Schedule of Events

Rescheduled to May 10th. This program is for your entire homeschool family! Learn the process of bird banding using mist-nets, aluminum bands provided by the US Geological Survey, and real live songbirds. Data for each bird caught will include: weight, presence of parasites, sign of brooding, and feather molt. This is a great way to science in action while also getting a hands-on experience with real live birds under the guidance of a licensed bird bander. Look for signs at the main trail for directions to the bird banding station. Families can come and go as they please for the duration of the mist-netting program. (In the event of rain or wind, contact the ODC office first to ensure mist-netting is still taking place.)

Registration required - Registration is closed for this program 

Location: ODC Nature Preserve, 4214 56th Street, Holland, MI 49423

Age limit: Children under 10 yrs old must be accompanied by a parent

Fee: $10 per family (member), $20 per family (non-member)

The purpose of “Nature School” is to introduce the wonders of the natural world to young children. Crafts, activities, games, books, songs, live animals, and outside exploration will be incorporated into their nature-based learning experience.

Parents are encouraged to attend with their 4 to 6 year old - though not required. Parents or guardians are asked to attend with their 3 year old to help with bathroom use and transitioning into a group learning environment.

Registration required and limited

Location: Founders Hall Classroom, 4214 56th Street, Holland, MI 49423

Fee: $10 per child or $5 per child for members (per class)

Women in Nature is a program series designed to motivate women to be more healthy, active and passionate about the natural world surrounding them. In order to do so, we are offering various program experiences.

This archery program will include a quick lesson on how to shoot a bow and arrow, which will be taught by one of our certified women archery instructors. Then participants will have the opportunity to practice for the rest of the evening. Fun 3D targets will be set up, along with normal ring targets.

Registration required

Fee: $10 per person

“VoLes” (Volunteer League) Club for Teens

Middle and High School age students looking for volunteer hours, or who are interested in learning more about the work and mission of the Outdoor Discovery Center, are encouraged to join the new “VoLes” Volunteer League! This program is designed for 12 to 18 year olds who will work with a staff member on a variety of indoor and outdoor tasks. We will spend time caring for our captive wildlife, improving the nature preserve by removing invasive species and installing native plants, and a number of other activities that further our goal of connecting people with nature.

Registration required.

VoLes Club Meetings are scheduled for one Friday afternoon and one Saturday morning of each month. Spring, Summer and Fall sessions are available, no prior experience or participation required to sign up.

There is no fee for this activity, however a signed Behavior Guidelines Agreement and Photo/Liability Release Form are required.

Have your little tyke learn more about wetlands and the animals who reside there. You and your little tyke will have the opportunity to search for and discover animals and aquatic insects using scientific tools.

Registration required

Fee: $4 per child/FREE to members

It's time to round up the little ones and come out to the ODC for Explore a Story!
We'll be introducing kids to the outdoors through books and outdoor adventures. We'll read books, take hikes, meet animals, and have lots of fun. Dress for the weather because we'll be heading outside to see what the world has in store for us! Every session will be different, so you won't want to miss a single one.

Ages: 0-6 yrs with parent

Registration is not required but appreciated.

Fee: $4 per child/FREE to members

As a part of our ongoing maintenance and management, we offer a number of volunteer opportunities to help maintain these properties. These volunteer opportunities are open to the public, registration for each work day is appreciated. We actively manage our restored 155 acre nature preserve in Fillmore Township (Holland) in addition to properties along the Macatawa River Greenway (Holland area) and the Rabbit River in Heath Township (Hamilton). We appreciate the community volunteers provide time and energy and know their help is crucial to successful habitat management.

In volunteering with the us, a person will gain valuable work experience related to conservation and ecological restoration. Volunteers will get hands on experience with practical aspects of natural resource management including plant identification and best management practices for working with native flora and common Midwest invasive species.

Depending on the task at hand, volunteers may find themselves cutting and removing invasive species, planting seeds or trees, or assisting with chemical or biological control of problematic species.

We are looking for motivated, hardworking individuals to further our mission to connect people with nature.

This work day's objective: pulling invasive species! 

Meeting Location: Visitors Center 

Register Today!

Families are invited to meet a naturalist at Farview Park in search of amphibians, insects and other aquatic life. All collection tubs and dip nets will be provided. Old shoes or boots that can go into the water are recommended. No sandals or bare feet please.

Registration required
Fee: FREE

Program Location: Farview Park 6257 138th Ave. Saugatuck, MI

Program Sponsor: Laketown Township

This is a great opportunity to photograph the center's live birds of prey and receive first-hand instruction from professional photographer John Dykstra.Up to seven birds will be used for this photo shoot. The birds will be out of their enclosures and perching on natural perches. They will still have hardware on their feet. You don't want to miss this chance to get close to our birds for spectacular photographs.

Registration required and limited

$55 per person, 25% discount for members

The purpose of “Nature School” is to introduce the wonders of the natural world to young children. Crafts, activities, games, books, songs, live animals, and outside exploration will be incorporated into their nature-based learning experience.

Parents are encouraged to attend with their 4 to 6 year old - though not required. Parents or guardians are asked to attend with their 3 year old to help with bathroom use and transitioning into a group learning environment.
Registration required and limited

Location: Founders Hall Classroom, 4214 56th Street, Holland, MI 49423

Fee: $10 per child or $5 per child for members (per class)

Keep your eyes and ears open for birds on this hike with a naturalist from the Outdoor Discovery Center. Warblers, vireos, sparrows, grosbeaks and more will hopefully be tallied. The group will visit many of the trails at the park, stopping when there is bird activity. Dress for the weather. Insect repellent is recommended.

Registration required

Fee: FREE

Program location - Bysterveld Park, 4171 14th Street, Wayland, MI

Program sponsor - Allegan County Parks and Recreation

Catch a frog, touch a tadpole and have fun exploring a wetland on the ODC Nature Preserve with a naturalist. All collection tubs and dip nets will be provided. No sandals or bare feet please.

Registration required

Fee: $4 per child (with accompanying adult) , FREE to members

Join us in celebrating 5 years since we broke ground on the first water quality project. Breakfast will be hosted by the DeVos and Brooks Families.

Program location: Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, 216 Van Raalte Ave. Holland, MI

Fee: $20 per person

Registration required and limited

For more information, call 616-393-9453 or email Lynn Kotecki

Women in Nature is a program series designed to motivate women to be more healthy, active and passionate about the natural world surrounding them. In order to do so we are offering various program experiences.

For this program, we will meet at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area. There is an option for a 6 mile mountain bike ride or 8 mile road ride (bike path and road). Meet at the 84th Avenue parking lot.

Helmet and bike required.

Program Location: Upper Macatawa Natural Area, 1300 84th Avenue, Zeeland, MI

Registration required

Fee: FREE

As a part of our ongoing maintenance and management, we offer a number of volunteer opportunities to help maintain these properties. These volunteer opportunities are open to the public, registration for each work day is appreciated. We actively manage our restored 155 acre nature preserve in Fillmore Township (Holland) in addition to properties along the Macatawa River Greenway (Holland area) and the Rabbit River in Heath Township (Hamilton). We appreciate the community volunteers provide time and energy and know their help is crucial to successful habitat management.

In volunteering with the us, a person will gain valuable work experience related to conservation and ecological restoration. Volunteers will get hands on experience with practical aspects of natural resource management including plant identification and best management practices for working with native flora and common Midwest invasive species.

Depending on the task at hand, volunteers may find themselves cutting and removing invasive species, planting seeds or trees, or assisting with chemical or biological control of problematic species.

We are looking for motivated, hardworking individuals to further our mission to connect people with nature.

This work day's objective: pulling invasive species! 

Meeting Location: Visitors Center 

Register Today!