Land of the Nacotchtank 

Grades: Pre-K through 8

Program: -Bats

Grades: 3 through 12

Program: -Sun & Earth Connection

Grades: 4 through 12

Programs: -Wild About Numbers

 -Wetland Ecology

Grades: 5 through 12

Program: -Marsh Economics (This is an on-line course 

 that will begin in 2007 on the park’s website.)

Grades: 6 through 12

Program: -Watershed Models

Grades: K through 12

Program: -Reptiles and Amphibians

Bridging the Watershed Curriculum Based Program

Grades: 9 through 12

Season: Spring/Fall

Programs: -Talkin’ Trash 

 -Watershed Watchdogs 

 -Alien Invaders
Greenbelt Park

301-344-3944

Curriculum Programs

Programs are offered all year upon request.

Grades: K through 4

Program: -Earth Games - Habitat Sit

Grades: K through 6

Programs: -Reading Ranger 

 -Life Cycle of a Butterfly

 -Fire Safety for Kids 

Grades: 2 through 6

Program: -Creepy Crawlers 

Grades: 5 through Adult

Program: -Paul Robeson: The Good Son

Grades: 3 through Adult

Program: -Life of a Fox

Grades: 4 through Adult

Program: -Black Aviators Before Tuskegee

 

Grades: All

Programs: -Azalea Trail Walk 

 -Earth Games - Orb of Doom

 -How Trash Affects the Environment 

 -Campfire Safety Program

 -Meet the Beavers 

 -History of the National Park Service 

 -Wilma Rudolph 

 -George W. Carver 

 -How Big is Your Tree

 -Seasonal Change

 -What’s the Fuss With Squirrels

Bridging the Watershed Curriculum Based Program

Grades: 9 through 12

Season: Spring/Fall

Programs: -Watershed Watchdogs

 -Don’t Get Sedimental 

 -Alien Invaders

 -Water Canaries
Oxon Cove Park

301-839-0211

Curriculum Programs

Grades: Pre-K through 1

Season: Various

Program: -Animal Life on the Farm (All Year) 

Grades: K through 3

Season: Various

Programs: -“Moo” velous Milk (All Year) 

 -Animal Life on the Farm (All Year) 

Grades: K through 6

Season: Various

Programs: -Sheep Sheering (All Year)

 -Demonstration of the Dairy Cow (All Year)

 -Chicken and Egg Demonstration (All Year)

 -Exploring the Past at Oxon Cove Park 

 (Fall /Spring)




Frederick Douglass NHS

202-426-5961

Curriculum Programs

Grades: 1 through 12

Season: Various

Programs: -Off-site Programs (All Year)

 -Oratorical Contest (November)

Grades: All

Season: Various

Programs: -Daily Interpretive Tours (All Year)

 -Frederick Douglass Birthday Celebration 

 (February) 

 -Annual Holiday Program (December)
Fort Washington Park

301-763-4600

Bridging the Watershed Curriculum Based Program

Grades: 9 through 12

Season: Spring/Fall

Programs: -Watershed Watchdogs

 -Talkin’ Trash

 -Alien Invaders

 -Don’t Get Sedimental

Tours of the Fort are offered to all grades upon request.

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Junior Ranger Programs

Anacostia Park 202-472-3883

Located in SE Washington, east of the Anacostia River, 

Anacostia Park is the former home of the Nacotchtank Indians 

and is now a multi-use recreational park. Anacostia Park spans 

over 1,200 acres and is host to many outdoor recreational 

activities. Our Junior Ranger program will work with 

youngsters’ ages 10 to 14 years old interested in environmental 

and aquatic education. Contact the site for program dates and 

hours. 

 

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House 

National Historic Site 202-673-2402

The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House offers a wealth of 

history pertaining to the life of Mrs. Bethune, the National 

Archives for Black Women’s History and related points of 

interest, such as the Logan Circle Historic District; Lincoln 

Park; and the Black History Trail. Youth participating in 

various activities, on and off-site, receive a Jr. Ranger badge for 

their educational contributions. A workbook is available on 

site, also. 

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 202-426-6905

One of the natural areas of Anacostia Park, protecting marsh, 

swamp, river, and pond areas. A printed Junior Ranger program 

can be completed in stages, 3 modules at a time. Once all 3 

modules are completed and turned in, a Junior Ranger 

certificate is awarded. The modules can be picked up at the 

visitor center and will be available on the website in a few 

months. Call the park for more information. 

Greenbelt Park 301-344-3944

At Greenbelt Park, Jr. Rangers will learn to appreciate the need 

for conservation, and preservation of animals, plants, land and 

water. Jr. Rangers will participate in nature hikes, environmental education, recycling, and conservation. Ten youths ages 8 to 

12 will be selected for each session. Contact the site for 

registration and sessions dates and hours. 

Oxon Cove Park 301-839-1176 

Pick up this thought provoking book, “Rangers”, on the 

National Park Service. Complete activities in the book and 

receive your Jr. Ranger badge. 

Fort Washington Park 301-763-4600

Fort Washington is the only permanent fortification built to 

defend the Nation’s Capital. The 341-acre park offers a variety 

of natural, cultural, and recreational opportunities. A Junior 

Ranger booklet can be obtained at the Visitor Center. Answers 

can be found in the Visitor Center and in the fort. Booklets are 

available 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for two age groups: 

6 to 8 years and 9 to 12 years. 

 

 

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Mission

The National Park 

Service preserves 

unimpaired the 

natural and 

cultural resources 

and values of the 

National Park 

System for the enjoyment, 

education, and inspiration of this 

and future generations. The Park 

Service cooperates with partners 

to extend the benefits of natural 

and cultural resource conservation 

and outdoor recreation throughout this country.

National Capital Parks – East is 

one of 390 units of the National 

Park System.

Special thanks to Monta Coleman, National Capital 

Region, Office of Maintenance & Design for layout 

and design assistance.
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Park Map
Washington, D.C. 20020

1900 Anacostia Drive, SENational Capital Parks – EastU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service

Permit No. xxxCity, State P A I DPostage and Fees First Class Mail

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C ATM