Brandywine Creek State Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, year round. Park entrance fees are charged daily from March through November. Advance registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for a program, please contact the Nature Center at (302) 655-5740. Want to learn more about other Delaware State Parks? Visit our website www.destateparks.comPrograms at Flint Woods Nature Preserve
Wilderness Survival
Sunday, March 16
1pm-3pm
Be challenged by our fun and safe survival scenarios as you learn how to be better prepared for wilderness survival. We will also make our own trail mix for you to snack on! Ages 8 - Adult. $4 per person. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.
Birding for Beginners
Sunday, April 6
2-4pm
Learn the basics of using binoculars, field guide selection, and identifying wild birds in the field with a park naturalist. Binoculars available to borrow. Ages 7 and up. $4 per person. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.
Arbor Day Celebration
Sunday, April 27
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
In honor of Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, we head out to Brandywine Creek State Park’s exclusive Flint Woods Nature Preserve. Learn to appreciate trees in a whole new way during this guided excursion through the Nature Preserve. Leave with tips on selecting trees for your own backyard that are beneficial to wildlife! Participation is limited to 14 participants. Ages 8 and up. $4 per person. Advance registration is required.
Animal Communication: How did Doctor Doolittle Do It?
Sunday, May 18
2 – 4 p.m.
Learn how animals communicate and what they might be ‘saying.’ We will explore bird song, frog calls, squirrel tails, and more. Ages 5 and up. $4 per person. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.
Extraordinary Events at Brandywine Creek State Park
Kite Day
Saturday, April 19
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at this once-a-year event by trying your hand at making your own kite! Join us for a day of fun and learning and soar to new heights in the great outdoors. The program fee is $2 per kite. All ages.
Special Populations Fishing Derby
Saturday, April 26
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join us for the 28th Annual Special Population Fishing Derby. The derby is presented by the Delaware Trout Association, Brandywine Creek State Park, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Advance registration is required. For further information, please contact the Nature Center at (302) 655-5740.
Annual River Clean-Up for National Trails Day:
Help the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park!
Saturday, June 7
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
You can help the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park clean up the Brandywine River by canoe. Last year, the group managed to remove nearly a half ton of trash from the Brandywine. This year, you too can make a difference. Advance registration is required by calling 302-655-5740. Registration deadline is June 2. Please be aware that shoes and clothes will get wet. Recommended for ages 12 and older. Participants aged 16 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Experience with canoeing is preferred.
No fee for this program.
Beautiful Birding at Brandywine
Bird Walk Series
Saturdays, March 29 and May 31: meet at Nature Center
Saturday, April 26: meet at Thompson’s Bridge
8 a.m.
Birders from the Delmarva Ornithological Society will lead the group through the park in search some spring migrants! A light continental breakfast will be provided thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park. No fee for this program.
Owl Prowl
Saturday, May 24
7:30 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 14
8-9:30pm
Discover the mysteries of these night raptors. Following a presentation about the Owls of northern Delaware, we will move out into the park to search for signs of our resident wild owls. Bring your sense of adventure, but no flashlights please! Ages 7 and up. $4 per person. This program fills up quickly and advance registration is required.
Terrific Toddlers
Nature programs for children ages 2-3 years. Programs are held from 9:30 until 10:15 a.m., and the fee is $5 per child. Pre-registration is encouraged! Walk-ins are welcome if space is available. These programs are limited to 10 children per session.
Shake Your Sillies Out
Friday, April 25
9:30-10:15 a.m.
Jump up and shake to celebrate spring in this action-packed program.
It’s All About Color
Friday, May 23
9:30-10:15 a.m.
We’ll search for new colors of spring that are popping up everywhere in the park, followed by a colorful craft.
1,2,3…Count With Me!
Friday, June 27
9:30-10:15am
How many bugs can we count? We will find out all sorts of nifty things about insects and make an insect we can eat!
Nature Explorers Club
Nature Programs for children ages 4 to 6 years. Programs are held from 1:30 until 2:15 p.m., and the fee is $5 per child. Pre-registration is encouraged! Walk-ins are welcome if space is available. These programs are limited to 12 children per session.
Spring Songs
Friday, March 14
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Nature comes alive in the spring. Join us to find out what it has to say!
Marvelous Moving Mammals
Friday, April 25
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Find out how mammals get from here to there. Then, you’ll be moving like the animals in this fun and active program.
Colorific Signs of Spring
Friday, May 23
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Learn about the colors of spring like you see in the changing trees and blossoming flowers. It’s an adventure in fun as we discover new growth just around the corner.
How Many Bugs Can We Find?
Friday, June 27
1:30-2:15pm
June is a month full of insects! We will learn about bugs and how they help the park and other animals – followed by an insect craft we can eat.
Learn Something New This Spring!
As winter turns to spring, take an opportunity to head outdoors and learn something new about our changing world. Brandywine Creek State Park naturalists will guide you on a fun, exciting adventure and teach you something new and interesting on the way! Pre-registration by calling the Nature Center is required.
Frogs and Toads at Dusk!
Wednesday, March 12
6:30pm – 8pm
We will learn some neat tricks to help you identify our local frogs and toads. Then we’ll head out into the park in search of these wild wonders. Please, no flashlights! This program will last approximately 1 hour. Ages 5 and up. Advance registration required. $4 per person.
Guided Canoe Trips
Each trip offered includes an American Red Cross Canoe Certified trip leader to safely guide you and your friends and family down the tranquil Brandywine from start to finish. Also, included in each trip is a Brandywine Creek State Park naturalist who will help you experience nature on a whole new level by highlighting the exciting things we see along the way. The fee for each trip is $45 per canoe with a maximum of three people per canoe. Some snacks will be provided, but bring plenty of water. These trips have limited participation and advance registration is required. Please contact the Nature Center with questions or to register by calling (302) 655-5740.
Canoeing Basics
Saturday, June 14
1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This spring, learn something new and fun at Brandywine Creek State Park. An American Red Cross Canoe certified instructor will teach you all of the basics to get you started on your first canoe trip on the Brandywine. Get up to speed on safety and basic strokes on dry land before a calm 2 hour paddle down the Brandywine. A park naturalist will also be on hand to help identify the turtles, frogs, birds, and wildflowers we will see along the way! Snacks will be provided, but please bring plenty of water. Please be aware that shoes and clothes may get wet. Meet at the Nature Center. $45 per canoe, maximum of 3 people, 700 lbs per canoe. Participants aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Canoe Trip: Birds of the Brandywine
Saturday, June 28
9am-1pm
Spend a late spring afternoon paddling the calm Brandywine while listening and looking for all the beautiful birds that can be found along the way. We will stop for along the way for a light cookout including hot dogs and s’mores. Then, we will continue on down the Brandywine listening for the sounds of evening birds. Some minimal canoeing experience is recommended (such as attending our canoeing basics program). Meet at the Thompson’s Bridge parking lot. $45 per canoe, maximum of 3 people, 700 lbs per canoe. Participants aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
