Explore the Gunpowder Challenge

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.

Submit your Completer Form

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

Trail Suggestions in the Gunpowder

Navigator Challenge

Discover these hidden gems in the Gunpowder Watershed!

Register for the challenge - click here
Visit participating locations to pick up your Explorer Guide and collect stickers - see list below
Collect 4 stickers to complete your passport
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: NEW LOCATION!! You can get your Explorer Guide and sticers at the Makers of Maryland store. Their hours are Monday - Saturday (10 am - 9 PM) and Sunday (11 am - 6 pm).

Ultimate Watersports

Address: Mariner Point Park, 100 Kearney Drive, Joppatowne, MD 21085
Open Hours: Saturday -Sunday (10 am - 6 pm)
Website: https://ultimatewatersports.com/

"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.

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/

The following locations will NOT be participating this year due to recent delays in their museum renovations.

Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum - CLOSED

Address: 2323 Eastern Blvd, Middle River, MD 21220
Website: https://www.mdairmuseum.org/
Special directions: The museum will NOT be open in time for 2026 Explore the Gunpowder. We look forward to visiting them next year.

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!