What treasures lie within your own backyard?
Ahoy, Explorer! The Gunpowder Watershed is rich with hidden discoveries: natural wonders, local gems, and secrets waiting to be found. Will you encounter a new creature? Chart a course to a new favorite spot? Uncover something you never knew was there? Your adventure begins on Earth Day, April 22 and lasts until June 3, 2026.
It's free to participate - just complete one or both of our challenges to earn a commemorative T-shirt and a chance to claim the grand prize: a full day of kayaking and/or paddle boarding at Ultimate Watersports (includes an intro lesson)!
- Activity Challenge - Complete 20 miles of activity on land (or water)
- Navigator Challenge - Collect 4 stickers from participating locations
Save the Date for our Explore the Gunpowder Challenge Final Celebration: Thursday, June 18th! Pick up your t-shirt, visit our Gunpowder Watershed Partner vendors, and enjoy some snacks and good conversation. Location TBD.
Questions? Contact Sarah Ramsey, GVC Communications and Outreach Coordinator, by email.
Activity Challenge
We're spreading awareness about caring for the Gunpowder Watershed while staying active and getting out in nature.
- Register for the challenge - click here
- Walk, bike, roll, or paddle at your own pace
- Track your progress manually with our Activity Log or your fitness app of choice
- Complete 20 miles between April 22 - June 3
- Fill out a brief form to let us know you've completed - click here
Here's our list of 2026 Explore the Gunpowder Challenge participating locations where you can pick up an Explorer Guide and stickers. Please refer to each location's website and/or social media to determine any changes to their open hours.
This year we're switching things up! There will be 4 different types of stickers to collect: Explorer, Local Business, Nature, and History.
"Explorer" Stickers
- Volunteer with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy during the Challenge - click here for details
- Attend a special Explore the Gunpowder event during the Challenge. These will have the pirate map as their image in our Calendar of Events - click here for details
"Local Business" Stickers
Manor Mill
- Address: 2029 Monkton Rd, Monkton, MD 21111
- Open Hours: Wednesday - Sunday (12 pm - 6 pm)
- Website: https://manor-mill.com/
Pipe the Side Brewing Company
- Address: 721 Hanover Pike, Suite 147, Hampstead, MD 21074
- Open Hours: Wednesday (5 pm - 9 pm), Thursday (5 pm - 9 pm), Friday (4 pm - 9 pm), Saturday (12 pm - 9 pm), Sunday (12 pm - 6 pm)
- Website: https://pipethesidebrewingcompany.com
Richardson Farms
- Address: 5900 Ebenezer Road, White Marsh, MD 21162
- Open Hours: Daily (8 am - 6 pm)
- Website: https://www.richardsonfarms.net
Taco Love Grill - White Marsh
- Address: 11550 Philadelphia Road, Suite 109-110, White Marsh, MD 21162
- Open Hours: Monday to Thursday (11:30 am - 9 pm), Friday and Saturday (11:30 am - 10 pm)
- Website: https://www.tacolovegrill.com
The Avenue at White Marsh
- Address: 8125 Honeygo Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21236
- Open Hours: Varies by store
- Website: https://theavenueatwhitemarsh.com
- Special Directions: Keep your eyes open for updates on WHERE to find the Explorer Guide and Stickers. We'll be switching it up each week!
"Nature" Stickers
Baltimore County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden
- Address: 1114 Shawan Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030
- Open Hours: Daily (sunrise-sunset)
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/bcmg-demo-garden
Charlotte's Quest Nature Center
- Address: 3400 Wilhelm Lane, Manchester, MD 21102
- Open Hours: Saturday (9 am - 11:30 am)
- Website: https://www.charlottesquest.org/
Graham Equestrian Center
- Address: 10301 Harford Rd, Glen Arm, MD 21057
- Open Hours: Daily (8 am - 7 pm)
- Website: https://grahameq.org/
- Special Directions: Visit bulletin board in parking lot to find out how to get your sticker!
Marshy Point Nature Center
- Address: 7130 Marshy Point Rd, Middle River, MD 21220
- Open Hours: Daily (9 am - 5 pm)
- Website: https://www.marshypoint.org/
Oregon Ridge Nature Center
- Address: 13555 Beaver Dam Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030
- Open Hours: Daily (9 am - 5 pm)
- Website: https://www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org/
"History" Stickers
Friends of Jerusalem Mill
- Address: 2813 Jerusalem Rd, Kingsville, MD 21087
- Open Hours: Saturday (10 am - 4 pm), Sunday (1 pm - 4 pm) and Monday (1 pm - 4 pm)
- Website: https://jerusalemmill.org/
- Special Directions: You must visit the Jerusalem Mill Visitor Center to get your sticker. Do not go to the park administrative office.
Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum
- Address: 2323 Eastern Blvd, Middle River, MD 21220
- Open Hours: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (10:30 am - 3: 30 pm)
- Website: https://www.mdairmuseum.org/
- Special directions: The museum opens in its new location on April 18th!
Historical Society of Baltimore County
- Address: 9811 Van Buren Lane, Cockeysville, MD 21030
- Open Hours: Friday - Saturday (10 am- 2 pm)
- Website: https://hsobc.org/
Natural History Society of Maryland - CLOSED
- Address: 6908 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21206
- Website: https://www.marylandnature.org
- Unfortunately, the Society has had to delay the opening of their new exhibit "The Making of Maryland: 1 Billion Years and Counting" until August 2026. They will NOT be open during Explore the Gunpowder. We will connect you to them this fall!