Schedule of Events

Knee-high Naturalists introduces the wonders of the natural world to young children. Crafts, activities, books, snacks, 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

Fee: $10 per child, $5 for members

Fall is filled with colors in Michigan. It's truly a spectacle! In this Nature's Paintbrush Workshop, participants will capture the beauty of fall using watercolors. The workshop is designed for ages 10- adult. This program includes instruction and all materials. 

Registration required

Fee: $25 per person

It’s time to round up the little ones and come out to the DeGraaf Nature Center for Explore a Story!

We’ll be introducing kids to the outdoors through books and outdoor adventures. We’ll read stories, take hikes, meet animals, and have lots of fun. Dress for the weather because we’ll be heading outside to experience the nature around us!

No registration necessary

Fee: $5 per child, FREE for members

Knee-high Naturalists introduces the wonders of the natural world to young children. Crafts, activities, books, snacks, 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
Fee: $10 per child, $5 for members

Our Volunteer League is a service club for teens to experience what it takes to maintain a natural area and captive wildlife; and to gain insight to the ODC Network mission of educating people about the importance of nature. This program is designed for 12 to 18 year olds who will work with ODC Network staff on a variety of indoor and outdoor tasks. We might spend time improving the nature preserve by removing invasive species, cleaning up animal enclosures, or a number of other projects that further our goal of connecting people with nature. It’s also a great way to earn those community service volunteer hours!

VoLes club meetings are scheduled for one Friday/Thursday and one Saturday of each month, for a total of six meetings per session. 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.

Registration required

Fee: FREE

Schedule available at https://outdoordiscovery.org/voles/

Fall 2019 Sessions:

Friday 9/13, 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday 9/21 (with River Clean up) 1-4 pm
Friday 10/04, 3:30-5:30 pm
Friday 10/26 (Treats and Trails) 2-7pm (sign up for shift online here)
Friday 11/8 (set up with 5K fun run) 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday 11/16, 3:30-5:30 pm

If you are looking for a unique run, the Outdoor Discovery Center is a great place to go. This run will be approximately 3.1 miles and take place throughout our trail system. It will end with water, Biggby coffee and hot chocolate, Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery cider donuts, and fruit from the Hamilton Food Center. There will also be an opportunity for a picture with one of our live birds of prey.

A special thanks goes to our Premier Sponsor: JR Automation Technologies LLC. Thank you to our Supporting Sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Biggby Coffee, DICKS Sporting Goods & Uniform Color Company

Sorry, dogs are not permitted on this run.

Registration required

Fee: $30 per person

T-shirt size not guaranteed after October 11.
Check-in as early as 9 am

Have you ever wondered what snakes eat? Snakes are carnivores and only eat other animals. They are definitely not vegetarians! Come to the Visitors Center to find out what's on the menu as you watch our resident serpents enjoy a meal.

No registration required

Fee: FREE

We're flying with the birds today. We'll be going bird watching around the property with the help of binoculars, observing all the birds at our feeders, and meet some of our resident raptors up close and personal as we study birds at this program.

This drop-off program is geared for home schoolers ages 6 - 10. Please bring a water bottle and a snack if desired.

Registration required

Fee: $10 per child

A minimum of 10 registrants is needed for this class to be conducted.

Bring out your little tykes to learn more about nature. In each program, you and your little tyke will have the opportunity to explore together. This fall we will be learning about insects, leaves, and tremendous turkeys! Please dress for the weather.

Registration required

Fee: $5 per child, FREE for members

Knee-high Naturalists introduces the wonders of the natural world to young children. Crafts, activities, books, snacks, 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

Fee: $10 per child, $5 for members

Would you like more toads to visit your garden? These helpful creatures keep your garden healthy and pest free. And they’re really fun to catch to be able to get a closer look. Come to our workshop and build a toad abode made of recycled and natural found materials such as acorns, bark, and leaves. We will provide all of the materials needed. This is a perfect workshop for ages 6-12 but any age is welcome.

Registration required

Fee: $8 per toad abode, $4 for members

Our Volunteer League is a service club for teens to experience what it takes to maintain a natural area and captive wildlife; and to gain insight to the ODC Network mission of educating people about the importance of nature. This program is designed for 12 to 18 year olds who will work with ODC Network staff on a variety of indoor and outdoor tasks. We might spend time improving the nature preserve by removing invasive species, cleaning up animal enclosures, or a number of other projects that further our goal of connecting people with nature. It’s also a great way to earn those community service volunteer hours!

VoLes club meetings are scheduled for one Friday/Thursday and one Saturday of each month, for a total of six meetings per session. 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.

Registration required

Fee: FREE

Schedule available at https://outdoordiscovery.org/voles/

Fall 2019 Sessions:

Friday 9/13, 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday 9/21 (with River Clean up) 1-4 pm
Friday 10/04, 3:30-5:30 pm
Friday 10/26 (Treats and Trails) 2-7pm (sign up for shift online here)
Friday 11/8 (set up with 5K fun run) 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday 11/16, 3:30-5:30 pm

Have you ever wondered how ants follow what seem to be invisible trails leading to food? Or why beavers slap their tail? And why are skunks black and white? If so, you’re in the right place! In this program we will learn about some types of critter communication found in the animal kingdom. You will learn about familiar vocalizations to more peculiar examples like dancing and chemical communication.

We are partnering with the Holland Big Read (https://hope.edu/offices/big-read/) for this communication program to go along with the book The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet by Carmen Agra Deedy.

Registration required

Fee: FREE - program sponsored by the Holland Big Read