Always free. Always fun.
Foster a natural curiosity in your family for science and the great outdoors with our programs for families with children aged 3-12. Experience the topic of the day through discovery hikes, stories, games, and nature art projects. Programs are led by environmental educators. Registration is not required unless designated otherwise. For groups larger than 10 people, please provide advance notice so we can plan accordingly. Programs take place both in the Bunker Interpretive Center, and out in the Ecosystem Preserve, so please come prepared for walking outside in a variety of weather conditions.
First Saturdays
Migration Madness
April 6, 2013 at 10:30 am - 12 pm
Teacher: Nancy McIntyre, Volunteer Naturalist
Spring is here and our feathered friends are returning from their winter homes. Discover why birds migrate and the dangers they face along their journeys, as we play some fun migration games and observe birds throughout the preserve. This is a hands-on program recommended for families with children ages 3-12.
Spring Break 2013
Looking for something to do during spring break? Come visit us at the preserve! As always, you are invited to stop in the Bunker Interpretive Center at your leisure. Together, children and their parents/caregivers can read a storybook or two, star in their own puppet show, play a fun game of nature bingo together, and go on a hike through the preserve. We will be open Monday -Friday at 9 am - 5 pm, and Saturday, April 6 at 10 am - 4 pm. Please note on Saturday, March 30 the BIC will be closed in celebration of Easter.
We also offer a variety of our favorite educational programs in which children and their parents/caregivers can participate at various times throughout the week. All programs are free; no pre-registration is required. An adult is required to accompany all children at all programs. Programs will take place in light rain, so dress for the weather and walking the trails.
Spring Discovery Hike│Monday, April 1│10 - 11:15 a.m.
The birds are singing and the sun is shining. Join us as we discover signs of spring on a walk through the Ecosystem Preserve.
This program is great for families with children of all ages, and adventurous adults.
Lost in the Woods Movie & Spring Scavenger Hunt│Monday, April 1│1:30 - 3 pm
Watch the delightful movie Lost in the Woods by Carl Sams II on our big screen, and learn more about the first days of a young fawn’s life in the spring. Then participate in a family scavenger hunt through the woods to see if you can spy the many creatures that are featured in the movie. This is a perfect program for families with children ages 3-12 years old.
Birding 101│Tuesday, April 2│9 - 10:30 a.m.
Spring is here and the birds are singing. Join Miss Jeanette on a morning bird walk to search for birds throughout the preserve. We will start by learning how to use binoculars and field guides for identification, and then spend the rest of the morning in the preserve watching our feathered friends and listening to their beautiful songs. A limited number of binoculars and bird field guides will be available for use. This family workshop is open to 3rd-8th grade students accompanied by an adult.
Nature Journaling 101│Tuesday, April 2│1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Learn the basics of nature journaling from Miss Nancy while exploring the preserve. We will provide pencils and paper, but feel free to bring your own journal if you have one. This program is geared to families with children ages 3rd-8th grade.
Open House: Making Paper Bag Nature Journals & Homemade Paper│Wednesday, April 3│10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Bring a grocery store paper bag and learn how to make a paper bag journal. Our lab will also be open to make your own sheets of homemade paper to decorate your journal with. This is an open house, so come to create a work of art and then go for a nature walk while it dries. Dress to get messy - paper making involves lots of water. Great for all ages acompanied by an adult.
Calling all Frogs: Frog Songs in the Spring│Wednesday, April 3│7 - 8:30 p.m.
Recommended for families with children aged 3-8 years.
Join Miss Nancy as she reads One Frog Sang by Shirley Parenteau, and learn about Michigan frogs and their special calls. Become part of a frog chorus and spend time exploring some of the ponds on the preserve, listening for frog calls at dusk. Program will occur in light rain because frogs love the wet weather!
Spring Discovery Hike│Thursday, April 4│10 - 11:15 a.m.
The birds are singing and the sun is shining. Join us as we discover signs of spring on a walk through the Ecosystem Preserve. This program is great for families with children of all ages, and adventurous adults.
Calling all Frogs: Frog Songs in the Spring│Thursday, April 4│7 - 8:30 p.m.
Recommend for families with children aged 6-12 years.
Come learn about Michigan frogs and their special calls with Miss Jeanette. Become part of a frog chorus and spend time exploring some of the ponds on the preserve, listening for frog calls at dusk. Program will occur in light rain because frogs love the wet weather!
Animal Games│Friday, April 5│10 - 11:30 a.m.
From bats to deer to squirrels, we will learn about a variety of survival techniques that these animals use to both protect themselves and capture their prey as we play our favorite animals games. We will be outside so dress for the weather and wear your running shoes. This is a perfect program for families with children ages 3-12 years old.
Nests & Eggs│Friday, April 5│1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Participate in a variety of hands on activities including listening to a story, and observing real nests and eggs to learn more about the types of animals that create nests and lay eggs. Have fun looking for nests in the preserve and creating your very own nest. Great for all ages acompanied by an adult.
