Join us August 25th at 1pm and discover amazing snakes and salamanders on this fun learning adventure with our friend, Mark, aka, The Feral Nut.
It’s always so fun to meet the snakes!
How cute is she??
So pretty!
Kids love him, adults love him, and snakes seem to love him almost as much as he loves them. If you can be a snake whisperer, then that is what Mark is. A snake whisperer.
Turtles are awesome too!
Have you ever seen a Hellbender?
With a profound love for the scaled inhabitants of the mountains of western Maryland, Mark promises an exciting afternoon of outdoor entertainment, tons of fun and a sharing of knowledge.
It’s just good clean fun for kids and adults!
As you will learn, or maybe already know, reptiles and amphibians have millions of years of evolution on their side when it comes to hiding.
That being said – this hike is sure to be action packed; our Feral Nut does whatever it takes to bring these cryptic wonders to the surface for our education and okay, our amazement too.
As we herp along Maryland’s ONLY designated Wild and Scenic River, the crystalline Youghiogheny, you’ll be mesmerized by Mark’s passionate takes on our area’s exciting species.
Explore microhabitats and fascinating behaviors and learn how to better find these amazing creatures on your own!
A great time for the whole family!
From rare rattlesnakes and smiling treefrogs, to even rarer finds like the crayfish eating Queensnake or the golden-glistening Long tailed Salamander, you truly never know what we’ll see on our afternoon adventure. There are just so many possibilities for fun!
Young children and older hikers alike love this high energy “scratch off” ticket tour of what reptiles and amphibians can be found in the lush, rainforest-like region of Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County, Maryland.
Join us! It’s so much fun! Advanced Registration is required, space is limited, call Carol today. 301-746-4083
So much fun learning at Farm Camp! The mushroom foray with Max is always a favorite.
So much fun!
Kids experience the wonders of nature through farming, fun and artistic expression during our Kids Summer Farm Day Camp
near Deep Creek Lake.
Day Campers can expect to get their hands dirty as they learn what it’s like to be an organic farmer in this 4-day kids summer day camp. They will learn how to grow vegetables, prepare simple, fresh food, learn about sustainable farming methods and the benefits of humane livestock management, go on a mushroom hunt, discover snakes and salamanders and have time to make, create and work as a team to design an interactive, 3D Dream Farm.
It’s an action packed 4-day kids summer camp on the farm. Kids experience farm life and nature during our fabulous fun learning adventure. Lots of laughs, new adventures and skill development at the same time. Grow, learn, play, explore and more!
Call Carol at 301-746-4083 with any questions.
We are so excited for this year!
Kids Summer Farm Day Camp 2024
July 8th to 11th Daily 10am-4:30pm Ages 5 to 13 Only one session and limited space.
Snakes and Salamanders Sunday Funday guided hikes near Deep Creek Lake with The Feral Nut, are just plain, FUN!
Bring your family, friends or group down to Friendsville for an afternoon of FUN LEARNING and real life encounters with snakes and salamanders.
Pack a picnic and enjoy it before or after our programs at the beautiful Friendsville, Community Park.
If you prefer that someone else does the cooking, then check out The Water Street Cafe or the Friendsville Public House. You may even want to explore the town’s interactive history tour while you’re here. https://friendsville.org/historytour/
And our kayak tours Kayaking Tours near Deep Creek Lake. are always a big hit. Our tours are both an adventure and a wonderful, peaceful experience on a beautiful, undeveloped mountain lake.
Families are stocked that our Birds of Prey program will be back this summer, starting June 6th, every Tuesday through August. Birds of Prey Program near Deep Creek Lake
Additionally, you will also find Mark doing what he loves at our very popular and super fun Farm Camp with our friends out at Backbone Food Farm. The dates of the camp this year are July 17th – 20th. Farm Camp is undeniably one of the most fun things we do all year. Check it out and then send your kids to us and let us help them grow.
In short, a walk withThe Feral Nut is a fantastic experience. A true Maryland snake and amphibian lover, AKA Mark Pankowski’s joy of the natural world and of reptiles and amphibians in particular, is contagious. Spend 2 1/2 hours exploring and discover what reptilian and amphibian wonders can be found near our rivers, creeks and woods. If creepy crawlies are there, the Feral Nut will find them. Mark’s knowledge of Maryland reptiles and amphibians is extensive, as can be seen by his 14K plus Instagram followers who can attest to his reptilian expertise and mad skills.
“You will certainly learn how to find reptiles and amphibians in your own time- from simple methods to conditions and weather to look for, to ideal habitats and beyond. I’m happy to answer any and all questions; you will be inspired!” Mark Pankowski- AKA The Feral Nut
So, don’t miss our Snakes and Salamanders Sunday Funday guided hikes! They are fun, fabulous and a little bit freaky too.
Adventure with The Feral Nut (Mark Pankowski,Rockville, MD)
This 2 1/2 hour family nature walk and wildlife discovery program features an exploration of the Yougiogheny Wild and Scenic River with snake and reptile guru and All Earth Eco Tours guest instructor, The Feral Nut (14K Instagram Followers).
You will explore with Mark learning about and looking for a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians along Marylands’s only Wild and Scenic River Trail, in Friendsville Maryland. You will discover and learn about likely hiding places and the ways and habits of our creepy and crawly animal relatives. Sometimes we go up river and sometimes down.
Mark sharing a find with young and old.
Explore more
How do you hold a snake properly??
Love snakes?
You will find awesome salamanders with Mark
Expect to maybe get a tad dirty and be sure to bring cameras for photos. Mark is an expert at finding creatures both great and small so this promises to be a great time for young and old wildlife fans and nature lovers. Dress for the weather and wear suitable footwear. Program runs rain or shine.
My name is Mark Pankowski, I/m from Rockville, Maryland. I’ve always enjoyed looking for critters out in nature, but I especially got into the “exotic” ones over the last 3 or 4 years. My favorite snake is the Eastern Hognose, named for their upturned snout (used for burrowing!) but known for their ability to play dead & their insane colors! Every animal truly has an incredible story, and I love telling them. Insane evolutionary processes, weird behaviors, crazy interactions with humans over the last few decades. Even if you don’t consider yourself a reptile nerd, you will be intrigued.
But moreover,it’s Spring now and the world is our oyster, the adults are out to breed. Who knows what we will find?
Covid 19 safety precautions in full effect – masks required when walking in a single file and when social distancing cannot be maintained.
