Public Programs

Whether you are a child or an adult, Lake Crabtree has a program for you!  All scheduled programs have space limitations and therefore require registration prior to program.  Please download a copy of our registration form or call 919-460-3390 to receive one by mail or fax, or for more information.

Storytime for Tots

Discover nature, beginning with a story, followed by outdoor, hands-on nature exploration. The program will end with a fun activity or craft to take home. Come prepared to actively participate with your child. First Wednesday of each month. Programs run from 10-11 a.m. at the White Oak shelter. Cost is $4 per child or sign up for all three in October through December for only $10!  Preregistration is required.

“One Duck Stuck” by Phyllis Root
Wednesday, September 3
When Duck gets stuck in the marsh, he calls out to his animal friends for help. Who will answer his calls? We’ll play a game and make a craft to take home after the story.

“A Monarch Butterfly’s Life” by John Himmelman
Wednesday, October 1
Learn all about monarch butterflies, including their life cycle and amazing migration habits. After the story, we’ll explore our monarch monitoring area and make a butterfly to take home.

“Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell
Wednesday, November 5
When three baby owls awake one night to find their mother missing, they start to wonder where she is and what she is doing. Will she come back? After the story, we’ll learn about the owls that live at Lake Crabtree and make a craft to take home.

“A Duck So Small” by A.H. Benjamin
Wednesday, December 3
Duffle Duck is smaller than all the other ducks he knows, and he’s always getting teased about his size. Will Duffle find the one thing he’s good at, and prove that even small ducks can do great things? After the story, we’ll take a walk to look for ducks on the lake, and make a craft to take home.

Homeschool and Track Out Programs

These programs are geared toward homeschool students, but are open to tracked out students as well. Cost is $8 per child. Each lesson is two hours and meets at the Beech Shelter. These programs are open to students ages 5-12.

Amazing Owls
Tuesday, October 21, 10 a.m.-noon
Learn about the owls that live at Lake Crabtree and how to identify them. We’ll explore the food web of owls, dissect owl pellets, and discuss the adaptations and behaviors of these amazing birds.

Astronomy Discoveries
Tuesday, November 18, 10 a.m.-noon
Do you know your constellations? How does light pollution affect what we see at night? How far away are the other planets from us? We’ll answer these questions and more through a variety of hands-on activities. You’ll learn how to make your own telescope and have a solar system you can take home in your pocket!

Mysterious Mammals
Monday, December 8, 1-3 p.m.
How many mammals call Lake Crabtree home? We’ll learn how to identify mammal tracks and signs, and explore mounted specimens and other items to learn the unique adaptations and behaviors of deer, bats, beavers, and more.

Kid's Day Off

These programs are offered on teacher workdays (or holidays) and are open to all kids ages 7 to 11. Cost is $12 per child. Each session lasts three hours and meets at the Beech Shelter. Preregistration is required. Please make sure your child has a water bottle and wears closed toe shoes.

Fishing Fun
Tuesday, November 4, 9 a.m.-noon
Learn about the fish in Lake Crabtree through a variety of games and activities. Test your fishing skills and compete with others to see who can catch the most! Sign up for the Tackle Loaner Program here at Lake Crabtree. Fishing rods and other supplies are provided.

Family Programs

September 

Crabtree Casters
Wednesday, September 3, 6:30-8 p.m.
Join us after work for an evening of fishing and fun times. Bring your own rod and reel, or borrow one of ours through the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. Bring the kids and we'll help them learn to cast a line as well. Meet at the Boat Rental Complex (tower). FREE!

Birding with Vernon
Saturday, September 6, 8:30 a.m.
Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Meet at the Waterwise Garden in the first gravel parking lot on the right No preregistration required. FREE!

Family Fishing Fun
Saturday, September 13, 10 a.m.-noon
$5/family
Meet at the White Oak Shelter.
Expand your fishing skills and knowledge and have fun as a family. Each family will receive a fishing workbook and complete different activities and worksheets as a team. After everyone has increased their fishing knowledge, teams will compete against one another in “Fish Fact Jeopardy!” Families that want to stay and fish after the program can use our Tackle Loaner Program.

Wild About Water!
Sunday, September 14, 1-3 p.m.
Join park staff on the floodplain (look for the white tents) for an afternoon of water games and activities. You’ll learn about the properties of water, the water cycle, and more by having fun and getting wet! Complete all the activities and win a prize! No preregistration required. FREE!

Crabtree Casters
Wednesday, September 17, 6:30-8 p.m.
Join us after work for an evening of fishing and fun times. Bring your own rod and reel, or borrow one of ours through the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. Bring the kids and we'll help them learn to cast a line as well. Meet at the Boat Rental Complex (tower). FREE!

October 

Birding with Vernon
Saturday, October 4, 8:30 a.m.
Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Meet at the Waterwise Garden in the first gravel parking lot on the right No preregistration required. FREE!

Tracks & Signs
Sunday, October 5, 1-3 p.m.
$3 per person/$5 per family
Meet at the White Oak Shelter.
Learn how to identify several different animal tracks and discover what other signs and clues to look for when you hike. Make an animal track to take home, and then go on a hike to test your new skills! Fun for all ages.

Night Hike
Thursday, October 30, 5:30-7 p.m.
$3 per person/$5 per family
Meet at the Amphitheater.
Bring your flashlight and sense of adventure! After a brief talk about some of the local “creatures of the night,” we’ll take a hike around the park. Test your night vision, learn to identify some common night sounds, and discover who is in the park after dark.

November 

Birding with Vernon
Saturday, November 1, 8:30 a.m.
Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Meet at the Waterwise Garden in the first gravel parking lot on the right No preregistration required. FREE!

Canoeing Lake Crabtree
Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m.-noon
$5 per adult or $10 per canoe (a canoe can hold 3 people maximum)
Meet at the Boat Rental Building.
Join park staff for a canoe tour of Lake Crabtree. Learn basic paddling techniques, look for birds and other wildlife along the shore, and see the park from a new perspective. If time allows, we’ll explore Crabtree Creek, and look for signs of beaver and other lake residents.

Get Your Bearings
Sunday, November 16, 1-3 p.m.
$3 per person/$5 per family
Meet at the Beech Shelter.
Leave your GPS at home and learn how to find your way around using a compass and a map. You’ll learn all the basics of orienteering including reading bearings, topo maps, and more. Use your new skills on a treasure hunt around the park.

Night Hike
Wednesday, November 19, 5-6:30 p.m.
$3 per person/$5 per family
Meet at the Amphitheater.
Bring your flashlight and sense of adventure! After a brief talk about some of the local “creatures of the night,” we’ll take a hike around the park. Test your night vision, learn to identify some common night sounds, and discover who is in the park after dark.

December 

Birding with Vernon
Saturday, December 6, 8:30 a.m.
Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Meet at the Waterwise Garden in the first gravel parking lot on the right No preregistration required. FREE!