NEA Big Read Events
2026

April is National Poetry Month and what better time to use poetry as a vehicle for connecting with nature? There are plenty of outdoor opportunities here plus indoor presentations / interactions for all ages.

Join us in a county-wide celebration of nature using poetry to amplify our observations and insights.

Thank you to:

Kick Off Event at CRAB

with Jefferson Holland,

Poet Laureate

of the City of Annapolis

Sunday, March 29, 1-3 pm

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating

7040 Bembe Beach Rd, Annapolis

Get a preview of all the planned Big Read events and go home with copy of:

You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World or
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature.

Art & Story Time with

Mrs. Spears & Puppy the Puppet

Every Monday at 10:30 am at CCM.

This is a weekly event that will feature lots of poetry and nature-related activities for little ones!

Get a copy of Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature while supplies last.

Free for CCM members and with museum admission.

Register here.

StoryWalk at Quiet Waters Park

Opens April 1 (National Walking Day)

Quiet Waters Park

600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis

In collaboration with AACPL, Quiet Waters Park offers an interactive reading experience encouraging families to read together while they walk, featuring oversized pages of nature-related children's poetry.

Celebrate National Walking Day today, or any day at QWP, to enjoy this permanent installation and pick up a free book at the library!

Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library

269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis

Admission to the park is $8 per car.

Creek Critters Nature Walk

Every Thursday at 10:30 am at CCM.

Observe wildlife in the woodlands, wetlands and shallow creek waters surrounding the museum.

Free for CCM members and with museum admission.

Please register in advance here.

For group registrations of 5 or more, give us a call at 410-990-1993.

Shell Shaking in Shady Side

Tuesday, April 7, 9: 30 am - 2:30 pm

Parish Creek Landing

4819 Woods Warf Road, Shady Side

Participate in "shell shaking" at The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's oyster restoration center to prepare oyster shells for spat habitat in the Bay.

"Shell shaking" removes debris, allowing baby oyster larvae to successfully attach to the shells and help to filter the bay.

Click here for a video demonstration!

"Bringing Back the Sun"

Friday, April 10, 10 am

Riviera Beach Branch Library

1130 Duval Highway, Pasadena

Enjoy a theatrical production presented by Building Better

People Productions.

Music, movement and audience participation make this is a

perfect first theater experience

for little ones!

Spring Brownie Day

Saturday, April 11, 9 am-1 pm at CCM

Complete 3 outdoor badges with other Girl Scout Brownies:

Eco Friend,
Bugs, and
Hiker

Dress for the weather, and don't forget your walking shoes, a bag lunch, and water!

Registrations are required in advance and can be made here.

Outdoor Artists

Saturday, April 11, 2-4 pm at CCM

Artists of all ages and Girl Scouts of

all levels can get inspiration from nature for: drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, and writing poetry.

Registrations are required in advance and can be made here.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and African Diaspora Festival

Saturday, April 11, 12-8pm

People's Park

44 Calvert St., Annapolis

MLK Parade led by the Annapolis Drum & Bugle Corps; CCM presents Seed Planting. Food and other vendors. Entertainment closes out with the Clones of Funk.

Click here for parking and free shuttle information.

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Poetry Under the Tree

Sunday, April 12, 1-4 pm

Annearrundell County Free School Museum

1298 Lavall Road, Davidsonville

Enjoy crafting and poetry for children and adults at The Annearrundell County Free School Museum.

Established in 1723, the school is an America250 site and is maintained by retired teachers.

Take home a book of poetry!

Davy Dance Academy Performance

Sunday, April 12

Location TBD in North County

Stay tuned for an announcement about the opening of a new dance studio and how to purchase show tickets!

Click here for more information.

Eco Learner Badge

Sunday, April 12, 2-3 pm at CCM

Enjoy nature with other Girl Scout Daisies and K-1st grade girls who want to learn what Girl Scouts do.

Dress for outdoor activities.

Registrations are required in advance and can be made here.

Bringing Back the Sun

Monday, April 13, 10:30 am at CCM

Enjoy a theatrical production presented by Building Better People Productions.

Music, movement and audience participation make this is a perfect first theater experience for little ones!

Free for CCM members and with museum admission.

Please register in advance here.

Green Careers Panel for Teens

Tuesday, April 14, 5:30-7 pm

Presented by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, this virtual panel for teens and others pondering their futures will showcase a variety of occupations related to the environment and conservation.

REGISTER HERE

Teens can also register for: April 24-26

Spring Student Leadership Summit

Book Discussion and Poetry Workshop at St. John's College

Wednesday, April 15, 6-7 pm

St. John's College Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Art Museum

60 College Avenue, Annapolis

Engage in a book discussion and poetry workshop at St. John's College. Founded in 1696, way before the American Revolution, the college is an America250 site. More info HERE.

Click here for parking information.

Vince Leggett: The Man, the Myth, the Legend Lunch & Learn

Friday, April 17, 11 am - 1:30 pm

Earle Conservation Center, Dolphin Room

1212 West Street, Annapolis

Networking, lunch, and a viewing of "Vince Leggett: In His Own Words". We'll discuss the biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay, health & human impacts, and the continuing commitment of Blacks of the Chesapeake to work collaboratively on environmental research and environmental justice.

One Hundred Trees

Saturday, April 18, 10 am - 12 pm

Captain Avery Museum

1418 E.West Shady Side Rd, Shady Side

Celebrate stories, seeds, and self-expression!

• Herb activities with SoCo Seed Collective

• ONE HUNDRED tree seedlings from Watershed Stewards Academy

• Books & hands-on fun with the Deale Library

• Student poetry contest sponsored by Captain Avery Museum

Let’s grow gardeners, readers and writers together!

Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, April 18, 10 am - 2 pm

Quiet Waters Park

600 Quiet Waters Park Rd, Annapolis

Lots of earth-friendly vendors and organizations.

CCM presents seashell sorting, animal tracks, and nature poetry!

Free admission to the park!

A Tree Birthday

Sat. & Sunday, April 18-19, 10am-4 pm

Historic London Town & Gardens

839 London Town Road, Edgewater

Celebrate a 200+ year-old tree. Enjoy garden and tree themed crafts, games, and of course, birthday cake! Environmental organizations will share information about what they do and how you can be involved.

$5 suggested donation is optional.

Registration is required:

Click to select Saturday or Sunday.

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Mulberry Hill Trail Tour

Saturday, April 18

Mulberry Hill-Browns Woods Trail

Take a tour of the Mulberry Hill-Browns Woods Trail, an historic African-American community, with Breaking Boundaries Environmental.

The company’s mission includes fostering conservation, educating future environmentalists, and ensuring public access to the land and water of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Invasive Species Removal

Wednesday, April 22, 4-5 pm

Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library

269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis

Calling all teens! Others welcome, too!

Help clean up the bioretention area at the library.

We’ll be removing invasive species and more.

All supplies will be provided.

Recommended for ages 14-19.

This project is offered in partnership with the

Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy.

Register at AACPL.net

Waivers are required for the Library and AAWSA.

The Tale of the Pout-Pout Fish

Friday, April 24, 10:15 am & 12 pm

TWO SHOWS!

Maryland Hall

801 Chase Street, Annapolis

Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down with this underwater musical featuring whimsical puppets and live performers.

Purchase tickets here.

Book Discussion & Poetry Writing

Friday, April 24, 11 am

Annapolis Senior Activity Center

119 South Villa Avenue, Annapolis

Get a free copy of You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World during the week before class.

Become a member! It's free for ages 55+

Call: (410) 222-1818 for more details.

GreenScape Spring Planting

Saturday, April 25

Take part in an Annapolis tradition to beautify public spaces and support our environment with fresh plantings.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome.

G.S. Juniors must register to earn the Gardener Badge at CCM, 9 am-12 pm.

Click here to learn more about GreenScape.

Pipefish and Poetry

Tuesday, April 28, 5-7 pm

Location TBD (South County)

This is a fish-catching poetry workshop for all ages with Arundel Rivers Federation.

Seine for shoreline critters and use poetry building blocks to create odes to the critters that were caught.

"Sleeping Beauty" Ballet

Saturday, May 2, 12 pm

St. John's College Lawn60 College Avenue, Annapolis

Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to take in scenes from this free iconic ballet.

For more information on the Maryland Ballet Theatre and the story of Sleeping Beauty, click here. OR email.

Click here for parking information.

Sábado 2 de mayo Saturday, May 2

del mediodía a las 4 pm noon to 4 pm
en CCM at CCM

¡Gracias a las subvenciones de NEA Big Read y la Oficina de Asuntos Multiculturales del condado, todos es gratis:

música en vivo, artesanía, paseos en poni, zoológico interactivo y gastronomía auténtica!

Llévate un libro de poesía gratis.

Thanks to grants from NEA Big Read and the county's Office of Multicultural Affairs everything is free: live music craft-making, pony rides, petting zoo, and authentic food.

Spring membership:
unlimited admission
thru June 30, 2026

OPEN DAILY
10 am - 4 pm

CCM is in full agreement with the Association of Children's Museums to prioritize the rights of all children to playful learning and a healthy, safe, and equitable future.

SNAP/EBT/WIC Discounts available when you arrive.
Please show your I.D.