Signs of fall nature hike, 11:30 a.m. today, all ages, North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge, Md. 198 between the B/W Pkwy. and Md. 32, Laurel. Free. 301-497-5887.

Patuxent Wildlife Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Patuxent Research Refuge's National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel. Free. Activities for all ages. 301-497-5582.

Halloween celebration, 10 a.m. Saturday, Soldiers Delight, 5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills. $10 person. Activities include painting pumpkins, scary stories, prepare to get dirty. Register at 4410-461-5005.

Camp Misty Mount cabin rentals available through Oct. 31, Catoctin Mountain Park, Thurmont . 301-663-9388.

Owens Creek Campground open for family camping through Nov. 15, Catoctin Mountain Park, Thurmont . 301-663-9388.

Hikes

Fall color walks, 1:30 and 3 p.m. today, Saturday and Oct. 25, Hog Rock parking area in Catoctin Mountain Park, Thurmont . Ranger-led hikes. 301-663-9388.

Battlefield hikes, 8:30 and 11a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Monocacy National Battlefield, 4801 Urbana Pike, Frederick . Three different ranger-led hikes, each about two miles. Reservations req'd. 301-662-3515.

Frederick Watershed hike, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, meet at Fountain Rock Park, 8516 Fountain Rock Court, Walkersville . Age 16 and older. Approx. 8.5-mile hike for avid hiker or experienced outdoorsman. $15. Register at www.recreater.com or 301-600-2936.

Birds and butterflies

Morning bird walk, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Piney Run Park, 30 Martz Road, Sykesville. Rain or shine, ages 10 and older. $5 person. 410-795-3274.

Fall birding at Audrey Carroll Sanctuary, Saturday, with the Frederick Bird Club. Details at 410-549-7082.

Hunter education classes

These classes require registration. Students under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Oct. 26 to 29, Cresap Rifle Club, Plant Road, Frederick . 301-845-2611.

Oct. 31, home study and Internet education course classroom/field program. Must register at least two weeks prior and complete independent study prior to class held at Mount Airy IWLA, 6642 Woodville Road, Mount Airy . Register at The Gun Center, 1713 Rosemont Ave., Frederick or Gun Shack/Crosswind, 101 S. Main St. Mount Airy .

Nov. 4, 6, 7 and 9, Mount Airy , IWLA, 6642 Woodville Road, Mount Airy . 301-698-5277.

Nov. 5 to 7, Frederick IWLA, 4719 Reels Mill Road, Frederick . 301-473-7210.

Other activities

Signs of Life, 3 p.m., today, benefit for the C&O Canal Trust at The Artists Circle Fine Art, 13501 Travilah Road, North Potomac. Casual attire. Tickets start at $50. RSVP to 301-714-2233.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend, Friday to Oct. 25, Western Md. 4-H Center, Bittinger. Hands-on instruction and activities include firearms, fly tying, fishing, photography, outdoor cooking, reading the woods, camping skills. $$. Register at www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife or 410-260-8537.

Nature photo workshop, Friday to Oct. 25, ages 18 and older, Cacapon State Park, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., sponsored by Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Limited to 12. Led by Wil Hershberger. Focus on 35mm format, film and digital, with classroom and field sessions. $150. PVASmail@aol.com or 304-676-3397.

Fall festival golf tournament, 10 a.m. Friday, $49 includes free admission to Great Outdoors Festival on Saturday at Whitetail Resort, 13805 Blairs Valley Road, Mercersburg, Pa. 717-328-9400 or www.skiwhitetail.com.

Patuxent Wildlife Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Patuxent Research Refuge, National Wildlife Visitor Center, Md. 198 off the B/W Pkwy., Laurel. Learn about wildlife research, children's activities, behind-the-scenes tours. Free. 301-776-3090.

Weekly paddling trips on the Upper Potomac River, with the Potomac River Paddlers. For all ages and skill levels. For details, contact Bob at bcianflone@yahoo.com or at groups.yahoo.com/group/Potomac_River_Paddlers.

Cresap Rifle Club, open to the public 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Located on Plant Road. Pistol range; rifle and black powder range 50 and 100 yards; shotguns slug only. Donation of $2 per shooter and $1 for each target you shoot (provided by the club). 301-662-0443 or 301-662-6669.

Tuscarora Gun Club, Md. 28 near Point of Rocks , open to the public 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays for skeet shooting, 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays for skeet and trap shooting, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays for skeet and trap shooting. 301-874-2620.

Send items for Compass to: Compass/Travel & Outdoors section, The News-Post, 351 Ballenger Center Drive, Frederick MD 21703; fax 301-662-8299; or e-mail to sguynn@newspost.com. Items submitted for publication must be received at least 10 days prior to publication.