NEWS PRESS RELEASE
JUNE 20, 2024
Embark on a STEAM-Powered Adventure: Kids Can Explore, Create, and Discover this Summer at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum!
4-Days of Fun & Learning on our Potomac River Ecosystem; Register Your Child Today!
LEONARDTOWN, MD – Children ages 8 to 12 are invited to enjoy 4 days of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming at the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum from July 8 – 11, 2024 or July 22 – 25, 2024. Focused on outdoor science and exploration, museum staff and education coordinator/local biologist Sara Saunders will guide kids in exploring the historic waterside park and learn about the vibrant ecology of the Potomac River.
Kids will investigate different topics at Piney Point while having lots of outdoor fun! Each day will feature a different nature theme, filled with fun crafts and activities. Throughout this 4-day week, participants will discover Piney Point’s grounds as part of the dynamic Potomac River ecosystem. During their adventures, kids will focus on fun and activities about native trees, herbs and birds, exploring local insects and their habitats, try their luck at fishing and crabbing, have fun beachcombing and with recycled art, learning about the unique boats that sailed our waters, study some prehistoric creatures that lived in the area, as well as get wet with some fun water science experiments. The program will focus on the S in STEAM (Science) and strive to show your child how great it is to learn about our local environment.
“Because Piney Point has so many interesting things for kids to explore, we thought it would be great to continue to offer this fun, yet educational, multiday STEAM program for children to take part in while off school for the summer,” says Karen Stone, Manager of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division. “With such a broad range of topics, they’re sure to find lots of fun things to do while enjoying the outdoors at the lighthouse.”
Parents are encouraged to book their child’s slot soon, as each program is limited to 15 participants to give each child the best hands-on experience possible. Visit OutdoorAdventure2024.eventbrite.comto book; the cost is $50 per child per session for the entire 4-day program. Discounted opportunities, through the Museums for All program, are available to SNAP or EBT card holders. Please contact our administrative coordinator for more information at sara.saunders@stmaryscountymd.gov.
Parents/Caretakers: please bring your children prepared for a fun day of outdoor experiences. A backpack with a snack and hat, head covering, or sunglasses is encouraged, and a personal water bottle is required. Additionally, we recommend sunscreen and bug spray application before joining the group, and a hand towel that we can mist throughout the day to drape over shoulders to keep cool as temperatures can be hot in July.
July in Southern Maryland can be very hot, which is why these adventure programs are hosted during the mornings and monitor conditions/children very closely and adapt programs as needed for comfort and safety. Parents/Guardians are welcome to accompany children throughout the day, especially if children are nervous about being away at a new place. Safety is the top priority, and in cases of inclement weather, activities will move indoors while still covering many of the same subjects.
For more information about the program, other educational activities, or Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, please call (301) 994-1471 or visitFacebook.com/1836Light.
About the St. Mary’s County Museum Division
The St. Mary’s County Museum Division was established by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the historic sites and artifacts which illustrate the natural and cultural histories of St. Mary’s County and the Potomac River. These sites include St. Clement’s Island Museum, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, the Old Jail Museum, and the Drayden African American Schoolhouse. With this as its charter, the Museum Division serves as a resource, liaison, and community advocate for all St. Mary’s County public and private cultural assets. For more information, please visit: museums.stmarysmd.com.
