SWANTON — School is out for the holidays, but children can still find plenty to do at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center, which has programs running every day during the holiday break.

“We look at ourselves as a good alternative for when people come to ski and can’t,” Caroline Blizzard, director of the center, said, “a good alternative for something to do.”

The winter break programming began Tuesday, but will continue into Jan. 1.

Today, the center will have a demonstration called the Naturalist Box, where various items from nature will be discussed and displayed, at 11 a.m. Later this afternoon at 1:30, there will be an opportunity for learning more about black bears with Black Bears and YOU!

Thursday at 11 a.m., a book and craft workshop called the Reading Naturalist features the book “A Year of Birds,” and children will have the opportunity to make a related craft. Children also will get to visit the bird observation station. At 1:30, the program Happy Herps shows children demonstrations such as the difference between a poisonous snake and the rest, with live specimens to demonstrate.

Friday, there will be another Reading Naturalist with the book “We Are Bears” and related crafts and activities at 11 a.m. At 1:30, naturalists will show visitors the Discovery Center’s residents as part of their Scales and Tales program, with a red-tailed hawk and snakes.

On Saturday, a Night Sounds demonstration includes an explanation of the strange noises heard at night with the possibility of some nocturnal creatures on display at the 11 a.m. presentation. At 1:30 p.m., a Snakes Alive demonstration shows various snakes that live around Maryland.

“The people get to handle them,” Amo Oliverio, park naturalist, said. “It really helps people get over their fear of them. They learn why they are important.”

On Sunday, a unique hike will be held, as the Black Bears and YOU! presentation travels through black bear habitat at 11 a.m. Visitors will be able to watch naturalists feed some of the animals in the center for We Got Worms at 3 p.m.

“The hands-on stuff is what really puts a gleam in (children’s) eyes,” Oliverio said. “I don’t think kids get to experience nature like they should. Here they have a hands-on opportunity to be up-close with nature. They leave with an appreciation and excitement to learn more, which makes my job worthwhile.”

Blizzard said that the Discovery Center will be open on New Year’s Day.

Sarah Moses can be reached at smoses@times-news.com.